Embracing the Thrift-Store Ethic: 18 Top Tips for Buying Used Clothes
Published on - December 14th, 2008 (by J.D. Roth) If the national media is any indication, more people are embracing the notion of buying used clothing from thrift stores and consignment shops. Last week, USA Today ran a story describing how secondhand stores are reaping the benefits of recession:
As Americans look for ways to cut spending, they are scooping up bargain clothes, accessories, toys and furniture once owned by someone else.
“We’re sorry about the economic situation, … but it is a good time for our industry,” says Adele Meyer, executive director of the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops. Three-fourths of resale stores said they had higher sales in September and October, compared with the same period last year, according to the trade group. The average sales increase was about 35%.
According to the article, 70% of adults surveyed last summer say that buying used is now more socially acceptable than it was a decade ago. Buying used has always been socially acceptable to me. I got in the habit of shopping at thrift stores during high school. It was the only way I could afford to add to my wardrobe. For the past 20 years, buying used has been a natural part of my shopping routine.
Kris and I are fortunate that Portlanders generally embrace the thrift-store ethic, and that we live near a highway lined with used clothing shops. (It’s actually more convenient for us to buy our clothes from thrift stores than any other source!) Here are some of our best tips for buying second-hand clothes:
- Set a budget. This is difficult at first — you don’t know how much things cost. But eventually you’ll be able to tell yourself, “I’m going spend $20 today”. It becomes a game to see how much you can buy for $20.
- Discard your prejudices. Some people consider thrift stores and used clothing shops nasty dirty places. Some are. Most aren’t. Explore your neighborhood. Find a shop or two that you like, and you’ll be hooked.
- Go with a friend. It’s good to have a second opinion. Your friend may have an eye for what looks good on you — and vice versa.
- Try things on. Sizes vary widely between manufacturers and even by eras. (Today’s clothes have looser fits.) But go in knowing your general size and measurements. Note that some places don’t have dressing rooms, so it’s smart to wear a modest thin layer in case you need to strip down in the aisle.
- Examine each item thoroughly. It sucks to get home to find your new shirt has a hole in the pocket. Or that the slacks you thought were a steal actually have a broken zipper.
- Check washing instructions. You don’t want to pay $3 for a silk blouse if you’ll never dry-clean it.
- Use the tags as a guide to find quality brands you like, but don’t limit yourself. Sometimes a brand you’ve never heard of can yield a favorite piece of clothing.
- Think layers. Maybe that shirt with a stain on the sleeve has a great collar for wearing under a sweater. For $3, you can afford to buy a single-purpose shirt.
- Use thrift stores as a way to diversify your wardrobe. Buy colors and styles on which you normally wouldn’t spend much. Wear the new clothes a few times to see how you like them, and to gauge the reaction of others.
- Used clothing stores are great for certain accessories. Why pay $30 for a new belt in a department store when you can get a better belt in your size for just $2? I like to shop at second-hand stores for hats. (Nice hats.)
- Look for clothes new with tags. Sometimes unsold department store inventory finds its way to used clothing stores and thrift shops. You’ll generally pay more for these items, but not much.
- If you won’t wear it, don’t buy it. You don’t save money buying a $3 shirt if it just sits in your closet for two years.
- Wash clothes when you get them home.
- Watch for sales. Used clothing stores (and thrift stores) run periodic specials. Our favorite local store just ran a half-off sale. The local thrift stores often have specials on certain items.
- If you go to the same store often, ask when they rotate stock. Stores get new shipments regularly. Most also have extra stock in storage. If you become familiar with the owners, you might even ask them to keep an eye out for particular items.
- Take your time. At normal clothing shops, everything is neatly organized. Not so at most thrift stores. When thrifting, it’s more important to be patient, to browse the racks methodically.
- If buying used clothes becomes a habit, institute a “one in-one out policy”. Every time you bring home something new, get rid of something old. (Give it away, take it to a thrift store, or save it for a garage sale.)
- Have fun! Buying used clothing can save you money. It’s also a fun way to kill a Saturday afternoon. At $3 an item, you can afford to be adventurous sometimes.
Another great thing about buying used is that you’re free to experiment a little bit more. It doesn’t hurt much to purchase a $5 cardigan sweater and then discover you’re not the sort for cardigans. On a recent shopping trip, for example, Kris picked up this garish pair of pants:
Kris thinks the pants are pretty hilarious. I do, too, but not in the same way. But what’s really surprising is the price tags. Check this out: these pants were originally priced at $288, but she picked them up for $8.99.
For many people, thrift stores offer an easy way to delve into frugal fashion. But most shops carry more than just clothes. If your budget is pinched, they’re an excellent place to find furniture, to pick up kitchenware, and even to find inexpensive entertainment. A large part of my personal finance library has been purchased from the local Goodwill (for about $3 per book).
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I hate going clothes shopping, I let my wife do it for me and one of her favorite stores is TJ Maxx, you can find good stuff and a good deal at the same time.
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I use a different rule instead of #1: I have always regretted setting a budget, since I either feel pressure to buy things I don’t like to use up the money, or miss out on something I loved because I found so many other wonderful things. I don’t have a tight budget that I can’t afford to transgress since we earn far more than we spend, so I set a quality threshhold: If I can see myself wearing it in five years, I buy it. If I’m not sure, I only buy it if it’s super-cheap.
Just mentioning in case there are other people who are like me and spend more on a budget.
Otherwise, your rules are gold. I’d add one more, though: Find someone else to watch young children. You can’t make good purchasing decisions if you are keeping your kids from pulling the clothes off of the rack.
Thanks for these great tips!
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I’ve been thrifting since I was a teenager (20 years ago). I’m annoyed with all the newbies too as someone mentioned lol…
I find more interesting clothes consigning usually compared to what’s new in stores. I found $400 of fantastic clothes at my fave store in Oct. For the same money I shopped at my four regular go-to stores and found nothing to spend money on. I can’t believe I spent that much at a consignment shop though! It wasnt cheap stuff, just well made flattering stuff (and some of it was gorgeous).
Anyway, I’m surprised how cheap it is to thrift in other parts of the country. It isn’t so cheap here – esp. at Valu Village, as was mentioned here. I detest the high prices at VV b/c the clothes are donated yet only 1% of the proceeds go to charity. Since they profit from free stuff, it should be cheaper IMO.
I miss thrifting in SF…great stuff in every shop every day!
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Growing up, my Dad kept us in clothes thanks to places like Value Village and Goodwill. A couple of his tricks:
1. Kids go through clothes pretty fast, so he bought stuff in advance of when we’d actually need it. This worked particularly well for things like dress shoes which can be hard to find second-hand.
2. My folks would box stuff up and put in the basement after one kid outgrew it, and it would be ready for the next one: no sense in buying stuff again and again.
3. He had a tape measure and our measurements and sizes – that way he could buy stuff without up being present.
4. He stopped in regularly. That, combined with knowing what the upcoming needs were meant that he could bide his time and wait for the really good stuff and the right stuff to show up.
5. With jeans, always double check the zipper – it’ll be the first thing to go most often.
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Those are AWESOME pants! I’m very envious.
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I work at a charity shop and have just a few things to say about second-hand clothes shopping:
1. Yes, some people do find it creepy. I don’t. But I understand and I don’t judge you for it.
2. Places to check: Hems, cuffs, collars and underarms.
3. Be flexible. I’m willing to buy something that isn’t *quite* perfect and, because I’m quite handy with a needle and thread, turn trousers up or change the buttons on a cardigan.
4. Strange smells will disappear in the wash.
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I’ve been shopping thrift stores and yard sales for many years. I’ve come to buy my clothes at Costco now. Thrift store clothes shopping is too inconsistent and wastes too much of my time. When I was young and had Saturday afternoons to burn, it was no problem hitting 3 or 4 thrifts at a time. With Costco, I pay a little more, but I still get all-cotton “Kirtland” dress shirts for $15, and kahkis and denim for under $20. Always have my size. Ladies have different cloting and acquisition patterns so maybe they’re better suited?
Furniture, books, etc are great from the Thrift. I’ve also found that a lot of “antique” stores have great deals on quirky furniture, maybe not $5 tables or anything, but generally a slightly better quality than the thrift store at a fraction of what a new item would cost.
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I’m afraid you still paid too much for those pants!
Timely article, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about trying thrift store shopping. I think I’ve reached the point in my frugal journey that I’m ready for it.
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I’ve done a bit of thrift store shopping for clothing from time to time. The thrift stores here in my area are pretty pricey. No dollar or $3 stuff, unless you hit the sale day.
I never hit the sale day, because I don’t go that often. I don’t go that often because I hate to shop. I shop like a guy. I know what I’m looking for, I try it on, if it fits, I buy it.
7 years ago I lost 57 lbs though. After going from an 18 to about a 12, and buying new jeans (only a couple pair each size, but still), I finally wised up and went to the thrift store for the 12′s and 10′s.
After having a baby, I did a little more thrift shopping for those looser sizes.
I have a few nice shirts from thrifts, one even still had the tags. One pair of pants were my favorite, but were too big after the weight loss, so donated them back. I’ve also donated clothing via freecycle.
I agree a bit with the person who mentioned consumerism. I really try not to buy anything I don’t need. Case in point: I gained 5 lbs on my summer 2-wk vacation and 5 lbs in November. My pants are tight, I donated the higher sizes. Soo…I’m just losing weight and dealing with the tight pants.
I’m also an engineer, and really not into fashion.
I don’t get grossed out by it…people try on the stuff at the stores before you do, and I grew up wearing nothing but hand-me-downs from 5 older sisters and a couple of older cousins and a coworker of my mom’s.
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We love thrift shopping. It provides entertainment as well as the clothes and housewares we need. You do have to go regularly, and with an open mind, but we buy probably 90% of our clothes and housewares at thrift stores. My husband can find ANYTHING there.
Also, I participate in sports and need some specialized clothing; I have found nearly everything at thrift stores and probably saved hundreds of dollars. Dri-fit pants for $50 at Foot Locker I got for $5 at Goodwill. Can’t beat it! Most of my non-thrift store clothes come from garage sales or clothing exchange. I have an aversion to buying new stuff now; it feels wrong to buy clothes at Costco or Fred Meyer knowing they were made in China and shipped just for me! Yuck. They don’t look better, fit better, or last longer than thrift store stuff anyway.
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Good advice, I have shopped at thrift stores on and off for many years. We are fortunate enough to have a store in Cambridge Ma. who runs special days where you can buy used clothing by the pound or by the bag full. It’s a very good deal.
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I bought all of my clothes except for one at the Goodwill this year. I was surprised at how many brand-new items get sold there including a Jcrew wool turtleneck sweater or colorful Target skirts/tops.
Buying at thrift shops allows you to experiment and be creative with your wardrobe. You can afford to make mistakes especially at $2 an item. The Goodwill and Thrift Town in SF have special sales you can sign up for via email. I spent $20 at the $2 sale and bought all kinds of colorful tops/bottoms for work from designer labels like Jcrew, H&M, Zara or United Benenton.
You have to be patient because the best items aren’t going to be in plainview or hanging on the rack ready to grab. I found a wonderful purple blouse after combing the same rack several times ($2.99), looking at each one and putting it to the mirror.
I highly recommend combing each item before walking away from the store. Disregard size and no labels. Hand wash using unscented mild soap is better than machine wash – less obvious pilfering with wool and it lasts longer. If you don’t want to scrub, just let the item soak in water with mild soap and watch the dust and grime come off.
April – I have the same problem – petite but slightly larger on top. Go for button up blouses instead of tops that are looser instead of fitted. It takes away from the middle and looks nicer!
I hit up thrift stores in all locations even in rural poor economic neighborhoods/suburbs. I found quite a few vintage items at the suburban Goodwill where my grandparents live. I remembered going there with my grandpa to buy clothes and found some really great items. Location doesn’t necessarily yield good finds. I went to a Goodwill in a location considered to be “poor,”and found brand new jcrew and target clothes.
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I’ve never shopped at a thrift store before, but this weekend I participated in a clothing swap. I got rid of some things (not enough) and got a great pair of jeans and two tops.
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I have a friend who is a great thrift store shopper. She will comb through things, and can recognize a good deal is.
I feel badly, but I can’t thrift store shop. I don’t like to try on clothes and the plethora of choices available confuses me. If presented with too many possible choices, I will simply refuse to make a choice and go home. (I think I actually panic).
If I need clothing – about once every two years – I go to a store where I know I fit the size, choose a pair of pants, and buy 5 pairs. I find a T-shirt sale and buy lots of t-shirts, and I’m done. This way, I don’t really have to choose what I’m going to wear each day – I just wear the jeans that are the next in line to be worn, the t-shirt that’s on the top of the pile, and a sweater if it’s cold.
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I love my thrift store. First because they divide the clothes by style, then size, then color. If I know I don’t want a green shirt. I can bypass the whole section. Second, I can buy better quality clothes than I ever would pay for new. I always get compliments on my clothes. Third is my secret weapon. Every so often, they run a half off sale. Now, I don’t really care about the sale; I’ll gladly pay $4 as fast as I’d pay $2. But I quizzed an employee and she said they over-pack the floor with inventory the day before by about 6-7pm (they’re open until 9). So I go the night before the sale because I get a great selection and the store is empty because most shoppers are waiting until the sale the next day.
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Scottsboro, AL has a rather unique store called ‘Unclaimed Baggage’. The inventory of the store is almost wholly made up of things that are lost to travellers on trains and airlines. If I have the business model right, once your luggage is ‘lost’ and can’t be found, the airline pays you some cash, but they (somewhere) still have a bag that they couldn’t connect to you, so they sell them in bulk to this store, which resells them.
I like this place much better than a thrift store, because thrift stores mostly sell items that somebody didn’t want anymore, whereas people take (and then lose) their nicest things with them when they travel. Not much in the way off children’s clothes, though.
Definitely worth a trip if you live in the area…
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Kim, I’m with you. I love to buy used books, CDs, furniture, decor items, you name it — but I have terrible luck with clothes. I wait for sales in retail stores where I know I have a better chance at finding my size.
The other no-no for me is used cloth furniture. When I got my first apartment, I got great deals on wooden furniture, but I had to draw the line at cloth due to allergies. My couch, chair, desk chair and bed are the only non-used furniture in my place.
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Like Minchin Web’s Dad, I ALWAYS have a tape measure with me. I keep one hooked onto the zipper of my bag, and I recommend that anyone who’s planning to thrift, carry one. Even more, I suggest taking basic measurements for clothing that you already own which fits you – sleeve length, chest measure/bust measure, waist measure, etc., and keep it written down. Be prepared to do some basic measuring of the clothing that appeals to you; this will save time trying on clothes. Since there are a lot of thrift stores that don’t have rooms for trying on clothes, if I’m dressing for thrifting, I wear clothes that will fit under other layers – usually a unitard – so that I can try things on without flashing anyone.
And I think those trousers are great!
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“You don’t want to pay $3 for a silk blouse if you’ll never dry-clean it.”
I’m not entirely certain what Kristi means by this; a totally plain $3 silk blouse is worth the money if you machine wash/line dry it; and an embellished (lace, beading, whatever) $3 silk blouse is worth paying to have drycleaned – although if you have your own dryer, it would probably make more sense to use Dryel sheets. (I’d probably risk handwashing it anyway, since some sequins [the gel kind] will dissolve in certain types of drycleaning solutions). That said, I also love the shoes Kris is wearing with those trousers – but then, I seldom think that trainers/sneakers upgrade a look.
I do think it’s worth putting money saved on buying a garment that ALMOST fits into the tailoring that’s needed to make it fit properly. It’s still a bargain, IMO.
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OMG I love thrift shops! I especially like Goodwill and Salvation Army Thrifts.
I picked up an Old Navy Track Jacket that retailed brand new for around $30 for only $4!
They also have really nice suits for literally $10-$15 dollars (Complete Set).
They also have a lot of silver heirlooms and I had this idea of buying them up and selling them to scrap metal dealers for a profit but no one around here buys Silver
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When I saw those pants, my immediate thought was, she paid that much for those? ;D
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I have a family of five. I regularly shop our local thrift store her in Alaska. I find everything from name brand blue jeans to nice suits. And only in Alaska can I find a EMS Gore-Tex jacket (normally $110) for $15.
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Great tips. Those pants are less than ideal….
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I’m a dedicated thrift-store shopper. One thing I will say is that getting to know the stores in your area pays off. The Savers around here is bigger than the Goodwills, but their prices are higher and, quite frankly, sometimes the store is downright disgusting. The Goodwill stores, on the other hand, are sometimes smaller, but they are always clean, generally well-organized, and have half-off sales at least weekly, if not a different sale every day.
My best thrift store find was probably a really nice grey wool trench coat with a pink lining that I got for a friend (who I know appreciates used/vintage clothing) for $4. It fits her perfectly and makes her look amazing. I’m jealous.
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I wrote a post with my own thrift tips about a year ago… there’s some overlap but also some other ideas on how to look for quality and bargains.
http://competingpriorities.blogspot.com/2008/02/thrift-tips.html
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God forbids that I use previously wore clothes, I agree with buying at discount stores, like ross, but in my opinion using worn clothes is out of the question at least for me.
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When I lived out of town, every couple of months I used to make a special trip to a nearby city just to make the rounds of the thrift stores. I had an outfit just for it because some of them had no changerooms. I would wear black tights, black bodysuit (like a gymnastics outfit), elastic-waist skirt and slip-on shoes. I could try anything on, anywhere.
Now I live half a block from one thrift store, and about three blocks from a better one. Yay!!
Also, since I’ve gained some weight the last few years, I resent spending much money on clothes until I have got myself back in shape. If I ever do shed those pounds, I may buy myself one fabulous brand-new outfit… or I may not. I LIKE shopping at thrift stores!
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Giving money to charity is great, but make sure that you agree with the morals and values of the charity before you shop at their shop. Even if I found D&G or Oilily for 99% off, I wouldn’t give a penny to the Salvation Army, who have bad policies on women and homosexuals. In LA I shop at Out of the Closet and in Chicago I shop at the Brown Elephant.
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Prep school and college thriftstores are amazing. You can also find great deals at sales benefiting episcopal churchs. Go where the money is and you will find good deals.
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Another note: CHECK the SIZES! Often things are at thrift shops because they were bought trusting the size on the label & that turned out to be WRONG. I have gotten shoes from 7 to 9 when my size is 7/2-8….
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I tried for many years to shop at thrift stores. I still shop at for-profit stores such as Crossroads Trading Company, but usually only when I’ve traded my old clothes for “new” ones.
But now I only buy jeans and cheap housewares at Goodwill. So much of Goodwill’s stock is junk and sorting through it is just too difficult. I made many ill-advised purchases over the years simply because I was thrilled to find something that fit.
I’m now focused more on finding the best value for my money and cutting down on the amount of clothes I buy and own.
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I recently re-did my bathroom with finds at Goodwill for less than $10.00. It was great. I also found I.N.C. jeans and four shirts on the clearance rack for $1.29 each. What a deal!!! I also collect the corningware cornflower pattern. They don’t make them anymore so every now and again I come across one at the thrift store. One year I bought a beautiful Christmas platte still in the box for $2.00. You just never know what treasures you are going to come across! Keep going back you are bound to find something.
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Great topic! This brings up the issue of the wasteful style of living in the U.S. — how much of a “throw-away” society we live in.. McDonalds, fast-food, etc. Throwaway is a way of life here… I’m not talking about hoarding.
I think what folks spend money on items completely depends on our values: when I think of people who buy a new car each year, or spend money on brand-name pocketbooks or shoes — their values are different than mine. I like silk and wool and well-fitting fine clothes, but I don’t think they’re worth their “full” price. So I look for well-fitting clothes in thrift stores…
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I usually head to my thrift store about once a month, with mixed luck. Sometimes I’ll get a bunch of awesome things for about $30, that would have normally retailed for somewhere around $400. Other times I won’t find a thing, so it’s a mixed bag, but if you’re consistent you can do pretty well.
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Great tips here. Two more things.
(1) Estate sales. When you’re gone, wouldn’t you want people to use and love your stuff?
(2) With “truly” vintage clothes, women’s stuff from the 50s and earlier, the thread seems to go before the fabric, I find. The seams will just give out. So be prepared to spend some time sewing things up.
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I love the Salvation Army around the corner from my house. When I run my Saturday errands, I always include an hour to browse through there. I’ve gotten some great gifts for others, as well as terrific things for myself and my son (my husband won’t wear thrift).
My son’s Abercrombie and Hollister shirts and jeans are all from the thrift store – as are his Joseph Bank and Christian Dior ties and his handmade Italian suit that I got for $15 and had to have tailored, but fits him beautifully.
My husband recently complained that our son has nicer dress clothes than he does – but all my son’s dress clothes are from the thrift store!
My most recent great find was a beautiful blue cashmere crewneck sweater for $3. I’ve never been able to afford cashmere, but for $3 – wow!
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Last year, my husband and i went on a week long thrift store junket around the Kansas City metropolitan area. It was great fun–and inexpensive. that’s the time of year to do it, because people are trying to get their end of year tax deduction and most folks are so strapped after Christmas that they can’t afford to shop.
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I find that the Goodwill stores in smaller low income towns have great items in smaller sizes (which I am). Also, if you look in the locked cases you can find amazing costume jewlery and purses – I got a Dooney and Bourke three pocket purse in great shape for 6.oo. If you are willing to spend a few minutes using your eyes and brain you can made out like a bandit. Another hint: what with the way the ecomomy is going, starting a charitable thrift store NOW is going to earn you a tidy penny…
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Know your brands. My husband bought good quality suits for next to nothing at Goodwill about seven years ago. When he applied to work for them, he wore one to the interview – and the interviewer complimented him on it!
Even if you have to have the item professionally altered (hems, etc) it is a lot less expensive to buy thrift.
Be aware that Goodwill is a franchise. Each area is a separate company, so each state may have as many as ten ‘Goodwill’ companies. Just because your local Goodwill is a mess, doesn’t mean the one in the next county is the same way.
You will need to wash everything – they don’t have a washer and dryer in the back room! But Woolite, warm or cold water and the gentle cycle will work for most clothing items. If you are not sure about drying them, hang them or get an inexpensive flat stand to dry – especially woollens.
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my granddaughter was voted “best dressed” at high school. 70% of the clothes came from thrift stores. She has a knack for mixing and matching to achieve her own style. Stigma needn’t be attached to buying at thrift stores.
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God prevents me from buying anything that is not thrift due to the suffering of my family and friends due to poverty…I cannot in good conscience buy unprohibitively at standard retail when my brothers and sisters on the planet are struggleing to survive in their most basic needs.
The Goodwill in our area has a plethora of thrifty venues from housewares to furniture and lamps to clothing and shoes, books and movies. I have been thrift shopping since the 1970′s and have been blessed with the many people I have met (people who thrift shop are so friendly and actually start conversation while shopping) as well as being blessed by always having somethin inexpensive to do when visitin a new city.
I have not been handicapped long but since my injury I am very appreciative of the social contact and well being and do gooders that I have expeienced in the thrift store environment and genre. Many people are even helpful in coming up with ideas to repurpose certain items in the store to give as gifts and finding the accoutrements that will make that repurposed gift all the more special. I have rarely spent more than 3 dollars on a gift even if it has taken several hours of my time….the homemade and semi-homemade gifts I give are always astounding to others and the curiosity of how it was created is always a long conversation.
Bless everyone in their endeavors…Happy New Year.
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to Deb -”OFF TOPIC” In your situation sounds like you would qualify for a lot of FREE stuff. Check before you even spend that $3! I do also hope that you are checking out all the social benefits due to you – it’s sometimes hard to corral them – but with a little work they can be found. In CA we even have state-funded disability, which I only found out about from fellow patients when I was hospitalized! Also check out support from organizations dealing with whatever your disability may be…they are also good for referrals. Even your local gov’t rep on the city level will have lots of info….
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It’s funny how people who think thrift store clothes are “icky” because they’ve been on someone else’s body don’t have a problem with hotel towels and sheets!
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My fiance goes to Goodwill every other Saturday (that’s when they run their 50% off everything in the store sale) with her mom and sister and I know she has a blast every single time. She really looks forward to it and she usually gets some great stuff.
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Here in the UK we have Charity Shops. I help out twice a week at a shop that raises money for a local hospice. It is entirely free for patients, just like the NHS hospitals, but they are often supported by contributions.
I buy loads of stuff. I’ve got two great pairs of jeans, but we often have new items. Lots of household stuff and scarves. In fact today I got a lovely silk scarf for £1 – a traditional man’s umbrella with wooden handle for £1 and a cute egg cup.
We get all kinds of people coming in and they buy all sorts of items. A very expensively dressed lady bought £100 worth of new towels for £20 yesterday. A very lovely and friendly lady from Arizona (cabin crew – we have a local international airport) who bought 40 pairs of knitting needles! Today a Canadian lady I have met when she was here before (also cabin crew) bought a lot of vintage costume jewellery and a lovely cardigan.
It is essential to spend a good length of time looking through everything. Books are always popular and the most unusual titles and subjects.
Give it a go. But it comes with a warning – it is addictive!
A wonderful New Year to you all.
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My favorite bargain at “The Thrift”?! Medical Scrubs!!! I’m a vet tech and my scrubs wear out very fast. Deals on scrub tops and bottoms just can’t be beat.
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The Junior League is a charity thrift store run by very wealthy people here. You can find absolutely the most beautiful clothes, furniture, dishes, etc. And all very inexpensive pricing. My son, when he was little, asked if we ever bought anything that wasn’t on sale. LOL.
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I want to add a “hell yeah” to going to the thift store for furniture and housewares. I bought a sofa bed at Salvation Army for $20. Salvation Army fumates the furniture, I slipcovered it ($3 at Big lots) and it works. I’ve had my cousin who is 6’5″ and 300lbs sleep on it and he said it was great. So it passed a test of durability in my book. I also purchased a toaster oven for $2. Not fancy but works great.
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I’m a clothing freak, and I happily shopped in thrifts for years: when I was in grad school, every one of my suits and formal clothes originally came from Holt Renfrew (Canada’s Neiman Marcus) via Goodwill, Consignment and Value Village.
A beautiful, high-quality pair of pants or a jacket that’s 3 years old actually looks *better* than a new cheap piece of clothing: I had Armani suits that still looked expensive because, after all, they were. This helps the confidence.
And besides, thrifting is fun. The only danger is that you buy too much and it takes lots and lots of time.
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Regarding the $3 one-use shirt.
Heck no!
Never buy anything at a thrift store that has a stain or a tear that can not be laundered or repaired EASILY.
You can go to Ross and find cloths cheaper than at the thrift store. Brand new, unlaundered, multi-use clothing.
I need clothing that layers, wicks, and keeps me warm for the outdoor activities I enjoy. That means I can find several technical fabrics for a song at Ross. At a thrift store it can be iffy: stinky, torn, pilled and just plain old technology.
There is always the thrift store find, I have an Ann Taylor sweater set for $7.99. No problems.
Suggesting that stained clothing is a valuable investment? That is just a bit ridiculous.
The rule with thrift stores: something new always comes along. AND keep an eye out for sales.
Right now some of the Ross stores are having DEEP discounts. Some examples: 99 cents for a women’s sports wear tank top, $2.99 for denim jacket in a very on trend cut, $8.99 for Fuschia ruffle front empire waist shirt (on trend on MANY counts).
Sales and wise investments in clothing are frugal. Not buying stained “one-use” clothing.
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