$10 “Splurge” at the Thrift Store

When you get used to spending $1-$2 for dresses, blouses, skirts and entire designer suits, “splurging” means dishing out anything over $5.  I generally don’t consider spending more than a few bucks on an item unless it’s really quite extraordinary: something unique and gorgeous that makes my heart go a-flutter.

I saw such an item today, after spending 45 minutes coming up empty handed at my charity shop.  My thrifting was also pleasantly interrupted by Greg, one of the regulars who’s been addicted to thrift for many years.  He was showing off some incredible pieces of Waterford Crystal he had just found for $2.50.  He would resell them easily for $75-$100 each.  And – for reasons unknown, Greg had decided that today would be the day he would finally ask me out, after chit chatting over blazers and collectibles for the past few months.

In any case, as the clock wound down to closing time, I politely excused myself from conversing with Greg and scurried over to the “boutique” section of the thrift store.  The “boutique” is the tiny corner where the staff stock high end labels, formal wear, evening gowns – even wedding dresses  After a few minutes of flipping through the hangers, I came upon an item that was covered in a dry-cleaning plastic bag.  I could tell it was a top.  There were interesting sequins involved (something I adore).  It was handmade, brand new and from a good designer, or so I was told by Greg and the ladies on the staff: Adrianna Papell Boutique.  The tags were still on: $95 retail.  The shop was selling it for $10 – an incredible deal but still an enormous sum by my thrifty standards.

I had five minutes to try it on.  Someone was in the changing room.  I glanced at the clock.   One of the women shopping nearby admired my find.  “Girl, I love this so much that if it fits, I’m going to cry.  And if it doesn’t fit, I’m going to cry anyway,” I told her.  With seconds to spare, it was finally my turn to try on the lovely sequined top.  “It fits!” I exclaimed to no one in particular.  A lady across the curtain shouted with glee on my behalf.

Greg wanted to know what I would wear it with.  I thought black skinny pants or leggings with black open-toed heels or silver sandals would do. Another lady suggested gray slacks.  What do you all think?  How would you rock this sequined top?