Thrifty: Stealing from Chris’s Closet

20 Comments

A few years ago I was at Forever 21 looking for a jacket, when I stumbled across the menswear section & spied this ugly sweater. It was $3. And just the right size for Chris’s, then 180lb., frame. He never liked it much, but he did wear it a lot to shovel the snow or do other misc housework. It didn’t make the cut for his wardrobe like I thought it would, but heck, it was so cheap. I was glad to see him get even a little use out of it.

Then. . . Chris gained over 30lbs. It seemed like it was over night. I was sad to see his wardrobe go. This was about the time when I was pregnant with Felix, so I stole a few of his awesome too-small-for-mr-muscles sweaters & put them in my wardrobe. This sweater was perfect for sporting the baby bump. Now that I no longer have the bump, I just zipped along the sides with my sewing machine & took in the sweater about 3 inches on each side. Now I have a comfy, sort of ugly, sort of cool sweater to wear when it’s just a bit nippy in the studio. For practically free.

I’ve been avoiding thrift shops lately (no energy to do grocery shopping, let alone thrift), so I ask you. . . What have you scored on the cheap lately? Do you steal from your significant other’s closet? Share in the comments below!

Outfit Details: 
  • earrings: Miss Malaprop (from Alt)
  • top: Forever 21, refashioned
  • bracelet: handmade
  • skinnies: Forever 21
  • shoes: Seychelles, Amazon
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    1. Elaine says:

      I actually like the sweater! I’ll take it!

    2. I think the sweater is adorable! A little different, which is always good in my book.

    3. Trice says:

      Dollar a yard silky rayon print fabric.

    4. Stacey says:

      I love it! I think it’s a key piece not just a fall back! It looks especially cute with those jeans, I really need to try out some coloured jeans! xx

    5. Kristin says:

      I can’t steal my hubby’s clothes – we are almost the same height, so nothing is really big on me, and my tig ol bitties don’t fit in anything he owns. If I do steal some of his sweatshirts, I hear about how I stretched them out for months :)

      My best steal lately was a 97 cent mustard yellow cardi from Old Navy. It wasn’t even a dollar! I wear it all the time.

    6. Chelsea C. says:

      Totally was wearing Ryan’s white button-up shirt at the white party at Alt! I sort of adopted it and he gave up the fight. :) Have a great weekend!

    7. meredith says:

      i went thrifting for the first time since I’ve been allowed to today. i wanted jeans and i got some gap skinnies for 6 bucks that i love. hallelujah.

    8. I actually think that this jumper looks really nice on you! I don’t think it looks ugly at all. :)

    9. Emily says:

      Great idea- and love the last picture of you. :)

    10. You amaze me Melissa! And oh how I love it when you ask that question….
      1. $3 vintage carebears suitcase http://youaremynewdream.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-01-13T20:44:00-08:00&max-results=6
      2. $1 “you are my sunshine” picture from Target http://youaremynewdream.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-01-13T20:44:00-08:00&max-results=6
      3.$2 cross body bag http://youaremynewdream.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-for-your-pocket.html

      Particularly psyched about that little bag.

    11. CoraD says:

      I’m so glad you asked!!!! Cute sweater, BTW.

      For under $9 each, I got 2 pairs of pants, 3 tops and a pair of purple patent leather flats – less than $35 total. Clearance racks at Target and Old Navy. So very proud of myself.

    12. Mrs D says:

      Great post. We have so many things around the house sometimes we forget we can just revamp them and give them a new lease of life.

      I did go thrifting this week and found a really tacky good Bob Mackie wearable art western style shirt, for £3.00.
      You can see it here:
      http://hellothemushroom.blogspot.com/2012/01/charity-shop-finds_28.html

      Hope you’re having a good weekend xx

    13. linda says:

      His closet is safe from me. He’s a foot taller and 50 lbs heavier, so I am on my own. Besides, boys have cooties. :)

    14. Valerie says:

      I go shopping in my husband’s closet frequently as well! He always buys sweaters that he never wears, so I just wait a year to take them in a little and steal them for myself! This sweater looks great on you :)

    15. Deepa says:

      Oh the sweater looks cute! Once a year I fly back home to the Philippines and go shopping in my mom’s closet. This year’s haul was awesome: dainty espresso cups and tablecloths from Portugal and Belgium, all vintage! http://currystrumpet.blogspot.com/2011/12/vintage-treasures-from-mom.html

    16. Mallory says:

      I’m so glad you liked the earrings! Hope you had fun at Alt!!

    17. maria says:

      I actually just wear my husbands shirts the way they are. We’ve been living with one income. So I dont get new clothes very often. THe last time I got new clothes was when I was pregnant. I got maternity clothes. I’ve just started sewing, and I’m looking to change up a few clothes I already have. But honestly there still weren’t that many. So my point being, this is an awesome idea! He’s got a few shirts that he doesn’t like and wouldn’t mind me stealing I think. THanks for posting this!

    18. maria says:

      I also wanted to add that I love this sweater. I’m going to follow your blog.

    19. Olivia Thompson says:

      Yesterday I went thrifting and got 5 items for $12! I think my favorite was this prom dress that I’m going to refurbish. I’m a sophomore in high school and I’m hoping to major in costume design (growing up I always wanted to be a fashion designer, but now, I feel like costume design is better suited for me). Most of the schools I want to apply to require a portfolio. The first thing I imagined when I saw this $4 dress was Cinderella. Really close color and long with tulle. I am going to add Cinderella sleves and turn it into a Cinderella costume! It will hopefully go in my future portfolio :) p.s. I love the sweater!

    20. Bellesme says:

      I actually like that sweater! The chains are nice
      Bellesme

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