Finding spirit week outfit inspiration is hard enough, but finding sick fits for every single day on a budget makes it all even harder. Today I’m here to show you how to find your fall 2020 spirit week outfits through a thrifting adventure I took this past Saturday.

***DISCLAIMER: I will not be adding jewelry to these outfit totals because I never purchased jewelry! I’m using all of my previously owned earrings and necklaces. As always, the nose ring is a constant. Another disclaimer, I did not purchase new items for every single day of the week. Don’t feel pressure to buy specific spirit week clothes, I know for a fact you’ll be able to find something in your closet. Get creative hehe!***

Day 1: Salad Dressing Day

As a Junior, I am “dressing” up as a hot pink cowgirl to match our “Ranch” theme. Enough said.

While thrifting for this outfit, I found it really difficult to pin point what I wanted to wear. After about an hour of formulating potential cowgirl outfits, I landed on big baggy boot-cut jeans, a pink shirt, and my hot pink cowgirl hat with my Elton John knockoff glasses to match.

Total Outfit Cost: $9.97, I refuse to add the price of the stompers, they’re so expensive and for what.

* Pink Cowboy Hat…$???- Not sure how much this was, I already had it laying around the house. Still cute tho.

*Boot-cut Jeans…$5.99-From Goodwill, very big and very comfy.

*Pink Shoelaces…$2.99-From Amazon, purchased these for my Halloween costume but they match this theme too.

*Dr Martens…$180- I’ve had these kicks for a year and they are my most prized possession. You definitely shouldn’t drop 200 on a pair of shoes just for spirit week. I heavily advise against it.

*Pink Shirt…$.99- Bought this shirt about 6 months from a Goodwill in Mt. Pleasant.

Day 2: Tunes vs. Toons

I wasn’t sure which character or musician I wanted to dress as for this theme, but as soon as I saw this light purple cardigan while thrifting, I knew exactly who I’d be: Trixie from “The Fairly OddParents”.

For this outfit, once I saw the cardigan I knew my fate and ran with it. I immediately started looking for khakis or a white skirt. I also needed a white skirt for my Halloween costume, so I prioritized the skirt first. When I wasn’t able to find one, I ran to the men’s slacks section and began searching for khaki pants I could wear in lieu of the white skirt. I then found the most perfect pair after about 20 minutes of searching! These are the same khaki’s shown in the picture. To continue searching for this outfit’s elements, I went onto an online thrifting service called “Depop” and purchased a purple headband, handmade earrings, and a white skirt to complete this outfit. If the skirt doesn’t come in time I’ll just wear the khakis lol.

*THRIFT TIP: Don’t be afraid to go into the little boy’s section…there’s some killer stuff in there. I found these size 20 little boys’ khaki pants there! And they somehow fit with a belt? Crazy stuff, I know.

Total Outfit Cost: $13.96, but with the Js it’s $68.96

*Purple Headband…$2.99- Already had this item because purple is my favorite color, but I added it to prove my point.

*Purple Cardigan…$3.99- From Goodwill!

*White Tank Top…$0.99- From Goodwill!

*Khaki Pants…$5.99- From Goodwill!

*Light Purple Jordan 1s…$55.00- Thrifted off of StockX in January!

Day 3: Coachella Day

This might be disappointing to some of you, but I didn’t purchase anything for Coachella day. I already had items (that I coincidentally mostly thrifted) in my closet to formulate an outfit. I won’t talk much about the thrifting process for finding this outfit, mostly because it’s up to which kind of look you’re going for.

For my outfit I’m choosing between my long brown skirt with my Dr. Martens sandals and a black tank top (all thrifted items, of course!) and a pair of flared pants with my long tie dye cape sweater thing? Whatever it is, it’s really cool. It’s actually one of the only items in this article you’ll see that wasn’t second hand!

Total Outfit Cost: $26.98 (including the sweater I already had) and $66.98 (including the sweater and the docs).

*Dr. Marten Sandals…$40- Thrifted from Depop in May!

*Brown skirt…$2.99- Thrifted from Community on Rivers in February!

*Purple tank top (school appropriate, of course)…$3.99- Thrifted from Community yesterday! I love purple.

*Sweater…$20- From Palmetto Moon I think? I’m not sure but it’s my most favorite sweater, 10/10 stars for the sweater.

Day 4: Generation Day (Adult)

I have two different outfit ideas for this one. The first idea that came to me was to be a dad from the 70s with flared corduroy pants, paisley printed shirt, and a stick on mustache to match. My other is kind of a 180 from the latter. I’m thinking of wearing flared yoga pants, a hot pink work out top, a bright colored headband, and running shoes to portray the “soccer mom” aesthetic.

However, I ultimately have decided to go the soccer mom route. I already thrifted a couple of pairs of black yoga pants before the making of this article and I have a couple of work out headbands I could put on. I’m thinking I’ll do a full face of makeup (which, for me means a scary attempt at eye makeup) and I’ll add an excess amount of bronzer. I have thrifted the brightly colored workout top and plan to wear my thrifted air max 90s.

Total Outfit Cost: $23.97

*Bright Headband…$2.99- Walmart? I’m not sure. It’s not mine.

*Bright Tank Top…$3.99- Goodwill!

*Black Yoga Pants…$4- Community Thrift!

*White Air Max 90s…$12.99- Community Thrift!

Day 5: “Wall” Day

Although we can’t have a true wall day this year, each grade will be dressing in their individual class voted surprise themes. I won’t say the Junior theme, obviously. I’d never do that. But, I will show elements of my outfit ideas to prove you can find spirit week outfits for extremely low prices.

Bringing back the khaki’s from my “Trixie” outfit, I think it would fit my grade’s theme perfectly. I have a vision that includes this big gold and leopard print button up with the khaki’s and my dirty white vans and long socks from 7th grade. You’ll understand once you figure out the theme, but it’ll rock your socks off. To top off the outfit, I’ve got my Elton John glasses to make the outfit a little more flashy. I’m thinking about adding a random thick watch and a single gold chain necklace (that I have from previous spirit weeks).

*THRIFT TIP: Sometimes, the best items are ones you aren’t looking for. Pick up everything that catches your eye and bring it with you. Marinate with it, rock with it. Then, see if it’s something you’re into keeping!

Total Outfit Cost: $28.98

*Huge gold patterned men’s button up…$4.99- From Goodwill!

*Khaki’s…$5.99- From Goodwill!

*Dingey white socks…Free- Stole them from my sister, shout-out to Tatum.

*Dingy white vans…$???- Not sure how much I bought these for, but they’ve been in my possession for a dolid 3 and a half years so I won’t add them to the final cost.

*Elton John knock-off sunglasses…$10- I think these are from Target, I’ve had them for a couple of months I’m sorry I don’t remember:(

*”Gold” chain…$8- From Forever 21. Fun fact, I actually bought this chain for the first spirit week last year. Fun times and tan lines I guess.

Maximum Total Cost of Outfits: $158.86

If I had bought every item mentioned in this article in one entire purchase the total would be $158.96. This may seem like a huge number (because it is, especially for us children who work for barely above minimum wage 5 times a week), but for 5 different outfits complete with shoes and accessories, the price cannot be beat. Most of the clothes I mentioned were items I already have and wear everyday, so the amount I could’ve spent is worth it to me!

I hope this article helped some of you get inspired to shop second hand for your spirit week costume ideas! I’ll probably change my mind about these outfits 20x over by the time this article is released, but I’ll show up to school in a rockin’ thrifted outfit.