Found some red pumps - too high so I put them back.
Some years
ago I read, Overdressed: The Shocking High Cost of Cheap Fashion. The book documents how cheap fashion has
changed the way most Americans dress and shop and examines the effects of a
culture addicted to consumption. Chains
like H&M, Forever 21, Zara, and JC Penny… now offer the latest trends at
ridiculously low prices – these low offers make discarding cheap items more
easily than mending and using again.
This change has had many negative effects to the environment as well as
in human exploitation. I recommend you
read it, it will change the way you shop.
For me reading this book encouraged me to continue shopping secondhand
and to try to buy used only. While I can’t
always afford designer brands - thrifting gives me the ability to have quality
items at ridiculously low prices – and the purchases help my community. I never liked shopping, yet I love thrifting
because unlike shopping thrifting requires effort: wandering the aisles, going
through the racks one item at a time, digging through the shelves for something
special, hunting for a bargain – thrifting is active, shopping is passive. Sometimes, when I have difficulty calming my
thoughts (as a bipolar sufferer) I go thrifting and while my body digs around, the
physical distraction allows me to focus and be able to talk with God about
everything and to listen to His voice.
Another, pro I have found it to be extremely therapeutic. Some great prayer sessions have occurred at
Goodwill & Savers (smile).
Patience: When I began thrifting, I didn’t have the
patience that it requires because real thrift stores are messy and unorganized. Not to mention that sometimes, one can spend
hours in there and not find a single purchase.
For beginners, a thrift store can be very intimidating because there’s
not a lot of order; thus, a great way to begin is to zone in on a section that
appeals to you and take your time looking around. I began by zoning in on the shoe section and
leaving the store usually with a really good pair of quality shoes. As your confidence in finding deals improves
continue adding other sections to rummage through.
Look through every hanger.
Dig to score deals. Found a hat, but didn't like the look.
Companionship: Who you shop with is important. I like shopping alone or with my mom because
we both have the same kind of shopping patterns we go our separate ways, target
our areas, quickly go through the racks and leave after an hour or so. Shopping with my sister is painful because
she likes to be in any store for hours: thus, I never go with her unless she
promises to be quick (smile). Also, there’s
nothing more painful than going with a friend who shops exclusively at malls
because they will drag you down. So, your
shopping companion is important- I like to go on my own most of the time
especially if I want to look at the book section. I can spend hours just browsing titles.
Your Thrifting Outfit Matters: It’s important to wear a
comfortable outfit because there will be a lot of walking, standing and
sometimes you won’t have access to dressing rooms. So you will need to try things on over your
clothes. I usually wear leggings and a
simple shirt with easy to remove shoes.
This makes trying on things over my clothes very simple- and don’t worry
this is the norm for thrifting so you won’t look like a weirdo.
Not All Thrift Stores are Created Equal:
I have a few stores that I visit regularly because they usually carry
items that I love and some that I rarely go to because I never seem to find
anything there. Thus, as you learn the
art of thrifting you will also discover your favorite locations. I love a Goodwill that’s by my office it’s in
the heart of Santa Ana and I always find the best things at unbeatable
prices. The location where I took the
pictures for this post is in Huntington Beach and they tend to be pricier because
it’s a boutique. This store is very
clean and organized, I have found many great buys there. The store is one of my regulars, but I know
that I will be paying more for items than at a regular Goodwill; thus, I really
consider my purchases when I shop there.
Pricing generally varies by location.
Scoring Deals: I have learned that my purchases need to be
items that I will use. Low prices can turn
you into a hoarder. When I first started
thrifting I would buy things based on their low price and soon I had a room
full of stuff. Thus, reconsidering your finds before you make them a final purchase
is a must because usually thrift stores do not offer returns or exchanges. Try things on, make sure you like the fit-
with shoes walk around them for a bit to make sure they are wearable and remember
that just because something is only three dollars is not a smart shopping
technique. Think of how you will use it, if it will go with what you already have
or if it will end just occupying space in your home. If you plan to use it buy it, if it’s a good
buy but you have no use for it then leave it for some other lucky person to find.
SALES: Yes, thrift stores have sales. Every Tuesday at Savers and Goodwill in my
area it’s senior discount day. In
addition, all stores have a color of the day that’s fifty percent off the
prices marked, so look at their signs and listen to their instore announcements
for the color of the day. Sometimes
during holidays they have certain items half-off, like yesterday Savers had fifty
percent off clothes & shoes!
I love
shopping secondhand, ninety-percent of my items come from thrift stores. While I like to know that my purchases are helping
my community and me be green- it’s also helped me mentally. It is well known that bipolar suffers can get
into a lot of debt by going on extravagant shopping sprees during Manic
Periods. Thrifting has helped me because
now my shopping sprees are twenty or thirty dollar mega buys at thrift stores. When I get the shopping crave just walking
around a thrift store will wear me out because it takes effort to find a
bargain. I’m also pretty stable on my
meds so I don’t go through the phases as often now nor are they as severe, but
thrifting has really helped me to monitor my spending. All of our actions superficial as they might
be, can be converted for our personal betterment and for the good of others.
Found two Precious Moments Ornaments at 2.99 each.
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