Identity Crisis!
October 6, 2011Hello all! On my last post, titled “Shopping Crisis”, I described that wonderful (and slightly foreign) feeling I got when I snagged a great bargain at a retail store: I only paid $16.46 for a red Dana Buchman cardigan sweater. I felt very satisfied, and a little bit smart.
I was starting to think that I could get used to being a great bargain shopper, instead of a frugal secondhand shopper. I mean, I still had the thrill of the hunt (knowing I was purchasing something for over 70% off was definitely thrilling). And not having to dig through hundreds of items crammed together was quite pleasant. And they even let me keep the hanger! I almost felt pampered.
Yes, I was thinking I could get used to shopping like normal folks do…
Until the other day, when I wore this outfit:
Price Breakdown:
Jean Jacket – Gap (Goodwill): $5.99
Tunic: Heart Soul (Goodwill): $2.29
Skirt: Christopher and Banks (Goodwill): $3.39
Shoes: Franco Sarto (Goodwill): $3.69
Total Cost: $15.36 (+tax)
$15.36 for an entire outfit!
I’m so confused! Which is it – the thrill of buying one piece new, or the thrill of wearing an entire outfit for the same price? Who am I? Secondhand Shopaholic or Smart Bargain Shopper? And are the two mutually exclusive? I’ve lost my identity!
OK, I’ll tone down the drama.
But wearing that outfit definitely reinforced that my Thrift Pride is back! Yes, I loved, loved, loved the Dana Buchman cardigan, and felt very smart for getting it at such a good price, but that feeling was dwarfed by how I felt wearing this outfit. I think because I actually love every piece of it:
The jean jacket: Love it! Thanks to the Inspiration Calendar, I have learned the trick of incorporating denim into an outfit to add a burst of color and texture. Click here to see the first time I tried it (and I’m actually wearing that same outfit today). For me, brown and denim is the new black.
The tunic: This piece is definitely on my Top 10 list of my Favorite Secondhand Purchases (that series coming soon after my Top 10 things I love/hate about my new house). Finding this tunic for only $2.29 completely exacerbates my love for shopping at Thrift stores. Click here to read more on this argument, where I show off four outfits at less than $15 each. The satisfaction I feel from finding such a treasure at such a good price is immeasurable.
And the skirt is my go-to brown skirt. I wear the heck out of it. If you calculate value as cost vs. times worn, then it’s priceless.
The shoes are pretty awesome, too. The only thing I don’t like about this outfit is that I paid $35 for the necklace I’m wearing. That makes me sick. I bought it at one of the jewelry shows a friend invited me to, and I felt obligated to buy something, so I bought the cheapest piece I could. In comparison to the other pieces of jewelry, $35 was relatively cheap. I comparison to my outfit, $35 is ludicrous. Like I said, it almost makes me feel sick.
But back to my identity dilemma, here’s the verdict: Purchasing the Dana Buchman sweater at 70% off for only $16.46 is like eating a low-fat Weight Watchers piece of chocolate cake. Satisfying and smart.
Wearing an entire outfit for the same price is like eating the whole cake for the same amount of calories. Indulgent without the guilt.
And in case you’re not convinced, here’s the icing to that cake: another outfit that I wore to a bridal shower this weekend (note the price of the necklace):
Price Breakdown:
Dress – Merona (Goodwill): $5.89
Cropped Cami – Worthington (Goodwill): $3.69
Leggings – Target: $5.00
Shoes – Anne Klein (HCI Thrift Store): $4.95
Necklace - Restyle consignment store ($3.99) Ha!
Total Cost: $23.52
Mmmmmmm. Delicious.
I’m a recovering thrifter too, so I understand! I think the key is that you have to be discerning. It doesn’t really matter if the item is thrifted, at a bargain price or at full price, what really matters is does it look great on you, do you wear it and do you love it?
$35 is NOT ludicrous for a necklace, you’ll have it and enjoy it for years.
You put some nice outfits together here! But I recall from your previous posts that you’ve also had to clean out a lot because it didn’t fit right or was dated. So I guess there’s just a balance.
I’m still a bargain hound but I try not to bring it home unless it’s perfect! Just this weekend I had two things in my hand at the thrift store and ended up putting them back. I don’t miss them. I did come home with one shirt though.
Thanks Kristine for the comments! Your first paragraphs sums it up exactly – I have to be discerning! Because when I just look at price and quantity, I did end up having the do The Great Clean Out, and man, did I have a lot of items that made me say, “Really? What was I thinking???).
So finding the balance, and having the discipline to put the things in my hand back – that’s the key!! The good news is I’m getting closer to that mindset…with help and feedback from people like you!
Take care, and keep me updated on your progress!
PS – I’m wearing that $35 necklace again today. I do wear the heck out of it, so maybe if I determine value by cost/times worn, then I might agree with you about it being a good purchase. It’s a great piece that add a little bohemian style to an outfit!
I like the print dress– wish our Goodwill had that many good items.
I agree with the necklace issue– I don’t think those jewelry parties give any kind of value, so i think of it as the cost of admission, which makes it easier. (And I stay away unless it’s a good friend.)
What I do is buy orphan craft items and broken necklaces at garage sales, plus scout the resale shops. I can make my own necklaces from the pieces. I usually get the findings online or the craft store and they’re much better quality– many of those costume items will rot at the clasp pretty quickly.
Scarves are the other thing I look for at those garage/estate/rummage sales– those old women tend to buy them and put them away ‘for nice’ and then sell them for a dollar forty years later.
(That said, it is a neat necklace, fills in a neckline nicely.)
Brenda, your blog is great and very professional. I have been a thrift shop shopper for several years now. I am fortunate to live in a small city, Ventura, California (about 100,000), that has 4 thrift shops in the little downtown area. Three support charities, so I not only get great bargains (Isn’t it amazing what Americans discard?), but I am helping people who need help.
Boyd Lemon-Author of “Digging Deep: A Writer Uncovers His Marriages,” a memoir of the author’s journey to understand his role in the destruction of his three marriages, helpful for anyone to deal with issues in their own relationships. Information, excerpts and reviews: http://www.BoydLemon-Writer.com.