I have $163 left of $200 to thrift my dream fall wardrobe

The $200 fall budget so far

I have a budget of $163 left to thrift for fall. Welcome back to my budget thrifting series. We are going to try and thrift everything I want for fall on a budget of $200.

So far for this challenge, we have spent $45. And with that $45, we've gotten this adorable vintage rose bench, a long sleeve cheetah print top, and flared super low rise jeans with a beaded belt on them.

Today there are going to be two things we are looking for at the thrift store. The first is a cropped trench coat type of thing. The second item we're looking for is an antique or old, or any really type of working painting easel. Now let's go to the thrift store and see what we can find.

An art palette and Jeffrey Campbell boots

Our first find is not an art easel, but an art palette. Let's put this in the cart and think about it.

Oh my goodness, these are not what we're here for, but they're kind of incredible. These are Jeffrey Campbell. Hope I said that right. Boots, and online, these are going for about $150. Unfortunately, these are not my size or my style, but I hope that they end up in the perfect home, because someone will love these.

The Anne Klein cropped coat

But back to focusing on what we're really here for, this seems to be a cropped trench coat. I'm a little nervous to try this on, because I don't love pieces that hit exactly at natural lines on the body. So like your direct waist, or like cropped right at the elbow or right at the knees, I find not to be the most flattering on me.

And if we're honest, I feel like this kind of isn't a cropped blazer. Maybe it is? We're definitely pushing it with the word cropped. But the longer I wear it, the more I like it. So let's put it in the cart and keep looking.

So far though, I think it's good. Remember, so far, this is our top pick. Keep it in your mind while we keep looking.

The flaming hearts slip dress

Because this dress is about to blow your mind. Now you have to look up close at the pattern. Let me bring it closer. Do you see those hearts on fire? Flaming hearts. This feels like the back of a skateboard art got embroidered onto a dress. I kind of love it. Not sure.

It means you know that we have to try this on. Now, to be honest, I'm not convinced that this is going to fit me. So cross your fingers for me as I turn into a wiggly worm, because I am so obsessed with these strange heart flames on this piece. I've never seen anything like it on a dress like this.

I'm trying to figure out, should I put it over my head or should I try and step into this dress? Like what is more likely to work? Okay, we're going in. This is actually the best angle to see the hearts, which is pretty funny. At this point, I'm thinking, oh, not only does it not fit, but I am truly stuck. But the thrift gods sent us a miracle and it fit.

I have no idea what to think of it. It's kind of incredible, and like an old school Avril Lavigne from her first album type of way. That's who I feel like should have this dress and should be wearing it.

And even though I think it's a really, really cool piece, I'm not sure it's something I would realistically wear. But at the same point in time, I'm enjoying wearing it. I think it's so funny. Unfortunately, we are on a budget and this is just not something I'm going to wear enough, particularly in the fall. So that means it's got to come off.

A Tommy shirt dress and a long trench coat

Vibe is so different with this Tommy shirt dress. I'm unsure which one this is supposed to be. I feel like if you're short enough, it could be a dress.

This might be the piece that I am most excited to try on today. This is an incredible vintage trench coat. Look at the colour, and it is long. One of the things I've been struggling with is finding a trench coat that truly feels long on me. This is from the men's department, which is a great spot to look for trench coats.

And oh, I don't know. I think I'm drowning in it, and I look more like someone who's going to work at a lighthouse and change the bulb. Unfortunately, this is Shein and I don't trust their fabric.

Chanel look-alike heels and Melissa shoes

Now, before anyone says anything, don't worry. I did wipe these shoes down with an alcohol pad. Don't these remind you so much of these Chanel heels? Except these thrift store heels are not $1,300, which is the price of the Chanel one.

I feel like I'm in such a pickle because I love these, but they're a little bit too big for me. If anyone has any suggestions on how to make heels fit, if that's even possible, maybe we'll go get them tomorrow.

Look at these. These are adorable. I just don't love it when I can see people's like toe marks in shoes, but they are really cute. And Melissa always has the strangest heels. Look at these guys.

Piggy banks, Lizzie McGuire and Diesel

Guys, I just picked up the art palette again and realized it's a piggy bank. I don't really need a piggy bank.

Whoa, these are pants. Very bright pants. Wait a second. Look who I found on the side of these. Hello, mini Lizzie McGuire.

Next up, we have a Diesel sweater. It says XXL, but it doesn't look that big. And part of the logo is actually broken off on the front, so I think we're going to pass.

Home finds: frames, coasters and a whisky sign

Something about this vintage picture with the old frame has my heart. I just think this is gorgeous. Sorry, it's a bit hard to see with the glare.

My favourite area is to check out all these little bags, like these balls. Oh my goodness, my cat would lose her brain for those. Is this another piggy bank? Please tell me in the comments if you know what this is.

If I lived in like a mid-century home, these could be really cool. They don't match my space, but look at all these pretty wooden coasters. And I really like that the full set was donated.

This is pretty cute, but it's just a remake. I wish it was the original. This must have been someone's prom dress. Honestly, it's quite pretty. The colours are really gorgeous.

The $4.99 Simon Hart prints

But here's a twist. The person I'm with found these two gorgeous prints for $4.99 for both of them. I did a bit of research, and these prints are from an artist named Simon Hart. And they were painted around 1977.

He makes these kind of whimsical paintings of ports. And it kind of reminds me of Canadian artist Maud Lewis. I think out of the two prints, the one with the little seagulls is my favourite. And I really like these. And for $4.99, you couldn't even get the frames for that brand new.

Final decisions: the $29.99 coat and the heels

But it is now time for us to look over my cart and make some final difficult decisions. I was like 95% sure that I was going to be buying this coat. It's Anne Klein. It's not totally a crop jacket, but I think it is like in the style, kind of in the realm. And it's something I really do see myself wearing, until I looked at the price tag and almost fell over. This coat: $29.99 plus tax. And even worse, I don't have a coupon with me today.

Do I love this coat to take our budget from $157 down to $127? Like that is a huge hit. Honestly, no. I don't know. You let me know what you think. And I do think that this like longer trench coat, it really is just too baggy on me. So I think that's an instant no.

But unexpectedly, I am like madly googling how I could make these heels fit me. So these are a nine and I'm an eight and a half. But when I walk, there is definitely still a gap. Anyone actually ever used those like shoe filler things behind your heels when a pair of shoes is half a size to a size too big? Do they actually work? And can you actually walk on them? Because I don't know if I'm convinced.

For now, we are going to leave these shoes behind, but I'm putting them kind of half hidden on the shelf. So if I think about it today and I just like dream about them, then I can come get them right away tomorrow morning. And that mostly depends on figuring out if I could actually make them work or not.

Also, the flame dress is like so fun. But realistically, I have nowhere to wear this. So we are going to leave it behind for someone else to find. Which means that I am actually walking out of the thrift store today with nothing, which is kind of shocking. But the person I'm with did get those two adorable prints. I really, really like those.

Update: the suede skirt and the beaded jeans

But I also have an update on two other pieces from the series. So first was the suede skirt. We thrifted the suede skirt. Then we thought maybe we could alter it to make it more of a pencil shape. And it ultimately did not work. So that piece was taken back in exchange.

Now the second piece that we talked about the other day were the super low rise beaded jeans. I think collectively we all decided that someone probably hand beaded these at home. And they're just absolutely beautiful. But unfortunately, I cannot get them past my kneecaps. And when I say that, I'm not being dramatic. Like they do not go past my kneecaps. They are just not built for my body. And that is unfortunate. But it is just how things are sometimes.

There are no change rooms in the thrift store here. So yeah, I did like the around the neck trick. But of course, these jeans are super low rise. So that didn't really turn out at home.

Here's my question for you. What would you do in this situation? I love the beaded belt. I think it is beautiful. I think it's so unique. Someone obviously worked really hard on it. It's gorgeous. And it's just tacked on by a few little strings. So I could take it off and put it on a pair of jeans that I already own. Or is that wrong and kind of like breaking what the jeans are? And should they be donated back with the belt on? Please tell me your thoughts on that.

$157 left to thrift this fall

I am leaving the store empty handed, which means we still have a budget of $157 left to thrift this fall. Next video is going to be up in a few days. So make sure you subscribe. And I am so excited to see what we are going to find next.

And I love hearing what you guys are thrifting, and particularly what you saw at the thrift store and what you left behind. So please let me know. And what fashion trends for fall are you really excited about? See you soon.