Clothes can get expensive, and for some reason, it seems like everything I like is twice as expensive; but I've recently discovered that it doesn't have to be that way. If you're like me and have caviar taste but a cracker budget, then you'll love this.

Growing up my mother loved thrift stores, but I never really understood why. All of the clothes there were old, ripped and had been worn by other people. I swore to myself I'd never wear thrift store clothes. That is until I stumbled upon Second Time Around.

STA is one of many amazing stores where people, and stores donate high end clothes, shoes and purses. I never fail to find my favorite brands there: J.Crew, Tory Burch, Kate Spade, and on my most recent trip they had Jimmy Choo's and Manolo Blanhiks (they had some Loubiton's behind the counter)! It's heaven! And I never have to worry that the clothes will ever be in less than perfect condition because the store won't accept clothes that have had exceptional wear, that have been in homes with smokers, etc.

You may have been like me and sworn off all second-hand clothes, but for brand junkies with a college budget like me getting a brand new, or almost new, piece of clothing for up to 95% off retail price is pretty amazing.

Here are my two most recent J.Crew finds, how much I paid for them, the original pictures from J.Crew and their original prices: