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Next up on the $5 challenge is a casual look. Casual is easy to pull together from items at Goodwill, but I wanted to update the look a bit. I’ve already distressed denim a few posts back and lately I’ve been seeing a new kind of distressing: undoing the bottom hems so the frayed edge is showing or cutting off the hems entirely, either straight across or at angles. The jeans I have seen on celebrities and in fashion magazines cost up to $250!

Knowing I could easily and inexpensively replicate this trend, I found a simple pair of slim-fit denim at the Goodwill Outlet in Reading. Wanting a very casual, simple vibe I also picked up the fun island-inspired flip flops… a brown, vintage Fossil cross-body mini bag… and a pale olive green lace-trimmed top from Joe Boxer.

At home my daughter helped me as I searched online for a picture of the style I wanted to replicate. We got out the scissors and trimmed off the bottom. I tried them on, but needed them a bit shorter, so we cut them once more to the desired length. I let her pull and rough up the hem, loosening the fibers. Wearing and then washing and drying the jeans repeatedly will only make them more distressed.

Again, I was a bit over (only 19 cents!) and I have a trendy yet comfortable and casual look for only $5.19. Last up in this challenge is “Date Night”. Can it be done fashionably with brand name pieces from the Goodwill Outlets? Stay tuned!

Happy thrifting!
Kirsten

Goodwill Outlet in Reading:
Jeans: $0.86
Shirt: $0.86
Shoes: $2.25
Purse: $1.22

Total: $ 5.19

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Next up in my second of four $5 outfits is a chic look for the office. This outfit started when I found the Ann Taylor Loft slim fit ankle pants. I actually remember when this style was in the store and I loved them then, but being a thrifty fashionista, I now have a hard time paying more than $5 for a piece of clothing. Goodwill has completely spoiled me!

The black and tan irregular dotted print pant is a good foundation for a solid colored top. I decided to look for something in black to keep it simple. The black tank from Charlotte Russe has a sheer lace back which isn’t office appropriate, so the ruffle trim Loft cardigan covers it up nicely. And my teen has already claimed the tank, so it’s perfect for her too.

The metallic black leather snakeskin pumps by Carisma were made in Italy and are surprisingly comfortable for such a thin heel. The black vegan leather briefcase by Merona was the perfect tote to complete this professional look. I added my own gold, layered necklace and bangles (both which were previous purchases from Goodwill) to add some sparkle and shine.

While I strayed a bit from my $5 challenge (I spent $6.05 for 5 pieces), this outfit has the look and feel of a much more expensive one. Dressing for any situation at any price point is possible with Goodwill and spending a little time searching at the Goodwill Outlets can yield fantastic results.

Happy Thrifting!
Kirsten

Goodwill Outlet, Reading, PA
Cardigan: $0.86
Tank: $0.86
Pants: $0.86
Shoes: $2.25
Purse: $1.22
Total: $6.05

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

While shopping at the Goodwill Outlet Center in Reading, PA (Mt. Penn), I started discovering some really nice clothes and decided to challenge myself to see how many outfits I could create, each under $5. The outlets take a little more effort to find high quality, fashionable items, but I’m here to prove to you that it can be done!

My first look is for my tween. She was not with me, but I found two pieces that I was hoping she would love. She is getting choosy in her wardrobe, so I don’t usually pick things up unless she is with me. But because I was at the outlet, I took a gamble and it paid off.

The first item I discovered was this floral print dress from DIVIDED. I talked about this brand in my last post. Their parent company, H&M, is the clothing version of IKEA. The colorful cotton knit tank dress fit her perfectly and I was surprised that she liked it as much as she did.

The Levi’s light wash jean jacket was a great find! The ¾ sleeves make it perfect for covering up on cool, summer nights. She already has plans to “make it her own” by covering it in patches. Patches were popular when I was a kid in the early 80s and just like everything else, they are making a comeback!

She styled this look with her own Converse sneakers. This look is completely appropriate for a tween and she was thrilled with it, so I call this look a win-win! The best part: I paid less than $2.00 for the whole outfit. Goodwill Outlets are really the place to go when you are on a tight budget or just like to spend your money wisely!

In my next three posts, I will show you how I found three name brand looks for myself: work, casual and date night.

Happy thrifting!
Kirsten

Goodwill Outlet in Reading, PA:
Jacket: $0.86
Dress: $0.86
Total: $1.72

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

This shirt almost wasn’t mine. While shopping one afternoon at the Goodwill in Phoenixville, I noticed a woman pluck this very shirt off a rack, look it over and dropped it in her cart. The brief moment I saw it, I fell in love. The patchwork style, the bohemian feel, the ¾ sleeves, cropped length and the buttoned-up back were so unique. Ok, I didn’t notice all those details until later, but I saw enough of the shirt to know it was cool.

The woman walked away with the shirt in her cart, but a little while later, it turned up on the return rack! As I was walking toward it another girl grabbed it off the rack and disappeared into the fitting room. Gone again… I lingered outside the room and a few minutes later she walked out and placed the shirt on the return rack. This time I grabbed it. I knew it was destined to be mine!
This look, which started with that shirt by DIVIDED (a division of the trendy and economical H&M company from Sweden – kind of like the IKEA of clothing) is a fun, casual look for a day out. Cropped shirts have been in style on and off for years. But, this is the close I’ll come to wearing something overly revealing.

Casual rolled-hem shorts by Seven already have that soft, broken-in feel. The neutral, fringed sandals with silver studs by Fergalicious are trendy and comfortable for walking around town. And the navy and rattan tote carried all my purchases. I added my own silver earrings, pendant and stacked bangles.

Perseverance pays off at Goodwill. Checking the return racks is a great way to discover a fantastic find and the staff keeps the regular racks full by constantly bringing out new merchandise. Keep shopping and you’re sure to find something special.

Kirsten

Goodwill in Shillington, PA:
Shorts: $4.25

Goodwill in Phoenixville, PA:
Shirt $3.95

Goodwill in Ephrata, PA:
Shoes: $6.97

Goodwill Outlet in Reading, PA:
Purse: $1.75

Total: $16.92

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Texture, pattern and color are three of my favorite details when it comes to my wardrobe. And these pieces check off all three in subtle ways.

Dresses are my go-to look in the summer, especially when the temperatures start to soar. This printed wrap dress from Ann Taylor is cool and comfortable. The spaghetti straps are perfect for an afternoon or evening out, but for work, I’d add a light jacket or cardigan.

To add more texture and pattern to the already colorful dress, I layered on the 1980s vintage cotton rope belt. The silver and gold metallic details give the outfit more interest without being overkill. I picked up this belt at the Mt Penn outlet for under $1.00. Belts are an easy way to change up your look by cinching in your waist or adding color or a touch of metallics.

The earrings make a statement all on their own, so I wanted to wear my hair up so they could have center stage. Their intricate gold cutwork pattern is unique without being heavy. A slouchy pink leather hobo bag by Etienne Aigner adds a pop of color and the neutral leather wedges by Naturalizer finish the look.

All of these subtle touches of color, texture and pattern add up to one simple, yet stylish look. And Goodwill makes it affordable to find unique pieces for a unique look.

Kirsten

Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Dress: $5.50
Purse: $6.97

Goodwill in Phoenixville, PA:
Shoes: $6.97

Goodwill in Exton, PA:
Earrings: $3.00

Goodwill Outlet in Reading, PA:
Belt: $.60 (Estimate)

Total: $23.04

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

This is my second post of my two-part Girls Night Out series. If you recall, Catina and I headed to Philly for dinner. My goal was to have both our outfits cost less than dinner and drinks and I think I was pretty successful.

Catina’s look started with the sheer mesh sequined top by Free People.
Free People is an American apparel brand headquartered in Philadelphia. It focuses on a modern bohemian- look for women and is a part of Urban Outfitters, Inc. This top probably retailed for $80 – $100. It’s deep V-neck and uneven hemline makes it unique. Its price tag at Goodwill makes it a fantastic find at only $3.95.

We added a black lace-trimmed cami underneath. Relaxed skinny jeans by Paige added a touch of casual attitude. Gold accessories repeated throughout the look pull it all together. A gold clutch holds her necessities and the geometric gold and black scrappy sandals give her height and are better than stilettos for perusing the shops and restaurants along the main street in Media.
But, my favorite part is the vintage gold and black crystal statement necklace. The charms add style without over powering the outfit. This necklace could also dress up a plain t-shirt or add extra panache to your favorite LBD (Little Black Dress). The best part was that this necklace was $1.98. It looks much more expensive, and kept me on budget.

Looking good for any occasion is easy and affordable with Goodwill. Saving your cash for dinner AND dessert will make your night out taste a little sweeter. BTW, we did have dessert and it was delicious!

Kirsten

Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Jeans: $6.50
Top: $3.95
Necklace: $1.98
Shoes: $3.49 (Half off day)

Goodwill Outlet Center in St Lawrence, PA:
Clutch: $2.00

Total: $17.84


About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

As usual, planning a night out with friends involves more than choosing which restaurant to go for me; it also includes planning a Goodwill outfit and a blog shoot. This past Saturday was no different as Catina and I headed towards Philly for dinner with a friend at an Indian restaurant.

This will be the first part of a two part series. My next post will detail Catina’s outfit! I bought this silky floral split-sleeve Express top several months ago when spring fashions first started to hit Goodwill’s racks. I love the bright fuchsia color and the cutouts on the sleeves. The drawstring waist and the blousy fit are both very figure flattering. I’m a fan of color and bold prints so I knew the rest of this outfit needed to be simple.

Dark wash bootleg jeans from J Brand are a great staple for your wardrobe. The color and cut are flattering on everyone. I wear these all the time with a variety of tops. Modern burnished silver necklace and hoops are great accents for the feminine floral top. The gray, geometric-patterned, leather clutch from Via Spiga and silver snakeskin-print chunky heels by Jessica Simpson round out this look. I’ve been saying for weeks that chunky heels are back in and lately I am seeing more and more styles from the 90s returning.

For much less than the cost of dinner and drinks, I purchased a great “Girls Night Out” look for Catina and I. Her look is coming up next. Be on the lookout!

Kirsten

Goodwill at East Earl, PA:
Top: $5.00

Goodwill at Morgantown, PA:
Jeans: $6.50

Goodwill at Shillington, PA:
Shoes: $4.98 (Half off day)

Goodwill Ephrata, PA :
Clutch: $4.97

Total: $21.45

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Last weekend, my family and I headed to Philadelphia and the fantastic Chinese Lantern Festival in Franklin Square. Of course I had to wear a new ensemble and take a few blog photos while enjoying the beautiful event.

Knowing there would be lots of color, I decided a print would pop the most against the bright backgrounds. And the graphic, black and white, knit leopard-print dress from Calvin Klein was exactly what I was looking for. Calvin Klein is not a brand I’ve reviewed here before on the blog, but it is one of my favorites. The typical clean, classic lines are timeless and even older pieces can look completely current in your wardrobe. There are plenty of options in the mid-price line from casual tops to suits, but finding them at Goodwill is even more economical. I found this dress new with tags (NWT) at Goodwill in Phoenixville, PA.

The dress has a drawstring waist and excess fabric on the sides that gives it a batwing effect. It is extremely comfortable and cool, as our visit coincided with the May heat wave. The print was enough that I didn’t need a lot of accessories: a gold beaded bracelet, jade-colored agate pendant (purchased NWT from Jane Marie), gold flats by Dexter (perfect for strolling around the exhibits) and a nylon travel bag from Talbots that carried all my essentials.

This dress would also make a perfect beach cover-up with flip flops or add a statement necklace and black clutch and strappy heels and you’re ready for a night on the town. I love pieces that are versatile and classic brands like Calvin Klein make it easy to adapt your wardrobe to your current needs.

Kirsten

Goodwill in Phoenixville, PA:
Dress: $9.00
Necklace: $6.97
Goodwill Outlet in Reading, PA:
Shoes: $2.25
Bag: $2.00
Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Bracelet: $0.99
Total: $21.21


About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Memorial Day weekend is finally here and it’s the unofficial start to the summer season! With parades, picnics and plenty of holiday events you need a look that is as cool as an ice cream sundae, yet more stylish than a t-shirt with stars on it and shorts. And the best part is that with pieces from Goodwill Keystone Area stores, this outfit is around $10!

Off the shoulder looks have been all over the runway for several seasons now. Cutouts of all kinds in clothing are popular on celebrities and red carpets, but just baring your shoulders in this patriotic-colored rayon blouse from New York & Company is perfect for any event. It has a fun, flirty vibe with the banded waist and tied neckline.

And while the old fashioned rules say you can only wear white from Memorial Day to Labor Day, I wear white all year round. These capris from Lucky brand are perfect for warm days when you want something different than plain old blue denim. White is fresh, clean and cool and these can be rolled up or down depending on the look you are going for. Pair them with flip flops and your favorite tank top for a more casual look.

Finishing our retro look (which was conveniently shot on location in an old fashioned ice cream parlor!) are these outstanding pin-up style navy and white polka dotted platform heels. While this is not an everyday look, it certainly is a fun accessory for this summer outfit.

Summer style doesn’t always have to mean tank tops, shorts and flip flops. Up your fashion game with an outfit that will stand out from the crowd, whether it is at the ballpark, backyard picnic or shopping for your summer wardrobe at Goodwill!

Kirsten

Goodwill in Shillington, PA:
Blouse: $3.95
Jeans: $4.25
Goodwill Outlet in Reading, PA:
Shoes: $2.25
Total: $10.45

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Most readers probably aren’t old enough to remember a character on a certain kid’s TV show that ended in the 1980s. But I remember Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans, so when I saw these minty skinny jeans, I bought them and added my own twist!

Colored jeans comes and goes every few years, but it’s always been in my closet. In a sea of dark wash denim, the fresh green color is a nice change of pace. These jeans are from Chico’s (only $6.50 at Goodwill) and could be worn rolled up, like I have done here, or tucked into boots for fall or winter.

A sheer, flowing white blouse by French Connection is perfect on it’s own or layered under a jacket, sweater or blazer. For these still-cool spring days and nights, throwing on the gold, white and pink striped cardigan by Black House White Market (ironic something from Black House White Market is gold and pink!) adds warmth and style.

I tied the look together by adding accessories in the same color palette. A gold and mint chunky necklace, delicate gold flats from Tahari (which were new with the tags for $99.00!) and a pink hobo bag by Etienne Aigner complete this casual, clean look.

Keep your eyes open when shopping at Goodwill. You never know when style inspiration can strike! And tying an outfit together with your accessories gives you that polished look – even when your outfit is based on an 80s kid’s show!

Kirsten

Goodwill in Royersford, PA:
Flats: $6.97
Jeans: $6.50
Necklace: $4.97
Goodwill in Harrisburg, PA:
Blouse: $3.95
Goodwill in Phoenixville, PA:
Sweater: $6.00
Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Bag: $6.97

Total: $35.36

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.