Here's a sample "thrift store" outfit. The pants are J. Crew from the Suffolk Goodwill. The blazer is a boys' blazer (hence the 3/4 sleeves, which I happen to love). The sweater is J. Crew cashmere. Both of those pieces are from the CHKD store in Chesapeake/Churchland area. The necklace is faux pink pearls with a pink ribbon purchased from a thrift store in Lewes, DE. This outfit is the perfect example of how a collection of thrift store separates can come together for a total look. Ordinarily, I would probably add more color to this particular outfit, but I wanted to show a complete thrift store look. I would probably wear my red heels with this outfit and a red purse for color.
  The sweater was $3.99, blazer approximately $6.00, pants approximately $7.00, and the necklace was only $1.00!

In February 2010, while walking my dog, I spotted a large artificial tree in a construction dumpster. I tied my dog’s leash to the dumpster, hoisted myself up, and pulled the tree out into the street for further inspection. It was a magnificent tree, too good to pass up. So I picked up the tree (approximately 8 feet tall), and went on my way toward home. I’m sure anyone who passed me wondered what on earth I was doing carrying a giant fake tree down the street, but I didn’t care. The tree has made a wonderful addition to my house, where it still resides today (and luckily, didn’t infest my house with bugs). A few months later, while at a gas station, I noticed a discarded planter in front of a dumpster. I grabbed it and took it home. Except for a small crack in the upper corner, it was in perfect condition. I spray painted it gold, potted a scheffelera in it, and- you got it- it’s in my house today. And, just to clarify, I’ve never actually been INSIDE a dumpster.

                So what does any of this have to do with thrift stores, you ask? And why does this woman love dumpsters so much? Well, it all has to do with that creative, “I can make this work!” attitude. Several people have asked if a thrift store’s location is important. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter if you’re in a thrift store in a low-income area or the middle of LA, the most important part is to have an open mind and a spirit of adventure. It’s not likely you will leave a thrift store with an entire head-to-toe outfit, but more likely you will leave with either key pieces or accents that make an outfit “pop.” For example, my favorite thrift store finds are accessories, such as belts. One of my favorite belts happens to be teal, which matches my school’s colors. I pair it with my teal Born sandals (won in an online contest years ago) and it makes a statement. My beloved thrift store blazers top my already owned dresses perfectly. If you follow my tips from my first blog, I feel you will have success. But remember, not every trip will yield with a valuable find. The important thing is to keep your “I can make this work!” attitude and not give up after a discouraging visit. The next time, you might strike gold (or cashmere)!

   If you are wondering where to start, here’s a list of some of my favorite local thrift stores and what I’ve found there. Feel free to add to this list!

Newport News:

Goodwill 12638 Jefferson Ave # 30 Newport News, VA 23602‎ Turnberry Crossing  (757) 215-0422

This Goodwill is the perfect “beginner” store. It is clean, organized, and has large fitting rooms. Blazers, coats, and sweaters are the best finds. They have a good selection of purses, although I haven’t found one I like enough to purchase. They get new items from Target that didn’t sell. I haven’t seen jewelry at this location, however. Best finds: A new Target shirt (in season) that retailed for $24.99. Two belts (one that I wear almost all the time). A girls’ XL Old Navy blazer.

Village Thrift 12436 Warwick Boulevard Newport News, VA 23606‎ (757) 310-6751 (757) 825-1257

Another beloved NN store. This one has a great selection of jewelry in their glass cases, so it’s easy to view. The downside is there are no dressing rooms. If you want to try something on, go to the back right corner where the mirror is and slip it on over your clothes (yes, I’ve done this). The last time I went, I found a pair of Ann Taylor tuxedo pants. Since there wasn’t a fitting room (and I was wearing a skirt), I slipped them on under my skirt. As we already established, I have no shame, but I also didn’t want to spend $6.00 on a pair of pants that didn’t fit. They also have a great selection of books. Best finds: boys’ navy blazer, a plethora of beaded necklaces and earrings, J. Crew tank top, Ann Taylor pants

Suffolk

Goodwill 6540 Hampton Parkway, off College Drive.

This store just opened in February. It is clean and well-lit with dressing rooms. Some days are better than others in terms of clothes, but I have had some great success. Best finds: a Chaps (from Kohls) wrap dress for $7.99, J. Crew corduroy pants in off white, and sheets to use for photo backdrops. I also purchased a beautiful wool plaid Guess? blazer for my daughter. I don’t think they have jewelry.

There's nothing like the thrill of finding a bargain in a thrift store...and nothing more disappointing than leaving empty handed. The following tips will help increase the chances you find a gem among the rocks. But remember, it's better to leave empty handed and save your money for a better day than to buy something you will never wear. Money is money, even if you're only spending a few dollars at a time.
Tip #1: Give yourself plenty of time.
    - 45 minutes to an hour is ideal, but never go if you have less than 30 minutes. Chances are, you won't have enough time to really scour the racks for the best deals.
Tip #2: Prioritize.
What are you most looking for? Purses? Jeans? Start with your priority first, before you get overwhelmed. Skip what you're not really interested in. And skip the lingerie. That's just gross.
Tip #3: Look for labels.
Sure, that George (translation: Walmart) polyester blouse might look great, but trust me, the labels are where the values are. I love Walmart just as much as the next person, but there's nothing like the satisfaction of finding a J. Crew black 100% cashmere sweater for $3.99 (which happened to me yesterday).
Tip #4. Establish an order. (And get a cart!)
Here's my order, from easiest to hardest. This is just my personal preference, but it seems to work well.
    - Purses- Easy to search and you will know quickly if there's potential.
    - Blazers- Again, easy to search and you can try it on quickly (some thrift stores don't have fitting rooms).
    - Accessories- Belts, scarves, bags, gloves, bags, etc. Again, easy to see if there's anything worth setting aside for further inspection.
    - Shirts and sweaters- These can be a bit trickier. If there's no fitting room, I just slip on sweaters over what I'm wearing for a fit check (not 100%, but you will get the general idea). I usually scan a whole rack looking quickly at fabrics. Once you get the hang of it, you will notice which fabrics are more current or a better quality.
- Dresses- Usually, dresses are easy than skirts and pants because it's only one piece. Look for wrap dresses, which have a flattering fit.
- Pants and skirts- I save these for last, because I know it's almost impossible for me to fit into pants and I always need them altered. Since pants aren't my priority, I know I won't be disappointed if I run out of time and don't get a chance to see the selection.
5. Go to the boys' section. ASAP.
- This is where my BEST blazer finds are located. If you're petite, you can wear a boys' blazer in sizes anywhere from 10 to 14. Skip the double breasted, which just looks awkward. Sometimes you can also find button up oxford shirts, but only if your bust is the right size.
6. Throw it in the cart. Figure it out later.
- If it looks like it has potential, put it in your cart (which you know to have because you read tip #4). There's nothing worse than trying to go back and find that lime green twinset that you suddenly decided you need and realizing there were actually 100 other lime green sweaters.
7. Don't be a jewelry snob.
- I happen to have a love affair with beaded necklaces, and I've scored many of these at thrift stores. My favorite is a pair of pink faux pearls with a beautiful pink ribbon tie. Jewelry isn't always about the bling, it's about the finishing piece.
8. Don't forget the books!
-Okay, so it's not fashion per se, but everyone should check out the book section. I once found a copy of Tina Fey's Bossy Pants for $1.00 (it was a yard sale, but close enough). If you have kids, it's an even better place to look. Every book deserves a home!
9. Know what to skip.
- I'm all for a good deal, but these are items you should probably skip: makeup, underwear, lingerie (see number #2), used shoes (this one is tricky- I still love to look, but it's up to you if you're willing to buy used shoes or just how "used" you're willing to go), and shoulder pads (or make sure you can cut them out). Also, skip the XXL t-shirt that says, "Bob's 5K Run and Marshal Arts Camp 1995" or whatever the slogan is. You don't need another oversized t-shirt.