In case you’re not familiar with this challenge, the basic gist is that I race through my local Goodwill—usually with multiple children in tow—attempting to find as many complete outfits (the goal is 3) as possible in only 1/2 an hour.  The trying on process is always longer than 30 minutes because I spend as much time changing diapers and doling out snacks as I do putting clothes on.

Still, the entire process is fairly quick, and I usually bring home some really cute looks (feel free to catch up with Rounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 if you’d like).

Sadly, I’ve got rather depressing news to report: my local Goodwill—the teeny-tiny, had-no-business-being-as-fabulous-as-it-was location that I seemed to be the only one who shopped at—has been discovered. Or at least that’s what I’m assuming based on the decrease in selection and quality (not to mention the rise in prices). The shoe section—which used to be so amazing that I always brought home 4 pairs of adorable shoes for $3 each (and had to resist buying 2 more)—has dwindled down to the usual nose-wrinkle-worthy cluster of hunter green pumps from 1984 and a dirty, broken-down flip flop or two. Major sad face for that one.

Which, of course, means that what I have to show you today may not be as impressive as my usual hauls.

But first, here’s what I was wearing while I shopped:

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BLURRRRRRRY!

Contrary to my usual M.O., I don’t think I’m wearing a single Goodwill item here. The sweater, jeans, and belt are all GAP or GAP outlet (all old), and the boots are my Nine West  leather $60 Marshall’s “splurge.”

And now for outfit #1:

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Notice the relative cleanliness of Nola’s face at this point. It will get dirtier as the trying-on session progresses.

Those jeans were a fun find. I spotted them on the mannequin as soon as I walked in and could tell they were a nice brand, even from across the room. Sure enough, they turned out to be Joe’s, which sell for an average of $160 new.

The sweater was a nice blue/gray/green that sort of matched my eyes and was super comfy.  I bought both (although I’ll probably sell the jeans).

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These were literally the only shoes I could find that I was even willing to try on. They were cute and a nice brand (Nina), but they were a tad tight, and the sole on one was starting to peel off, so I passed.

Next up, I tried on a flowy top with trouser jeans from Banana Republic.

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Hello, cute baby.

I liked them both, but I only came home with the top (you’ll get  better shot of it in a minute) because the pants were a little big and not super-flattering in the hip area.

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I don’t own (or wear) a lot of light-rinse jeans, but I knew my husband would like these Vigoss jeans (I was right; he made several appreciative comments when I wore them), so I bought them for only $4.

I bought this cute Forever 21 “top” (is it a dress? please say no) too.

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Notice the stains on Nola’s face? I had resorted to feeding her and her sister leftover chocolate cupcakes from Della’s birthday party.

I actually came home with several other fun finds like a sea foam green silk skirt, an emerald faux patent leather hobo bag, and a pink GAP wool scarf, but the babies were done by this point. Even chocolate cupcakes were only buying their cooperation for mere seconds at a time, so I captured no pictorial evidence of my other finds.

I’ve worn almost all of my haul already, but I only took pics of one outfit.  I paired that flowy top from above with my red (orange?) corduroy J. Crew outlet pants to wear to Thanksgiving because I needed at least one loose item (the pants are not stretchy at all) to accommodate my culinary indulgence.

IMG_8851 Check out my majorly lazy eye (left); not sure what’s up with that.

Several of Shaun’s family commented on my “interesting” and “creative” color choices for this outfit (they weren’t being rude at all; they’re just not quite used to such loud color palettes), and I had to laugh a little. What can I say? I love color!

So there you have it: not nearly as successful as my other outings but still a decent haul for an hour at Goodwill.

Unfortunately, I feel like thrifting has gotten so popular lately that it’s getting harder and harder to score really great deals. Do you find this true too?

My advice: whatever you do, don’t reveal your secret thrifting treasure trove, or pretty soon it’ll be over-run and overpriced. BOO!

0 Comments

  1. I’ve definitely noticed a rise in prices and popularity at our local thrift stores the past year or two. At Goodwill, they put outrageous prices on home decor and furniture, and it makes me so sad to see an item I would have taken home and loved that was priced ridiculously sit for weeks and eventually get dirty, broken, etc as time goes on and it becomes worthless. At least Goodwill (in my area) prices all clothing consistently (all skirts are $3.99, etc), while the Salvation Army prices clothing so randomly. They’ll put $1.99 on something and then $7.99 on a similar piece, and it’s all attached with staples to the clothes, sometimes ruining them. I still keep shopping and do find good deals, but it’s definitely becoming more difficult.

  2. I’ve definitely noticed a rise in prices and popularity at our local thrift stores the past year or two. At Goodwill, they put outrageous prices on home decor and furniture, and it makes me so sad to see an item I would have taken home and loved that was priced ridiculously sit for weeks and eventually get dirty, broken, etc as time goes on and it becomes worthless. At least Goodwill (in my area) prices all clothing consistently (all skirts are $3.99, etc), while the Salvation Army prices clothing so randomly. They’ll put $1.99 on something and then $7.99 on a similar piece, and it’s all attached with staples to the clothes, sometimes ruining them. I still keep shopping and do find good deals, but it’s definitely becoming more difficult.

  3. Yes…totally true! But….then I find new places. At first they are always super cheap. I’m usully looking for house hold reno items or decor. My latest fave is the Habitat here in Spokane. It’s way the heck ‘out there’ and most people don’t seem to know about it. All my kitchen big, real-wood baseboard…$6 yesterday!

  4. I’m finding that the thrift store prices, especially Goodwill in Minnesota, are getting really high! I’ve been seeing furniture for hundreds of dollars. What?? That wouldn’t even sell for that much in an antique store. I love finding the diamond in the rough and find that it depends on who’s pricing. I found a pair of Hudson jeans today for $7.99! Oh, and it helps to Google the retail on things! I found a jacket for my dad and wasn’t sure of the brand. It looked new, but had no tags. I checked on the brand and it’s a $200 jacket that I scored for $18! You can still find amazing deals, it’s just getting a bit harder with all the competition. I’ve had many friends convert to thrifting after hearing my stories. Maybe mums the word, ha!

  5. I found a great thrift store in my area, which has much better deals than Goodwill. I scored pants/jeans for my girls for school. I also found some tops and jackets for them. I have only found a couple of tops for me, but their stuff was all brand name. I will keep looking but I think that people are thrifting a lot more this year. I found the girls pants/jeans/tops for $2.99-$3.99. I have also been told there’s an online exchange that a lot of people are using lately, not sure what the name of it is. I found a new thrift store I am dying to go to, as well as the American Cancer society one in my town that I had found some good deals at before, so I will be out shopping at some point.

    I like the blue top and the dress/top from Forever 21 that you got. I think the outfit you picked for Thanksgiving shows a lot of color and I really like it. Sometimes you gotta step out of the box and pair things differently, add a bit of color. I think the first pair of jeans you want to sell are great. I would keep them.

  6. What is it with men and light rinse jeans? I own one pair of well-worn Levi’s in a lighter rinse for that very reason. I could wear a different pair of dark rinse jeans every single day and he’d not utter a word. A few minutes in the light rinse ones, and the compliments fly. Oh well. I’ll take what I can get!

    =)

  7. Love the first green blue sweater and the faded jeans, also love the flowy top, you are right about not revealing your favorite thrift store, because I noticed they started to raised the prices at my favorite store, scored a pair of seven jean the other day for less than five bucks, can’t complain to much right, have a great day Abbie 🙂

I love hearing from you guys!