Wardrobe economics

Back-to-school shopping that won’t break the bank

Thrifting—the art of finding deals on to-die-for second-hand furniture, apparel, you name it—isn’t all that different from dating. You might search the whole town over for that perfect fit for you (and your price point), only to be left with an ill-fitting dress with a broken zipper or some kitten heels that rub you the wrong way. Still, there’s always the chance that you’ll find that item that fits so perfectly you’d swear it was custom made specifically for you—and your budget.

And that’s the thrill of the hunt. In the name of research, I’ve scoured all of T-Town to find the best deals for your back-to-school and fall-wardrobe shopping.

Stein Mart
Be forewarned, this is so your mother’s Stein Mart, and it’s a little overwhelming. Still, there are a few diamonds in the rough—namely a grey PHILOSOPHY tank dress and a Max Edition lace dress in cream. I was pleasantly surprised, too, at the handbag collection and pricing at Steinmart. I spotted some brightly colored Michael Kors bags in purple, turquoise, and orange around $149. Other standouts were chainmail evening clutches, priced around $17. Handbags aside, I didn’t get truly excited until I saw the Spanx section, 50% of retail.
5112 S. Harvard Ave. and 7827 E. 91st Street

The Echo Shop
Echo Shop is one of Tulsa’s upscale consignment shops, where pre-screened second-hand items hit the shelves at a fraction of the original selling price. The stand-out here is the shoe section. I spotted Stuart Weitzman, Kate Spade, Badgley Mischka, Prada, and Manolo Blahniks, all in fairly good condition and for under $200. It’s also a good destination for a good deal on a handbag. There are tons of Coach options but, if you get lucky, it isn’t unheard of to see a Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Fendi, or Todd’s bag up for grabs.
5926 S. Lewis Ave.

Daisy Exchange
Daisy Exchange could easily be “Forever 16.” You’ll encounter colors and patterns galore and more size zeros than a fashion-show casting call. That said, their seven racks of denim, ranging from size zero to size 12, is alone worth the visit. The shop also has an abundance of fun shoes from brands like Bebe, Dollhouse, Jessica Simpson, and Betsy Johnson.
6827 S. Memorial Drive

Quality Thrift
Quality Thrift is exactly what you’d expect a thrift store to be—cluttered, a little sketchy, and dirt cheap. If you’re on the hunt for a knitted beanie, you’ll find them on display, interspersed with the wigs. They also have a large assortment of knitted gloves and belts.
5133 S. Peoria Ave.

Goodwill
This place puts the hunt in bargain hunting, and you truly never know what you’re going to find. I was elated to find racks and racks of shoes at Goodwill, organized by color. There were Stuart Weitzman kitten heels and Charles David wedges, among others, all priced at $4.99. There is surely a steal to be found in the round rack of little black dresses, all priced at $5.99, some with the tags still attached. Be prepared to battle the soccer moms for the selection of Talbot’s. Surprisingly, I found both in abundance.
31st & Southwest Boulevard

Half of Half (Name Brand Clothing)
A trip to Name Brand Clothing is like a trip to Vegas. Sometimes you win big, sometimes it’s a crapshoot. It’s the chance of winning big that makes this place the fashion insider’s bargain bin. The jackpot can be found in the several racks of BCB gowns and cocktail dresses for $29.99. If you’re willing to dig and scavenge, it’s possible you’ll come across brands like Diane Von Furstenburg, Vera Wang, and the like. Take note! NBC is closed on Tuesdays to re-stock, which means that new merchandise hits the shelves on Wednesdays.
7215 S. Memorial Drive

Cheap Thrills Vintage
If you’re on the prowl for vintage or even just something really unique, Cheap Thrills is a must-stop shop. It’s true-blue, authentic and offers tons of quirky, one-of-a-kind finds. And as the name promises, the prices are low. Cheap Thrills offers a huge selection of worn, retro T-shirts, shoes, accessories, apparel, coats, and tons of kitsch. FYI, the staff here tends to stock X-toe cowboy boots, when they can find them. The boots alone make it worth popping in but be forewarned, any given pair is rarely on the shelves for long.
3018 E. 15th St.

Nordstrom Rack
For those with a bigger budget, Nordstrom Rack is among Tulsa’s swankiest discount shops. Nordstrom offers anything your typical department store does, but because it’s clearance merchandise, the prices are much better. A Kate Spade handbag will run you around $149, a 50-percent savings off the original price. I spotted fun brands such as Paige Premium Denim, Ro & De, Max Studio, and Laundry, among others. Be sure to check out their great bra and panty deals. Every great look starts with a solid foundation.
8722 E. 71st St.

Ross
Ross Dress for Less offers three locations around town, so if you have the time to shop around, you mind be able to find a super score. I found Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, Jessica Simpson, and Nine West handbags for $30-$40. I also found some Tom’s knock-offs for $12.99—for those of you who want to look philanthropic without having the budget to be.
4919 E. 41st St., 7136 S. Memorial Drive, and 7348 S. Olympia Ave.