INSIDE: How to put together a summer capsule wardrobe that will save you time, money, and space in your closet!
I recently asked on my Facebook page if anyone else wore thrift store clothes. I was overwhelmed by the response! I knew my readers liked thrifting but I didn’t realize how much they were into “thrift store fashion”.
I haven’t told y’all yet how I almost stopped buying thrift store clothes… I might have to share that soon. It was mainly because I felt like I was drowning in my own closet. I found myself buying clothes just because they were a good deal. My closet was stuffed with cheap clothes and I was overwhelmed.
Last fall I took a capsule wardrobe plan, sorted my closet, gave away about half my clothes, and am living much more simply now. Now it’s time to work on my summer capsule wardrobe at Savers® thrift store.
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Last weekend, Jo and I scheduled some time at one of our new favorite local thrift stores, Savers. Savers has a few different brands, so depending on where you’re located, you might also know them as Value Village or Unique Thrift. Whatever they’re called in your area, that’s where you’ll find bargains for your summer capsule wardrobe!
This was my first time to visit Savers Thrift Superstore and it really was a superstore. It was HUGE! I think I heard them announce that there were over 100,000 items on the sales floor that day! They also have a super Savers club that you can join and save even more.
Summer Capsule Wardrobe
We’re not going into the details of how to sort through your current wardrobe or closet to set up a capsule wardrobe. There are plenty of other articles out there that will help you do that.
Today I’m just going to give you a basic capsule wardrobe along with a printable list that you can take with you when you’re shopping at thrift stores.
One of our biggest thrift store clothing tips is to look for designers and high-quality name brands. Savers had LOTS of those. We found some popular brands and some more unique boutique brands that are harder to find.
Ann’s Summer Capsule Wardrobe
I built my summer capsule wardrobe around black, white, and blue. I ended up buying all the shirts in the photo above, except for the orange shirt. I just wasn’t feeling it.
7 Shirts
- black tank top – already owned
- black/white striped knit shirt – already owned
- white t-shirt – $6.49
- blue patterned tank top – $6.49
- black/pink sleeveless shirt – $2.99
- black/white pattern top – $2.49
- blue/white sleeveless tunic – $5.99
6 Bottoms
I stuck with solid color bottoms so I can mix and match them with all the shirts above. No clashing patterns to try to figure out.
- cropped white jeans – already owned
- off-white capris – already owned
- denim capris – $6.99
- denim shorts – $4.99
- black capris – already owned
- black shorts – already owned (not shown)
Cardigans, Jackets, Cover-ups
We live in Northern California so we need a few light sweaters and jackets for our cooler nights. If you’ve ever seen my Instagram stories from ball games you’ve seen me bundled up in my winter coat, too! But I usually bring along one of my cardigans when I go to church or a movie. The air conditioning sometimes freezes me out!
- crocheted cream cardigan – $3.99
- long gray cardigan – already owned
- army green jacket – $11.99
- swimsuit cover up – $9.99
3 Dresses
Y’all know I’d much rather be in jeans and t-shirts 365 days a year. But that’s not appropriate for some parties, weddings, and our anniversary dinner. So, I do have 3 dresses in my closet.
- sundress – $9.99
- sleeveless dress – already owned
- short sleeve dress – already owned
4 Shoes
I’m very picky about my shoes! They’ve got to be cute and comfortable. Once I find a brand that fits my foot I stick with it.
- black sandals – already owned
- white sandals – already owned
- flip flops or water shoes – already owned
- hiking sandals/shoes – already owned
Accessories
We bought several scarves on our thrifting trip to Savers. Most of the other accessories I was able to reuse from last summer. But they did have all these on their shelves.
- scarf – $4.99
- tote bag – already owned
- purse – already owned
- belt – already owned
- sunglasses – already owned
- 2 swimsuits – already owned
I spent $77.38 on this thrifting trip. But I’m not good enough at math to figure out how many outfit combinations this will make. I know it’s plenty to get me through the rest of the summer.
Here’s the first outfit I wore. I was going to church so I threw my new crocheted cardigan in my tote in case the air conditioning got too cold for me.
Jordann’s Summer Capsule Wardrobe
100% of Jordann’s summer capsule wardrobe is thrifted! Even the shoes!
10 Shirts
- 8 t-shirts – She found 4 that day in various shades of gray & white: $4.49, $5.49, $2.49, $5.99.
- 2 tank tops
6 Bottoms
Jordy does more solid color shirts so she sometimes goes a little more bold on the bottom.
- jeans
- khaki pants
- denim shorts
- khaki shorts
- harem pants (patterned) – $7.49
- vintage culottes (patterned)
5 Cardigans, Jackets
Jordy works in the city so she wears these just about every day in the summer.
- long gray cardigan – $9.99
- khaki jacket – already owned
- thin hoodie with lace sleeves
- button down
- chambray button shirt
3 Dresses/Skirts
- maxi dress
- mid-length dress
- vintage skirt
Accessories
- vintage woven purse
- leather tote
- 2 scarves – $4.99 & $3.99
- 2 hats
Shoes
- sneakers
- ankle boots
- red/orange slides – $4.99
- sandals
Jordy spent $49.91 on our thrifting trip.
This is an outfit with the long gray cardigan and red-orange slides she bought on our thrifting trip to Savers.
This outfit includes one of the shirts and scarves that she found that day.
You’ll probably notice that Jordann has more on her list than I do. I didn’t include my painting or workout clothes. Since I work at home that’s what I’m wearing most of the time.
Download a Summer Capsule Wardrobe Shopping List
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these:
- 10 Tips for Buying Thrift Store Clothes
- Why Shop at Thrift Stores?
- How to Wash Thrift Store Clothes
- Top Ten Thrift Store Tips
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Savers. The opinions and text are all my own.
Thanks so much for reading! Good luck in the drawing!
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Janis says
July 31, 2018 at 5:32 amI always shop thrift stores! I have even found new Birkenstock shoes with tags!
My favorite part of your post was the face with the orange shirt?.
ducttapeanddenim says
July 31, 2018 at 11:00 amlol… and WOW on the Birkenstocks!
Polly says
March 7, 2019 at 9:36 pmI have to say ‘ first time in here! I love it ! Yes Fun Shopping for clothes and ect at Savers and a great Thrift Stores!!
Shirley Emitt says
July 31, 2018 at 8:53 amI sure do wear thrift store clothes!
OkieMags says
July 31, 2018 at 8:11 pmI LOVE finding a great deal at the thrift store. Great post!
Rachel Burch says
August 1, 2018 at 8:22 amI always, always start my clothes shopping at thrift stores. It is like a treasure hunt! In the unlikely event that I can’t find what I need, I head for retail.
Kathy A says
August 2, 2018 at 6:42 pmI love thrift store clothes but generally when they are on sale! I’ve also bought them to cut up for craft projects. I’ve used new with tags ones as gifts! The thing I don’t like about Savers is that the nearest one is 2 hours away in NH!!! Maine needs more thrift shops! I also wear yard sale, rummage sale clothes, and hand me downs; now that I am retired, I need fewer dressy clothes and more “play clothes.” And with money being tighter, thrifting is the way to go!
MARTHAIA NORRIS says
August 5, 2018 at 9:57 pmAlways !!! Enjoy the shopping at thrift stores you never know what you will find..Thanks
Kim says
August 8, 2018 at 8:02 amI’m a huge thrift store shopper and love Savers. My daughter actually just bought a large, red rooster pitcher for me there. It was a bargain and my summer flowers look awesome inside. Love your clothes choices…I haven’t ventured into clothes yet.
Toni says
August 9, 2018 at 10:45 pmOh my gosh you guys scored some great looking clothes at a fantastic price I’ve got to go there but I’m going to wait and see if I win the giveaway 🙂
Michelle says
August 10, 2018 at 5:40 pmI love to shop for clothes (& everything else) at thrift stores! Thanks so much for including a list!?
Mother Deer says
August 10, 2018 at 5:44 pmI wear mostly thrift store clothes 🙂
Naomi S says
August 10, 2018 at 6:21 pmAlmost all my clothes come from thrift shops and have for a number of years. When I go to the regular clothing stores, which is almost never, I can’t believe the prices! Even the supposedly cheap ones like TJMaxx. I love thrift shopping! And i don’t care who knows that that’s where I got my latest cute outfit!
Thanks for the summer wardrobe post!
Naomi S says
August 10, 2018 at 6:38 pmNearly all my clothes have come from thrift stores for a number of years. When I go to regular stores–even discount stores like T J Maxx, I can’t believe the prices! Who can afford to buy those clothes?
I’ve been trying to find a Savers Thrift Super-Store in my area, which is South-Central Michigan, but can’t seem to locate one. The search site just won’t take me forward after I enter my zip code. Any ideas?
ducttapeanddenim says
August 10, 2018 at 7:19 pmLooks like they might be called Value Village in your area. Try searching for that. They have a few different brand names across thecountry.
Marie says
August 10, 2018 at 7:27 pmI live in thrift shop clothes. Love Savers
Donna Crady says
August 10, 2018 at 8:45 pmWe recently got our own Savers store. I haven’t tried Savers yet but we had a Value Village for years. I’m still wearing clothes I bought there 4-5 years ago. I just LOVE thrift stores!!!
Laurie Ann Grant says
August 11, 2018 at 8:57 pmI am addicted to shopping thrift stores and look forward to your tips and tricks. We have a fabulous little thrift store In a town near by that once a month you can fill a garbage bag for just $5.00!!! There is no limit on the amount of bags you can buy but some people started getting greedy and bringing in lawn size garbage bags-talk about greddy people especially when $5.00a bag is already a steal of a deal! ! I have a tendency to gather a lot as I find great craft supplies, books to read, purses and of course clothes. Now we (“my friends and I go once a month if we can -but even on a regular day the prices can’t be beat!) do have a personal rule – if we are hitting the “bag day” sale then we have to fill atleast one bag or two from our closests to donate. We have such a blast and where else can you do a complete closet make over for $5!! I wish I could take you with us our next trip. All of the money made from the store is for the community and ran completely by volunteers! It’s an amazing shopping day ?
Lisa says
August 12, 2018 at 3:57 pmI’m absolutely in love with the whole capsule wardrobe concept!
Great post.
Lynzee says
August 13, 2018 at 7:19 amI love this idea! I’d like to try a capsule wardrobe and DECLUTTER!
I’ve had the exact same problem; I buy things bc they’re a good deal even if I don’t love them.
Eva says
August 13, 2018 at 12:45 pmI love stocking up my closet with thrift store finds. Especially SAVERS! I got 2 cute thin jackets (one of them brand new), 3 lace cami’s and 1 fancy sparkly top with rhinestones ALL for $20 (it was the day they had 50% off of everything)
Jeannette says
August 13, 2018 at 3:27 pmMy sister and I Savers hop LOL. Got to find what you need at a great price. I am also interested in a capsule wardrobe.
Sue Lane says
August 13, 2018 at 7:40 pmI am so happy that thrift store shopping is a mainstream ‘thing’ now. It is a lot of fun! Thanks for showing us some ways to put together a wardrobe!
Jann Olson says
August 21, 2018 at 6:45 pmI love finding treasures at thrift stores. I rarely look at the clothing. I know that you can find great deals, but I don’ t want to take the time. 🙂 You found some great things! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann