While it’s easy to imagine our favorite celebrities spending thousands of dollars on one pair of shoes, not all of them look for the name brands or the big prices to impress their fans. It may be the thrill of the hunt, or maybe the affordable style, but some financially practical celebs are really proud of their secondhand shopping game.
Inspiring our eye for thrift, Eva Mendes (a celebrity who does not own a single pair of sweatpants) recently posted a throwback on her Instagram of her on the red carpet, proudly representing her $6 thrift store dress find. She was also flaunting the fact that she did her own make up and hair for the event, making it probably one of the cheapest red carpet looks, well, ever. While this photo was from her first time on the carpet at The Others L.A. premiere in 2001, the message is timeless: a cute dress is a cute dress no matter how much you paid for it.
There are also a bunch of other frugal celebs that remind us that looking good doesn’t have to come with a price. Whether you like his song or not, Macklemore has the right idea to “pop some tags” at thrift stores, as he paved the way with his song “Thrift Shop” to some badass secondhand swag. (And yes, Macklemore, we also only have $20 in our pockets, too.) Also, Jada and Willow Smith have been spotted sifting through consignment stores mother-daughter style, as well as Julia Roberts, who is one of the top paid actresses in Hollywood. Likewise, Zooey Deschanel and fashion icon, Janelle Monae are native thrift store hunters who thrive off that vintage look, the unique feel and the cheap prices.
These celebrities can inspire us to flaunt our own unique style (especially since the vintage look is to die for these days) while still budgeting wisely. Thrift shopping is not only cheap, but it is also environmental, anti-corporate and also charitable. For a bargain-hunter, the thrill of a good hand-me-down find is a rush that is hard to beat (and not to mention the bragging about how little you spent is always fun, too). Take a look at some of our favorite thrift stores around Boston.
Raspberry Beret: 1704 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge
This funky consignment shop offers contemporary and also vintage high-end clothes and accessories. They have a large selection of mint-condition and unique clothes, as they put out a new selection everyday!
Boomerangs: 1407 Washington Street
All the clothes here are donated from corporate supporters or regular customers to give them a wide variety of women’s and men’s clothing, books, housewares, electronics and furniture. Boomerang’s also provides funding for AIDS Action’s work to prevent new HIV infections.
The Garment District: 200 Broadway, Cambridge
Not only is this consignment shop (and costume store) two stories, it also incudes sections of contemporary, designer and decade inspired clothing and accessories for men, women and kids. If that isn’t enough for you, they put out 850 pounds of clothes and allow you to buy as much as you can for $2 per pound. Talk about a steal.
Although we’re not too fond of her “no sweatpants” rule, Eva is definitely a smart shopper, teaching all of us that being fashionable doesn’t always stem from designer brands. Let the budget of a college student inspire you to be as creative as you can with what you can afford. Even though these articles of clothing were previously owned, they’re still new to you, so rock it proud girl. As Eva appropriately said, “Viva thrift shops!” Preach.