Stilettos or Savings

There’s a certain magic in stepping out the door looking like a 1950s screen siren—perfectly cinched waist, twirly skirt, matching heels—and knowing that the entire look cost less than what most people spend on an UberEats order.

Could I walk into a boutique and splurge on a $200 vintage-style dress? Sure. Would I? Absolutely not. Because I know there’s a perfectly good NWT (new with tags) or like new version sitting on Poshmark or Mercari for $25. And, I Am patient.

Everything in my wardrobe is:
✅ Vintage-inspired and secondhand
✅ A Temu steal (accessories, tights, shapewear—perfection!)
✅ A prize from my deal-hunting adventures (I waited, I stalked, I won.)

And I make the most of it—because I can wear a different outfit every single day for an entire year. No repeats. No “I have nothing to wear” moments.

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Step 1: The Art of Scoring Vintage-Style Dresses & Heels for Less Than Uber Eats

People impulse-buy all the time—especially when it comes to dresses and heels. They picture themselves floating through life like a glamorous movie star, sipping champagne at a party.

Then reality hits.

The dress doesn’t fit quite right. The heels are too high. They feel uncomfortable. They tell themselves they’ll wear it for the perfect occasion. Then the return window expires, and it just sits there—taunting them.

That’s when they finally list it on Poshmark or Mercari, hoping to make a little money back. And that’s where I come in.

🕵️‍♀️ My strategy for scoring the best deals:

• Search by brand + NWT. I have saved searches for “ModCloth NWT,” “Unique Vintage NWT,” and “Pinup Couture NWT.” If it exists, I’ll find it.
• Lowball with confidence. Will a seller balk at my $15 offer on a $100 dress? Maybe. But will another seller accept? Absolutely.
• Look beyond NWT. If something is in like new or good condition, and the price is right, I’m all in. A gently worn dress at 80% off retail? Yes, please.
• Bundle up for bigger discounts. If a seller has multiple pieces I love, I’ll ask for a discount on a multi-item purchase. More clothes, less money.

💎 Some of my best scores:

• NWT ModCloth heels for $9 (cheaper than your morning latte)
• NWT Unique Vintage dress for $30 (a steal)
• Brand new Levi’s for $12.22 (because vintage dressers need casual days too)
• Charles David heels for $11.50 (luxury on a budget)
• NWT Pinup Couture dress for $19 (I still can’t believe this one)

I rarely spend over $25 on a dress, and I know exactly how much every item in my closet costs per wear, thanks to Stylebook. Because what’s the point of a good deal if you don’t actually wear it?

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Step 2: Temu—The Hidden Gem for Vintage-Loving Fashionistas

I’ll be honest—I didn’t expect to love Temu. But then? I discovered its secret stash of accessories perfect for a vintage wardrobe, and now my cart is never empty.

✅ What to buy on Temu:

• Retro-style pins and brooches. A cat-shaped pin? A tiny teacup brooch? A “this dress has pockets” enamel pin? Yes, yes, and yes.
• Patterned tights and cute socks. Polka dots, florals, lace—so many ways to elevate a vintage outfit.
• Shapewear & undergarments. Want that perfect 1950s silhouette? A crinoline or smoothing slip from Temu will do the trick.
• Hair accessories. Think pearl hair clips, floral headbands, and vintage-style scarves for effortless glamour.

🚫 What to skip:

• Shoes. Temu shoes and I have trust issues. I’m not risking a Cinderella moment where my heel detaches mid-stride.
• Handbags. Some are cute, but the quality? Dicey. If it’s going to live in my collection, it needs to last.
• Overly trendy items. I’m here for timeless, not “fast fashion that disintegrates after one wash.”

And yes, sometimes Mr. Cabbage surprises me with a Temu dress. He’s got a good eye for vintage-style pieces, and honestly? He’s a keeper.

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Step 3: The Stalking Game—How I Get Dresses for (Almost) Free

Some people play chess. Some people day-trade. I stalk dresses. And I do it shamelessly.

If I see a vintage-style dress I love but don’t like the price? I wait. I watch. And then, I lowball like a fearless bargain queen.

🕵️‍♀️ How to win the waiting game:

• “Like” the item but don’t buy right away. This triggers sellers to send you private offers. Sometimes, they slash prices just because they saw you were interested.
• Watch for price drops. On Mercari and Poshmark, if a dress sits too long, sellers often lower the price out of desperation.
• Check how long it’s been listed. If something has been sitting for months, that seller is probably this close to accepting any offer that covers their morning latte.
• Make the offer—no shame. Will some sellers scoff at my $15 offer on a $100 dress? Sure. Will others just want it gone and accept? Also yes.
• Move on if they say no. I have zero emotional attachment to any listing. If one seller declines, another will accept.

This is exactly how I’ve snagged $150 ModCloth dresses for $20 and Unique Vintage showstoppers for under $25. The secret? Not caring if I offend anyone. Because at the end of the day, I’m here to get cute dresses, not make friends with sellers.

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Step 4: Selling to Make Room for Fresh Looks

Shopping this way means I always have a fresh wardrobe, which also means… I have to make room.

So, when a dress no longer fits my waist or my style, I resell it.

Want to shop my personal collection? Check out my Mercari shop here and my Poshmark closet here. I promise—it’s all fabulous, and yes, I ship fast —and will pass on some of my deals to you.

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Step 5: Stylebook—The App That Keeps My Wardrobe Organized

How do I keep track of 365 unique outfits a year? Answer: Stylebook.

📊 What I track in Stylebook:
✅ Every item in my closet (with photos, brand, and price—because data is power)
✅ How often I wear each piece (so I know what’s actually worth it and what’s just taking up space)
✅ Cost per wear (because I love a justifiable purchase, and numbers don’t lie)
✅ Outfit planning (so I never accidentally repeat a look—unless it’s intentional)
✅ Packing lists for trips (because the only thing worse than overpacking is realizing you forgot the perfect dress)

It’s like having a personal stylist, but instead of charging me $300 an hour, it just sits on my phone, quietly ensuring my wardrobe is flawless.

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Final Thoughts: Vintage Vibes, Smart Spending

I don’t believe in paying full price. Ever. Not for vintage-style dresses, not for accessories, not for anything I can get secondhand, on sale, or on Temu.

The key to rich girl energy isn’t spending—it’s winning the shopping game. And let’s be real… I’m winning. 😉