by Claire
We just returned from a day of shopping at local resale shops and we hit the jackpot. Our first stop yielded 3 high end designer suits (Votre Nom, Apriori and Gerard Darel), 2 pair of slacks (Ann Taylor and Limited for $14 each) and 3 blouses (White House, Black Market) for $200! These items would have easily cost $1000 at full retail stores.
Our next stop led to two great work dresses—Calvin Klein and Tahari–and a way, way discounted classic black Dooney & Bourke purse (side note–I hate buying purses and I am not very good at it so this is the first purse I’ve bought in over 6 years and according to Steve…it was time for my purse to be put to rest) and a fun Nicole Miller blouse. The total there was $120 for everything!
We spent $80 at the last stop but here’s the list of finds: 2 pair of Abercrombie jeans for the boys, 3 abercrombie shirts for the boys, 1 American Eagle shirt for one of the boys and another great White House Black Market blouse. The blouse was $13!
The sales were awesome and the free tax weekend definitely helped! I also found two more pair of Anne Klein shoes on ebay for $15 each and I have an entirely new high end, quality, classic wardrobe for about $450. I shopped with assistance and supervision and stuck with the basic colors even if part of my brain is saying “black again?” It is what I wear best and will get the most use out of at the office. I am not a name brand person but I also learned from our blog conversations that I need to go with quality so that is why I am sharing the name brands. Also, many thanks to Steve because he truly knows what I look best in and can pick things off of a rack in a heartbeat that are perfect.
Great timing on this–I have a big work event in Dallas this week. I admit it: New clothes make these tough work things a little bit easier to handle.
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Hi Claire,
Great deals! For your fellow San Antonio readers would you share the names of these stores? I could use some great quality clothes without paying full retail.
Yes! Encore on NW Military, Too Good To Be Threw at Blanco and 410 and then one I just found at Thousand Oaks and 281 called The Garment Exchange. Happy Shopping!
I went up to SA and was wondering the same thing even though I had NO intentions of being anywhere near a clothing store this weekend.
I ADORE consignment!! Good for you! You will never pay retail again!
Wow, those are great finds! The work wardrobe sounds really fantastic and functional.
Brilliant! Good work. It’s true that looking good makes you feel more confident. Feeling confident will always make you perform better in work and at home.
What is it that they say about dressing for the job you want? Good luck on that front!
Great comment!
Hi Claire – loving your progress! I have a bag of clothes to drop off at the thrift store today. I’d love to find the back wall of my closet soon! Can you check with the previous two writers? Would be great to have an update from them – we get kinds of attached to you guys, don’t ya know!
Hey great idea for an update from the previous bloggers! I’ll try to figure out how to get in touch with them so perhaps they can do a guest post.
this great new cutting down cost on clothing makes you save more money on other important things
I never buy any clothes at retail prices. I don’t quite understand people who buy clothes at full retail price. My only tip when buying something on sale is to have an idea what you want, otherwise you spend a money on clothes that you may not need and you just bought because it was on sale.
Great tip Mar! I was SO tempted by a few “good deals” that caught my eye and I carried them around until the very end. I set them aside at the check out when I realized they were not very practical. In tha past, I totally would have bought them!
Great finds! Lucky you. My all-time favorite black suit is a Tahari, my all-time favorite grey suit is Calvin Klein. I try to go for classics cuts that won’t go out of style. I would love to have gotten them at resale store prices, but unfortunately Kalamazoo, MI doesn’t have a huge selection.