Fall Wardrobe Thrift Haul & Thrifting Tips

Going to the thrift store is one of my favorite things to do, because I have a champagne taste, but I hate spending money. Thrifting in person is always more fun as the spontaneity and “treasure hunt” aspect of it are thrilling. Online thrifting however, can give you a little more control over specific things that you are looking for. When I picked up the sweater for the sweater to cardigan tutorial, I also found a few things to update my wardrobe for fall…yup, that’s coming up on us! 

I found this vintage Gap hunter green canvas jacket for a mere $1.50. I looked at it, but it had a faux fur collar that was in rough shape. I walked away. Suddenly I remembered that fur collars are often removable for washing. I backed the truck up. I looked the coat over and found that the collar was indeed removable and then I saw the lining was removable too! The thing was pristine aside from the faux fur collar. 

Despite the condition of the collar, I gave it a wash on cold and used a stiff hairbrush to brush the faux fur out. Turns out, the collar just needed “a day at the salon”. The faux fur isn’t really my style, but I’ll hang onto it in case I change my mind or if I want to play another prank on my son that some small animal got ahold of me.

This Woolrich plaid shirt is an XL, but I needed a small or medium. I have been in love with button up shirts tied at the bottom ever since D.J. and Stephanie put a hole in their dad’s closet when they accidently tore the hanging bar down. That’s the one and only episode of Full House that ever truly stuck with me. I plopped that shirt in my cart so fast, Bob Saget would have never known it was missing. Aside from loving tied button ups, the shirt was 99 cents AND it was made of rayon which I adore.

I have had my eye on puffed sleeved shirts ever since I watched a woman in New Orleans strut into a bakery on Magazine Street. This woman made me believe that if I owned a puffed sleeve shirt, that I too would ooze the confidence that she commanded. I decided that I needed a FRAME puffed sleeve shirt. FRAME is not known for being cheap, and at $300 I was not willing to spend that much on one item. My entire wardrobe cost less than $300. I stalked the secondhand online marketplaces and I was able to snag one for just $30! 

I also grabbed this Streetwear Society chambray button up, a Knox Rose shibori tie dye boho top and an H&M military style button up shirt. Lastly, I picked upa Universal Thread plaid shirt…yes another red, white and blue plaid shirt. The Woolrich and the Universal Thread shirt are indeed very similar, but they are also very different: one is flowy and the other is more fitted and the plaid is different. Each top ranged between 99 cents and $1.50. The necklace stacks can be found here in our shop.

• If you’re looking for something specific, keep your eye on secondhand online marketplaces. Some sites have the option of receiving alerts when new items are listed that match your search criteria. 
• If an item doesn’t quite work for you like the size is wrong, but you absolutely love it, think of different ways of using it. Try tying a shirt at the waist, a pair of jeans can be trimmed at the hem and left raw, t-shirts can be cropped and the hem can also be left raw, etc. 
• If it has faux fur that’s in bad condition or you just don’t like faux fur, check to see if it’s removable. 
• To save money, check to see if thrift stores have a loyalty program, mine has a 10% off of your total if you bring their shopping bag in. I only buy items that are on sale (unless it’s absolutely amazing). If you don’t love it, if something is wrong with the item, you don’t truly have a use for it etc, don’t buy it. There’s nothing worse than “saving money” on things you do. not. need.
• Thrifting is a great way to start an entirely new wardrobe, supplement or add new items to an existing wardrobe and sometimes you just need a little me time and spending a couple of bucks generally won’t break the bank. If you just had a baby, your weight refuses to cooperate or maybe your clothes got lost in a move, you can fix your wardrobe issue without digging into funds meant for something else.
• If you have longer hair, bring a hair tie or hair clip to keep your hair off of the clothes you try on…especially if you don’t wash your hair everyday.
• Pay special attention to the fronts of shirts and armpits for stains and holes.