I Dress Better When I'm Broke

Mar 14

Written By Ava Thier

Style has never been easier to create with what already exists. These looks prove that great fashion doesn’t have to come straight from a store rack—it can be built from thrift finds, vintage pieces, and forgotten gems hiding in closets. Mixing textures, eras, and attitudes turns secondhand clothing into something entirely new. The result is personal, bold, and expressive. When you know how to style what you have, fashion becomes less about spending money and more about having an eye.

Paris Cottaris, @desperate2seekparis

Person in a red military-style jacket posing against a white background.

Favorite Place to Thrift: Thunderbird Salvage | Outfit total estimate: $100

Person in a red military-style jacket and black boots standing against a white background.

Person in a red military-style jacket and black boots standing against a white background.

Val Rios, @_va.lerie_

Person in a fur coat making a playful hand gesture against a white background.

Favorite Place to Thrift: Goodwill thrifts at home (NJ) | Outfit total estimate: $65

Person in a sheer top holding a fluffy jacket looking down at it against a plain background.

Person in a sheer top holding a fluffy jacket looking down at it against a plain background.

Sadie Napierala, @sadieee.mae

Person with curly red hair posing in black mesh and layered jewelry.

Favorite Place to Thrift: Depop markets | Outfit total estimate: $10

Close-up of person with curly red hair in layered necklaces.

Person sitting sideways in black mesh and platform boots.

Kyla Chapman, @chunkoflovee

Person upside down with large natural curls and denim outfit.

Favorite Place to Thrift: Flea markets | Outfit total estimate: $25

Person lying sideways with voluminous curls and denim.

Person bending forward wearing a denim jumpsuit.

Lucca Morelli, @luccabooka

Favorite Place to Thrift: West Philly Goodwill | Outfit total estimate: $25

Person posing in red plaid top, lace skirt, and platform boots.

Person crouching in red plaid top and lace skirt looking up.

Valeria Quiceno, @vale.quiceno_

Favorite Place to Thrift: Buffalo Exchange | Outfit total estimate: $115

Person posing in black top, leopard skirt, and tall boots.

Person looking up wearing a fur-trim sweater and leopard skirt.

Kyla Greve, @kyla.greve

Person kicking a boot toward the camera in a black outfit.

Favorite Place to Thrift: Philly AIDS Thrift | Outfit total estimate: $80

Person reaching toward the camera in a black top and fur jacket.

Person posing in a black lace top, shorts, and boots.

Hazel Carb, @hazeyy.daze

Person adjusting glasses in a purple blouse and lace tights

Favorite Place to Thrift: Circle Thrift | Outfit total estimate: $15

Person posing in a purple blouse, skirt, and lace tights.

Person doing a headstand wearing lace tights and heels.

Ava Thier

Closet Cleanout Chaos