Thrifty Treasures: Dress(es) for Less

When I was growing up, wearing clothes from Wal-Mart was pretty much a death sentence for your social career. I shared my thoughts on Wal-Mart once here on the blog.

It doesn't have to be a scary place. (Although it can be infuriating when your cashier spends the entire transaction having a full blown conversation with another employee on break, not looking at you once, thus lengthening greatly the time you have to stand there with two little kids who are asking for stuff off the "last chance deal" shelf by the register. You might become so infuriated that you track down a manager and have a little chat about register #25. I'm just saying....)

Anyways, I've found some really cute things for my girls in the children's clothing section. I won't lie. It pains me a bit to tell you that. No, not everything you see in WM is a gem. You have to pass by a lot of size 5T shirts with Elmo and "I'm 2 Cute 4 U" plastered all over the front to find the really adorable stuff. I tend to stick to separates that can be mixed and matched with other pieces.

We can take a few WM outfits and mix them in with cute, well-made consignment sale finds, Target deals, and Gymboree/Crazy 8 clearances.

And you know what? My girls get complimented all the time on their little mini ensembles.

Thought I'd share a few of our recent finds. Preschool starts up soon, and if you don't grab the stuff in your kids' sizes, they tend to go quickly.

I believe these little pleated skirts were around $5 each.

Purple, jeans material, and navy--the weight of the fabric was actually pretty sturdy, and they have the built-in shorts underneath. Those of you with girls know that this is a must if you have a preschool girl!

Love them because they can be mixed and matched to make multiple outfits and can be worn with tights underneath and a sweater when the weather turns cool.

If I could squeeze myself into Natalie's new plaid tunic, I totally would. Don't you love the ruched leggings?

Think that outfit was around $9.50 or so.

Loooving these little matching dresses. The jumpers are heavier, so these will be perfect for cold months. $7 each.

Can we talk about the ruffles on this cotton, long-sleeved top? To quote Rachel Zoe, "I die."

$5 jeans for a two year old. Fabulous!

And these. There are no words.

Ba-nanas. Michaela Byrd had a similar pair last winter and looked so cute that I had to buy these. They'll be perfect with a little jean skirt or with leggings.

So how much fun was that?

{Have you had any fabulous finds in unexpected places lately?}


Linking to Rhoda's Thrifty Treasures party.