Yesterday, reader KD imparted the following wisdom:
Don’t get me wrong; this is a great find and I love your blog. But I thought Beacon’s Closet was supposed to be a thrift store. I realize that its in NYC and quite organized, but thrift is NOT a $35 dress! Thrift is $15 and below dresses! Most [...]

This is an Alice & Olivia Party Dress.

It has a lot of sequins. It gets worn once or twice a year. It costs $440.00.
It is, heretofore, an idiotic purchase.
A party dress is kinda like a going-out top that way: It sits in your closet, collecting guilt, reminding you of what a moron you were [...]

All kinds of obsessed with this old school Bloomingdale’s Men’s red polo.

Outfit 1: Forever 21 Pencil Skirt; Housing Works Belt; Foot Traffic Plaid Tights; Celine Platform Pumps; Vintage Men’s Polo (Goodwill Outlet Center).
Outfit 2: BCBG Dress (Beacon’s Closet); The Sock Man Tights; Housing Works Belt; Celine Platform Pumps; Vintage Men’s Polo (Goodwill Outlet Center). [...]

Let’s talk about this vintage-esque top ($11.95, Beacon’s Closet).

I Heart: Blue, Stripes, Batwingy Sleeves.
I Do Not Heart: Turtlenecks and/or any style of shirt that makes my boobs look bigger than they are.
I thought snipping the turtleneck portion of the shirt would be a quick fix to the above issue, giving me the slightly off-shoulder neckline [...]

Okay, okay, so I was going to try to be all environmentally conscious and attempt to buy vegan ankle boots. But when you find Salvatore Ferragamo footwear at Beacon’s Closet that’s both aesthetically superior and more cost-friendly than any of its non-leather counterparts ($64.95), you don’t say no. (That shopping secondhand is always more eco-friendly [...]

In the past, I’ve described leggings as too close to underwear to be thrifted in good conscience. I’d like to retract my position, as I’ve recently come to the conclusion that the sketch-factor of secondhand items has more to do with what they’re made of than with what they’re classified as. Per esempio, cotton absorbs [...]

Catherine Malandrino sweaters start at around $175, and retail for as much as $495.
Salvatore Ferragamo shoes start at $295, and retail for as much as… well, you don’t wanna know.
Can I afford either of these brands at full retail price? Helllllls no. Does this mean they’ll never have a place in my closet?

Also hells [...]

Theory Blazer, Goodwill, $14.99; J Brand jeans, Buffalo Exchange, $21.00; Tissue Tank, American Apparel, $29.00; Paisley Scarf, Brooklyn Flea, $3.00.

DSquared Blazer, Goodwill, $16.00; V-Neck Graphic Tee, Urban Outfitters, $9.99 (from $24.00 – hit an Urban sale rack ASAP while the gettin’ is good); Nylon Tricot High-Waist Leggings, American Apparel, $42.00 (Fuck you, Dov); Donald Pliner [...]

So. Trovata took Forever 21 to court a few months ago for ripping off its overpriced designs. I’m sure we’re all eagerly awaiting the pending verdict of this crucial case (yawn).
I’m as much a fan of designer copies as I am of getting the real thing for less; regardless of who comes out on top, [...]

On their most recent cover, Lucky Magazine printed a phrase never before seen in the history of sartorial publications:
Everything in this issue is UNDER $100.
They weren’t screwing around either. After two uber intensive flip-throughs, I can confirm that every item pictured in the latest issue fulfills the mag’s promise. I’m impressed by Lucky’s willingness to [...]

At 9:36 am on June 2nd Re: A Skeptic Finds Salvation (Army), Sal wrote:

Shopping vintage and thrift is a great reminder that sizing of clothing is totally arbitrary. I’ve bought size 4s and size 14s that all fit my medium-sized bod equally well. That experience is eye-opening and affirming.

I’d like to piggyback off of Sal’s [...]

The city’s been flush with sales as of late, as Recession + Common Sense = DOOM for any high-end brand that’s ever marked up its merch 300% (read: all of ‘em). Karma’s a bitch, ain’t it? Anyhoo, women are bonkers this week over one sale in particular. I’m talking sneaking into the ‘friends and family’ [...]

When earlier today we discussed Monk, I omitted the fact that the hunting portion of my trip took a solid hour. The time spent paid off (and BIG), but that’s not always the case. If you can’t immediately size up the kind of secondhand store you’re in, your chances of leaving empty-handed increase exponentially. This [...]

I know most designer’s price points by memory, but I actually had to google Marc Jacobs, as the bulk of his clothes are too fugly for my radar. Once in a while, however, he comes up with something decent. Case-in-point: This jersey-knit drapey top.

As MARC by Marc Jacobs Tops retail for $150 or so, [...]

Subject: Bless you Cheap JAP
I’ve been reading your blog for inspiration in these tough financial times, and I’ve already started scoring! On a recent trip, I picked up a BCBGMAXAZRIA dress/top for $20. While looking for a black wrap top as you suggested, I found the world’s most perfect one (Rachel Pally!) for under [...]

The weather in NYC’s been a bitch and a half as of late; one day it’s 60 and sunny, the next it’s 40 and rainy, it’s like the sky is PMSing or something. I’m a naturally impatient person, doubly so where shopping’s concerned – if I can’t wear it that day, that SECOND if I [...]

When first I saw Beacon’s Closet’s website, I thought: Huh. So THAT’s where they’re keeping the good shit. This is not to imply that I don’t score fab brands there on a regular basis (I do, obvs). I’m not even sure I’d buy the things offered online if I saw them in person. (Do [...]

If I had limitless funds with which to shop and zero qualms about paying upwards of $150 for sweatshirts, I’d buy the Stella McCartney for Adidas line in its entirety and make it my pounding-on-my-keyboard uniform. This wouldn’t be a massive departure from the glorified dancewear that currently serves as my blogging attire (American [...]

After reading and reviewing carefully the Rules for Newbie Cheap JAPs, you should be relatively well-prepared for your first foray into the world of re-sale shopping. Before you depart, arm yourself with the following:
No-Hands Bag
Something worn across the shoulder in the messenger style, an actual backpack, an ironic fanny pack, whatever. Just make sure you [...]

Animals are not fabric? Thanks PETA, I don’t give a shit. Real leather lasts longer than any live animal, and we’re killing them anyway for beef, which I don’t even eat – I might as well get something out of the deal. When I snagged that Matrix-esque leather trench from Beacon’s last week, did I [...]