These low rise Banana Republic jeans where thrifted for $6.99. This Gold Hawk silk blouse was thrifted for $3.99. I dare you to Google Gold Hawk. Stable yourself if you do, because you’re in for a shock.

What’s worse than buying a swim suit? Uh, that’d be a pair of blue jeans. It should be easy but it’s not. It can be painfully enlightening, standing all humble and exposed by those wicked three-way mirrors to take it ALL in. “Hmm, is that what my rear really looks like?” Sigh.

When we think of jeans, a few well-known major retailers come to mind. So off we go to le mall to fumble through obsessively folded stacks of jeans in little cubicles all the while feeling guilty for messing up this entirely compulsive display. We’re women, we generally feel guilt when we make a mess, unless we are unleashing our creative self.  But there’s not much creativity associated with shopping for jeans. Again, sigh.

Though they may carry a variety of sizes in waist and length, these stores really don’t have a selection of more than 10 or so styles. Like swim suits, one might need to try on 20 styles of jeans before they find the right fit. So, it’s off to another store. Lather, rinse and repeat until it’s nearly the end of the day and a pair that kinda fits is found for $125.00 or more.

Some jeans sell for hundreds if not thousands. Some people will pay the ridiculous prices because they need to end this madness. Crazy, no?

Go to the thrift store. Find the blue jean racks. Then find your size. Voila! Chances are there will be about 40 or more jeans, in different styles, in your size waiting on the rack for you fly down. All these different styles in one store, not seven! And, the prices? They usually range from $4.99 to $7.99. Remarkable.

Some of the jeans at thrift store have that sought after “distressed look.” Fortunately for the thrift consumer, the prices do not cause emotional or economic distress.

Something else that might come in use, given the economic climate, it’s interview season and fortunately it’s also Men’s Suit Season at thrift stores too! So are you going to spend $450 for a suit or $8.99? Click on the link to see what I found for Mr. Golightly.