You need to be completely open-minded. If you go looking for something in particular, you could end up being disappointed.
Expect to be looking at sweaters in the summer and swimsuits in the dead of winter. If you find a great deal - grab it while the getting is good!
On the other hand, maybe you are looking for something specific. Like I was when I was packing and putting together looks for my trip to visit my husband in Thailand and a family va-ca in Cancun. Who knows? You may find exactly what you are looking for, and what could be better than getting to go on a trip and having a brand-new (bargain!) wardrobe for it!
Which leads us to another Goodwill tip: OK, you can go to Goodwill and look for something specific.
Before I went to Thailand, I remember feeling slightly bummed. I wanted a brand-new wardrobe to visit my husband who was living there for the summer, but who can justify that expense? Especially after paying for the plane ticket. : ( I envisioned cottony sundresses. Thin fabrics that would be cool in the heat and easy to wash in a sink and dry overnight if needed. Then I thought, hey! I should check out Goodwill. One trip to Goodwill, and I was outfitted for the entire trip for less than what one brand new swimsuit would have cost me retail. Here are a few postcards from that trip featuring my Goodwill finds -
Brand new, Forever 21. The necklace was swiped off a Goodwill mannequin, less than a dollar.
Gap sundress.
Gap sundress.
And the best part? If you paid just a dollar or two for it, you can wear something and donate it while on your trip - freeing up valuable space in your suitcase for souvenirs!
The pressure was on again when we went to Cancun last June to spend time with my husband's family. Here's some looks I put together for that trip which included not wanting to wear the same swimsuit every day and having to dress for dinner at the resort each night (all the clothes and shoes were purchased at Goodwill - accessories were not, but when you buy your clothes cheap cheap cheap you can spring for the earrings, necklaces and bracelets!) -
J Crew dress. Vintage pin : )
J Crew swim cover up. J Crew swim bottoms. Victoria's Secret swim top.
Brand new Target cover up. Swimsuit pieces: Victoria's Secret and J Crew.
Brand new swimsuit and cover up, both Target.
Vintage dress. Shoes were brand new and slightly tacky, but I love them. Where else but vacation can you wear fancy shoes with fruit on them?
I know I'm a dork, using my non-famous, non-patented "snap and pack" technique - taking pictures as a sort-of packing list while I was getting things together for the trip.
Here's a few more:
Department store dress, small tear that was an easy fix. Brand new Nine West shoes.
Brand new Target top. J C Penney shorts. (These shoes are the only shoes pictured that did not come from Goodwill. I bought them at Target. Such fancyness!)
Dress still had tags on it when I bought it. J C Penney. Wedges were brand new at a Goodwill, fine Italian leather!
New Target dress. Target donates close-outs to Goodwill.
Travel is expensive, and you shouldn't have to sacrifice your wardrobe to have a great va-ca. Happy thrifting to you -
-Robyn
No comments:
Post a Comment