A little Goodwill find
As you know, I've recently become a pretty big fan of Goodwill(due in part to Katy's influence). I've found lots of rockin' stuff for the kids there, but I've also found a few things for me.
While it is true that Goodwill has a lot of clothes I wouldn't be caught dead in, there are usually a couple of gems mixed in, and I've been fortunate enough to find a few of those. Incidentally, if you're on the prowl for hip used clothes, I'd highly recommend checking to see if your thrift store has a junior's section. At my Goodwill, there are some very fashionable items there that are in like new shape. It makes sense, if you think about it. Teenagers tend to be pretty fickle with their clothing, so they're quite likely to get rid of something that's stylish and in good condition merely because they're bored with it (and I'm quite happy to wear the clothes they were bored with). While some of the clothes there are impossibly small (I don't think I've ever been a size one, even before kids!), a lot of them are middle of the road sizes, and I've seen a number of larger junior sizes there too.
At any rate, a couple of months ago, I spied this Ann Taylor skirt. It was practically brand new, and I was delighted to see that it fit me. The price? A hefty $3.
(I apologize for the slightly blurry photo...I have to rely on my 9 year old's budding camera skills when I need a picture of me!)
I took a quick glance around the Ann Taylor website and it seems like their casual skirts retail for $59 and up, so I feel like $3 was a pretty smokin' deal. I'm delighted to have another skirt to wear during the summer because I've become something of a fan of summer skirts over the last few years...they're as cool as shorts, more comfortable in my opinion, and they look nice enough that I can wear them when I'm teaching piano (which I can't say about shorts).
If you'd like to see some other Goodwill/thrift store outfits, you should go check out Angela's Thrifty Threads series. Angela, who writes My Year Without Spending is always on the lookout for frugal shoppers who will send in pictures of themselves in their used clothing, so if you have a delightful outfit that you've bought second-hand, you should so totally go and send a photo to Angela (her email can be found on her profile page). I just emailed a photo to Angela this weekend because my Sunday outfit (which is not this skirt!) happened to be second-hand, and of course, I'll be sure to let you know when I'm featured. 🙂
Great find! That's a beautiful skirt.
I was just looking at your other Good Will finds and I can't believe how similar our bedroom furniture looks! Too funny! 🙂
Very nice! You gotta love good finds like that. This isn't about clothes, but the other day I got such a sweet deal on Guylian chocolates - nearly 2 pounds of chocolate (a HUGE box!) for NZ$10. (Like US$6) Why? Because their 'best before' date was going to be the next day or something. Now I'm kicking myself for not getting 2 boxes!
BTW, you're looking really good for someone who's had 4 kids! Any secrets/tips? 🙂
Very cute! I recently thrifted an Ann Taylor skirt for $1 and love it. 🙂
Cute skirt! Thanks again for the mention.
Love it. I also like skirts for summer, they are very versatile. Great find.
LOL Franci. And thanks. I don't know if I have any super helpful tips...I did gain a fair amount of weight during my pregnancies(50 pounds with the last one), but I breastfed all my babies, and that really helped me to lose the weight.
Aside from that, I try to eat fairly natural foods (although I do still make room for mint chocolate!), and I try not to eat too much (just until I'm full). I think that's probably a really important component of my routine, because if you eat too much food, even healthy food, you're going to have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.
I'm also a pretty active person. Although I don't managed to get out and do official exercise every day, especially in the winter, I don't spend a lot of time sitting around (except for when I blog! lol). This has the double benefit of helping me get more accomplished and also helping me to burn off some of the food I eat.
I walk in the early morning a lot in the summertime, and year round I do a few calisthenics, which include some ab exercises (because four pregnancies can be sort of hard on those muscles!).
I should add too that I'm fairly tall (5 feet, 8 inches), so I have it easier than shorter women do, and I think that some of my slimness is hereditary. And in no way do I think that every woman is supposed to be slim, or is supposed to look like me...healthy people can be a large range of sizes, and I'm certainly not ideal (I'm not exactly the curviest gal around!).
That was probably more than you bargained for, huh?? lol
Frugal Chick, you've got me beat!
Wow--I want to shop at YOUR Goodwill! Here in Portland, our Goodwill stores have the highest sales per capita of any place in the nation, but our prices are higher. Ordinary skirts and jeans start at $5, and name brands are higher. But that's still cheaper than buying new! I actually am planning to go today to look for some summer outfits.
What an adorable skirt! I just LOVE Goodwill and other thrift stores. I always find nice clothing. People tell me frequently they never find good stuff at thrift stores but I think that's because they don't know how to look.
I stop at almost every Goodwill I pass, if I have the time, and I'm in and out in 10 minutes. I have a routine down pat, and I get familiar with the merchandise so I can spot a promising newcomer to the clothes rack from a mile away! To me, it's like treasure hunting! Loooove it! 🙂
Austin has so many wonderful thrift stores, it's hard not to go thrifting on a regular basis...but I try to resist...today, though I found a lovely, soft, lightweight Gap cotton tank top for $3.00 with my senior discount at Savers. I build my wardrobe, one item at a time from either Ross or thrift stores. Love it!
Your skirt was a score!
Very cute!
And Michelle, Goodwills here in Portland have a color tag that's 50% off and starts on Sundays. Early Sunday is your day for bargains!
Katy Wolk-Stanley
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
The Non-Consumer Advocate
I love the skirt and the look on you.
I'd have to agree with your comment... You are a slimmer body type. I know we're the same height but I'd have to work hard to be your size.
Thumbs up on the find.
Absolutely...it shouldn't be about being a particular size, but about eating healthy food in the right amounts. If you do that, your body will end up where it's supposed to be, I think, and that will look different for different people. 🙂
I love finding great deals at Goodwill and yard sales. My son has been wanting Crocs for a while now, but I can't seem to justify the cost. I found a pair of brown Crocs at Goodwill for $2.49!! They fir great and he loves them.
i love shopping at Goodwill. I found a pair of Crocs for my eight year old son, who's been wanting them for some time now. I wouldn't buy them full price though. Only paid 2.49!!
Beautiful skirt! I find myself having a hard time locating skirts that actually reach my knees. God forbid I walked into church with anything shorter on. But it seems as if that's all they make these days.