Monday, August 11, 2008

Shifting to Thrifting


When the economy isn't at its best and jobs aren't easy to find, how does one go shopping and still be fashionable? The first thing that came to my mind was: thrifting! Although I don't go thrifting that much (I really just don't go shopping), I find thrift stores awfully cheap with some items that you could never find at a regular store. Plus you can find some designer items that are worth so much more than the price at thrift stores.

But what about all those other people that resent going to thrift stores? They always tell me, "Someone else has worn that," or "It's not new." Yes, someone else has probably worn the clothes sold at thrift stores, but what's so wrong with that? Or some find thrifting part of the lower class and hate the idea of bargain shopping.

I really wouldn't feel the pressure of going into a thrift store and I don't look over my shoulder to see if someone's watching. Nor do I feel guilty about buying something that I know I could have bought at full price. All I can say is that as long as the clothes are fashionable I don't mind going thrifting for it. Some of the most stylish people thrift, so why not? And this is for all those people that think they need to spend lots of money to look good: You really can't buy style!

83 comments:

Jane said...

Thrift stores (or charity shops as we call them in the UK) are an Aladdin's Cave of possibilities. I love the fact that someone else has worn them, it give them a history.
I see owning thrift store clothes as carrying on the tradition, taking these pieces of cloth forward onto a new journey.

Anonymous said...

Thrifting is a joy! Even when I'm flush with cash, I love spending a Saturday afternoon scouring the racks at Savers.

S (formerly of Modern-Guilt) said...

To the "someone else has worn that argument" I've always just thought that wearing the same thing from H&M as everyone else is far worse than wearing something that has been worn before.
Yay for thrifting!

Gabsterr said...

i would love to exchange linkss!
and im probably going to sttart thrifting

LuLu124 said...

oh wow you're sooo lucky to be able to actually find a store!!! i've never thrifted before, but i so want to, i just can't find a thrift shop near by xD xoxo, lulu

The Queen of Fifty Cents said...

Thrifting is the best! You're not constricted to what is deemed currently fashionable, so you're free to put together your own unique look--and you can do it for a song. Don't overlook garage and estate sales as well as thrift store. I score tons of great clothes and almost never spend more than a buck or two on a piece. Bought a vintage designer silk velvet coat recently for twenty five cents!!

Toni Alexis said...

thrifting is the best! i mean what type of fashionista are you if you are worried about what people think and you have to look over your shoulder to shop? most of our style icons thrift! why be ashamed? its sad people are so worked up about others perceptions! i say thrift till ya drop. i have found the neatest stuff!

xoxo

badd said...

i wish i could thrift shop , ijust dont know how! lol, i guess i sound dumb. but i just dnt know what to look for1

A BIT COQUETTISH said...

agreeed, period. =]

i havent ever gone thriftin before, but i do intend to! gotta loveee vintage.

i just added your link! =]

Christina Lee said...

It is alot of fun. It almost becomes a game of what most fashionable thing you can get, for the least amount of money!

Anonymous said...

I find thrift stores to be kind of smelly and have really big granny clothes... I never have the patience to look throgh the clothes, but the accesories are always cool...lol but yeah I'll add you to my blog list.

Anonymous said...

Thrifting is such a fun and affordable way to spend a lazy afternoon! Those who frown upon it don't know what they're missing out on.

P.S. I love your blog. Yes, I would love to link!

Gabby said...

Sorry, the last comment was by gabby from quirkyandcompany.blogspot.com.
I was in the wrong account.

Christina said...

I agree u cant buy style. That is why I buy clothes at every price point.

Hanna said...

I completely agree. There's really nothing wrong with thrift stores! To me it seems, though, that the best way to wear bargains is combining them with expensive or designer clothes. Eclectic looks are ever so good.

Unknown said...

i agree completely!! love thrift shops.. as long as i can find something!! the husband is the total opposite and would rather wait outside til i'm done then even go inside. he can't believe that i'd buy "used" clothes.. but hey i got a pair of leather boots for 10 euros!

Make Do Style said...

I'm back into thrifting but it has to be brilliant for me to buy it and the right size - no luck yet! I find my winner is TK Maxx - you guys call it TJ Maxx

Kay ♥ said...

Even though I have expensive taste, I would thrift shop :D
And I really like you're blog so I`m adding u to my Daily cup of tea list ;)

Daniela Valdez said...

I love the idea of thrifting but I think I'm the worst vintage shopper ever! I never know what to buy, when I like something it's too small or too big for me. I would really appreciate some tips!!

Unknown said...

Ohh thrifting...so hit or miss. I found a "pre-worn" Alaia belt in a salvation army two years ago. Can you believe it? Thrifting is great when you have a free afternoon and a giant iced coffee. Also, check out my site sometime: theblackstiletto.blogspot.com and let me know what you think!

Nikki said...

oh my goodness, there's nothing bad at all about thrifting! i got some of best pieces from secondhand shops, most of which get the most compliments!

it's all about how you put it together.

btw, i've tagged you as one of the winners of a blogger award, please do check out my site for the 411 =D

http://pursuitingstyle.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

i find people to be far too opinionated when it comes to wearing other people's clothing...have they not heard of dry cleaners? some of my very best pieces are super old and simply perfect!

Pamela Tan said...

i have to be one of those people who dont enjoy thrifting - well, probably because i havent found the perfect 'place' yet. and yes, im scared what the previous owner's hygiene was... but im not closing my doors :)

i only thrift in my friend's closets! and so far, so good :)

Brianna Gonzalez said...

i have actually never gone thrifting before. i just can't bring myself to do it! well, one of these days i'll get to it. i hope lol.

Sydneydoll said...

thrift store have become cool in the past few years
the resurgance of vintage

i was in one a few days ago actually.

its like the markets
you know no one will have the same thing

i really really really dont like it when people wear the same things as me.

Anonymous said...

Although I've hardly ever thrifted I've recently been inspired to start again, as some of my very fave fashion blogs are full of thrift store finds.

You're so right that one can't buy style!

ibuysss.com said...

G00D INFO THANK YOU

meowi said...

I tottaly agree with this idea! i've linked you and will keep checking ur. blog for updates~
ps. trifting is the best. You never know what your going to find!
and that's the joy~

♥ Marta ♥ said...

I wish I knew how to thrift shop or where to do it ... :S .... I better do some research. But I definitely agree that you can't buy style :)

Anonymous said...

Hey there, I hope you don't mind, can I link this article to my blog?

Lisa said...

I have trouble finding things that fit anytime I try thrifting. :(

Hey, I have you blogrolled already. Just wondering when you'll have time to update your blogroll with a link to me? Thanks! :)

HANAGIE said...

style. no matter how expensive or cheap or how many or how little you buy, it wont matter because, like you said, you cannot buy style.

thrift stores are the best :)
thought sadly, my mom won't let me buy anything from them. so, i call her closet my thrift store. heehee.

Anonymous said...

Love vintage stores! I go to them all the time! Really great post, I fully agree with you. You should come thrifting here in Sweden, we have great stores for it!

Syed said...

I think people find it hard to except the fact that they are wearing something second hand, they feel the need to buy something specifically to be worn only by them. However thrift stores are wonderful for searching for an amazing piece that you may not be able to otherwise afford, plus it gives old clothes a new life!

Anonymous said...

Thrifting is brilliant because you can get some really unique pieces, which you probably wouldn't get on the high-street. I especially like looking for vintage bags and jewellery.


Emily @ fashion156.com

Raiment Urbane said...

If you get something fabulous...who cares where you bought it?...and If it's cheap...even better! haha

Jardley said...

damn straight!

Sheryl said...

hey so sorry i was away from blogging for quite a bit!
but yes, definitely exchange links :)

and so true --- cant buy style!

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

I love thrifting. Yes, things have been worn before, but people also try on clothes in stores and then put them back on the shelves. It's calling doing your laundry folks--don't be afraid!

Sara M. said...

I really love thrifting, but where I live (Long Beach, CA), all the thrift stores are unfortunately really picked over. It's pretty rare to be able to find good stuff here, which makes thrifting frustrating. Because of Long Beach's "vintage row" (a block on 4th Street with 10-12 vintage stores), all the good stuff from the thrift stores quickly ends up in the vintage stores at triple the price -- it takes the fun out of thrifting.

I do love to go thrift shopping outside of Southern California, though. I've found great things up in Lake Arrowhead and in my hometown of Flagstaff, AZ.

Daniela Valdez said...

Thanks for stopping by! You are in my blog roll now :)

Claudia said...

Totally right. Even though I think most of the bloggers knew it already. Anways, people can't buy style, and it seems like not much people understand the power of combining. I mean, I found this weird XL flowered granny pyjama, and my mom was all like: NO! Are you crázy? You cannot buy that! So I didn't, but another day I tried it on, put my belt on it (i had my black leggings on), it fell a bit of the shoulder but my flowered top was with a bit of lace, so you saw a bit lace. I put my black flats on and I created an outfit: I looked very very good. Too bad I didn't had money. Anyways, it really looked like a stunning flower printed dress, so I always
say to never underestimate the power of combining!
Anyways, the first 5 minutes I enter the secondhand store I feel a bit uncomfortable, but then I start looking and I forget everything.

Ps. I would love to exchange links, I'll add you right after this. :)

head in the clouds. said...

i love thrifting. and trading links sounds good! i've added you to my blog roll.

the assistant said...

i think of thrifting as recycling as long as you wash it really good its ok

Abby said...

i would love to link up!! and thrift stores are my weakness, i adore them :)


www.fashionwonk.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

absolutely agreed. . you can never buy style, no matter how much money you have. .

plus thrifting always bring about a new surprise element that you never expected to find, some new inspiration to incorporate into your clothes, or just a fun little excursion.

sometimes i buy ridiculously hideous clothes whilst thrifting to see how i can play with them or cut them up and customize.

it's like christmas surprises and looking into your stocking on christmas morn.

Arielle said...

one man's trash is another man's treasure. I've gotten really into thrifting this year. It's cheap, fun and on good days you come away with really good finds!

Anonymous said...

I think its refreshing to see a backlash to all of the unaffordable excess! Kudos to thrifting!

this wheel's on fire said...

ah, thrifting is my favorite pastime :)

Lucy said...

thrift stores terrify me!! online vintage and thrift stores, however, are one of my favourite ever ways to shop. and ebay too!

Always In Style said...

I adore the fact that most thrift shop items have a past...and I love to donate to continue the tradition :-)

Charmaine said...

i love to go thrifting! but the sad thing is that i'm to broke to even do that. :( haha. and i'd love to exchange links with you!

KLF said...

Totally agree! Great post! I've found some really cool pieces at vintage stores!

Siie said...

thrift/vintage stores are amazing for finding exquisite gems for your wardrobe. And I absolutely love that most clothes possess a certain history, it adds to the mysticism.

Britt said...

Yes, I would love to link.
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your comment! I love your blog by the way! It's really well written.
http://tuesdaysconcoction.blogspot.com/

Terry said...

I think that's how I even got into fashion! Thrifting! I've found so many cool pieces on the cheap in thrift stores.. I just think of wonderful thrift treasures as "pre-loved, not pre-worn", haha!

And yes, I'd love to trade links :)

roxanne said...

i feel like even if i had the cash to buy designer pieces, my wardrobe would lack a certain uniqueness without the contributions of thrifting. i swear by it.

Richel said...

I always try to thrift as much as possible. In fact, I think that the majority of my wardrobe is from the goodwill.

Fashion Trend Guide said...

Some of the most stylish girls are experts when it comes to buying vintage and thrifting. They always inspire me. I've been thrifting more often recently. It's kind of addicting to find something great for so little money. There's an endless array of possibilities at thrift stores. And it's better for the environment to buy "used" items!

Unknown said...

come and check todayspost, i shared my blog with my boyfriend whos awesome writer, singer and poet and he has amazing style so come and give him a feed back!
i would appreciate that <3

Mónica said...

I totally agree, you can hire a stylist, but you cannot buy the style. Despite I don't like the idea of knowing someone else has worn that before -someone I don't know, not like my friends' or my mum's-but I am getting used to it, I think vintage is also great for the environment, so why not?

avputries said...

Thanks! Yeah, you can link me up. But wait, I HAVE TO LINK YOU FIRST!

yiqin; said...

Ohyes, style definitely can't be bought!!! To me, it is quantity over quality! Maybe for bags I will want to have a better quality one. But yay for thrifting!!!

Stitches & Threads said...

I love "thrifting", although the Uk is getting more and more expensive. I even saw dresses in a charity shop the other day for £10 and £15 each! Ludicrous! Plus I saw some Primark shoes that were marked up as more expensive than when they were brand new. Sigh.

Sharon S said...

I adore thrifting-even if i was a millionaire, I would still want to do it!!

Weekly Blogette said...

So so true like everything u said!
im not much of athrift shopper
but ima think about it more
i think im just not sure where to go
prob bc
i wait for when my favorite stores hav their stuff on sale.haha

oh i have a new post by the way!

Sierra Buffum said...

I looooove thrifting! I have gotten so many designer pieces for less than $10! you can find so many unusual and completely awesome pieces at thrift stores that you can't always find if you just go to the mall.
thanks for the comment, I linked you!!

Anonymous said...

i'm always up for a good bargain, haha! and yes i'd love to switch links. i linked you already:)

Dulwich_News said...

Very cool blog. We linked to you.

Luisa

Jen (MahaloFashion) said...

The first thing I do when I'm broke too is go thrifting!!

Love the blog;)

Sienna said...

Thrifting is so much fun!

Brooke Alexandra said...

Hey, just saw you commented on my post (I didn't bother to check earlier because I didn't think anyone read it!) I'd love to exchange links, I'm adding you right now.

Anonymous said...

I just can't agree more! Style is priceless... I like thrifting and mixing it with new pieces to create a finished look. For me, there's just a certain "something" about used garments. I guess they have a nostalgic value for me.

Anonymous said...

heh heh...this is the one true way to be stylish, in my oppinion.

I am completely addicted to finding the once in a lifetime purchase for, say, $5!!!!

Who honestly can drop a few hundred dollars PER TRIP on stuff, especially if they like shopping everyday?

Its about being versatile and eclectic. You simply have to know what your allowances are. For example, I think that once every 3 months I am going to treat myself to some high end shoes and maybe every 6 months a new bag. Everything else can look great as one of a kind stuff...

anyway, sorry for the babble...

go get it girl!

LuVvy

Elizabeth said...

Thrifting is a great way to get great looks for not much money.

Unknown said...

Amen to that!!! I absolutely LOVE thrift stores!! Even if I was a multi-billionaire, I would still go to thrift stores. It's not so much about the money, but more of the thrill of finding an amazing deal and thinking of all the suckers out there who made double, triple, quadruple, whatever for the SAME item! haha

Wahiba said...

OMDAZEE, i found THE hottest, pure leather vintage 60's purse the other day and i love it!
i do go 2 thrift stores from time 2 time and find really unique peices...

btw linking pages sound cool, what exactly does that involve?
XOXO

Anonymous said...

I love shopping at thrift stores! A local nursing home owns one and I like going there most because a lot of the stuff is TRULY vintage and older. You really can get some great buys! i can't say that i have found much of todays styles, but everything i have found is top quality! i am also a teen fashion addict and i have a fashion blog too! its irisfashionblog.blogspot.com. check it out! i just started it, but if you don't mind, i would like to write about thrifting too! i already mentioned it once, but i would like to go into more detail about it. let me know if thats ok!

Cat Hill said...

So I'm guilty of being that superficial girl that says "somebody else had that on" but get this my mom and my former roommate thrift shops and they are the most fashionable people I know...maybe it's because I haven't tried it because you can be real creative with thrift clothes...ok I think I'm done lol:)

Crispy Banana said...

i love thrifting

Anonymous said...

I think its funny that people love vintage but think thrifting is gross. Its all the same.

feliciamesadieu said...

Hey gurlie...as far as wearing other people clothes is concerned, its just the same as trying a new pair of jeans, do they think other people haven't tried those jeans on to test out how they fit.
And why pay over $200.00 dollars for a leather jacket that you can find for $24 at a second/hand store, and it probably has more value to it. I have some of the best vintage clothes that are being duplicated and modernized and their not even as cute now. I love thrifiting. I rather go thrifting that shop for new items....Its so fun!

feliciamesadieu said...

Hey gurlie...as far as wearing other people clothes is concerned, its just the same as trying a new pair of jeans, do they think other people haven't tried those jeans on to test out how they fit.
And why pay over $200.00 dollars for a leather jacket that you can find for $24 at a second/hand store, and it probably has more value to it. I have some of the best vintage clothes that are being duplicated and modernized and their not even as cute now. I love thrifiting. I rather go thrifting that shop for new items....Its so fun!

www.sheisobsessed.blogspot.com