Recently I shopped for and styled a young lady named Tyechia who wanted to give her wardrobe an update as we head into spring. Like many, she was on a budget.  So we started out thrifting; and then added a few staple pieces like a denim vest, colorful pants, and an animal print top that can all be mixed and matched for endless outfits.  We started with a limit of $150, and though she only requested 5 outfits, I was able to stretch it into 15 (I think that may be a record).  For several of the shots, I grabbed a few of my accessories and some shoes to point her in the right “style” direction visually, to assist in showing her how to get the “look.” Here’s some of what she got!

OUTFIT 1: Blazer :: H&M, White Tank :: Faded Glory, Pants :: Forever21;  OUTFIT 2: Denim Vest :: Rainbow, Printed Top :: Rainbow, Leggings :: Unnecessary Clothing; OUTFIT 3: Animal Print Top :: Zara, Pants :: Forever21

OUTFIT 1: Denim Vest :: Forever21, Dress :: Calvin Klein, OUTFIT 2: Dress :: H&M, OUTFIT 3: Dress :: Forever21

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Happy Friday! So….I was recently perusing Instagram and saw that a fellow thrift lover had won some cash in this monthly contest held by ThriftStoreRunway.com.  I thought, “what the heck,” let me check it out.

So I go to the site, read over the rules, and submit myself (here’s the outfit I submitted). The rules state that the majority of the outfit you enter has to be second hand and shouldn’t exceed a $50 limit (or that article of clothing won’t be included in the judging, and you may be asked to provide receipts for proof of purchase). “I have a ton of those,” I thought…and there’s also no limit to the number of times you can submit each month.  If 49 people or less enter each month, they will award 5 individuals $100 each; however, if  50 people or more enter, they will award the winners $500 each (plus they’ll make a contribution to a thrifting charity of your choice for both prizes). Lining your pockets….and giving back — a definite win-win!

Fast forward a month later…I get an email stating that the outfit I had submitted had won a $500 prize, and they would just need a W-9 to send me my check.  What?! Really? For real?! Now, I gotta admit….I was more than a little skeptical. I mean….I don’t like giving out things like my social security number all willy-nilly.  So I asked a fellow blogger if she’d worked with them (Patrice, of Looking Fly On a Dime), did my due diligence — got a tax ID for the company, and  checked them out online.  Seemed legit.

So…now I’m at my mailbox yesterday….and what do I see? A check for $500 — what a way to start the year!   I highly recommend this site….entry is easy, and what better reward can you get for all those photos we take showcasing our latest looks anyway?  Kudos to the folks over at Templeton Press and Thrift Store Runway who know a good deal when they see it…AND put their money where their mouth is!

Photo: iStockPhoto

You know, for a long time, thrift stores have had this stigma of being these dark and musty places that were merely a graveyard for all the bad polyester and moth-eaten garments of yesteryear. But today, legions of people are seeing them for their true potential and revamping their closets on a budget. Need a little help navigating this world of fashion treasures? Here are 12 thrift store shopping tips from a shopping pro.

1. THINK OF WAYS TO REPURPOSE:  I’d like to think that when you thrift shop, you are able to get some really cool and unique things if you put on your “creative goggles.”  If you have the foresight to envision those printed bell-legged slacks as a tailored pair of matchstick pants, or how that plain jacket would look with a set of military buttons, you’ll surprise yourself with the possibilities out there.

2. KNOW THE TRENDS BEFORE YOU GO: You don’t have to plunk out tons of cash to stay up on the latest trends. To find out what’s current, browse magazines and window shop to see what’s popular before you go. That way, you can see what’s missing from your wardrobe and shop accordingly. Whether it’s an accessory or a color that’s hot, you’re sure to find ways to implement the latest fashion into your closet at a fraction of the cost.

3. ASK IF THEY HAVE ANY SALES OR SPECIALS: In my area, a lot of times the thrift stores have a day designated for certain items to be on sale. So if you’re willing to wait it out for that particular day, you may be able to get an item for an even lower price.

4. BRING CASH: Sometimes you’ll find that thrift stores don’t have credit or debit card machines, so it would be in your best interest to take cash.  Also, with our recovering economy, I’ve found that you may get a better deal if you offer to pay for your purchase in cash, and save the store from incurring that fee for paying with plastic.

5. IF THERE’S NO DRESSING ROOM, IMPROVISE: In some thrift stores, there isn’t the luxury of a dressing room, so you have to get a little inventive with checking the fit. For things like pants and skirts, try the age-old neck-to-waist trick. Fasten the closure and wrap the waist around your neck, if you can just pinch the fabric together at the end with your fingers, then you know it works!