Thrifty Threads: Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Posted On Friday, January 20th, 2012

Winter’s finally arrived and it’s absolutely freezing on the East Coast. Besides being uncomfortable, the colder temps can make dressing a bit tricky, especially if you want to dress up for a night out…and you’re relying on public transportation. Last weekend I attended a post-wedding toast for some colleagues and I was determined not to let the weather cramp my style.

So I grabbed my favorite winter coat {faux fur collar LOFT coat from the Salvation Army coat sale}, bright tights and brocade style pumps. I had a lace dress underneath but it was the coat, tights and shoes that really kept my look fun and playful. And I was actually warm.

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Author LookingFly
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Thrifty Threads: Fall Foliage

Posted On Monday, November 28th, 2011

Fall can be a tricky time to dress. Or at least it has been as of lately. One day it’s a brisk 45 degrees and you’re bundled up and the next it’s in the low 60s and you only have to step out of the house wearing a blazer. And this week has been no different.

Though the weather didn’t require a heavy coat, it was a little too chilly for a bear leg. So I whipped out the wardrobe staples ever woman needs: leather coat and tights.

Everything in my outfit was thrifted, except the tights and booties.

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Author LookingFly
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Salvation Army Coat Sale This Weekend

Posted On Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

It’s that time of year again…the Salvation Army coat sale in NYC is upon us. If you weren’t able to make the first one in October, do yourself a favor and check it out this Saturday, 11/5.

I hit up two of the sales last year {here and here} and walked away with a ton of coats at great prices, including a DSquared parka for $2, a faux mink for $10, leather Banana Republic trench for $20 and leather jacket for just 10 bucks.

With such great prices, of course the competition’s stiff and folks line up an hour before the sale to get a good spot in line. But can you blame them? The room is lined with racks on racks on racks of leather jackets, furs {faux and real}, bombers, trenches, wool coats and more. To really prepare yourself, check out my tips for shopping the Salvation Army coat sale.

The next coat sales are December 3 and January 7. If you really want to get the best deals, wait until the last sale in January. Prices are drastically slashed, usually under $10.

Details:
Salvation Army Coat Sale
536 West 46th St.
New York, NY 10036
Doors open at 9 a.m., people generally start lining up at 8.

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Author LookingFly
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How Not to Overspend While Thrift Shopping

Posted On Monday, August 8th, 2011

Last week you guys had some great suggestions when I asked if and how I should continue my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge. A lot of you thought I should continue my thrift only wardrobe but set a monthly limit for my purchases. And that got me thinking about the cardinal sin of thrifting: overspending.

I know some people think, ‘how can you go over budget when everything’s so cheap?” But “cheap” stores are the prime location to go crazy and drop a ton of cash. You’re so enamored by the prices and awesome finds that you snatch everything up, whether you need them or not.

It’s kind of like when you go to the dollar store {for me it’s Dollar Tree. Isn’t that place amazing!?}. You may walk in with the intention of buying a few things but other goodies always catch your eye. And you end up with bags of miscellaneous items and you rationalize by saying ‘it’s only a dollar.” Well, those dollars add up. And it’s the same way with thrift shopping. Though I like to think of myself as a thrift enthusiast, even I’ve been guilty of this.

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Author LookingFly
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Thrifty Threads – High & Bright

Posted On Friday, May 13th, 2011

Ah, red. That oh so bright hue that you either love to rock or it’s just too bright for your taste. I’m one who fully embraces color so when I found a pair of red pants at the Goodwill Outlet {clothing is priced at $1.69/lb}, I grabbed them with a quickness. Even in a bin full of clothing it was hard to miss them! I threw them in my basket unsure if I’d actually purchase them. As much as I love color, red pants are a bit much. And could I pull off high waisted pants? I finally decided I needed them in my life.