As someone without a lot of cash to spare, I’m always looking for cheap ways to spice up my wardrobe. I don’t really care about designer labels or high fashion—I just want to wear clothes that feel comfortable and make me happy. Unfortunately, I also have a somewhat unique sense of style, which means I’m hard to please.

But I’m also willing to hunt for what I want—and if you are, too, you can definitely find pieces that fit your taste at any thrift or vintage store. Secondhand shopping allows you to inject new life into a tired wardrobe for no more than what you might pay for a dinner out—my kind of shopping!

Hats

 There are some truly amazing thrift and vintage accessories out there. One that I’d love to see more people take advantage of is the hat. A gorgeous vintage hat can make an already stylish outfit look even better, and if you pair it with a show-stopping dress looks and compliments all evening.

Sweaters

 

Admittedly, the sweaters on hand in thrift stores are a lot more likely to be like those you’d find in your grandparents’ closet than those you’d get off a designer rack. With a little creativity, though, a frumpy sweater can suddenly become a suave staple. Pair the grandpa sweater with sleek skinny jeans and heels for an updated look.

Shoes

 Vintage shoes can be tempting—there are so many beautiful colors and styles!—but fit is key. Don’t settle for anything less than divinely comfortable or you’ll end up donating your shoes again after they languish, unworn, in your closet. Look for heels that seem sturdy and well made or funky flats that you could dress up with a DIY bow or some spray paint. Pair lovely shoes with a simple black dress to make them pop.

Offbeat Items

 Thrift and vintage stores are full of the offbeat. While you may not wear such items—a full skirt with petticoat, an elaborate kimono—on an everyday basis, it’s fun to mix and match them with more ho-hum items to form interesting outfits. This gypsy blouse was just 50 cents, but it would look great with basic jean shorts.  Be creative, have fun, and don’t spend much—you’ll be amazed at what you can score!

 This post was contributed by Carly Schuna, a freelancer who also writes about fashion for St Bernard Sports, retailer of  Southern Tide shirts.