With summer just around the corner, you’re probably thinking it’s time for a whole new wardrobe. But after taking a look at your student loans, your upcoming rent payment and all other impending debts, you realize a Grafton Street shopping spree just might not be the best idea. Don’t despair- there are other ways to revamp your summer wardrobe without breaking the bank. Hit up your local thrift stores or charity shops and follow these five tips to get the looks you want:
1. Check out the Boys’ T-shirt section. No, seriously. This is the best way to find vintage-looking cropped tops sporting old school logos and video game characters that are so dorky it’s actually cool. And if the tops aren’t cropped enough? A pair of scissors might just be your new best friend.
2. Now do the opposite. Head to the men’s XL T-shirt section. Find a plain or patterned long t- shirt. And voila- you’re done! Don’t believe me? Try it on. You’ve just found yourself a cute new t-shirt dress. No thanks necessary.
3. Now this one involves a little bit more effort, but trust me it’ll be worth it. Take a trip to the men’s jeans. So we all know that high waisted “mom” jeans are the new thing, and high waisted jean shorts just happen to go with those cute cropped tops we found in part 1. That being said, since men need a little more room below the belt, the dimensions of their jeans make for a perfect high-waist fit for us ladies. So pick out a pair, try them on and thank me later. And if you want to transform them into shorts? Easy little scissor cut once again.
4. This one’s a little less secret, but always take a look in the dresses and skirts sections. You’d be surprised by what you might find just laying around. Denim skirts are back in, so keep an eye out for those. And cue Meryl Streep voice: “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.” You never know which maxi-length, grandma-patterned floral skirts are gonna end up looking super cute paired with a white tank top and a slit cut along the leg.
5. My last little tip? Take a quick stroll through the shoe section. Used shoes, gross right? Wrong. Even second-hand stores have some kind of a standard when it comes to accepting used items. You might even find your new favourite pair of sneakers or a cool pair of boots. Basically my last word of advice is to keep an open mind. As we all know, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And so what if that treasure would look a little bit cuter once it’s cropped shorter with the sleeves cut off? Happy thrifting everyone!