View Full Version : Thrift store shopping
I would like to hear about your thrift store shopping experiences.
I retired recently and also lost weight, so I've been doing a lot of thrift store shopping to buy more stay at home clothing and also clothing that fits better. I've had some luck, but I also find that I bring home clothing that I end up donating back.
I may love the color and style of a top but it is too big. I buy it anyway thinking I'll alter it, shrink it or just wear it around the house, but then I find it sits in my closet. Or the item fits well, but it really isn't a color I like, so again it stays in my closet, unworn.
I've got a bag of clothing that I'm donating back, and fortunately, I probably only paid $25.00 for the lot, but still, it's money that could have been better spent. I can get a tax deduction for the donation, so all is not lost.
One thing that I can't seem to get over, is that I can't leave a thrift store without buying something, even if it not exactly what I want. Yesterday I bought a nice cotton tee that fits well, but the color is brighter than I like. Oh well, it set me back $3.50 and I'm sure I'll wear it this summer, probably after everything else is in the hamper.
I have found some wonderful items at thrift shops, which I wear all the time. I just need to be a little more discriminating.
Anyway, I'd like to hear about your thrift shop experiences.
I have found that the trick to shopping a thrift store is to go in with a list, just as you would any other store. Always try something on before you buy and if you dont' find just the right thing that day, it's ok to leave empty handed. Enjoy the hunt for "just the right top" and don't settle for less.
I just went yesterday looking for new shorts. I needed a couple of interim pairs while I, too, continue to lose weight. I swing by my local thrift store every couple of weeks, but I never hesitate to simply walk out if there's nothing that would be useful to me, or if they don't have what I was specifically looking for. I figure it's like any other store and I'm not obligated to buy anything just because it's a charity shop.
My take homes from yesterday: two really good pairs of shorts (one is a St. John's Bay), a book on spirtuality that looks really interesting, a box of 25 legal hanging folders (new, never opened), a pretty teapot in immaculate condition that will be perfect for me to take to graduate school, and a DVD of "A Christmas Carol." Grand total was $30. That's about what the legal hanging folders alone would cost at Office Depot.
Measure your most comfortable clothes in various key places: e.g. across the chest, waist, hip areas, back length, and keep a tape measure with you to size up clothing in the store if you don't want to try things on. I do inevitably buy some items I end up throwing back into the thrift stream, but all things considered--like I angle for discounts and sales on everything I buy--it seems a small price to pay, and could be offset by taking a tax deduction if I were so inclined. I almost always find buried treasure, but if I don't see anything interesting, I just leave empty-handed. Also, my favorite thrift chain--Value Village (aka Savers)--has a return policy on clothing, so I really can't go wrong.
Recently I bought two pricey hand-made (artisan! :~) ) scarves that would have totaled something like $250 both for $7.50, plus a $200-300 leather tote for $9 (needed a bit of cleanup; looks better already--all it needs now is an application of Leather Balm). Not to mention like-new cropped cuffed jeans for under $3. I love thrifting with a white-hot passion.
Thrift Store shopping for me, particularly when my kids were all little, was something I always looked forward to. With baby in stroller and a toddler (or two) more, in tow, I'd pop-in to my favourite thrift store haunt, usually going straight to the infant/baby/children's section/department, where I'd often find a near-to-new baby sleeper, a gently worn pair of pyjamas (or two), or a brand new set of crib sheets (still in the package).
But the biggest highlight for me, was when our last two were tots. They never got to enjoy fun outings, that is until they became a part of our family, then of course that all changed. Just to see the excitement on their faces when I'd tell them that we were going to the toy store. (The toy store was the thrift store, and once there, my two youngest would head straight for the large boxes and shelves of toys). A whole section dedicated to play-things. And, we sometimes (more often than not) left with a little something special for each of them, which of course for a young child, meant the world to them.
Also, thrifting--like any useful skill--has a learning curve. I was slow to warm up to the game; I've really only been passionate about it for the last ten years or so--even though I come from a family of avid "second-hand Roses." At first, I was much less savvy in evaluating an item's worth or utility for me. Though I still make mistakes, I've developed an eye. I do make mental lists (a red vintage desk phone, linen big shirts, white cottons for a friend to tie-dye...) and I'm not really surprised when they turn up in a few weeks (brown jeans, short length, and brown tees, for two recent examples).
I was just telling a friend the other day that I just have to laugh at myself. I may wear a $500 necklace but my clothes and purse cost a grand total of $10.
I love the thrift shops but I also don't feel bad about sending things back when I'm tired of them. I also always look for quality and name brands.
My current list of what I'm looking for:
2 dresses
1 black shirt or short sleeve sweater (something I can wear open over tank tops)
1 white short sleeve shirt or short sleeve sweater (for layering)
a few fun shirts to wear with skirts
I was just telling a friend the other day that I just have to laugh at myself. I may wear a $500 necklace but my clothes and purse cost a grand total of $10.
I love the thrift shops but I also don't feel bad about sending things back when I'm tired of them. I also always look for quality and name brands.
My current list of what I'm looking for:
2 dresses
1 black shirt or short sleeve sweater (something I can wear open over tank tops)
1 white short sleeve shirt or short sleeve sweater (for layering)
a few fun shirts to wear with skirts
I do that too--spend next to nothing on classics at the thrifts, then accessorize with nifty new pieces. Although I do troll TJ Maxx and similar stores for good deals even there.
I like thrifting but it's easy to buy too much. At any one time I'm wearing something from the thrift store.
I love thrifting. In fact, the only clothing I buy new is unders, sox, and some shoes. I try things on too, before I buy them. If you're squeamish about doing that, wear a leotard to try things on, so you'll get a sense of fit. I also keep tags on until I know I am keeping them, & return things; Goodwill in our city takes returns up to 7 days & with tag attached.
In our home, nearly all our furniture is either from Goodwill, craigslist, family, friends, or found. Literally all of our curtains are Goodwill finds, including some pretty gorgeous silk ones from Pottery Barn, etc. Ditto our wool area rugs, though I stopped buying rugs & furnishings I could not run through the dryer a few years back when the bedbug epidemic started. We have 2 pieces from Ikea I bought new, and a kitchen island on wheels we bought new as a kit. Our dishes are mostly vintage Fiesta, Hall, Bauer, & Franciscan. I added some new Fiesta the year we hosted Thanksgiving for 35, and we just bought a fabulous Cuisinart coffee maker new with a gift card. Got our blender & a few good knives the same way. All other kitchen ware is used, most of it super durable vintage.
Our home is consequently full of charachter, beautiful and unusual items that we use daily, and enjoy. I love using vintage items, and learning about the provenance of American made dishware, especially. My research has led me to learn so much about the history of American industry from the 1880's to the early 60's, especially the emergence of the middle class in the 20's & 30's, which was the primary market for pottery houses like Fiesta & Bauer.
And, these dishes were designed by a human being, whose name often is known, and of some repute on the pottery world. They were made by workers in a small factory setting, painted and/or decaled by real people, not mass produced by machinery in a faraway country. Many workers spent their entire working lives dedicated to the Fiestaware company, and made good livings, able to buy homes & send their kids to college from a working class job. (Something unimaginable today.)
I actually daydream about getting a PhD in the decorative home arts, and exploring the role that daily dishware has played in the rise and fall of the middle class. It's such a pedestrian item, and it's women by & large who make the decisions about what to buy, we are the ones who primarily use and care for them, and what dishes one has is often a marker of how well one is doing. Very anthropological. If I hadn't started buying vintage dishwear at Goodwill, none of this would have occurred to me... See, all this from thrifting!
I recently scooped up a bag of miscellaneous kitchen supplies containing a pristine grater from the Three in One set, circa 1900. I have one just like it that I use on a regular basis, but I still have never seen the other two plates that go with it.
I have to be careful too or in a year's time, I will have another bag of thrift store clothing to take back. I have learned to shop labels, fabrics and sizes that I know will work for me. Yesterday, I was compelled to do an odd thing and rearranged my clothes by color. I discovered I had ten white shirts/blouses and way too many black pants. It was a great exercise in understanding what I already have vs what I think I need. I go thrifting because it is fun - not because I need to.
Thrift-store shopping is great! I don't think it's as good as it was before The Great Recession, when people seemed to have money to burn and you could count on all kinds of new and near-new stuff at the store. But if one has the time to shop for items you really can use, it's a great way to save real money. I have gotten to the point at which I shop certain stores for certain items. Our local Goodwill seems to get returns from Target (items brought back in unsaleable condition), so I've even been able to score floor fans and the like there; another store is good for stereo equipment; a third good for appliances. Location plays in the quality of the clothing I find at some stores (richer suburbs are best).
The key (for me, anyway) is to stay out of the "might-need-it-some-day" trap. Something I'll use eventually, like water filters? Sure. Another coffeemaker just in case ours breaks? No.
I have to be careful too or in a year's time, I will have another bag of thrift store clothing to take back. I have learned to shop labels, fabrics and sizes that I know will work for me. Yesterday, I was compelled to do an odd thing and rearranged my clothes by color. I discovered I had ten white shirts/blouses and way too many black pants. It was a great exercise in understanding what I already have vs what I think I need. I go thrifting because it is fun - not because I need to.
i remember reading once that good white shirts are hard to find in thrift stores, but as your post suggests, that seems to be an urban myth. I've found all kinds of new and nearly-new white shirts from silk to canvas, in many different styles. Black pants are easy to come by, too. Like you, I'm partial to certain labels and styles, but sometimes I buy an item just because it makes me smile to look at it. Most recently, I bought a reversible georgette skirt in black and red--polka dots on one side and an abstract floral on the other. Adorable.
fidgiegirl
5-20-12, 9:54pm
I have no advice for you, Molly, since I tend to fall into the same trap. I do better with the mental list approach, too, I guess . . . that helped us score some good deals at a garage sale yesterday, for example. All this talk does have me wanting to thrift again. But the nearest thrift store to me is not one I care for - too dirty, too packed with both stuff and people. And the other one, which does have killer prices, is engaging in activities I don't care for on a political level. So, I stick with my standby fave when I can make it, and Goodwill once in a while. We have a high end Goodwill shop by us, called Second Debut - should really check that one out. I think they cull out all the really good stuff and send it to these Second Debuts. It really is owned by Goodwill.
iris lily
5-20-12, 10:26pm
i remember reading once that good white shirts are hard to find in thrift stores, but as your post suggests, that seems to be an urban myth. I've found all kinds of new and nearly-new white shirts from silk to canvas, in many different styles. Black pants are easy to come by, too. Like you, I'm partial to certain labels and styles, but sometimes I buy an item just because it makes me smile to look at it. Most recently, I bought a reversible georgette skirt in black and red--polka dots on one side and an abstract floral on the other. Adorable.
I don't even really like white linen or cotten/linen shirts, but I bought a couple at a thrift store because they were pristine and clearly expensive.
I don't even really like white linen or cotten/linen shirts, but I bought a couple at a thrift store because they were pristine and clearly expensive.
I had no idea the kind of money people who shop at full retail can spend on white shirts until I read an article on the subject. Mon dieu! http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/artists/mother_goose/MG_103.gif Between that epiphany and the above-referenced urban legend, I'm quick to scoop up good white shirts these days. I like layering, and they're a natural for that.
When I got my passport photo taken, I was careful to wear a crisp white shirt with a sweater over it and figured that my classic fashion flair would cancel out the inevitably horrifying mug shot. But no. Somehow, the collar got all askew so I looked like a mugging victim in the end. Sigh.
I am actually wearing the tee I just bought at Goodwill, the one I didn't think I'd wear. It's the color of orange sherbert, not a flattering color on me, but it's cheerful and makes me smile. So that is good enough.
JaneV2.0 - I agree that there is a learning curve to thrift store shopping. I used to look through all sizes of clothes, as each manufacturer sizes differently and some clothes labelled large can be cut small. However, I would get into the trap of finding something I loved that was too big and thinking I would alter or shrink it, only to end up re-thrifting it. Now I just stay away from the larger sizes. If I don't see it, I won't want it.
The other day I was parked near the drop-off door at Saver's. There was a short line of cars waiting to drop off items - each one a various BMW model occupied by a young blond woman. I thought I was seeing things!
I am actually wearing the tee I just bought at Goodwill, the one I didn't think I'd wear. It's the color of orange sherbert, not a flattering color on me, but it's cheerful and makes me smile. So that is good enough. ...
Shades of orange are the fashion colors this year. Thought you'd want to know... http://www.kolobok.us/smiles/personal/beach.gif
Gardenarian
5-21-12, 3:29pm
I second going in with a list.
When shopping for clothing I always look at the fabric first. I may be looking for something in a particular style (say, a lightweight tunic length shirt to wear with yoga capris) but I quickly go through the racks and only look at things that are in cotton or linen and in colors that are actually flattering to me. Next, it has to be in my size. It is hard to pass up the perfect shirt that is 3 sizes too large, but you have to do it. Then I check for missing buttons, wear and tear, and so on.
Though I use a list I do keep an open mind, and if I see a bedspread that I just love then I will get it.
One thing I always ask myself: "Would I buy this if it were retail price?" If the answer is yes, then I generally have no regrets.
I stop by the thrift store about once a week (it's right next to Trader Joe's) and often leave without buying anything - practice helps!
Molly, I just saw an ad for a sorbet orange short-sleeved cotton tee--only $29.75 plus $4.71 S&H. Bet you didn't pay that much!
I always buy good-quality like new tees when I see them, usually for $2 or less, so thirty dollars is a mind-boggling figure to me.
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