Cheap JAP » sharesies

Burberry and More Found at Crossroads Trading Co.

Cheap JAP — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:58:02 +0000

Secondhand shopping convert Violet popped by my store the other day to dish about her latest resale finds. I begged her to email the requisite photographic evidence, and she happily obliged!

Violet recently hit up Crossroads Trading Co.‘s Brooklyn location. Deets on her uber successful shopping trip below.

I took 2 of my girlfriends out shopping in Williamsburg on Saturday. They’d never been thrifting before so I decided to take them to the resale shops in the area. My goals were mostly sweaters (for fall and winter), jeans, and blouses (esp. the classic white button down which my closet was lacking).

I got a pair of Paige jeans off the half-off rack. The ink’s a bit smudged (I left the tag on when I put them in the dryer to sanitize). But red ink says half off, so the it came to $13.25 for the pair ^_^. They weren’t in immaculate condition though (a little wear/fraying along the bottom and pocket but it’s not noticeable and as someone whose normally OCD about that kinda stuff, it didn’t bother me and I liked the jeans too much).

I also found this Burberry cotton/cashmere blend sweater turtleneck top. It fits my body perfectly and had a really interesting but simple design. It’s more noticeable when worn, but you can kinda see the fold design on the front bottom edge in the pics. It has the same folds on the sleeves. $20 ^_^.

I also got a Marc Jacobs red top. What attracted it to me was its super plush feel. I’m pretty sure it must’ve been a sample because of the sticker that was attached to it in the 3rd photo. Now, the top had a huge 2.5 inch rip along the shoulder seam and at first I was dismayed. But I knew since it was torn at the seam it would be a very simple fix so I showed the hole at the register and asked if they would knock off something for it. So it was reduced from 14 dollars to 7 dollars.

Before buying, I put it on hold (I usually put everything I want on hold when I shop so I have the day while I’m at other stores to think about it before I buy), went around the corner to a tailor, asked how much it would cost to fix that type of rip ($3) and if it could be done in the same day, then went back, bought the top, and had it fixed while I was busy shopping at other stores. So the top’s price came to $10 dollars instead of $14.

Love the story of the MJ top – she asks for a lower price on account of damages (smart, and ALWAYS okay), then has the top fixed while she’s shopping at other stores, and STILL ends up paying less than the top’s original price. Effing Cheap JAPtastic.

Thanks to Violet for the sharesies!

DIY Halloween Costume

Cheap JAP — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:54:53 +0000

Readers, I’ve obvs dropped the ball on Halloween. Thankfully, you haven’t. Some of you are even concocting your own costumes in lieu of being slutty pirates/vampires/cats/witches/et. al, and to that I say HECK YEAH.

Today’s post is dedicated to Jody, clad as Jessie from Toy Story 2 below. The ensemble below isn’t just homemade – it’s no-sew DIY awesomeness. Hot glue, people, hot glue. Here’s how she did it:

I read your site all the time and your creative use with the hot glue gun inspired me to glue my little heart out this year for Halloween in what may be my favorite Halloween costume ever. See, I hate all the crap for women in the stores for Halloween. Too slutty and not creative at all. Seriously, 2 years ago I saw 3 slutty Rainbow Brites. Ugh. So I like to keep things a little more covered and be creative at the same time.

Here’s my breakdown to the perfect Jessie costume from Toy Story 2:

- Long sleeve white shirt from Goodwill – $3
- Sleeveless Yellow Liz Claiborne shirt from Goodwill – $3 (extra fabric used to make bow and bad ass cuffs)
- Cow fabric from Wal-Mart – $3.50
- Variety of Red trims from Wal-Mart – $7
- Hat from Disney store online – $10 (I had no luck finding a hat locally and it was marked down to $6.95 but shipping and sales tax took it up to an annoying $10)
- 1 sheet white felt from Joann Fabric – $0.25

Jeans, boots, belt and belt buckle all came out of my closet.

Total Cost for super fun non-slutty Halloween costume = $26.75

Laughing at all the girls in the over-priced, ass hanging out, slutty costumes = Effin’ Priceless

Nothings here was sewed, it’s all hot glue. Only 1 blister to show from it. Ouch. Oh yeah and the husband is Woody. His costume cost just about $10 but I’m still working on gluing all that together. Thanks for the inspiration and being so effing awesome.

-Jody, but you can call me Jessie this weekend.

Jessie,

You are the SHIZNAT! Thank YOU for the Sharesies, and for getting me into the spirit of Halloween. I might just dress up after all .

Mwah!

Cheap JAP

D&G Jean Jacket, Under Twenty Bucks

Cheap JAP — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 23:13:58 +0000

Hey, I just came across your blog awhile ago, and I’m loving it… no one took my credit card away, I maxed it out all by myself -lol.

I used to think thrift = gross… but after taking a good look around I’ve found some amazing things! So thanks for opening my eyes, and ridding me of lots of craptastic overpriced stuff that will just sit in my closet anyways…

Attached is a pic of my latest find!!!

I was sooo excited when I found this D&G studded jacket… only probs is that it’s light blue… but I’m thinking I’ll dye it black cos light blue feels a little too retro 90s for me.

Cheers

Taryn

P.S. if you’re ever in Canada/ Ontario be sure to stop by a Talize… there aren’t that many of them, but they have the most amazing randomest things!

Dollface – that looks fahhhhbulous on you! The jacket’s a bonafide steal – it probs would have retailed for at least a few hundred bucks, so well done you! Totally heart the idea of dying it black – whatever makes you wear it more is worth doing, methinks. Mazel Tov on your purchase, and if I ever find myself up north, I’ll certainly make it my biznass to check out Talize.:)

Mwah!

Cheap JAP

Tahari at TJ Maxx

Cheap JAP — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 17:30:47 +0000

So I was browsing TJ Maxx, and stumbled upon this awesome white Tahari Blazer on clearance for $29!!

I live in Columbus, Ohio and find myself perpetually jealous of the plethora of high quality thrift shops New York has, and was therefore completely ecstatic to find this brand at a store I hardly expected to have anything of this quality.

Just thought I’d share my success as you’ve inspired me to search the depths of Ohio in pursuit of similar scores to what you consistently discover.

Love your site!

Bari

Bari dollface: This is one of the most pimpin’ blazers I’ve ever seen. The color, the buttons, like WHOA! Your score proves that shopping cheap really is (Incoming: Massive Cliche) like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re gonna find. Since you were kind enough to include close-ups of the tags, let’s pause to appreciate the astronomical disparity between what this gem of a jacket initially cost and what you ultimately paid.

Bari’s Tahari Blazer at full retail price = $398.00. (I know, I’m nauseated by that number too).
Bari’s Tahari Blazer at TJ Maxx’s first attempt at price reduction = $200.00. (Meh. I’m still queasy).
Bari’s Tahari Blazer on TJ Maxx’s clearance rack = $29.00. (Now THAT’s more like it!)

Cheers to Bari for her totally bonkers score – I’m obvs kvelling vicariously, and you should be too. Hurrah!
MWAH,
Cheap JAP

Epic Bag Sale Haul

Cheap JAP — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:17:52 +0000

On June 29 at 5:34 PM, Rebecca emailed a post-game analysis of her experience at the latest Housing Works’ Warehouse Sale. Read on to see me get totally SCHOOLED in the art of thrift.

Hi Cheap JAP,

Just wanted to tell you about my finds at my 2nd trip to the Housing Works Warehouse Sale in L.I.C. I got there at 10 and there was a line about 50 people deep. Once in, it was beautiful chaos from the moment I walked in. Items were strewn everywhere, on the floor, on the bins. I found so many great items that I filled 2 bags and therefore spent $40 on all these items, plus some I forgot:

-Suede Armani Collezioni blazer for my father
-Black silk Armani Collezioni tank
-Dana Buchman hooded tweed vest with shearling interior
-Calypso white terrycloth beach cover-up
-Rock and Republic dark skinny jeans
-Helmut Lang jeans- some sort of project will ensue
-Armani Collezioni tweed pants
-Express Black pants
-Velvet long-sleeve tee with pleated collar
-Theory Turtleneck
-2 GAP polos for Dad
-Theory sweater coat w/ original belt still attached
- J & Company studded thermal henley

Those are only some of the amazing finds I found! I was there for over 2 hours and had the best time! Was looking around to spot you but I guess you didn’t make it. All in all a very successful day!

Holy SHITBALLS, Rebecca. This haul doesn’t just prove that your shopping prowess rivals even my own. It makes you a thrifting legend – it’s effing EPIC! Finding stuff for your Dad as well as for yourself was uber-thoughtful too; that’s the kind of move that ensures solid shopping karma for liiiife.

I’m pissed I didn’t make it to Queens that day, and not just because I missed out on what was obvs one hell of a hunt. What I really regret is not being able to see you in action – it appears I’ve got a thing or two to learn about All-You-Can-Stuff Bag Sales.

Well. Done. You.
MWAH!
Cheap JAP

Salvation Army Greatness

Cheap JAP — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:45:07 +0000

Check out the outfit on Donna, Salvation Army Skeptic Turned Thrifting Extraordinaire:

O.M.F.G. The dress, the clutch, the shoes, and the way she put them together is all kinds of awesome. This outfit is KILLER! I almost can’t believe this is the work of a thrifting newbie – you’s a natural, girlfriend. I’m kvelling like a proud Jewish mother over here, I shit you not.

Let’s get a close-up of the clutch (thrifted years ago from Goodwill) and shoes (snagged at the reduced-reduced-reduced price of $27).

KVELLING. A massive MWAH to Donna, and to all you ladies brave enough to hit your local Salvation Army. As you can see, it’s well worth the risk.