Sometimes the easiest pieces make the best outfits, especially when you are in college and running out the door to class. You don’t have time to fuss with complicated pieces or worrying about mixing or matching.

For Melanie, we started her look with this classic blue and gray striped sweater from American Eagle Outfitters. This brand targets male and female college students and just like Anthropologie, is Pennsylvania-based. Their headquarters are in Pittsburgh. They are known for their low-rise jeans, polo shirts, graphic T-shirts, sweatpants, henley shirts, outerwear, and swimwear.
Once again, Melanie wore her own favorite jeans. I’ve seen all colors of denim in my fashion magazines lately – black, dark, medium wash, faded and white. So look through the racks at Goodwill for a color you prefer!

Since it is still summer when most students head back to college, we paired her light sweater with coordinating Havianas flip flops. Havianas is my favorite brand of flip flops because of their wide variety of colors and styles and because they seem to last longer than most other brands, so I am very happy to find them at Goodwill. This pair (which was new without tags) would have retailed for around $30, but I picked them up for $3.97.

Lastly, we added an army green Jansport messenger bag to hold all her books, supplies and laptop. It has plenty of pockets for her necessities.

With an easy outfit like this, Melanie can be out the door in no time! While the total on these pieces (thanks to the Goodwill Outlet prices) is just over $7.00, adding jeans from Goodwill would have brought it to around $13.00. Still, that’s a great bargain!

Kirsten

Goodwill Outlet, Reading, PA:
Bag: $2.25 (approximate)
Sweater $0.86 (approximate)

Goodwill store in Morgantown, PA:
Flip flops: $3.97

Total: $7.08

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Finding one signature piece can be the foundation to almost every outfit. And being on a college student’s budget, you want classic pieces that will span the seasons so you can get maximum wear out of them.

For Victoria, I found this charcoal gray Cartonnier wool-blend jacket. Cartonnier is a brand sold at trendy Anthropolgie stores. I’ve talked about that store before and they sell a “curated assortment of women’s apparel and accessories” and are based out of Philadelphia. While I paid $12 for this jacket at the Goodwill (which is more than I would usually pay) in Morgantown, PA, I knew the brand was high quality and the moto-style jacket will be in style for a long time. After doing a little research, this jacket would have originally sold for around $148. She could layer this over a short sleeve t-shirt or light dress in warmer weather or add a sweater and a scarf in the winter

We’ve discussed jeans here plenty of times on the blog, so Victoria wore her own favorite denim, but you can always get brand name and premium jeans for around $5.50 to $6.50 at most Goodwill stores.

The leopard print sheer blouse is from Banana Republic and I picked it up for under $1.00 at the Goodwill Outlet on St. Lawrence Avenue in Reading (Mt. Penn). And the coordinating leopard print/gold studded sandals from Franco Sarto still had the tags from TJ Maxx on them and they sold for $34.99. I paid just $6.97.

Collegiate style can be whatever you want it to be from yoga pants to something more stylish. Have fun with your look and know that Goodwill can outfit you for much less than the mall stores!

Kirsten

Goodwill Outlet – Reading, PA:
Shirt: $0.86 (approximate)

Goodwill – Morgantown, PA:
Jacket: $12.00
Boots: $6.97

Total: $19.83

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Many college students have the same “uniform” of jeans, a hoodie and sneakers and there are plenty of those pieces to be found at Goodwill stores, but I decided to give my collegiate models a bit more style while crossing campus.

Victoria’s look starts with the black and white striped t-shirt dress by Joe Fresh. Alone it has a cool, casual vibe, but by adding some accessories you can really change up the look. T-shirt dresses are easy pieces to thrown on (along with a few accessories) when you are running late for your 8am class across campus!

A burgundy and black patterned infinity scarf from Vera Wang (from Kohls) adds some soft color and texture, while the black leather Bandolino ankle boots and silver studded belt give her an edgy feel. The structured black bag from Merona will hold her notebook and class necessities. When the weather turns colder, I’d add a jean jacket and black tights to complete this look.

Goodwill offers many options for back to school styles for all ages. From preschool to college and beyond, there is something for everyone!

Kirsten

Goodwill Outlet, Reading, PA:
Bag: $2.25

Goodwill store, Shillington, PA:
Dress: $5.50
Boots: $6.97

Goodwill store, Morgantown, PA:
Scarf: $2.97
Belt: $2.97

Total: $20.66

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

I gave up picking out my children’s clothes a long time ago, so when it comes time for back to school shopping, I let them have free reign at Goodwill. I know my dollars will stretch so much farther than at the mall. And they find the name brands they want at the prices I love.

Chloe is in middle school and she has a style all her own. Her look starts with the ethnic print black and white top from Forever 21.It’s perfect for the warmer days and she’ll probably layer a hoodie over it when the weather turns cooler.

Distressed jeans are a do. You can dress them up or down and they are an every day staple for students. This pair from Gap would have been around $70 when new (even with the distressing). She lives in skinny jeans so I love finding her favorite brands she at Goodwill.

She keeps her accessories simple – a colorful backpack from Xhiliration (a Target brand) was brand new and is big enough to fit all of her books and binders. The vintage blue suede oxfords are a unique choice, but she fell in love with them and they have a good sturdy sole and will be perfect for running around.

For under $23, Chloe has a great outfit for back to school!

Kirsten

Goodwill at Exton, PA:
Jeans: $6.50

Goodwill – Ephrata, PA:
Shirt: $1.98 (Half off day)

Goodwill – Morgantown, PA:
Backpack: $6.97
Shoes: $6.97

Total: $22.12

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

While most of the time I talk about all the great fashion finds I discover at my local Goodwill stores, there are plenty of home goods that can be found as well. Many of my favorite household items have come from Goodwill, from bake wear to home decorations to holiday items.

So, when it comes to “Back to School” and planning for your child to head to college, Goodwill is the obvious choice for decorating their room. On a recent visit to the Goodwill store in Morgantown, I found items perfect for accessorizing and organizing any college dorm or apartment.

Most of the items I found ranged in price from $0.97 – $9.97. And as you can see from the pictures, I found side tables, corkboards, wall art, a coffee maker and mugs, organizational items (perfect for holding pens and pencils), book ends (for all those college textbooks), lamps, linens, water bottles and picture frames. Luckily, the eclectic look is popular, so mixing instead of matching is a definite do! The side tables cost a bit more, but these were brand new with tags from a popular big box store.

Don’t forget a backpack, sneakers and a hoodie! I’ll be showcasing some “Back to School” outfits for kids of all ages in my upcoming blog posts!

Kirsten

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Mixing colors such as black and brown or black and navy can be a fashion faux pas for some fashionistas. But when a piece of clothing makes it easy and does the mixing for you, you can’t go wrong.

This jersey knit dress by Loft was an easy piece to pack for vacation. The soft brown stripes add flair and interest to what would have been a simple black dress. The drape neckline and matching belt add the final details. I wore my own flip flops because many times we ended up on walking on the beach.

The dress was perfect for touring the local Butterfly Gardens near Nags Head, NC. A simple wash and wear dress is as comfortable as a shirt and shorts while sight seeing. I added a supple brown leather purse that converts to a backpack. I picked up this unique bag by Perlina at the Goodwill store in Frazer, PA and saved it to use while traveling. I estimate this bag was originally around $150 and I paid only $9.97!

For fall, I’ll add a jean jacket for warmth and this winter I will pair the dress with tall black (or brown) boots and a cardigan. I love clothing that can transition through the seasons. And having pieces that take the guesswork out of mixing and matching colors makes getting dressed (and packed for vacation) easy!

Kirsten

Goodwill, Berwyn, PA:
Dress: $5.50

Goodwill Boutique, Frazer. PA:
Bag: $9.97

Total: $15.47

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Being on vacation means feeling relaxed and casual and you can do that by simplifying your wardrobe. You can’t get more basic than jean shorts and a t-shirt. And you can’t get more classic than pieces from The Gap.

North Carolina was hot and humid when we visited so keeping cool was a must. Dressing in light colors and a loose fit helps. Make sure to pack soft, breathable fabrics when traveling to warm locales.

The white cotton t-shirt with blue and green stripes from The Gap has the perfect feminine fit – not too tight and not too fitted. White shorts can be difficult to find. You want to make sure they are crafted from a quality, opaque fabric. White is not as forgiving as other colors, so these Gloria Vanderbilt cotton jean shorts were just right. I added in my own flip-flops, aviators and my favorite silver and sea glass necklace.

Finally, I can’t say enough about large carryalls! This sturdy, striped, pink cotton tote (also from The Gap) has plenty of pockets and space for all my essentials.

The Gap’s quality and style stand the test of time. When I find pieces from their brand at Goodwill, I know they have a lot of life left in them and still have the simple, classic look. They are mostly known for their denim, but you can often find simple t-shirts, button-down shirts and sweaters. Fall into The Gap, but at Goodwill!

Happy Thrifting! Kirsten

Goodwill in Royersford, PA:
T-shirt: $1.98
(It was one of the daily 50% off specials – be sure to get a Reward Card, click here

Goodwill in East Earl, PA :
Shorts: $4.25

Goodwill, Muhlenberg, PA:
Tote: $4.97

Total: $11.20

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

This dress turned up at the Goodwill in Muhlenberg, PA several months ago and I have been saving it for our vacation. I loved the pattern right away, even before I saw it was from Ralph Lauren’s Denim & Supply brand.

Ralph Lauren has featured very classic American designs for the past 40 years and their Denim & Supply brand was established in 2011 to capture a younger, edgier audience with an eclectic mix of bohemianism and vintage, outdoorsy style.

The description from the Ralph Lauren website described this dress: “A Southwestern-inspired print accents the sweeping silhouette of this cotton jersey maxi dress—a cool choice for an outdoor concert or casual hangouts.” It retailed for approximately $90, but I picked up this beauty for only $5.50!

The dress was a bit big, but luckily I have a very talented mother and she was able to take it in for me. It features a rounded scoop neckline and a racer-style back. It was perfect for dinner out at our resort in the Outer Banks.

I added a straw tote with leather handles that I picked up at the Goodwill Outlet, a pendant necklace recently featured in another blog and my own heeled brown leather sandals. I love this comfortable dress and will keep wearing it well into the fall with either a cardigan or a jean jacket.

Kirsten

Goodwill, Phoenixville, PA:
Necklace: $6.97

Goodwill, Reading, PA (St Lawrence):
Tote: $1.75

Goodwill, Reading, PA (Muhlenberg):
Dress: $5.50

Total: $14.22

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

Going on vacation means relaxation, time with my family and of course, new places for photo shoots! This year we headed south to the Outer Banks and several new Goodwill outfits made the journey so you will see them in the next few posts.

I found this Ecote sheer, black beach cover up at the Goodwill location in Morgantown, PA.
I knew from the quality fabric and embroidery that it was a good brand. Upon research at home, I found that this is a brand old by the ever-popular Urban Outfitters (which is based out of Philadelphia) and retailed for around $60 when new. I paid just $5.50! The colorful stitching and tassels gives it a vintage or island feel and is perfect for lounging around the beach or pool. Sadly, the delicate fabric will not give any sun protection so I made sure to wear my sunblock. I could also wear this over a black slip dress for a night out. Add heels and a clutch and I’d have a very original outfit!

To carry all my necessities – book, towel, sunnies, etc this printed canvas tote is big enough to hold all my needs as well as several things my husband and children threw in as well. I pick up these bags when I find a pattern that catches my eye. I carry everything in them from groceries to workout gear to picnic supplies. I picked up this one also at Morgantown on half-off day for $2.50.

Lastly, the black straw hat shields my reading material and keeps the sun out of my eyes.
Shopping at Goodwill means I don’t ever have to take a vacation from style and even while lounging around the pool, I’m still looking cool!

Kirsten

Goodwill in Morgantown, PA:
Cover up: $5.50
Tote: $2.50
Hat: $3.50
Total: $11.50

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.

This picture from Stitch Fix has been saved on my computer since March. I loved the look and knew I could recreate it with similar pieces from Goodwill.

Stitch Fix is an online shopping company that ships clothing for you to try on at home and either keep (and pay for) or return. I like the idea, but being a frugal fashionista, it’s one luxury I would never indulge in since 90% of my wardrobe comes from Goodwill.

The off-the-shoulder top was the hardest to locate and just recently, I found a suitable facsimile at Goodwill in Royersford, PA. This navy floral top from Loft has adjustable ties on the sleeves and a gathered waistband. I wear it normally for work with more causal jeans or shorts.

The jeans are by Uniqlo and my daughter has already taken then from me. They are a dark wash with a stretchy fit with zippers at the ankles. Uniqlo is a Japanese fashion retailer with stores in major US cities, so I was excited to find them at the Goodwill in Morgantown, PA on half-off day! They retail for about $40.

Nude, gladiator wedges by Nature Breeze are a versatile neutral shoe that will work with many outfits. Nude shoes elongate the leg and give you a taller, leaner look. (If you’re into that sort of thing…) I picked up the mint green Paste leather handbag at this year’s Goodwill Runway Show (it’s a spring fundraiser for Goodwill). I added in a pendant necklace (featured on a previous blog post) to complete the look.

While it is not an exact match for my inspiration picture, it’s pretty darn close and I know I did not spend nearly as much as I would have from Stitch Fix. Goodwill is my very own “Thrift Fix”.

Happy Thrifting, Kirsten

Goodwill – Royersford, PA:
Shirt: $1.98 (It was one of the daily 50% off specials – be sure to get a Reward Card, click here for details! )
Goodwill – East Earl, PA:
Sandals: $4.97
Goodwill – Morgantown, PA
Jeans: $3.25 (Half off day)
Goodwill Runway Show – (it was a spring fundraiser for Goodwill in Reading, PA)
Purse: $6.50
Goodwill in Phoenixville, PA:
Necklace: $6.97
Total: $23.67

About The Blogger
Kirsten is a 40-something mom, wife and marketing professional. She loves all things crafty, tasty and fashionable, especially while being frugal. She enjoys hunting for treasures at her local Goodwill stores to decorate her home and wardrobe. She is a stylist and volunteer for the fundraiser the Goodwill Runway Show, which is held every spring in Reading, PA.