Saturday Goodwill Haul: 5 Pieces for $38 (Including a $380 Coat I Paid $8 For)
Okay so I almost didn't go this weekend because Tamara wanted to get brunch instead, but she's literally never seen me leave a Goodwill empty-handed and I didn't want to break the streak. Good thing I went because this haul is stupid good. I'm talking finds that made me stand in the middle of the rack like "am I being punked right now?"
I went to the Goodwill in Buckhead because that's where the good stuff lives. If you're not thrifting in wealthy neighborhoods, you're doing it wrong — that's where people donate the barely-worn designer pieces they're bored with.
The Damage
Total spent: $38.43
Estimated retail value: $847
My savings: $809 (96% off retail, hello)
The Finds (From Best to "How Is This Real")
1. The Coat That Broke My Brain
What it is: Camel wool-blend wrap coat, single-breasted, hits right below the knee, fully lined
Brand: Theory (yes, THAT Theory)
Size: Medium (fits like a 6-8, I'm a 10 and it works oversized)
Condition: Literally new with spare buttons still in the pocket
What I paid: $7.99
Retail price: $380
I saw the hanger first — that heavy wooden kind with the brand name printed on it. My thrift senses started tingling. When I pulled it out and saw that camel color and the Theory label, I actually looked around for a camera crew. This coat is giving "I have a corner office and a standing desk." It looks expensive because it IS expensive, I just didn't pay for it.
How I'll wear it: Over literally everything. Work outfits, jeans and a white tee, over a slip dress for date night. This is a forever piece.
2. The Silk Blouse That Feels Like a Secret
What it is: Ivory silk button-front blouse, slight sheen, classic collar
Brand: Equipment (French brand, very quiet luxury)
Size: Small (fits like a 4-6, slightly oversized on me)
Condition: Perfect — no stains, no pulls, buttons intact
What I paid: $6.49
Retail price: $198
Equipment silk blouses retail for $200+ and I found one for the price of a fancy coffee and pastry. The fabric has that weight to it — you know how cheap silk feels flimsy? This doesn't. It feels like money. It makes my $8 Target tank look expensive by association.
How I'll wear it: Tucked into the wide-leg trousers below, half-tucked into jeans with gold jewelry, layered under the camel coat. This is my new "I need to look like I tried" shirt.
3. The Trousers That Make My Legs Look Good
What it is: Beige wide-leg trousers, high-waisted, pleated front
Brand: J.Crew (current collection, not vintage)
Size: 8 (fits TTS)
Condition: Excellent — no pilling, hem intact, no stains
What I paid: $5.99
Retail price: $128
These are the trousers I've been hunting for. Wide-leg, high-waisted, that perfect beige that goes with everything. J.Crew makes these season after season and they're always $100+. I tried them on in the dressing room (always try on at Goodwill, people) and did a little happy dance. The pleats actually lay flat. The waist hits right. They're not too long. These are $128 pants I got for less than my lunch costs.
How I'll wear them: With the Equipment blouse and camel coat for a monochrome moment. With a cropped sweater and sneakers for casual. With a tank and slides for summer. These are my new workhorse pants.
4. The Shoes I Didn't Need But Couldn't Leave
What it is: Black pointed-toe flats, leather, minimal design
Brand: Everlane (the "Day Glove" style)
Size: 8.5 (my size, it was meant to be)
Condition: Good — minor scuffing on the sole but the leather is pristine
What I paid: $8.99
Retail price: $110
Okay so I have shoes. But these are Everlane Day Gloves — the flats that cost $110 and I almost bought them full price twice. They're broken in (the best part about thrifted shoes, honestly) and the leather is that soft Everlane leather that molds to your foot. The scuffs are on the sole, not the shoe — someone wore them maybe 5 times and donated them. Their loss, my perfectly-shaped black flats.
How I'll wear them: With the trousers above. With jeans. With literally everything. Black pointed flats are my work shoe, my weekend shoe, my "I don't feel like heels" shoe.
5. The Belt That Ties It All Together
What it is: Vintage gold chain belt, adjustable clasp
Brand: Unlabeled (probably 80s or 90s vintage)
Size: One size (adjustable)
Condition: Great — no tarnish, clasp works perfectly
What I paid: $3.99
Retail price: $30+ (similar vintage)
I've been looking for a chain belt for months. They're having a moment right now — over blazers, over dresses, over everything. I found this in the accessories bin buried under 12 fabric belts. It's got that vintage weight to it, not the flimsy new ones. This is the kind of piece that makes people ask "where did you get that?" and I get to say "Goodwill for four dollars."
How I'll wear it: Over the camel coat to cinch the waist. Over the silk blouse with high-waisted jeans. Around my hips with a slip dress. This is a $4 accessory that looks like it came from a vintage boutique.
The Outfit I Made
I put together an outfit with four of the five pieces and had Tamara take my photo when I got home. Here's the breakdown:
- Theory camel coat: $7.99
- Equipment silk blouse: $6.49
- J.Crew wide-leg trousers: $5.99
- Everlane black flats: $8.99
- Gold chain belt: $3.99
Outfit total: $33.45
Retail value: $846
I look like I make six figures. I do not. That's the whole point of this blog.
What I Learned This Trip
1. Go on Saturday mornings. The Friday night donors just dropped off their "I'm cleaning out my closet" bags. Fresh inventory hits Saturday morning. I got there at 9:15 AM and I'm convinced that's why I found the Theory coat.
2. Check the fabric, not just the size. That silk blouse was on a plastic hanger in the wrong section. But I saw the sheen and pulled it. Always feel the fabric — silk, wool, cashmere feel different than polyester.
3. Try everything on. Those trousers looked meh on the hanger but magic on. The coat looked huge until I put it on. Goodwill dressing rooms are chaotic but necessary.
4. Go to the wealthy neighborhoods. I'm serious about this. The Buckhead Goodwill gets donations from people who buy $400 coats and wear them twice. The downtown location gets fast fashion. Location matters.
Your Turn
I want to see your thrift finds. Drop your best Goodwill score in the comments — what did you find and what did you pay for it? Bonus points if you know the retail value.
And if you've never thrifted before, what's stopping you? This whole outfit cost less than one piece of it would have retail. The planet wins, your wallet wins, you look like you have a stylist. There's no downside.
Next Saturday I'm hitting the Vinings location. Wish me luck.
P.S. — Yes, I got brunch after. Tamara was impressed and slightly jealous. She's coming with me next week.