Tag: Thrifting

Poppin' Tags

$42 at the Thrift Store

Crystal Fleming

This is the story of three pairs of dope ass shoes, one skirt, two dresses and one shirt that can double as a (short) dress.  I estimate that I got about $270 worth of clothes for the cost of two drinks at a rooftop bar in Manhattan. Behold, the glory:

Ellen Tracy denim & leather pumps. Approx value: $70. I paid: $15.

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Love these. And they’re comfortable too!
Zora's always trying to get shine.
Zora’s always trying to get shine.

Naturalizer sandals (perfect condition – apparently never worn).

Approx value: $75. I paid: $7.50

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Naturalizer sandals. Perfect condition. 90% off.

You didn’t believe me when I said they were in perfect condition? Would I lie to you?

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Pleather (vegan 🙂 Franco Sarto boots. Approx value: $50. I paid: $2.

Maternity sundress by Heidi Klum.  Approx value: $25. I paid: $2.

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One woman’s maternity dress is another woman’s come up..

Striped shirt. Approx value: $10. I paid: $3.

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I love stripes. Especially in the summer

Peace sign skirt. Approx value: $20. I paid: $6.

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Sundress of unknown provenance. Approx value: $20. I paid: 6.

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I think I’m most excited about the shoes.  The $15 heels were a splurge – I almost never pay more than $5 for clothes or shoes, but these just fit so perfectly and looked so damned sexy that I felt compelled to make an exception.  When I slipped them on, a crowd of ladies at the shop ooh’d and ahh’d at the glory.  I can see them now, with some denim skinny jeans – or shorts.  Lawd.  And those Naturalizers?  I mean.. perfect condition!  Not even a scuff on the heels!  Incredible find.  The “maternity” dress is lose and comfortable – perfect for lounging around the house on these hot summer days.

Now remember. Thrifting is not only amazing because of the gorgeous clothes you can find, but more importantly, it helps make the world a better place in tangible ways. If you shop at a legitimate, not-for-profit establishment, you are often able to contribute directly to charitable organizations.  Thrifting is also great for the environment — it’s a fashionable way of recycling and cuts down on waste.   So get out there and pop some tags already. And while you’re at it, donate something, too!

Poppin' Tags

Better-Than-Sex Thrift Haul: $780 worth of clothes & shoes for $39

Crystal Fleming

It’s been a while since I’ve waxed poetic about thrifting.. but this latest haul has me over the moon with euphoria.

There’s only one way to start this post.  Seriously. Press play. Then continue reading.

So, I stopped by the thrift shop twice this week and hauled in these divine items:

  • Black Stuart Weitzman patent leather platform stilettos with suede interior. Tags STILL on. Original price: $375. I paid: $15
  • Brown Stuart Weitzman leopard kitten heels.  Approx value: $200. I paid: $12.50
  • Eddie Bauer leopard loafers (notice a trend?)  Approx value: $60. I paid: $5.
  • Red and black polyester Bankers Club blouse WITH matching belt/tie.  Approx value: $20. I paid: $1.
  • Black and red pinstriped Kasper suit.  Approx value: $100. I paid: $2
  • Gorgeous floral Talbots blouse. Approx value: $30. I paid: $4

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It’s just straight up insanity.  Those shoes?  THOSE SHOES?  I just.. can’t.. get over it..

Stuart Weitzman platform stilettos

Shoes 2

Praise be to the Thrifting Gods.  Praise be to the All-There-Is.  Hallelujerr, Hallelujerr.

So.. I love that the platform stilettos fit like Air NIKES.  They are super comfortable!  And the detailing is gorgeous.  Can’t wait to wear them to something sexy in the city!  The SW kitten heels are nice too – a little smaller, not as comfortable, but they will do just fine for a date night when I’m being chauffeured around. The Eddie Bauer loafers are faaaaabulous.  Perfect for work or a walk around town.

Blouse

The Bankers Club blouse brings joy to my heart.  Red and black are my favorite colors and I know this will look fantastic with my fire engine red lipstick, nails and some black slacks.  The Kasper suit was such a find.  One of my great joys in life is getting suits worth hundreds of dollars for less than the cost of a latte.. I’m running out of space for my collection at this point.

Kasper Suit

The Talbots blouse is especially close to my heart.  It’s just so damned pretty.  I wore it with some grey embroidered Chicos jeans, beige Italian leather loafers and a cream Talbots blazer. Soft pink lipstick.  #Yes.

Talbots blouse

My closet is a boutique.

I am incredibly grateful.

I love my clothes.

I love the universe.

That is all.

Poppin' Tags

INSANE THRIFT HAUL: $400 worth of clothes for $18.

Crystal Fleming

Thrifting has irreparably corrupted me.  When you get used to paying 1% of the price for designer clothes, anything over $2 or $3 seems “expensive.”  Yes, I take great pride in regularly wearing entire outfits that cost less than a can of Spam.  Case and point…

Ahhhmazing thrift haul today, but no energy or time to post pics. You’ll just have to take my word for it.

I got, in no particular order:

  • A brand new (tags still on) Lord and Taylor skirt, original price was $69.99. I paid $1.
  • A camel colored suede jacket AND matching skirt by Bernardo (Nordstrom’s): I paid $2.
  • A Jones New York beige wool suit.  I liked the jacket but the pants were petite so I “donated them back” to the store. Anyway, I paid: $2 (but in my head the jacket was only a dollar since it was originally a set).
  • Four items that, surprisingly, come from Sears (who knew they made cute clothes?) – An Apostrophe gray sleeveless dress with a matching dress jacket and a Ronni Nicole grey textured sleeveless dress with a matching long-sleeve sweater top with lovely silver buttons that have gorgeous detailing. The two dresses and tops cost a total of $4.  Insane.
  • A pair of Gap dress slacks: $2
  • A pair of brown Lands End corduroys: $2
  • An Escapade beige suede jacket with sweater back/sleeves and collar: $2
  • 2 pair of Calvin Klein tights, brand new, still in their sealed packages: $1.25 each

Oh, and I saw a pair of Stuart Weitzman slingbacks – brand new – for $15. And a sharp yellow/black Kasper suit (skirt & blazer) for $2. Got neither as they weren’t my size, but it still gave me a buzz.

Retail, for my items, would have been at least $400.  I paid $18.  I am over the moon.  Several of the items are gifts that I’ll be sending off tomorrow!

Poppin' Tags

$275 worth of clothes for $9.50 (THRIFT HAUL)

Crystal Fleming

It’s been a while since I ventured into my thrift shop.  What, with being temporarily broke, traveling to two conferences and dealing with the devastation of the hurricane.  With the nor’easter that just dumped snow and ice on us, I must accept the harsh reality that winter has arrived.  That means I need step my up my cold-weather game: comfy sweaters, hoodies, cardigans, corduroy pants, smart scarf/coat ensembles.  Thankfully the shop opened up again today so I stopped by for a quickie on my way to the post office.

And so without further ado, I present today’s haul:

4 sweaters, 1 blazer and 1 vintage robe for less than $10.

  • Vintage Christian Dior robe – worth: $50, I paid: $4.50
  • Gap cable-knit sweater, angora/rabbit hair blend – worth: $30, I paid: $1
  • Kate Hill (Lord & Taylor) oversized, super comfy, long black sweater – worth: $40, I paid: $1
  • Croft & Barrow sweater (fabulous fall & Christmas-sy colors!) – worth: $30, I paid: $1
  • St. John’s Bay (JC Penny’s) cable-knit zip-up hoody sweater – worth: $25, I paid: $1
  • Absolutely gorgeous Kate Hill wool/silk blend blazer – worth: $100, I paid: $1

Total estimated value: $275

Bliss level: priceless

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Life Musings

MONSTER THRIFT HAUL: $700 worth of clothes for $33 DOLLARS

Crystal Fleming

There is a truism in life:

Men may come and go,
Work may delight or confound,
Seasons may change,

BUT THRIFTING NEVER FAILS!

I don’t even know where to begin.

Let me just first explain that I got two pairs of leather, Italian crafted Cole Haan boots . . . for $8.

Eight dollars.

Four dollars each.

Perfect condition.

I mean, does anything else I say even matter? Do you understand the gravity of what I’m conveying right now?

Take a moment. Breathe with me. Inhale. Exhale.

$500 worth of boots for $8.

$8.

I also got a pair of burgundy Etienne Aigner suede loafers. Retail? $70. I paid? $4.

That’s $570 worth of shoes for $12.

Okay, so, the rest of the haul, which, really, is just disgustingly indulgent at this point, was as follows:

  • Prana Satori pants – super elegant and sexy – (black): Retail: $80. I paid: $2.
  • Lands End corduroy slacks (orange): Retail: $40. I paid: $2.
  • Style & Co. dress slacks (black): Retail: $30. I paid: $1.
  • Lees comfort waist slacks (black): Retail: $30. I paid: $1.
  • Harriton Fleece (blue) – matches my awesome blue gelish manicure! : Retail: $20. I paid: $5.
  • Floral scarf (unknown brand): Retail: ??. I paid: $3
  • Plaid scarf (unknown brand): Retail: ??. I paid: $3
  • DKNY tights: Retail: $12. I paid: $1.25.
  • Calvin Klein tights: Retail: $12. I paid: $1.25.

Everything in the store was 50% off, as usual. And it all goes to charity.

Just another look at those boots. Sexy autumn, here I come . . .

Poppin' Tags

$17 at the Thrift Store

Crystal Fleming

For the price of a Starbucks latte and a 10 minute massage at my nail salon, I thrifted approximately $380 worth of clothes to buff up my end-of-summer-dawn-of-fall wardrobe.   9 items.  Everything from suit ensembles to sportswear and designer shoes.  Average price: $1.89.

Excuse me, I just said one dollar and eighty nine cents.

Let us slowly and soberly examine the contents of the haul:

1. Draper and Damon’s linen suit: $1 

I love the beautiful, colorful embroidery on this.  And I love that the piece had been freshly dry cleaned.  And even more than all this, I love that the top and the bottom each cost 50 cents.  Lord, have mercy my soul, Hallelujah.

2. Calvin Klein jacket: $1

Perfect for my fall professorial ensembles.  And a dollar.  Perfect condition. Can’t beat it – and it matches the linen Draper and Damon pants!

3.  Schrader Sport vintage blazer: $1

This incredible one-button blazer is fitted right under the bosom and absolutely perfect for autumn!  Also matches the linen pants.  That’s already three outfits (and all the possible concatenations with paired with other items in my closet) for $3.

4. Grace Elements striped skirt: $2

A little end-of-summer-sexy.

5. Requirements paisley skirt: $2.

Makes you look like a human china set, but, still, quite pretty.

6. Koss athletic capris: $2

These match some Jones NY sportswear I got from the shop last week.

7. Etienne Aigner pumps: $2

Love these – I needed some beige heels and voila!

8. Connie black heels: $5

Another wardrobe hole filled: my trusty black Tahari pumps finally gave up the ghost last week.  I thought I’d have to break down and go to a retail store to get some new shoes – but no, my beloved Thrift Store did not let me down.  These Connie pumps are super cute and fit perfectly.

Poppin' Tags

$2 at the Thrift Store

Crystal Fleming

I love filling holes in my wardrobe.  One of the nice things about thrifting early and often is keeping an eye out for particular items you know you need.  Preferably, you can use some prescience and foresight to shop for things you don’t need immediately.  This gives you the flexibility to wait until you find exactly what you want at a price you’re willing to pay.
I’d been on the lookout for a good, utilitarian raincoat for quite a while.  At my shop, almost everything eventually goes on sale for $2 if you’re willing to wait long enough and if the item isn’t nabbed by another enterprising client.  Finally – after months of checking out the coat rack, I found a perfect London Fog raincoat (retails value: about $150) for . . . $2.  This means I paid about 1 percent of the original price.

Excuse me while I do my happy dance in the rain . .