Cheap Thrill
In my student days, I did an terrible amount of cheap shopping. Buying things at a whim because they were cheap and cheerful. Fretting about going out in the same top, so I would end up buying another cheap tatty top that I would never ever wear again. Hoarder that I am, I still have all those cheap thrills lying around.
I was digging around at the back of the wardrobe and uncovered the cheapest dress I ever bought in a store (eBay doesn't count since you can win things for $0.01!). It was my first trip to the store that has now become a bit of a fashion cult hit, Primark (kind of like Target but even cheaper!) and I found this rather odd dress on the sale rail for £2!! Whenever I re-stumble upon it, I always have to check that the label is indeed Primark because it has this weirdly avant garde-ish deconstructed look with it's cutaways and layered racer-back details. Frankly, it just doesn't look like a Primark dress. Whenever I wear it out, people always ask whether it's from Japan or by some edgy label or another. Have you ever found anything that was bargain-basement cheap but doesn't look like it at all?
I just posted about my wedding dress,for 29.95. It's a reconstructed thrift store find so maybe it doesn't count. About that same time I purchased an amazing Norma Kamali for 25 dollars at a downtown Neimans' sale. it was in perfect condition. From time to time I still find Miss Pucci half slips(Emilios lingerie line from the 60s and 70s) at the thrift store for a couple of bucks.
Posted by: jungle dream pagoda | 05 August 2006 at 16:51
I live in the smallest possible town in the southeast united states, so the only way to create unique style is to make it. i usually go to thrift stores and off-the-rack markdown stores.I find fabrics i like and create new form,or i resize the existing piece. the top i'm wearing right now is the cutest black tunic with lace detailing and it was only $.99
Posted by: Stephanie Lee | 05 August 2006 at 19:56
I'm originally from the midwest, where vintage clothing in thrift stores isn't very picked over. My favorite finds are a pair of golden tan vintage suede pumps for $3.99, and a vintage 60's sleeveless tent dress, royal blue with a red poppy print, and, oh yeah, it's silk, for .99 cents! I really ought to post pictures sometime.
Posted by: La Principessa | 05 August 2006 at 23:56
well..the cheapest things i ever bought were (apart from some really really nice pieces from the sales) from primark as well!!now that i m back home im so devastated that i will not be able to raid this shopping heaven! you can get really fantastic pieces from over there!i got bags,tops,accessories,underwear for prices like 2-5 pounds!and they were great!:) primark forever!!!!
Posted by: tiny dancer | 06 August 2006 at 11:32
that dress is fabulous!
Posted by: d | 06 August 2006 at 23:27
i love primark!!!!!!! over in ireland we call it penneys but not all of us can afford fashionable clothes so at least i know there might be something in my price range there!!!
Posted by: ciara | 10 August 2006 at 17:12