I love to shop but I don’t have an unlimited clothing budget. Most of the time I’m trying to find the item I want for the smallest price possible. But sometimes there are great items worth spending on. Want to know when to spend and when to save? Keep reading!
Items Worth Spending On:
Love my boots from Goodwill!
Boots. I wear boots almost every day in winter. In addition to keeping my feet warm and dry, they are stylish, and usually an important part of my outfit. I have four pairs of leather boots and I was lucky enough to find three of those at Goodwill. But just because I got them for a steal, doesn’t mean they’re not worth spending on. I take my boots to be shined every year and resoled every two years. The cost adds up but it’s worth it since they are an item I get a lot of use out of and wear for multiple years.
My Coach Bag from Goodwill!
Handbags. Recently I shared on Instagram how I found a $400 Coach bag at the Goodwill for $40. What drew me to the bag wasn’t the label but the quality. Leather handbags, like leather shoes, are worth a financial investment because they last for years and are unlikely to go out of style quickly.
Signature jewelry. Like a signature perfume, a signature piece of jewelry is something people will always associate with you because you wear it often. Think Carrie’s necklace in Sex and the City. Whether it’s a ring, necklace, bracelet or earrings, it’s that piece that matches your personal style, not the current trends, so you’ll know you’ll be wearing it for years. When you find that perfect accessory, it’s worth spending more, whether it be getting a gemstone or precious metal, so your treasure will stand the test of time.
Save your money and buy these items on a budget:
T-shirts. I like to dress t-shirts up with blazers and a pencil skirt or dress them down by pairing them with jeans and flats. As much as I love them, they aren’t something I’m willing to spend much on because they last usually no more than a year. After a year, even the best t-shirt starts to show wear and after wearing it so much, I’m probably tired of it and ready to try something new. Luckily, can pick up t-shirts at the Goodwill for less than $5.00.
My jeans from Goodwill.
Jeans. I know many people will disagree with me on this and say that designer denim is a must. But for me, jeans just aren’t worth it. Unlike designer shoes, which are made of better material, jeans are jeans. Maybe the cotton to spandex ratio is a little different, but overall, the quality between brands isn’t very noticeable. Additionally, every year, the style for jeans change, whether it’s low cut to high wasted, or boyfriend to distressed. Staying fashionable is important to me and buying affordable jeans lets me stay on trend.
J. Crew Bubble Necklace Image via J.Crew.com
Statement jewelry. Remember how popular those J. Crew bubble necklaces were a few years ago? They were everywhere and people were paying $150 for them! Now, they’re terribly dated and no doubt collecting dust in their owners’ jewelry boxes. Trendy jewelry is great and an easy way to update an outfit, but it’s not where you should be spending your money since the trends are constantly changing. Head to Forever 21 or H&M for those fun trendy pieces.
Being a Goodwill fashionista doesn’t mean being cheap, it means spending your money wisely and looking fashionable! What are your spend and save items?
A teacher by day, a thrifter by night, I love going to the Goodwill and finding great things. Whether it’s organizers for my classroom, pots for my kitchen, or sweaters to relax in, I know I’ll find it all at the Goodwill. You can follow all my favorite DC Goodwill finds on Instagram @gotitatgoodwill.
