Where I’m Shopping Lately: 8 Unexpected Places I’m Finding Clothes I Love (On a Budget!)

1. Walmart

They’ve been gaining more traction in the fashion space in recent years but recently, I am absolutely giddy over some of finds I’ve spotted at Walmart. I have some friends who have had fantastic luck and it took me going in person to start scouting to see what I’d been missing. Remember this dress I got on clearance for $12?

Dress (S, would prefer XS) | Woven Bag | Hand-painted Flower Earrings | Necklace | Bangles

But over the past couple of weeks, I have had some darling scores that feel like the perfect transition from summer to fall and are giving easy coast prep. THIS bow tie top is the sweetest and I’m contemplating grabbing the pink, also.

Bow Tie Top (XS)

And this sweater jacket is perfect for layering or on its own. It also comes in a maroon.

Jacket (XS) | Necklace

I actually ordered THIS cropped tweed jacket in the blue/green color combo and it arrives today, but instead of waiting, I’m going to go ahead and share since it already sold out in my size and I don’t know how long it will last.

THIS v-neck sweater absolutely looks and feels like it came off the floor of a much more expensive retailer. It’s 100% cotton and just $26(!!)

Sweater (S) | Jeans (26P)

And I still can’t get over this top — I first grabbed it in the green and then re-ordered it when it dropped down to $7 (still stocked in all sizes)!

Tie Top (XS) | Jeans (25)

And then I ended up getting the blue, too. You cinch the waist with the tie so you can make the length fall wherever you prefer. Super versatile — this is how I wore it to church this past weekend…

Tie Top(XS) | Necklace | Sunglasses

Some of their athletic wear is what initially drew me in over the past few months. This Reebok performance jacket is a great weight and THIS Reebok sports bra is also a favorite budget find.

Skort (S) | Jacket (S)

2. Poshmark

Up until recently, I hadn’t dabbled in second-hand/resale at all but after my experiment with the retired Nuuly pieces, I decided to take my search to Poshmark for some of my favorite Tuckernuck dress styles to see what I could find. WOW. So many — many still new with tags — for a fraction of the price. I also love that you can make an offer and negotiate with the seller. I scored this Tuckernuck Highland Tartan Plaid Palmerston Dress (retails for $228)– that had been worn once — for $55. Find more listings of this dress HERE.

Tuckernuck Highland Tartan Plaid Palmerston Dress (XS) | Earrings

And I’ve had this linen Callahan shirtdress in this specific sea green color on my radar for a long time, but I couldn’t’ justify paying full price. I found it on Poshmark — still new with tags — and paid, again, $55. See more Callahan dresses listed on Poshmark HERE. It’s still available on Tuckernuck’s site HERE.

Callahan Shirt Dress (XS) | Earrings | Slouchy Bag

3. Costco

We are a Costco family but until checking out some of their cute, quality, well-priced coats last year, I didn’t really pay much attention to the clothing tables. Well, consider me a fan. I’ve snagged so may great (quality, name brand) pieces recently for a steal! This GAP crewneck sweater is 100% cotton and comes in multiple colors. Such a great piece and was $18 in store.

Sweater (S) | High Waist Bootleg Jeans — Recommend sizing up/sizing to the upper end of your sizing. Wearing a 4 Short Medium Wash)

And this quilted Kenneth Cole jacket is SO nice. It also comes in multiple colors and if the price wasn’t already good enough, it’s an additional $10 off right now and is just $26 online.

Jacket (XS) | High Waist Bootleg Jeans — Recommend sizing up/sizing to the upper end of your sizing. Wearing a 4 Short Medium Wash)

This 100% cotton Ted Baker cardi (S) was just over $10…

Jeans (26P)

And this Calvin Klein sweater (XS) — again, 100% cotton — was around $14-$16.

High Waist Bootleg Jeans — Recommend sizing up/sizing to the upper end of your sizing. Wearing a 4 Short Medium Wash)

I also got a Levi’s faux leather jacket (S) in both brown and black for $39 about a month ago.

And after experiencing these zip ups for my first crisp outdoor morning walks, I went back and got the blue and the red. They’re under $15 online. They’re thin but well insulated and perfect for this time of year.

Zip- Up Jacket (S) | Ribbed Leggings (S)

Zip- Up Jacket (S)

I think the pj sets were my intro into my Costco clothing fandom…

Pajamas (S)

Pajamas (S)

And when I saw they had Bonobos mens tech shirts for $20/each, I got all four colors for Dave for work (for $80 total!)

4. TJ Maxx

I get that TJ Maxx isn’t revolutionary. The crazy thing is is it’s incredibly accessible and I’ve NEVER taken advantage of it. A friend shared her TJ Maxx haul with me and I decided I had to go check it out for myself. I was thrilled with some of the shoes I found for $29-$34. I am also loving their girls pajama sets for Eliza for $14.

5. TUckernuck Sale Section

Ok, I love all sale sections and this isn’t a new source, per se, but if you haven’t taken the time to browse the Tuckernuck sale section for special occasion/beyond the house pieces, DO IT. I hardly ever pay full price here and I get so many great pieces for such a great discount. I recently scored this sweater dress…

Sweater Dress (S — would have preferred XS)

And THIS plaid Callahan shirt dress (my fave style and I’m obsessed with this print for fall!) is still fully stocked in all sizes at 45% off.

Callahan Shirt Dress (S — would have preferred XS)

6. UPPER END OF Children’s Sizing

Not a specific place, but more of a hack if you hadn’t considered this potential avenue for savings. And, this is more niche for petites and in general, you have to be more careful because children’s sizing is typically cut more straight, without women’s curves in mind, and may have shorter sleeves/more narrow shoulders. So, it may not always work for the ideal fit. But, I’ve had some great luck recently with some sweater/cardigan basics that have saved me a TON that HAVE worked out well with the fit. A lot of times, there is overlap with youth/adult clothing and it isn’t like youth XL then goes to a women’s XS. Oftentimes, A youth large fits more like a women’s extra small and a youth XL fits like a women’s small. You can always check sizing charts for a rough guideline. Regardless, it can be worth trying if there’s something you see that you love/is priced substantially less in the children’s section.

My favorite recent grabs were from Mini Boden, and on sale. I got THIS purple argyle cardigan for $55 on Labor Day — on contrast, their adult sweaters retail for $220+. I took a chance on the 13/14 but I’d venture to say that it actually fits more like an adult medium. If I ordered again, I would probably try the 12/13. The sleeves are long, it’s roomy, and by the length, you’d never know it was technically from the kid’s section.

Argyle Cardigan (13/14) | Chocolate Wide Leg Jeans (26 Short)

And I also grabbed this argyle sweater in the boys section Sleeve length is perfect, it hits perfectly between the waist and the hip and I actually like the slouchy fit of the 13/14 on this one.

Argyle Sweater (13/14) | Jeans (26P)

Women’s RL Polo cardigans are expensive. But when I saw that they had two sale colors in girls for $30, I grabbed the cobalt blue with green horse to try. The adult version is going to be upwards of $200+.

Cotton Polo Cardigan (XL)

7. Local Thrift Stores

I have friends who have great luck at a local Kid2Kid in our area so I decided to check it out for the first time. Not only did I get several great things for Eliza (Abercrombie Kids jumper for a steal, Nike athletic pieces, and a silk plaid Janie and Jack dress for her annual Santa pics (WHICH I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT) ), but I looked at their larger sizes to see if they had any polo sweaters for me, since I had just lucked out with the Polo cardigan. I found this yellow sweater with pale blue horse in a L for around $5.

Jeans (26P)

8. Retired nuuly via Anthropologie

The discovery that kick-started my interest in pre-loved pieces, you can catch my full post and evaluation on the retired Nuuly program pieces HERE. I still can’t believe most of these came NWT/like new for an absolute steal of a deal.

Porridge Blaze Sweater Dress (S)

Pistola Arlo Polo Sweater (S) | Abercrombie High Rise Wide Leg Jeans (26 Petite)

Drop Waist Midi Shirt Dress (S)

Avec Les Filles Shawl Collared Coat (XS) | Paige Leenah Jeans (26 Petite)

I’m not going to pretend that falling in love with TJ Maxx is new or aspirational but as someone who is enjoying the hunt and savings for the first time — and not just there but other places I hadn’t really considered for myself — I have been having a blast. If you love balancing investment pieces on a budget with lower cost items, and mixing and matching, where do you have luck? Share so I can add it to my list to check out!