We hope you guys had a chance to enter our give-away earlier this week and our Lulus discount! If you missed out, no worries! This post is for you (and me. . . and anyone else trying to save a buck).
I know I’m not the first “fashionista” trying to scrimp and save. When I say that, I don’t mean I’ve placed myself on a temporary shopping ban. I usually don’t cut out all shopping, but I just always keep my buying to a minimal at all times – I think especially compared to a lot of self-professed fashionistas/style bloggers.
Don’t get me wrong. I dream big. And I would love to spend a lot. I fall in love with the latest Mulberry bag and drool over the clothes in Anthropologie catalogs. I file away digital images on my desktop of Celine bags and Prada shoes seen on street style blogs. I love the escapism and fantasy of fashion, but very rarely do I literally buy into the fantasy. For one, I can’t afford them (and pay rent, and save and be all mature about my roth IRA- sighhh- adulthood). Secondly, should I?
And Cath is the same. We both love fashion/style, but we very rarely pay full price for anything over $100, and most of my recent purchases have been thrift finds ($3 belt, $4.50 for a stripped button up, etc.). One day I dream of having a really well-made purse, but at the same time it makes me a little queasy to think I would wear an accessory that could easily pull a bunch of families in Rwanda out of poverty for good (especially when that couple of thousands is applied to women getting micro loans).
Well, enough fashionista proselytizing! I get long-winded when I stay up too late! All of this is to say, I put a list of thrift and second-hand stores that Cath and I love at the end of this post. Most are local, but one is online. Sifting through racks of pre-owned clothes is not everyone’s idea of good time, but it softens the blow of not being able to escape into a land where we can actually afford the fantasy.
On Lar: Thrifted jacket and purse via Finders Keepers • UO dress (on sale years ago) • Jeffrey Campbell boots • American Eagle belt
On Cath: Boyfriend’s shirt • Blank shorts • MIA shoes • tote from Scotland
AsianCajuns’ Thrifting List
• Finders Keepers, Avondale Estates and Decatur
• Last Chance, Decatur
• Good Will, North Lake
• Good Will, West End
• Poor Little Rich Girl, College Park
• Ramona West, online
I’ve shopped at all these you list except Poor Little Rich Girl, which I keep hearing good things about, so I need to investigate. There’s a Value Village I like, out on Lawrenceville Hwy. One day last year I scored a silk polka-dot scarf, a skirt and a necklace there for under $12 total, and all have become staples of my wardrobe. SCORE.
Ooo I’m totally going to have to check out that Value Village, Stacy! Thanks so much for mentioning it!
You guys are so good at finding gems in thrift stores. You do a post on how you build your closet from thrifting and what things you prefer to buy new.
That’s a great idea, Fallon! After Cath’s move this week, we’ll get on this!
I love you guys for speaking openly about a common fashion blogger misconception. I can really relate to these words, for I dream of spending hours diving into racks of vintage duds, and I truly cherish the sense of accomplishment that comes with finding something genuinely amazing (at a fraction of the original cost!) I feel it’s so easy to feel “blogger bloat” that can come with the overwhelming sense of having to have everything you see on the latest trend lists. Thank you so much for this post; it’s inspiring to see some of my favorite bloggers being REAL! 🙂
Thanks so much, Dabay! I totally get sucked into “blogger bloat” – daily when I read other blogs. I have to remind myself why I don’t and can’t spend the way I want to after reading some of the more “luxury/expensive” blogs.
I totally feel you on this.
I love the idea of one day being able to own a pair of the most beautiful Chloe, Gucci, Prada, Miu Miu or Loubie shoes, and own the recent YSL or Prada handbag, but another part of me could never justify spending thousands of dollars on something I could never use every single day. It’s enough to splurge on a pair of Jeffrey Campbells or Aldos, but to spend $2000 on a tiny Chanel handbag? No way.
And of course I do admire the things most of the well-established fashion bloggers wear on a regular. but when there’s so many well-constructed vintage, second hand and inexpensive finds, I’d rather spent $2000 on re-outfitting my entire closet rather than on one item I will always worry about ruining.
Plus, second hand is just GREENER.
I want hot items, but I can take a knock-off any day. I think it’s more fashionable to spend less and wear it more than spend more and wear it less.
Maybe I’m just justifying the fact that I can’t afford something that expensive, but until I can afford it, I suppose I’ll really never know.
xx{ish.},
Mae Lu @ thereafterish.!
I wasn’t sure if I wasn’t just justifying the fact that I can’t afford any of those luxury goods too, Mae! But I think you are right, at least at this point in my life, I just can’t even dream about spending so much on one item – even if it’s great quality and I’ll pass it down for generations. Also, I love the thrifting is greener too!
Like other commenters here, I may admire a new designer dud, but I prefer thrifting. There’s pride that comes from the hunt and finding the lowest deals. It’s an adventure that can’t be beat by normal retail shopping in my book!
I do like splurging on the occasional designer item, but they’re usually purchases I plan for and I make sure I have the cash in my bank account before putting it on my credit card.
That being said, I think my days of splurging on 4-figure handbags may have ended with my last Chanel purchase. Saving for a down payment on a home in one of North America’s most expensive real estate markets kind of puts the kibosh on any designer wardrobe dreams. *sigh*
LAUREN!!!
How did you know i’m obsessed with the Jeffrey Campbell brit boot. AH I die! I can never afford it, but alas as my bf will vouch for, I have it on my bookmarks just to stare and drool over. However, I only have it bookmarked through FREE PEOPLE. I had no idea Jeffrey Campbell made a version with a similar version with a heel for 30 dollars less!!!!!
Does this make it affordable in my budget?
NO!
Does this mean I will starve, beg, and steal to acquire it within the next few months?
YES!
I’m so excited!!!!! They are so lovely and flattering on your legs. I covet them, (the boots, not your legs). Sorry, I’m a bit boot crazy.
Anyway, thank you for giving me something to be motivated towards shopping wise! Here’s to a few more weeks of pb & j sandwiches!
<3 Clare
Hi Lovely COz!
They are so comfortable (I “broke” them in walking around San Francisco without any discomfort).
They are definitely priced kind of steeply (I remember just a few years ago when JCs were usually around the 80-100 mark before they took off in popularity- le sigh). Shopbop is an affiliate sponsor. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to swing the $200 price tag.
Miss you, C!!!
xoxo,
Lar
Sorry for all the horrible ranting in the comment above.
I have no self control, or spelling when it comes to shoes apparently.
Love, your somewhat sane cousin.
Sanity is over rated 😉 xoxo
That tote is dope. And I was wondering when your boyfriend’s (or in Lauren’s case husband’s) clothes would make an appearance.
I actually had to start an etsy shop to justify my thrift/vintage habit. It was that or admit to being a hoarder.
Oh I love that tote, Jon. It’s from an artsy/etsy-like shop in Edinburgh.
As for boyfriend and/or husband appearances. they seem a bit reticent. But I believe with the right brand of beer, they might come around 😉
ps- going to check out your etsy shop now!
i really really appreciate this post. although i’m not a fashion blogger, i read a lot of fashion blogs and i can’t help but always feel twinges of jealous- how do they afford that? i can barely pay my rent. i haven’t been on vacation since my honeymoon. i’m still in debt from college and i graduated almost 10 years ago. why am i the only person in the ENTIRE world that doesn’t own a designer anything? how can these people be making THAT much more money than we are?
i ask myself these questions every time i read a fashion blog and see someone wearing $100 shoes or dresses when i am relegated to the clearance rack and even then husband is keeping a very watchful eye over me.
so i rant and rave to say that it feels good to see that some people can be thrifty & fashionable. now, if i could only score those same kinds of thrift store finds
Hi Melissa!
Thanks so much for the sweet comment! I still get the green meanies when I check out some of my fav bloggers’ outfits (seriously, those are like realll YSL heels- how? HOW?), but I just know I can’t go there (monetarily speaking).
I’m actually hoping to build on my thrifting abilities, and share a bit more with the blogging world. A big part is persistence, and being willing to shop where others won’t go 😉
xoxo,
Lar
First of all, I freakin’ LOVE both of your outfits. SO GOOD. And I also just totally identify with this post. I’m glad there’s a big focus on thrifting and affordable fashion in the style blogosphere.