Dear readers,
We are excited to feature Alexandra from the Broke 207 blog – she is an avid Goodwill shopper and today she is sharing her most recent finds from the South Portland Mill Creek Goodwill store – interested in sharing your finds? Let us know!
My Fashion Finds at Goodwill
I always have the best luck at Goodwill when I’m not looking for anything specific. Hitting the stores (yes, I usually hit at least 2 or 3 a week) with a particular goal in mind (say, a black miniskirt or pair of vintage Levi’s) basically guarantees that I won’t find exactly what I’m looking for, and that my tunnel vision will probably cause me to pass over a lot of really great stuff. My favorite thing to do is just run my hands and eyes up and down all the racks and wait for something to jump out at me. I have a library of favored/desired colors, textures, details, and prints stored in my head, but it’s important to be completely open to any and all possibilities.
This past Saturday at the South Portland store, I immediately snatched this floaty and romantic crepe top in a bold modern print. Completely unlabeled, my best guess is that it was hand sewn, but by a clearly exceptional seamstress. Flawless finishing and beautiful fit made this a total no-brainer for $4.99.
I waffled a bit more in the skirt section, but eventually decided on an equally floaty navy chiffon prairie skirt with a tiny dot pattern (also $4.99). The reality is that I’m a size 10, but I tend to always look a few sizes up and a few sizes down whenever I’m shopping for skirts. An 8 or even a 6 will often rest at my natural waist (which I’m convinced makes me look skinnier), and vintage sizes are smaller than current sizes, so a 12 or 14 might still work. This skirt was an 8, and hit perfectly at the high waist. I know a lot of people might think that mixing prints is a terrible idea, but I felt like the small polka dot pattern was subtle enough and gave the whole situation a little more texture and interest without being all “clash of the patterns”.
I hit the jewelry counter on my way out the door, and was excited to find a sweet gold tone heart pin with a mother of pearl insert face down in the tray for $.99. If you ask nicely, they’ll take out the whole tray and let you dig around for a while. There’s usually have a lot of pretty great stuff in there that you can’t necessarily see through the glass case.
Not wanting to damage the delicate crepe of my sexy new top, I strung my pin on a gold tone chain that I had at home for an instant pendant. I finished up the ensemble with black tights & black heels (I love a monochrome leg for winter), and an equestrian style belt from deep within the bowels of my closet. Overall more flowy and romantic than I usually go, but the print of the top gives it a modern edge that still makes it feel like me.
TOTAL COST: $10.97
I love Goodwill! At least 50% of my wardrobe and many of the gifts I am giving for Christmas came from Goodwill – and I am proud of it!
Hi Pat, thanks for your support! We find we can get really great gifts at Goodwill, too! Last year I spend $10 on books and puzzles for my nephew and he loved them!
what a beautiful outfit – i am inspired to hit the goodwill circuit with renewed energy and enthusiasm!!
What a great feature!
That’s a good looking outfit. This should be a reoccurring feature.
Excellent post! This is the kind of thing that will keep me reading!
Great work! “Wandering” is the best method for me, too. Last weekend I found a delightfully breezy silky skirt in spring-y aqua tones. Which then led to a personal declaration that I am ‘stocking up on skirts’ (and dresses) all winter to help endure these cold Maine winters. 1 down, 20 to go.
Way to go, Allie! That outfit is smoking!
I love this look! I always find the best things at Goodwill, including an amazing tartan blazer, which I’ll be posting about today. Woot!
Laura
Hi Michelle,
I love your blog posts! I have been reading them for quite sometime now (and I am from NC!). I was wondering how you got into Goodwill employment wise?
What a beautiful outfit! i wish i had fashion sense to put stuff like that together
You just might convert me into a Goodwill shopper! Love the outfit, especially the top.
Love these stories! And a super cool top.
Nice to get inspiration – I am already aching to go out on a hunting trip at the local Goodwills.