Welcome to Thrifty Threads, AKA Most Stylish Compact-y outfit, where readers model their favorite secondhand clothes.A Compact-y outfit is used or recycled, from Goodwill, a thrift store, a consignment shop, a yard sale, craigslist, ebay, or anywhere else you find used clothing.
Today's model is Amber, who bought this beautiful wedding dress at a local consignment shop where she lives in northwest Tennessee for just $125. Her mom Karen made her bouquet from flowers they bought at a wholesale store, and Amber wore a pair of her mom's white slipper house shoes with the dress. Except for the $10 rental for the arch, the family used items already available at their church for their beautiful, frugal wedding.
Karen says their family has always been Goodwill, consignment, secondhand, and yard sale shoppers. Congratulations Amber, on your marriage (even though it was back in 2008), and for inheriting your mother's wisdom about secondhand shopping. That is a gorgeous dress, and you managed to have a beautiful wedding without going into debt.
Thanks Karen, for sending in those lovely photos, and thanks Amber, for letting me post them on Thrifty Threads. What a marvelous example to anyone who's thinking about getting married - you can buy a used wedding dress! And chances are, it's only been worn once! Have it cleaned, and get yourself a 90 percent off bargain!
Readers, it's your turn. Put on your favorite secondhand outfit, snap a photo, and send it to me at barton (dot) angela (at) gmail (dot) com. I love to see what you're finding out there, it's so much fun, and such an inspiration. And if you shop secondhand, tell us your best tips in the Comments section. And click here if you want to check out previous installments of Thrifty Threads.
5 comments:
Kudos Amber! You look amazing.
There's a show on TLC, Say Yes to the Dress, all about brides shopping in an upscale salon in New York City who have 'budget' of $2,000 plus (often far more). It’s amazing the premium women pay to have the 'experience' of dress shopping, and that so many brides blissfully spend their family’s money without wincing. Amber shows how beautiful you can look in second-hand, and isn't the experience of the wedding day the most important of all?
Yes, I can't imagine how much that dress would cost new, with all that beautiful detailed lacework.
Those fairy tales don't work as well with wedding dresses, where you really can get a used one that's only been worn once. Who would rather have a $2000 new dress than a $125 used one- maybe a girl whose parents are paying and she's been convinced she "deserves" it. Sort of like making people feel they're supposed to spend two months salary on an engagement ring- who decided that? DeBeers of course, the company that sells diamonds.
i can't believe she found a dress that nice at a consignment store! all the wedding gowns i've seen around my area are from 1970 something. gorgeous!
I've thought about donating my wedding dress- back in style- to a store. I thought I might pin a note that says worn 30 years ago- still married:>)
My daughter found her dress in a small boutique. The woman said her friend had purchased it and then decided on something else. She sold it for $100 with a $2500 tag still on it! It fit like it was made for my daughter ---but was 10 inches too long-lol. It was an easy fix.
Amazing.
withduckandgoose- some of those 1970s dresses might be back in style!
Janette- I absolutely love both of those stories! From $2500 to $100, I think that's similar to Amber's discount, because the details on that dress put it in a semi pricey category. I think you should do the donation- the right person would absolutely treasure that!
Thanks for your comments!
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