“Thrift is not an affair of the pocket, but an affair of character.” – S.W. Straus
When I was a kid, it wasn’t cool to shop at a thrift store. It was embarrassing. You didn’t want to be the kid with the USED, dirty things. Then, when I became a teenager, shopping at a thrift store meant vintage, chic, exclusive. I visited consignment stores and loved my one-of-a-kind pieces. Now, as an adult and mother, thrift stores mean spending money wisely, finding items with character, living an environmentally-conscious life.
How do I choose what to buy at a thrift store versus what I buy in new condition? When I need to purchase something, what criteria do I have for an item, sending me to check if it is available at a thrift store first?
I have had many people ask me these questions and I would love to help anyone I can. Thrift stores are all they are hyped up to be… if you know where to look and if you know what to expect when you get there. I am writing a series of blog posts that discuss different lifestyle areas, starting with basics of your home, that will guide your train of thought before you find a local shop. First, let’s start with your CLOTHES!
WHAT WOULD I BUY AT A THRIFT STORE?
1. BLUE JEANS. Jeans can be tricky because you need them to fit just right (If you haven’t already, check out a recent post about denim). But that’s the beauty of thrift stores: lots of people have trouble finding the right jeans, or they feel right in the fitting room, but no longer feel good after walking and jumping around in them, so they donate their perfectly good, gently-used jeans. I have found everything from 7 for Mankind to Rock & Republic to Gap and Banana Republic… all for a tenth of the retail price.
2. BOOTS. After checking the sturdiness of the heels and cohesiveness of the toes, boots are typically safe because they are worn with socks (check the insides of they’re clean and you’ll see whether or not the previous owner took care of them!). Boots can be really expensive, especially as the Fall season approaches. If you find a good pair that is comfortable, hop on it! By the way, anything genuine leather (boots, purses, wallets, belts)… worth it.
3. DRESSES. Dresses reflect your taste and personality. Find prints that you like and that fit you well, flattering in places that make you feel confident. Watch out for fading, arm pit stains, stubborn zippers, and loose buttons, all of which have been deal-breakers for me.
4. BABY APPAREL. Everyone knows how fast babies grow, so if you see something cute, snag it! They’re usually much less expensive than adult thrift store clothes and SIGNIFICANTLY less expensive than retail baby clothes (more on baby items in a future post… stay tuned).
5. RAIN-PROOF GEAR. Jackets, warm-up pants, etc…. Living in Southern California means that I don’t need to invest in a North Face jacket. I hardly find stains or anything wrong with these items at a thrift store. I have reasoned that most people have concluded, like me, that living in Los Angeles means having a ton of cute coats that you never use and should probably just donate.
WHAT WOULD I BUY NEW?
1. SOCKS, UNDERWEAR, BRAS. Yes, we are entitled to say that we deserve the feeling of new undergarments. This is not about money and frugality, but quality of life. Admit it: putting on a brand new pair of socks and a brand new set of underwear makes you smile. And you need to wear bras that fit. Most bras at thrift stores are several years old because most women hang on to bras longer than they should.
2. WHITE COTTON SHIRTS. Like socks, underwear, and bra, everyone deserves to feel fresh in a new white shirt. Especially since most people do not take the time to care for white shirts the way they were intended, they fade and turn yellow. Treat yourself to new white shirts.
3. SHOES: flats. Depending on your style and taste, many brands compete, so you can find your style inexpensively. When people usually donate flats to a thrift store, they are already falling apart and have lived a good life. I typically don’t even browse the shoe section.
4. SHOES: flip flops. Similarly to flats, flip flops can be anywhere from cheap to affordable, available in Targets and strip malls. If I’m going to expose my feet, I like to show them off with flip flops that are hand-selected to complement them. Not every flip flop looks good on every foot (my feet look better in slim thongs, not thick thongs).
5. LEGGINGS. I usually wear my leggings to death. They become faded and end up with holes in them until I have to throw them away. Leggings are very much like underwear to some people. They’re an affordable staple and worth the investment.
WHEN ELSE WOULD I BUY NEW?
– IF I’M IN A RUSH AND NEED TO BE SOMEPLACE SOON, WITH A SPECIFIC OUTFIT IN MIND. If I spilled soy sauce on a white shirt right before a job interview, I have no problem zooming to the nearest Target instead of trying to get lucky at Buffalo Exchange. That would never make any sense, given the situation.
– IF I HAVE BEEN EYEING AN ITEM FOR A LONG TIME AND HAVE INTENTION WITH MY PURCHASE. If a new item suits my capsule wardrobe and I have clicked a link on the brand’s website a million times, I would definitely buy the dress or boots in new condition. That is not binge or impulse shopping, but purposeful and thoughtful according to my budget and lifestyle.
What would you buy at a thrift store? What would you buy new? Do you agree or disagree with my lists? I would love your feedback in the comments!!
STAY TUNED FOR MORE POSTS ABOUT THRIFT STORE VS. NEW, SUCH AS KITCHEN, BEDROOM, BABY APPAREL, AND MORE!
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