While the children are away the mommy will save

I enjoy teaching my daughters alternative methods of acquiring distinct quality fashion. We don’t go to the mall for the standard issue at heavyweight prices. Petite Pois long-sleeve hoodie, $2.

I particularly focus on my oldest daughter, a young teen. She’s at that horribly impressionable age and marketers are hot on her tail. I’m constantly beating them off with knowledge and money smarts. Sometimes I’d like to kick them where it really hurts for the sneaky tactics they play just to make a buck. My dark side. Fie Anthropologie feather-print skirt, $4.

Two times a year, I throw a thrift store trunk show for my oldest daughter, one before school and the other on Christmas Eve. Time in between is spent gathering. Items must meet one of three criteria: 1) I’m 80% certain she’ll like it; 2) If she doesn’t like it, I’ll wear it; 3) If both of us turn it down, it can be re-sold without loss. Rejections (gorgeous rejections) go to Buffalo Exchange and we turn them in for a store credit that Petite Poe may use to buy additional clothing. (OMG! She loves Buffalo Exchange.) Imagine a trunk show specifically specifically for you in the comfort of your home, all items washed and ready to wear! This kid’s living the life. Knee-high suede Urban Outfitter boots, $10.

Presently, Petite Poe is away at camp with no access to anything online, so we can safely preview some items.

Staring at Starts Urban Outfitters short dress, $3.50.

Velvet tank from Anthropologie, Arden B silk skirt, Free People short skirt and Odille skirt from Anthroplogie, $9 bought all.

Darling Kenzie skirt, $2.

Lately Petite Poe is learning that fashion rebellion does not come from the sterile mall. At the thrift she sees many women who’ve taken to certain styles whether it’s era fashion, eclectic or mild punk/Goth. These women are departing from the mainstream in alternative ways and they inspire my teen’s creative side. Currently, Petite Poe has a love of the 50’s and styles her hair with pin curls. Hey, that certainly beats straightening irons and weaves. Better for her hair too. Sweet Pea tank, $2.

Unknown brand blouse and Angie skirt, $4.50 bought both.

Odille from Anthropologie tank, $3.50.

Odille from Anthropologie blouse, $3.50.

Odille from Anthropologie skirt, $4.

Juicy Couture skirt and new Hollister tank, $5 bought both.

This post is littered with preview photos of the Golightly fall trunk show to date. I scored big at ARC's three-day Fourth of July sale. Phew are my Snake Eyes in need of rest. These finds supplemented with many long, short sleeve shirts for layering bought for $1-$3 a shirt - not in the photos. We will thrift shop jeans when she returns. Jeans are like swimsuits, hard to pick and hard to fit. However, at thrift stores, they're quite easy.

Little Pie, still in elementary schools takes hand-me-downs. But I supplement them with items in a mini-trunk show. It’s more of a challenge to find clothing for elementary school age children in thrift; piece of cake for adults and babies/toddlers. But I’ll follow this post up with her clothes. They aren’t shabby at all, just harder to find. Shoes, $2.

Toss your teen a thrift trunk show. They just might be so surprised and inspired you've taught them a serious lesson on personal finances.

Isn't that part of our jobs as parents? Do we want to teach our children to care about The Jone's or BE individuals who happen to have an enviable style at tiny fraction of what others pay? Let's say the above items (all in pristine or new condition) averaged to 5% of retail value; often the case. That means another shopper would have spent close to $1,100 to match these finds. Now imagine your child fresh out of college, would you rather see them spend that $1,000 savings on clothes or savings for a down payment on a condo or home? If we're going to teach them about college savings plans, IRA's and grocery shopping, shouldn't clothes shopping be in the syllabus too?