all things inspired: thrift store steals. (summer edition)

So, I am probably the last person on earth that should be allowed to do any sort of post on fashion, but I thought I would share with you some killer thrift store steals I have found this summer. I am not usually a "brander" by trade, but I was shocked to find some name brand clothing with the tags still attached at places such as Goodwill. I found some treasures, people.

Let's dive right into our all things inspired: thrift store steals summer edition, shall we?

The stores:
Goodwill, LaFollette, TN and Clinton, TN

The Shepherd's Home Thrift Store, LaFollette, TN.

KARM Thrift Store, Merchants Drive, Knoxville, TN

Thrift Store Steal #1

:: Banana Republic dress, Shepherd's Home, $6::

::Anne Klein belt, Shepherd's Home, $1.91::

::Brown ballet flats, given by a friend::

I have worn this dress more times than I can count this summer. Meetings at Berean Christian School, Eden's dance recital, Titus' first birthday party, and for some pictures taken on MtMcCloud the other night. It just feels classy and pulled together to me. The brown ballet flats I have had forever, but they were free, so I wear them constantly. Unfortunately, I broke the Anne Klein belt a while back, so I now use a brown necktie that belongs to Brandon.

 Thrift Store Steal #2

::Gap khaki pleated skirt, original sale tags still attached, Goodwill, $4::

::Wet Seal striped pink shirt, Shepherd's home, $4::

::Kate Spade camel vinyl handbag, Shepherd's Home, $1.91::

The skirt had the original sale price tag still attached for $49.50, then marked down to $19.99. I paid $4 for it at Goodwill. The Kate Spade bag I thought was a knock off, until I checked the pockets when I left the store. The original Kate Spade paperwork was inside, and the original tags. The sale price? $234.00. I paid $1.91. Kid. You. NOT. And, I know I have worn that pink shirt waaay too much this summer. Go ahead and say it. It is what I am wearing in my {facebook profile picture} and my newspaper column headshot. I'll retire it after this month, promise.

Thrift Store Steal #3

::Gap aqua tank dress, KARM thrift store, $6::

::Black patent ballet flats, Goodwill, $1.50::

Again, I found this Gap aqua tank dress, brand new with the tags still attached at the KARM thrift store in Knoxville. I used a coupon (YES. I used a coupon at a thrift store) and got it for under $6! The original sale price was $39.99. The black ballet flats were from Goodwill on half off day.

The necklace I am wearing in the left picture is my eden-august-titus charms from the Vintage Pearl, and the wooden beads in the top right picture are from Poland. So, those are not thrifted. Just wanted to be honest :)

(Also of note: Brandon hates it when I call this a "tank dress". But it is. A tank top and a dress. Tank dress. See if you can work that into conversation with him today. I will love you forever for it.)

My Tips on Shopping Secondhand:

*Go on "half off day". For Goodwill, it is usually the last Friday and Saturday of each month. I always call ahead first to make sure. 

*Thrift stores also have random sale days. The Shepherd's Home is best perused on Wednesdays (buy 1 white tag item and get 2 white tag items free) and Saturdays (75% off selected color tag items).

* Try stuff on. May sound like a no-brainer, but most of these stores do not have a return policy. You buy it, it's yours. 

* Look in all sections of the store. We have found awesome items in every section of these stores. I found a pair of New Balance tennis shoes one summer, a CamelBack for Brandon for $1.50 at Goodwill last summer, a pair of Keen shoes for Eden this spring. Goodwill also has cheap frames you can paint and totally make new for framing cute pics for gifts. My point is to shop around!! You never know what you will find!

What are your thrift store success stories?? Would you like to see a "fall/winter edition" of thrift store steals?? Let me know, I would love to share my newest finds in the coming months!