Although in all honesty, I have some nicer things because well, I can afford them. In any realistic sense, I'm 100% sure I could walk into a decent thrift store with pretty much anyone and walk them out again with any kind of clothing they would need for backpacking after spending about 50 to 100 bucks.

- Dress socks and/or light wool dress socks work fine.
- Polyester dress pants make fantastic quick dry hiking pants - there's usually other various nylon pants too.
- There's always shirt options, nylon exercise wear, (which will work good as a base layer top) and synthetic dress shirts.
- You can always find a fleece for 5 bucks
- Same thing with a Toque and gloves.

Now, it won't be the *lightest* stuff, but it also won't be bad stuff. and not all that heavy either.

Yes, I can save myself 200 grams or so by carrying an ultralight down "sweater" type jacket instead of a fleece - but a good one will cost me $300