Sometime around middle school, I learned what Calvin Klein was. Calvin Klein jeans were what Jenny Merica wore. Everyone loved Jenny Merica. Therefore, I, too, needed Calvin Klein jeans. Never mind the fact that my mom was raising three kids on her own. Surely there was room in the budget for fancy denim, right?
Wrong.
Momma held her ground. I learned early on that no matter how much the drama, negotiating and whining escalated, that didn’t magically put more cash in our pockets. And if it did, she probably wouldn’t have spent it on jeans anyway, not when there was a Goodwill in town!
I chuckle to myself as my baby boy has already worn his first Calvin Klein outfit. My, how things have changed from back in middle school!
There’s a consignment store in Sterling, Three Lil Monkeys, next to my favorite sushi place, Otani. My friend, Laura (who was with me during my spill on the sidewalk), pointed me in this direction; and I’m glad she did. Can I just say how infinitely more gratifying it is to dress my son in a $4.50 Calvin Klein sleeper than to dress myself in in $70 Calvin Klein jeans?
And, why yes, that IS Bennett’s first Melissa and Doug toy that he’s studying! It’s a worm! And he loves it! EEEEEEEEE! All the little links swivel around to make it long and squiggly or small and round. Three Lil Monkeys carries both new and used of this brand and I’m literally giddy to 1) have a starting point to establish our collection and 2) support a local business!
A word about the sleeper: based on this year’s Superbowl commercial, Calvin Klein seems to know more about male models in underwear than dressing babies. Bennett’s sleeper says it’s for 0-3 months. Knowing that he’s already 3.5 months along, I trusted my instincts and brought it home anyway.
I thought so!
The boy is literally swimming in this thing. I had to bunch all the excess fabric in my palm just to take a decent picture!
I’d love to hear if you’ve ever scored big at a consignment shop or thrift store! (Like the story of my Dr. Pepper jacket or my Goodwill wedding dress!) Or have you ever regretted paying retail for a popular label?
I think you really scored big with your wedding dress! I’m so glad you have a great place to go where you can save big. 🙂
I got this pair of Jeans at GW for $6, but I had never heard of the brand.(which was weird of me to even try them on because I’m obsessed with getting name brands for cheap) So I looked them up and turned out they were originally over $180. The brand was Joe’s. Still have never seen tbem anywhere. But I was happy and they were my faaaaav for so long because they were Soooooooo comfy. 😉
I LOVE this post!
I bought a pair of Calvin Klein jeans, for myself, about 8 months ago at a thrift store. $6! Love them!
I have several stories like that with consignment/thrift, but have 2 notable finds….
A Prada wallet, at a charity thrift store, $ for under $20
A Kenneth Cole purse, from a GW, for $25.
We should go shopping one day 🙂
Lived in Maryland when my childen were young and shopped REGULARLY at Next To New in Bethesda. Used to get amazing sweaters for the girls from Sax, Neiman Marcus. Labels attached and probably worn once. Think I paid as much as $7.00 for gorgeous stuff. Looked up online just now, but do not see. Only about 35 years ago, can’t imagine why! 🙂 Bethesda does have several stores and would highly recommend area for second hand perusing. Only takes about 30-35 minutes from home.
Love the worm! He is a-studying away, and you look amazing! Golly. You look the same as before except with even more of a glow about you. Indeed, Bennett makes you shine radiantly. Oh yeah, the only SUperBowl commercial that made me want to turn my head. Eww. Anyways. You know me, I love some thrifty’s!
There’s a cute little thrift store over here in Ashburn by the W&OD. I went last year over a holiday weekend when they had all of their clothes on sale. I found 2 brand-new with tags on Express brand sweaters for $5 each. But wait!! All clothing was 50% off, so I walked out with over $300 worth of clothes (and almost all were like new and good name brands) for $60.00. I’ve never been able to do that again, but wow – what a rush! My coworkers thought that I had gone on a mad shopping spree at the mall and spent a small fortune. Shhh, I never told them the truth. hehehehe…
You’ll have to point me in the right direction!
I have gotten so many great clothes for Aurora at the Salvation Army down the road. They normally sell all baby clothes for 99 cents, but on Wednesday everything is 25% off so I scored a Disney jogging outfit for 75 cents. I also got a great baby shower gift, two brand new dresses with the tags still on for $3 normally $20! I haven’t bought that many new outfits without a gift cards. 😀 Thrift stores are awesome!