Q: What’s frugal and green and highly addictive?
A: Thrift shopping, of course!
You may be surprised to know that many a thrift store have fancy cars parked out front. People (men, women and children) are finding out that they can get a designer, or at least a brand label item for mere dollars, no matter their income level. Clothes, electronics, books, dishes, furniture, collectibles – they can all be found at thrift stores. It’s not just about being frugal, although that is the big draw. What is more Green than reusing perfectly good consumer goods? You may have graduated to using those reusable grocery bags, but think of the impact of reusing goods that are in perfectly functional condition!
I am an avid thrifter. I am so much so, that my friend and I have opened up an online thrift store on etsy called Gogo Thrift! [Shameless plug-in.] I also frequent yard sales, but that’s another post.
I first started thrifting for my son. One year, I bought this adorable outfit at the GAP at the mall – corduroy pants, top & sweater – on sale for around $50. First of all, my son only wore the sweater once because he didn’t like the zipper. Then, after one washing, it looked, well, washed. I went to thrift stores and saw these great clothes and started buying all of my son’s clothes. I bought clear plastic bins to hold the next season and next years’ clothes.
That naturally led me to buy clothes for myself and even for my husband:
Most of what I wear is from thrift stores
Gray suit for my son for $7
3 NEW polos for my husband at $4 each
Not everyone, however, is cut out to be a thrift shopper.
How to tell if you are NOT a thrift shopper:
- You don’t like to pick through clearance racks and bins.
- You think your dirt is cleaner than other people’s dirt.
- You are a germaphobe.
- You don’t like being around poor people, and you don’t want anyone seeing you going into a thrift store.
- You like getting exactly what you what, when you want it.
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, go directly to the Mall.
How to tell if you ARE a thrift shopper:
- You LOVE to pick through clearance racks and bins.
- You have the patience and time to visit thrift stores regularly.
- You like wonky and unusual things that can’t be found even at Pier I.
- You are imaginative and can substitute one thing for the item you were looking for.
- You wouldn’t mind reducing your spending budget by half.
If you answered “yes” to any of the above, read on!!
Here are blackbelt oma’s guidelines for thrift shopping clothes:
- Buy only items you would have bought new. That is, it must look good on you, fit well and be in style.
- Conversely, do not buy anything that does not fit or is not in style. Even if it’s a dollar. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment if you’ve found a good thrift store and you see all these great items for 3 and 4 dollars. I’ve done my share of buying things just because they were cheap only to get home and realize it wasn’t my style or didn’t look good enough.
- Buy only items that are in good shape. You know what something looks like after a couple of washings. And you still wear it, right? How about after 20 washings? Is it pilly? misshapen? faded? PASS.
- Do not buy something that needs alterations – unless you know you’ll really do it. Also, consider the value of it. If it’s something you really love, you may be willing to spend $12 altering the $4 skirt. Or it may be a $500 coat with just a seam rip. But altering something from DEB may not be worth the investment.
- Find the good ones. Not all thrift stores are created equal. You may find that the thrift stores in the wealthy neighborhoods have better goods; but they’ll probably be priced accordingly. Goodwill is in the habit of taking Target cast offs, so be aware of that. Some are just skanky. Strike those off the list.
- Go regularly. Thrift stores put out goods every day, all day. You never know what you’ll find. Also thrift stores usually put things on sale regularly. I know several stores that put certain color price tags on sale each week. I know another store where all clothing is 50% off every Friday.
I can’t imagine what our family clothing budget would be if I didn’t go thrifting. But other than that? I love it!! It is great fun scoring Ann Taylor and Lucky for just dollars! It’s also fun to find things off the beaten path, like this funky dress.
I love finding bargains! How about you?
About Jo-Lynne
I need to go shopping with you. I NEVER find anything I like and i hate looking through racks. I see something in a window in the mall or a catalog and just go buy it. Help!
LOL I think you fit into that first category of non thrift shoppers!!
I was raised as a thrift store shopper. My grandma was an avid thrifter, and although my mom rarely went, I gained my grandma’s love for it AND her talent for finding great things. I really do believe it’s an art. 🙂
It takes practice (and mistakes) to get good, that’s for sure!! But sounds like you had an excellent teacher…and that maybe you inherited her genes!
Love this….just tweeted it:)
I TOTALLY fit into your category of NON thrifters and said YES to everything…that said..when the mood strikes me, I do like to dig on occasion…usually I do better with jewelry and housewares instead of clothing/shoes. I also LOVE to find interesting tablecloths, jars and decor for parties..often times it is less expensive buying thrift then throwaway napkins and plates at party fair…crazy, right?
Happy Monday to you.
C
Carly, frankly, I probably spend more time in the housewares department than the clothing/shoes. I have gotten some *smashing* service ware! BTW, I love your blog! [Are you the one that made your own narrow jeans?]
When we donate goods to Goodwill, my hubby always wants to look in the store. I say, wait aren’t we trying to get rid of sutff? I have to admit, he has found some fun items, and nice jackets there that he really likes. thanks for all the good advice.
I used to volunteer at a local thrift store that used proceeds to help incarcerated men ease back into society. And use, you can imagine the bargains I’d get! I had to actually cut myself off! LOL.
I absolutely love to thrift shop! I’d say 90% of my clothes come from a thrift shop or the clearance racks (80%) off at Kohl’s. Most of my 5 kids’ clothes were thrifted or hand me downs. My husband is the only one who gets new clothes, though he’s good about waiting for a coupon and a sale. I do try to find his favorite brands at Goodwill, but I haven’t had much success.
Usually, if I need to supplement anyone’s wardrobe, I’ll start at Goodwill (we have a good one near a wealthy neighborhood), and then go to Kohl’s to check out clearance. I found a pair of Anne Klein pants one time worth about $200 new for $2.50. I did need to have them altered professionally because they were lined; that was $10.
Barb, that’s a classic situation of something being worth the alteration price! I don’t find a lot for my husband either, but I am persistent; I always scan through the dress shirts for the color/pattern that he would like. I scored 4 Land’s End shirts in his [unusual] size when we were vacationing up at Cape Cod!
I’m an admitted germaphobe BUT love a good thrift shop. I buy almost all my kids clothes either at consignment sales or the thrift store. Your rules are great– I bought a lot of stuff until I realized if I didn’t love it then I wouldn’t put it on them. Now I’ve learned to be very picky and the clothes they have are top notch– but not top dollar!