Back-to-School Style on a Budget: How to create today's hottest looks with secondhand stuff

Savers/Value Village thrift stores share economical ways to create back to school styles on a budget.

SEATTLE, WA August 5, 2004 -- Casting off a tired old stigma, todays youth have redefined thrift store shopping as a cool way to score fashion-forward threads for less much to the delight of their parents pocketbooks. With the average family forecasted to spend roughly $220* on back-to-school clothes, shopping secondhand stores like Savers international thrift chain provides students a closet full of in-demand looks like vintage prep and customized clothing at a fraction of the cost.

Purchasing stylish secondhand items as wardrobe accent pieces is extremely budget-friendly, and mixing and matching new with used polishes off an individualized look. Here are 10 ubiquitous thrift store finds making the grade this season:
*    Classic: Pick up authentic Polos, classic khakis and argyle prints on secondhand racks, then pair them with edgier items for an updated neo-preppy look. Similarly, go for a trendy young professional look by matching traditional office attire in bright colors with casual accessories.
*    Patterns: Tweed is this seasons fabric of choice, while plaid is another popular pick. Thrift stores have no shortage of these iconic prints, and pieces like skirts and slacks can be snipped and sewn to create desired hemlines.
*    D-I-Y: Teens can use inexpensive secondhand clothing as their creative canvas for customized fashions without stressing about overspending. Tons of websites offer DIY ideas, from re-inventing oversized T-shirts to Bedazzled blazers. Search the Internet for inspiration, then hit the nearest thrift store.
*    Funky Accessories: Accessories are an easy way to create individual style knit shawls, layered necklaces, playful scarves and mens ties-turned-belts are affordable thrift finds that set students apart.
*    Distressed Denim: Fend off the shock of paying top dollar for faux-distressed designer jeans and jackets, when you can pick up the real thing for a few bucks at Savers or buy a pristine secondhand pair and whip out the scissors for personalized style.
*    Blazers: This fall, fitted blazers are a girls best friend. While oversized straight-cuts are passcheck the boys section for slim-fitting used blazers. Accentuate with a sparkly vintage brooch for a feminine touch.
*    Retro Anything: Whether its the 20s or the 80s, retro looks are here in a big way. And where else but in an everyday thrift store can you find authentic pieces without paying vintage boutique prices? Best bets are jeans, graphic tees, Grandpas cardigans, Flashdance fashions and decades-old frocks (often with original price tags attached).
*    Layering for Him: For guys, the layered look is a fall must-have. Pick up a combo of long and short sleeve T-shirts for less than $5 each for a casual, worn-in look. Or throw a tee over a button-up dress shirt for an office chic-meets-urban look.
*    Fur: Keep warm and stylish, too faux fur jackets and accessories are definite finds at Savers and usually sell for well under $20, while real-deal counterparts retail for around a mere $50. Seek out a vintage Capelet for stylish old Hollywood glam!
*    Mixed up: Dictated by the demand for individuality, this season sees patterns, colors and textures mixed and matched like never before. Thrift stores are an ideal destination for finding funky one-of-a-kind pieces to go with wild ensembles. The key to this look is keeping it all in complimentary colors.

About Savers, Inc.
Savers, Inc. operates nearly 200 Savers, Value Village and Village des Valeurs stores. Savers, Inc. stores employ more than 7,000 people in 23 states, 10 Canadian provinces and Australia. Visit www.savers.com for more information, including a list of store locations.

*The National Retail Federation 2004 Back-to-School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey. Source: www.nrf.com

Editors Note: Additional mens and womens thrift store style back-to-school images are available by contacting Amanda Foley at 206.223.1606.

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Media Contacts:
Amanda Foley                            Gina Cohen
Edelman, for Savers, Inc.        Savers, Inc.
206.223.1606                            425.462.1515
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