I spent last weekend in the deserts of Southern California (lol no, not at Coachella) visiting my sister and brother-in-law. I was joined by our Mom, and we quickly discovered that there’s not that much to do in the small city where they live besides eat, relax with each other, and go shopping. Shopping is one of my all-time favorite pastimes, but since I made the decision to limit my shopping to $100 a month this was the first big test of my resolve.
I’m pretty pleased with myself. We went shopping three days in a row (!!), and I only spent $27.98 in total! Alright, I confess – shopping with my Mom usually ends up with her buying my sister and I each a few things. She’s an angel (for a lot of reasons, one just happens to be she likes to treat us sometimes). Even so, I always shopped with the intention of spending only my own money AND staying on budget. Thusly, my mom only spent $38 on clothes for me. I almost feel like she should be thanking me. ALMOST.
I’m really excited I found this top from Gap. I wish I would have bought it in more colors. It’s soft, wraps perfectly, and is the perfect length to go with all my high-waisted jeans, but still keep my gut hidden. It’s technically part of the GapFit collection, but I can promise I will not be working out in this staple piece.
I’m back at home in Seattle now, and the sun actually made an appearance today! At least, enough of an appearance that I felt comfortable having my ankles exposed for a few minutes outside. I think spring might be running late, but it’s getting closer. I’ve been wanting to get my hands (thighs?) on a pair of Everlane’s wide-leg crops for quite a while. In February I decided I was ready to pull the trigger but I wasn’t sure what size to get – I actually ordered a size 4 from Everlane in another color, and that same day I found this pair on Poshmark in a size 2. I figured for less than half the price, it was worth a try to see if they would fit. Turns out, the size 2 fit and the size 4 was too big, so I returned the full-price pants and kept these ones that I got for a lot less ca$h-money. These are definitely used, but they still have quite a bit of life left in them. So me and my wallet are both pretty tickled.
Here are the cost details of my outfit. I think it’s pretty interesting to break it down like this and see what I could have spent vs. what I actually spent. Not everything was cheap, so to speak, but I’m really pleased with the breakdown and my savings, just by doing some budget-savvy shopping.
Full Price vs. What I Paid
Top: Gap – $25 (I paid $15 at Gap Outlet)
Pants: Everlane – $68 (I paid $31 on Poshmark)
Shoes: Everlane – $135 (I paid $95)
Purse: I paid $0.50 at Goodwill
Necklace: zulily – $49.50 (I paid $13)
Outfit value: $278
What I paid: $154.50 (45% off!)
Okay, wanna know what else I got last weekend for just $65.98??
We ended up at the outlet mall on the third day of the trip (I get my bargain-hunting abilities from my Mom), and of course this was the only day I actually made any purchases. I got lucky at H&M that, oddly enough, the markdown section was nearly all sweaters and pants. I guess those don’t sell well in the desert!? (it was 94 degrees that day). So I walked out with two new sweaters, a pair of plaid pants (!!) and two bras for only $23. For anyone that’s keeping track, my generous Mom offered to cover this purchase. My new white top was from Gap Outlet, and, as always, I found the best stuff in the clearance section at Old Navy.
Here’s a couple of bonus pics of me in the H&M Sweater yesterday. I bought a size L since I liked the oversized fit. This one is seriously soft and cozy.
None of these stores are particularly earth-shattering for most of us who don’t want to give up appendages (or hundreds of dollars) in exchange for clothes. That being said, I still find the most value in starting with the sale or clearance rack in most stores I go to. This is true for me for two reasons: 1) Looking at clearance prices/markdowns gives me a sense of what a store’s clothes CAN be purchased for, and 2) it tricks my brain into how much I expect something to cost. When I go from perusing the clearance rack (and getting used to looking at those price tags) to shopping full-price merchandise, the full-price stuff always seems too expensive. It’s a funny kind of backwards psychology, but it works.
What other tricks do you use to find bargains when you shop? Explain in detail in the comments so we can all avoid paying full price forever.
Hahahah my boob ~mostly~ stayed in the top all day 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 YASSS HENNY
LOL it’s really true, I kept checking on them all day and only once did my bra peek out to say hi.
Confessions of a fellow bargain shopaholic, lol!
exactly! that would be a great name for my biography someday lolol