Thrifty Threads 365: Ten Month Update

thrifty threads 365 challenge, shopping challenge Another month down, so it’s time to recap my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge {a full year where I only thrift shop for clothes and accessories, no new items}. My budget for each month is $50 and how much did I spend for the month of July? *drum roll* Exactly $50.

The past two weekends, I ventured to Long Island City for the Housing Works Buy the Bag sale. This is the place to go if you’re seeking the most threads for your cash. For $25, you get a brown bag and whatever you can stuff in it is yours. In late July I managed to fit 35 pieces in the bag and on my final visit of the month, I got 28 items in a bag, for a grand total of 63 pieces for $50. That’s less than 80 cents for each skirt, dress, top, coat, etc.
Housing Works Buy the Bag haul {my haul, with a tutu on top}
And these aren’t just any old items, a few are department store and even some high end labels. Oh, and a cardigan I found retails for at least 500 bucks.
Peep some of my favorite finds.
The last thing I needed was any more outerwear {I still have a ton from the Salvation Army coat sale}, but I couldn’t pass up these statement pieces.
Winter Outerwear Zara coat with a faux fur trim and fire engine red brocade coat.
trench coat Laundry by Shelli Segal trench and cobalt blue peplum coat
While going through my bag and determining which items I’d keep, I found this H&M faux fur stole!
Vintage tops, Housing Works And it wouldn’t be a thrift shopping trip without some vintage finds, like this sparkly sweater and pussy bow blouse.
But the pièce de résistance is a plum cardigan. A friend of a friend picked it out for me and I loved the crest detail and I’m kinda obsessed with comfy, oversized shirts. It wasn’t until I brought it home that I realized it’s by St. John Collection. This bad boy retails for at least $500. This is what you call a thrift store score!
St. John cardigan These are just a few of my favorite tops and coats I found. On Friday I’ll show you some of the best bottoms {jeans, dresses and skirts} I scored.
If you missed the Buy the Bag sale, you’ll have to wait until fall. Housing Works has plans to open an actual Buy the Bag shop. Let’s cross our fingers this happens!
Have you ever been to a bag sale or buy per pound store? What’s the best item you found and how much was it?
15 Comments
  • JT
    Posted at 06:51h, 01 August Reply

    Wow! What a haul!

    • Looking Fly on a Dime
      Posted at 20:30h, 01 August Reply

       Thanks 🙂

  • The Curvy Girl
    Posted at 07:36h, 01 August Reply

    Score is right! I wish they had a “brown bag sale” near me. 

    • Looking Fly on a Dime
      Posted at 20:31h, 01 August Reply

       Don’t be afraid to ask one of your local stores about possible bag sales. I know it sounds like a long shot, but you never know. Some of these shops have a surplus of stuff and they’re just looking to get rid of it, and the bag sales are great ways to do so, while still making money for charity.

  • Dawn
    Posted at 10:56h, 01 August Reply

    The Salvation Army used to do a red bag sale here for 25.00, the best thing I think I found was a Diane Von Furstenberg dress.

    • Looking Fly on a Dime
      Posted at 20:29h, 01 August Reply

       Ah, thrifted DVF sounds amazing!

  • KarenTX
    Posted at 12:23h, 01 August Reply

    You crack me up!  I saw you on one of the morning shows and started following you on FB.  This 50 y.o., chunky, Texas girl doesn’t have much more than Goodwill to choose from and pickins are slim!  However, I am living vicarously through you!  If you ever want to come to Houston and do a ‘Back to School’ makeover on this teacher, come on!  Until then, I’m still following you through New York.  Carry on!

    • Looking Fly on a Dime
      Posted at 20:28h, 01 August Reply

       Haha, thanks Karen. I’ll let you know if I’m ever in Texas 🙂

  • Mary Lindsey
    Posted at 16:48h, 01 August Reply

    The only buy the bag sale I’ve been to was actually at a book store. I got 20 books for $6, which was an amazing deal. And I was able to buy more clothes with the money I saved.
    This looks like a great haul! 🙂

    -Mary @ stylethatmoves.blogspot.com

    • Looking Fly on a Dime
      Posted at 20:29h, 01 August Reply

       Wow, 20 bucks for $6?! The book worm in me loves that deal.

  • Wanett
    Posted at 17:03h, 01 August Reply

    I love this haul!! Those coats are fabulous!! I’m sorry I missed this sale. I had every intention of going, but forget to mark my calendar and set a reminder. 

    • Looking Fly on a Dime
      Posted at 20:28h, 01 August Reply

       I almost didn’t make the sale myself! But fingers crossed they’re coming back in the fall.

  • Thethriftyfashionista
    Posted at 16:10h, 02 August Reply

    Great Haul! I went to a buy the pound sale at my local salvation army recently. I scored a pair of Manolo Blahnik’s, a Chanel Purse, a pair of Trina Turk Los Angeles pants and lots more really great stuff. I was super excited.

  • alecia grant
    Posted at 17:42h, 02 August Reply

    Hey thats awesome!!!

  • Lindsey Turner
    Posted at 18:51h, 02 August Reply

    That is amazing! you got some gorgeous coats!

     Lindsey Turner

    http://thriftandshout.blogspot.com

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