Thrifted Sister Challenge: Day & Night

February 13, 2014 By Kelle

Alright, let’s have some fun.

New blog feature: the Thrifted Sister Challenge.

I’ve asked my sister to collaborate, A: because 2 sisters collaborating equals “Wonder Twins Power, Activate!” and B: because she is the Thunder of Thrifting, the Princess of Poppin’ Tags, the Guru of Goodwill. Sister’s entire house is practically thrifted, and it looks nothing like Sanford & Son. It’s beautiful. Because she has the magic thrift store eye. And because Midwest thrift stores are the bomb.

Since we’re already texting pictures of our thrift store finds and one-upping each other with how much we spent, it was time to bring it to the blog.

The challenge: With $20 in our pocket, we have to hit only one thrift store in one day and find two looks within a given theme. This month’s theme: Day & Night.

But first. Some thrifty thriftin’ questions.

What do you look for when you hit a thrift store?

Carin: I usually go right to the furniture and housewares…if there’s a gem back there, it’s not going to last long. I like pottery mugs and hobnail milk glass, so I’ll do a quick scan through the dishes. Same thing with cocktail and pilsner glasses. After that I’ll look through the linens. A few weeks ago, I went specifically looking for a white queen duvet and actually found one – nice cotton, too – for $5 with matching white pillowcases for $1 each. Then I go to the clothes. When I’m really watching my money, I look for the sale colors (all the tags are different colors). One color is always 50% off and another is always 75% off. When I look through the pants, I always look for Express Editors. Sometimes I go in aimlessly, not really looking for anything specific. And sometimes I go in with something in mind; lately, I’ve been pulling up my Pinterest app and trying to recreate an outfit from my clothes board.

Kelle: I scan furniture first, looking for quality pieces that might transform nicely with a paint job. I found our high chair this way – a Jenny Lind style chair that became a beautiful dining room accent with a yellow paint job. Next, I hit dishes in search of good mugs or single plates that will make a nice addition to a pretty mix-and-match table setting. I look for picture frames (love oval or circle frames), vintage books and good records. For clothes, I love to look for vintage dresses, blouses, long skirts and sweaters. And if I’m in a really good thrift store, I’ll make sure to scan their jewelry. I love finding some big funky grandma cocktail rings.

Best thrift store purchase?

Carin: Probably a $50 couch I had in one of the nineteen places I’ve lived since my divorce. It had a nice low back and clean lines, and it was in great shape. It would have been worth having it reupholstered had I not ruined it by painting it. I’ve scored some great clothes, too – like my navy Banana Republic fitted crew sweater. Express Editor pants for work. Italian patent shoes. A down Patagonia coat. A fleece Patagonia vest with $13 in the pocket. Down bootie slippers from Restoration Hardware that had never been worn.

Kelle: My high chair. These gorgeous brown leather lace-up shoes that I wear in the fall. A floral blazer that I almost bought full price at Anthropologie just months before I found it in a thrift shop for $8. My desk. Lainey’s lavender Hunter boots.

Dream thrift store find?

Carin: Something for my house. Like a Herman Miller Eames chair.

Kelle: A long Bohemian dress that’s hand-embroidered. And maybe some cheap picture with a prized historical document worth millions buried behind the glass.

Advice for thrifters?

Carin: If you hate TJMaxx and Marshalls, you’ll hate thrifting even more. You’ll have better luck if you don’t go in looking for something specific. Go when you have a lot of time. Thrifting can be a trap though, too. You can nickel and dime on stuff that looks great when compared to the rest of the stuff on the racks. But then when you get it home, you realize you would have never bought it had you seen it at Target or even some high-end store.

Kelle: Go without your kids. Go with friends who don’t share your taste or else you’ll be trippin’ each other to get to the good stuff first. And also: Be brave. I actually love thrifting because it makes me explore crazy areas of fashion I might not be otherwise inclined to explore if I had to pay full price. I probably wouldn’t attempt to rock a 70’s maxi dress or some funky faux fur if I had to splurge for it.

And our $20 Day/Night Looks…

Carin, Day:
American Eagle Jeans: $4.99
Eastland Loafers: $1.99
Striped Shirt: $0.99
Boys Wool Blazer: $ 0.75 (75% off $2.99)
Total = $8.72

Kelle: You kind of look like Billy Elliot.
Carin: Well you dress like you think you’re on Portlandia.

Carin, Night:
Navy Button-Up: $0.50
Necklace: $1.99
Leather Boots: $2.99
Paired with own khakis
Total = $5.48

Kelle: Who are you looking at?

Kelle, Day:
White Zara Lightweight Sweater: $4.99
Pink Pleated Maxi Skirt: $4.99 paired with my own boots
Total = $9.98

Carin: Mom will be proud of the hemline and neckline…very virtuous. Very Proverbs 31.
Kelle: I know, right?

Kelle, Night:
Vintage Diane Freis Blouse (it has cougars on it and itty bitty shoulder pads!): $5.99
Paired with my own jeggings, heels and bling
Total = $5.99

Carin: Bloom: Memoir of a Geisha.
Kelle: Shut up.

Carin spent $14.20 and I spent $15.97 for a total of 4 looks and 2 Wendy’s frosties to go.

Fellow thrifters, what’s your best thrift shop score and dream thrift shop find?

Related posts

Thrifted Sister: 9 to 5 and Happy Hour

Thrifted Sisters: Table & Togs

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