by 
HAPPY SAVING MONEY WEDNESDAY EVERYONE!!!!
I have fond memories of shopping with my mom at the local mall as a teenager, scouting the sales and premeditating our plan of action for the best bargain deal. We’d research the upcoming sales in the Sunday newspaper’s circulars, and then deliberate over “when” to hit them.
After shopping all day, smiling over the money we’d saved and excited to debut our new pieces (me to school, her to work) we’d dine at a quintessential neighborhood restaurant like Olive Garden or indulge in one of my mom’s favorite treats: soft pretzels by Auntie Annes [founded in my hometown!]
The post-shopping celebration was always the best part: When we’d review the original price tags on our retail therapy and compare the full price to the sliced & diced sale price on our receipts. Being the banker that she was, my mom would wipe a calculator from her purse to calculate the true “value” of our new loot in between munches.
And then, upon arriving home, we’d leave the bags in the back of her car … so that my father wouldn’t see!
You probably share a similar memory of saving money: The fun of the hunt, the thrill of the sale and the celebration of the savings!
With this story in mind, it’s logical to see why I evolved from a mall bargain hunter to a regular thrift shopper: the pieces are always on sale, no coupons or special occasion necessary!
Being the chronic thrifter that I am, I’ve been acquiring pieces for spring since January. I snapped shots of my most on-trend favorites — including a cocktail dress, embroidered tunic top, zip-up jean romper, Nine West wooden wedges and more! — so that you could see what’s worth thrifting for the season.
But then I took it a step further: Like I used to do with my mom after our shopping spree, I looked up similar pieces online to compare the “full price” to the “thrift price.”
Keep reading after the jump to see just how much money I “saved” on thrifting the trends versus buying them full price, and to vote on which new piece to my wardrobe is your favorite thrift find!I hope that everyone enjoys this post as much as I enjoyed putting it together — and was inspired to turn to the “thrift price” versus the “full price!”
Now, I want YOU to tell me what you think! Keep scrolling to see and read more about my finds, and to vote for which one is your favorite! My style doesn’t represent all, so I’m always looking for feedback from all the style-savvy savers visiting Sammy Davis Vintage.
For more how to save money at the thrift store tips, read this article on how to maximize the bargain when thrifting and how to tackle a thrift store for the first time.
Do you have a thrift savings story to share? I wanna hear it! Send me a note via email, a shout out on Twitter or a hello on Facebook! And for more videos on thrift-matching the “full price look for less,” watch my videos on YouTube!
xx, SD
VOTE!
THRIFT FIND #1: POLKA DOT SKIRT
WHAT: Past-the-knee polka dot skirt
THRIFT PRICE: $5
WHY I LOVE IT: Wearing polka dots before spring is like wearing white after Labor Day. I’m looking forward to sprinkling spring with a few dots and a bright shell & matching camisole on top!
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $124-Dollars-Savings
WHAT: Jones New York polka dot skirt
FULL PRICE: $129
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: I prefer the thrifted version because it’s a more brilliant, versus dark, blue. Also, the “full price” versus is a chiffon material [read: must spend money dry cleaning!] while my thrifted version is an easy-breezy-washable-cotton.
THRIFT FIND #2: EMBROIDERED ’70s PEASANT TOP
WHAT: Embroidered ’70s peasant top
THRIFT PRICE: $5
WHY I LOVE IT: That beautiful embroidery is reminscent of the very ’70s show, The Patridge Family! The colors look a bit like the outstretched features of a peacock, no?
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $205-Dollars-Savings
WHAT: Johnny Was Collection Embroidered Tunic from Neiman Marcus
FULL PRICE: $210
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: The colors of the floral embroidery are bright, but can you tell the difference in saturation? Despite being $210, the quality as the vintage piece just isn’t the same.
THRIFT FIND #3: SEA GREEN MINI SKIRT
WHAT: Sea green mini skirt
THRIFT PRICE: $10
WHY I LOVE IT: You can’t tell by the picture, but this is actually a suede mini from Wilson’s Leather. The sea green color reminds me of one of my new favorite “flashback movies” too — Clueless! Be like Cher and pair it with white knee highs and Mary Janes, and you are quite a package of prep!
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $276-Dollars-Savings
WHAT: Herve Leger sea green mini skirt
FULL PRICE: $286
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: Herve Leger is most notable for the infamous “bondage dress” that we saw on the red carpet numerous times a few seasons ago. But unless you’re plopping down a couple of hundred dollars for one of those, $286 for a mini skirt is just ludicrous!
THRIFT FIND #4: FLORAL ASCOT BLOUSE
WHAT: Floral ’70s/early ’80s ascot blouse
THRIFT PRICE: $.50 from the Goodwill Outlet
WHY I LOVE IT: On days when I still want to wear jeans but need to look a bit more polished, tucking a colorful ascot blouse into my denim is my go-to solution.
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $244.50-Dollar-Savings
WHAT: Theory ascot collar blouse from Bergdorf Goodman
FULL PRICE: $245
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: Neutrals are great for staple pieces, however I’m not really looking to invest in a ho-hum neutral ascot blouse when I want to buy a one-of-a-kind piece for that-kind-of-money.
The only advantage to the full price version is that a few chest darts add feminine tailoring. However, nothing beats a bow hung from the neck for just enough polished girlie details!
THRIFT FIND #5: NINE WEST WOODEN WEDGES
WHAT: Nine West wooden wedges
THRIFT PRICE: $5
WHY I LOVE IT: I’ve never owned wooden shoes before! I’ll be pairing them with a recently acquired vintage maxi skirt and soft spring sweaters.
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $28-Dollars-Savings
WHAT: Nine West cork wedges
FULL PRICE: $33
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: While a very similar strap and color design, the wedge says it all: who wants cork for $33 when you can have wooden for $5?
THRIFT FIND #6: VICTOR COSTA COCKTAIL DRESS
WHAT: Vintage Victor Costa cocktail dress
THRIFT PRICE: $13
WHY I LOVE IT: Victor Costa was a NY-based design who gained fame by designing knock offs of Parisian couture. While they may have been replicas, they weren’t cheap. Victor was a prolific designer offering women the “Euro look for less.”
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $82-Dollars-Savings
WHAT: The original Victor Costa dress, gown version
FULL PRICE: $95
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: While absolutely flabergasted that I was able to find the same Victor Costa cocktail dress as mine, I wouldn’t opt for this one because it’s significantly longer, hence why it’s being sold as a “gown” versus cocktail dress.
I like my maxi dresses long, but my party frocks? Keep ’em short to keep ’em spunky!
THRIFT FIND #7: HOODED ETHNIC RED PULLOVER
WHAT: Hooded ethnic design pullover in red
THRIFT PRICE: $15
WHY I LOVE IT: This is what I like to call “shameless style” — you can’t not expect to get a few stares, “oohs” and “aahs” when wearing this lady down the street. The use of red, light brown and blue in a stunning Indian-inspired design, along with bat-wing/Dolman sleeves and a drawstring hood give this $15 find serious style value.
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $75-DOLLARS-SAVINGS
WHAT: Home & Style Network Iman Brand Beaded Tunic
FULL PRICE: $89.95
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: Sure, it’s red .. but where’s the fun & flavorful design? Looks like this designer skipped the most important part!
THRIFT FIND #8: ZIP-UP JEAN ROMPER
WHAT: Zip-up jean romper
THRIFT PRICE: $9.99
WHY I LOVE IT: This romper was thrifted, but still bought brand-spankin-new — check the original tag for $86 still attached! Rompers are the new dresses: Throw ’em on with a pair of strappy sandals, and GO!
THRIFT VS. FULL PRICE: $38.95-DOLLARS-SAVINGS
WHAT: GUESS Double Zipper Romper
FULL PRICE: $48.95
WHY I DON’T LOVE IT: I’m loving the collar on my thrifted version, which the GUESS version lacks. Other than that, this is almost the same romper to the tee — only nearly $40 MORE!
Hi doll,
First of all, great finds and great posts, I haven’t even read all of them yet but when I get the chance I am going to. It’s rare to find blog these days that has more than three lines to read and the first two lines are usually of just the brands that they’re wearing BLAH boring. Then I found yours and it gave me hope again “Yay I’m not the only blogger that has a lot to say…” LOL anyways. I’m blabbing sorry!
I happen to stumble upon your blog and I became a fan instantly. I love everything about thrifting and the fact that you have a lot of information about different vintage shops how could I not become a fan? I am your newest follower on both your website and twitter. Keep up the great work darling.
XOXO
What a fantastic comment to receive today! I am so blessed and *blushing*! Yes, I have a lot of information to share and I am so lucky to also have great thrift & vintage lovers interested to read it and share their passions, too. So excited to see more of you on Sammy Davis Vintage!!!
Such great great finds, my faves are the Victor Costa dress and the ethnic pullover, I heart thrifting as well!
wasn’t that Victor dress a STEAL?! I loved wearing it this past weekend, actually!
thrift heart warriors we are! xx
Love the cocktail dress. But the real question is– Where are you going to wear it? Big party coming your way?
Keep on thrifting! Enjoy.
Cindy, you read my mind! I wore it this past weekend to a screening. It was darling! I can’t describe it any other way. Added a flower in my hair, too. Hoping for spring … I will post a picture when I get them on the fan page. There was a professional photographer so I think they will turn out pretty nice. Thank you so much for voting AND commenting!
Amazing Victor Costa and romper! I Love that you saved your finds to share with us!! Love the savings too! I have never thought about how much money I am really saving by thrifting the items I do..ALOT!!!
Brande
THRIFT SAVINGS!!! I enjoy our mutual use of capitalization Brande ;-)
Hi Sammy, I like the Victor Costa cocktail dress. It is definately my style and it’s what I always look for when thrifting and I have thrifted some amazing really pieces I displayed on thriftychicshop.blogspot.com.
p.s. I enjoyed watching one of your video “Thrifting for Beginingers” so much that I added it to my blog. Great blog you have here!
Hi Miss C Agatha — so nice to meet you here! I checked out your site and it’s great! What amazing cocktail dress finds. I want to do an entire post like you did — inspiring!
Thanks for posting the video of “thrifting for beginners!!” Have you seen the other videos? They are on the channel homepage, youtube.com/sammydavisvintage
Are you feeling better? I saw that you were ill. You are in my thoughts!
Excited to connect with you further as a fellow thrift warrior!
Hi Sammy, I like the Victor Costa cocktail dress. It is definately my style and it’s what I always look for when thrifting and I have thrifted some really amazing pieces that I displayed on thriftychicshop.blogspot.com.
p.s. I enjoyed watching one of your video “Thrifting for Beginingers” so much that I added it to my blog. Great blog you have here!
Hi lady, thanks so much for stopping by and for posting the video! YEAH!!! hope you enjoy today’s video! xoxo
Woah! Woah! Woah!!!- greaaaat finds! I voted! But for sure my fave fine is colorful leather mini, I just did a post on colorful leather…it’s really all I can think about. I’m going thrifting today for my spring finds…crossing fingers I’m as lucky as you.
Happy to find your blog!!
Love your site. I’m a new blogger but a very vintage thrifter!