Thrift Shop Haul

Thrift-shopping can be often overlooked for many reasons. Some people are turned away by the overwhelming chaos. Other people can't stand the smell. Some shoppers get impatient searching, while others simply want the latest fashion and fear that second-hand stores are just too out-dated. This article is designed to provide hope when searching the racks of thrift stores by showing just a few of the many things Alexis, our Fashion Cents Contributor, purchased on her most recent thrift shop hauls.

Alexis went to Salvation Army for their 50% off Wednesday sale and continued her thrift adventures at Goodwill a couple days later. On both occasions, she brought good company with her to keep her spending limit accountable, to have some fun, and to assure that she didn't purchase anything too outlandish.

The red blazer with blue trimming featured both above and below was purchased at Salvation Army during their 50% off Wednesday sale. Alexis saw this blazer upon entry and wore it throughout her entire thrift hunt through the store. When she arrived at the cashier, she realized she could not part with it. What a steal for just $3, here is at least two ways she can wear it.

The Jones New York jeans were found mixed in on an unexpected rack at Goodwill. These pants were brand new and fit so perfectly. Alexis could not pass them up! They were the perfect addition to her crazy pants collection. While at Goodwill, Alexis quickly researched the brand on her smart phone and discovered that these jeans range anywhere from $60-90 full price.

The blue lace dress was purchased at Goodwill for just $6, but originally can be found at Old Navy, whose dresses are usually between $20-30 originally. (FUN FACT: When these two items are paired together, Alexis receives a lot of comments in which she's compared to a politician or the First Lady.) On that day, Alexis really had a propensity to purchase cute dresses. Aside from this dress, she also bought 4 other dresses that will be posted in a later article.It's not fall without a plaid flannel button down in your wardrobe. It's both comfortable and warm. Purchased at Salvation Army, Alexis' friends enlightened her on how to score shirts like this. The secret is to raid the MENS SECTION! Similar Converse shirts can be found at Target for a lot more money, so sifting through Salvation Army racks is worth the bargain.

Sometimes a cozy neutral sweater is all one needs to rock the fall look. This gray sweater is oversized in width, but can be paired well with a cute undershirt because of its crop-top quality. Don't be afraid to try on different shapes and shades of sweaters.

To stick with the sweater theme, this one fulfilled Alexis' long lasting desire to have something army print in her wardrobe. Although it wasn't purchased at a traditional thrift-store, Plato's Closet does offer great deals and styles. A long sweater like this is versatile because it can be worn with regular jeans or even jeggings for a more flexible fit. She bought these blue jeggings for just $3 to appropriately accompany the sweater. The jeggings even had the tag left on it from Target!

Stay tuned for PART 2 of Alexis' Fall Thrift Shop Haul where she unveils more trendy dresses and sweaters. Now that you know what kind of cute clothes you can score for great deals, HAPPY THRIFTING.

One Dress = 11 Outfits

  Having Fashion Cents is not just about knowing how to shop, but it's also about knowing when to stop shopping and start revamping the awesome pieces that are already in your closet. Alexis' fashion skills were put to the test when she committed to wearing the same dress for 11 consecutive days. The goal was to see how creative she could get with a basic grey dress she purchased at Rue21 on sale for just $5. The rest of the items and accessories were things she already had in her closet.

 Pictured here are three different looks (from left to right): grunge, fall, and plain. 1. The first look includes a beaded flower belt from WetSeal, an old grey cardigan, and her versatile black studded loafers. 2. The second look screams fall with the floral denim jacket gifted from American Eagle and Alexis' signature tan boots. 3. The third look is self explanatory. Just plain and simple, shoeless & all.

Pictured here are three very diverse looks (from left to right): business casual, fairytale fall, and flowy over-shirt. 4. Alexis is wearing a long sleeve blue button up that she purchased for $1 at a thrift store underneath her dress to add a professional dynamic. Her belt was $1 at CottonOn and her black bootie wedges were $6 at Goodwill. She wore this outfit to a business dinner. 5. Alexis named this look 'fairytale fall' because she fashions a Peter Pan collar underneath her shirt and pairs it with a cardigan for a cool fall day. 6. Alexis wore a flowy sleeveless blouse atop the dress and cinched it in at the waist with a belt that offered a pop of color.

Three more looks are added to the book featuring (from left to right): a knit sweater frenzy, rustic punk, and galaxy gal. 7. Alexis purchased this oversized knit sweater at Salvation Army. Oversized tops work well over dresses. Sometimes a belt can be added so the sweater doesn't swallow you up. Her boots were purchased at Goodwill. 8. Vests are always a great dynamic to spice up a dress. This studded denim vest was purchased for only $6 at Rue21. 9. Leggings are a must when it comes to versatility! They permit women to do more activities when wearing dresses, and in this case, they make Alexis seem 'out of this world'. These galaxy print leggings are a must-have. Alexis won hers in an eBay auction for only $2.

The finale of looks (from left to right): army hipster, and sparkled swag. 10. Alexis wore an oversized sweater over the dress to add a comfortable dynamic. The sweater was only $6 at Plato's Closet. She paired this with a black straw fedora that was $1 at CottonOn and her favorite black combat boots. (This look is Alexis' favorite.) 11. A beaded crop top added a fresh twist to this simple look. The beaded shirt was found at a local Goodwill.

Now, the challenge is yours! Pick a dress -- any dress -- and style it different ways using Alexis' techniques. What's amazing is that no one noticed Alexis' was wearing the same dress every day, except the people she told. Change up your shoes, add a hat, wear something over or under it. The possibilities are endless. Create your own infinity dress.

Shopping on a Budget

Hello again! It’s Alexis with your latest FASHION CENTS.

One complaint I often receive from people who want to get good deals is that they aren’t willing to wear old clothes worn by strangers. The thought of someone else once wearing those clothes somehow grosses them out, and while for some, that’s a reasonable excuse not to thrift shop, I personally think it adds character to the clothes. On a similar note, today I’m going to enlighten you all on some stores where you can shop for brand new clothes that are still VERY affordable. My effort is to appease those of you who want to dress both affordably and fashionably, but aren’t willing to wear used clothing. Here are some of my favorite affordable retail stores:

 1. CottonOn

When I first started college, I naturally visited the nearest mall soon after. On that first mall trip is when I discovered CottonOn. While I was there, I purchased two dresses for $5 a piece and was blown away by their prices and style! At the time, they didn’t have an online American store, but I quickly signed up for their mailing list so I would be the first to know when they did.

Fortunately enough, they launched their online shopping about a year ago, and their online selection and prices are even better. All of their clothes are super versatile and comfortable because they are made with cotton. To shop online visit CottonOn.com and make sure to check out their sections called “Nothing Over $5” and “Nothing Over $10”.

2. MadRag

I discovered this store while I was on vacation. We had extended our stay for a few extra days and I hadn’t packed enough clothes to last the trip, so I walked into MadRag with $25 and walked out with two pairs of shorts and three shirts. Unfortunately this store doesn’t offer online shopping, but if you visit their site, you can find a location near you. http://10spotplus.com/storelocator.aspx

3. TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls

These are three stores I thoroughly adore. Their collection of clothing is very wide, with selections for everyone in the family.  They each sell name brand clothing at discounted prices. Brands like American Eagle, Coach, Nike, Calvin Klein, and more can be spotted on their racks. I’ve bought everything from Prom dresses, to church dresses, to work out clothes, and even to cute casual shoes.

A great tip that saves me tons of money is that I go straight to the sales racks before even sifting through any other sections of these stores.

Ross  |  TJMaxx  |  Marshalls

4. Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Juniors Link 

Many people overlook Wal-Mart as a place for fashion, but every year for Christmas and my birthday my grandpa would give me a $25 gift card and I grew to love it more and more each time. Recently, camo skinny pants were on my fashion must-have list. Most places would sell them for at least $30, but I found them at Wal-Mart for $16.88. Here’s some ideas of things you can get at Wal-Mart.

  Floral Peplum Top

Check out the concept of this bargain! You can mix and match fashionable tops with bottoms to get an affordable and adorable bundle deal!

Mix-n-Match Denim Shirt and Colored Pants Bundle Deal

Now you know to never underestimate a store’s potential to carry cute clothes!  Just think about the next time someone compliments your clothes and asks where you got it, and you can confidently say Wal-Mart or CottonOn or any of the other stores many people overlook. You’ll know you scored a great deal.

For MORE FASHION CENTS POSTS CLICK HERE!

Thank you all for tuning in to read yet another blog about affordable fashion. Remember to comment on this post with your thoughts or ideas on this article or suggestions on future articles.

Get the Celebrity Look For Less

Hey Girls! I know that finding the perfect fall look can be pretty difficult, especially when you’re not sure where to look to find affordable and appropriate fashion choices, but have no fear, Alexis is here. Today included in my Fashion Cents blog is a feature called The Look For Less, where I present celebrity-inspired looks for much cheaper prices.

I’ve found three very versatile looks that would look great on most body types that are really in style this season.

1. Demi Lovato’s comfy-casual look

Boots  |   Leggings  |  Sweater  |  Fedora

One thing that I’m certain about is that maroon/burgundy pants and leggings are so in style this season. A great pair of leggings is always closet staple. What’s super convenient about this outfit is that all of the items are solids, so they can be paired with a variety of other outfit options. Demi’s oversized black sweater completes the look because it adds warmth, edge, and comfort all in one.

2. Taylor Swift’s Sailor Look

Striped Shirt  |   Red Skinny Jeans  |  Leather Cross Body Bag  |  Headband  |  Yellow Ballet Flats

Sailor stripes are climbing their way back up on the style spectrum. A ¾ sleeve striped shirt is the most popular variation of this trend, but really you can never go wrong with simple sailor stripes to complete a look. They look best when paired with the primary colors (yellow, red, or blue), just like Taylor’s outfit.

3. Zooey Deschanel’s Western-Chic Look

Lace Dress  |  Cowgirl Boots  |  Belt  |  Leggings

If lace were a color, it would be my favorite color. Lace is something that every lady should have in her closet. Zooey pulls off this western look really well by pairing a lace dress with cowgirl boots. Cowgirl boots are definitely trendy and come in all sorts of styles to accommodate the fashionista’s personal preferences.

 Don’t be afraid to look up outfits on Pinterest from fashionable celebrities like Kari Jobe, Candace Cameron Bure, or other celebrities I included in this post. Then, search piece-by-piece for items like theirs. One feature I really love on Google is the ‘shopping’ section, where it pulls results from all kinds of online stores and I can compare prices.

So there you have it! Three great fall looks, whether you’re feeling comfy, like a sailor, or a little bit of country twang. If there’s a look you want to rock, but need help finding affordable and appropriate items, feel free to comment below so I can feature it in my next article on The Look for Less.

Fashion Cents: Tips for Buying Cheap Clothes

Written by Alexis Gauthier Good-day Lovely Ladies! Alexis here :D I’m so excited to be part of the new Fashion ¢ents campaign, because a good fashion bargain is fashion that just makes sense. Today I wanted to share with you my heart behind this fashion feature and even give you girls a few tips on how to work the thrift store bargains!

Imagine yourself at a holiday party, fun friend outing, or even just walking the halls of school. No matter where you are, your desire is to look and feel confident, however with the pricy trends that have made their way to the runway and front covers of magazines, it is difficult to afford diverse outfits, let alone one astounding look! I’ve been there. We all have, however I was lucky enough to jump on the thrifting train at a young age.

Once I learned that I could get the same looks at thriftier prices, I never went back. Why? Because my clothing items were original and affordable. Sometimes it takes a little more time and effort, but I also get more for my money, so I have more options to choose from! Here are some of my thrift store secrets.

Salvation Army – 50% off Wednesdays

A lot of Salvation Army stores discount all of their shoes, clothing, and accessories 50% off all day on Wednesdays. I love this sale because I get twice for a price that’s already a bargain.

A couple of my favorite items found at a recent Salvation Army 50% off sale!

Ask for discounts!

You never know how much money you can really save until you try. One time, I was shopping with a friend who was in an especially particular time financial crunch because her wedding was just weeks away. It was to the point that she couldn’t even afford the thrift shop prices, so I explained her situation to the cashier, and the sales clerk was sweet enough to add an ADDITIONAL 50% off. Another time, I had picked out a shirt with a lot of holes in it, which I didn’t mind because I know how to sew, and I showed the lady the holes and asked if I could have a discount. I ended up scoring the shirt for 50 cents!

Color of the day discount

Goodwill and Salvation Army ALWAYS have a color of the day. If you find clothes tagged with that color, you get a discount. It’s always like a treasure hunt, but definitely worth the search.

College discount

If you’re in college, almost every location honors students with a 10% off discount. I’ve been using this discount since high school by presenting my dual-enrollment ID. If you’re not in college, check your local thrift store for similar discounts like senior discounts etc. and plan a thrifting adventure with a college mentor or grandparent so you can use their discount.

99cents a pound

Okay, so here is one of my BIGGEST thrift secrets. There’s select Goodwill locations that are called Goodwill Headquarters. These locations are usually very large buildings with two sides: there’s the normal store with a very large selection, and then there’s section that is 99 cents a pound. You need to have a lot of time on your hands to sift through the tables and buckets of clothes, but it is so affordable in the end. I’ve been twice, spent $7 both times, and left with about 15 items on both occasions. That averages out to about 50 cents per item. My favorite buy was a sequin pair of Express shorts.

Plato’s Closet grab bag sale

This is one of my absolute favorite discounts, however it only happens once or twice a year, depending on location. Every summer Plato’s Closet draws in crowds of fashionistas with the alluring temptation of gently used name brand clothing combined with extra low prices. How? They have a grab bag sale! The object of the sale is to stuff as much clothing and accessories into the bag as possible so that it can still tie, and then all the contents of the bag are yours for just $20. I’ve lined up for this sale before, in which the line wrapped around the building and girls of all ages ran inside when doors opened. I ended up leaving Plato’s Closet spending $20 and getting 25 items of nearly new clothing, all because I strategically folded and stuffed.

So, there you have it: some of the best discount tips from the bargainer herself! I hope you enjoyed. Leave some feedback so I know what YOU want to hear about in my next Fashion Cents feature.

The possibilities are endless.