Comments on: Thrift store shopping tips

By: Robin

Robin — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 21:22:10 +0000

If you are ever up in my neck of the woods, there is a fantastic consignment shop in Lambertville (ones in Princeton, and Philly, too.) I shop there for most of my clothes, shoes, bags. http://www.greenestreetconsignment.com/

Great place to sell your old/well-kept clothes, too.

By: Alison Kerr

Alison Kerr — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:59:33 +0000

Thanks for the tips Robin. I used to thrift store shop a lot when the kids were little – for them, not for me. After I moved to Kansas though I didn’t find a store I really liked. I changed over to garage sale shopping. Then the kids reached an age where I was never finding clothes the right size for them at garage sales. I think it really helps if you are an “average size”.

For the moment I just wear everything I buy until it falls apart – it’s that Scottish frugality. It works! My oldest piece of clothing I’ve had since I knitted it at about age 14yrs – longer ago than I care to calculate. And I have boots which are 20 years old and still great (I had them resoled a few months ago).

By: What’s Happening Wednesday | Backyard Mama

What’s Happening Wednesday | Backyard Mama — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:52:40 +0000

[...] Before you go to Lands End or LL Bean for your spring duds, try a thrift store. Here are some tips from Robin at a little greener everyday. [...]

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:58:26 +0000

Great thrift store story: I looked everywhere for a dress to wear to my dad’s wedding. I wanted something simple but elegant. It wasn’t a fancy wedding, but these were city people and I am a country bumbkin- so our standards are different. I finally went in the little thrift store down the road where most of the clothes are way to old lady like for me.. and there it was, one elegant black dress that I never would have tried on anywhere else,but I was desperate. It cost $10.00. Best deal ever. I looked like one good looking backyard mama (with some very rough hands!)

By: robin

robin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:27:55 +0000

@Diana Okay, between you and Becky above, maybe I need to get a little bolder about trying things on in the middle of the aisle. Or maybe not....

By: robin

robin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:27:19 +0000

@Shopping Golightly Your website is great. Thanks for pointing me there. Makes me want to run out to the nearest Thrift Store.

By: Diana

Diana — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:11:48 +0000

When I was little, my mom would make use wear our leggings and leotards to the thrift store that didn’t have dressing rooms. We could try things on right in the aisles. Now, our closest thrift store has a dressing room, but a limit of three items at a time, so there is always a long line. I have worn a tunic and leggings, or a fitted tank top depending on what I want to try on.

By: Shopping Golightly

Shopping Golightly — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:04:08 +0000

Here! Here! Thrift is green and more people need to hear it and partake and donate to the emerging reuse market!

More tips? I’ve practically written a chapter found in a series of posts titled “How to Thrift” on the left column of our blog, The Thrifty Chicks. We also present a photo slide show of over 250 items that have been purchased thrift. Shopping thrift involves a different mindset over conventional retail. Once converted, you’re a lifer and better for it.

Godspeed to all thrifters!
Ms Shopping Golightly

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 18:45:21 +0000

Great tips!

The closest thrift store to me has no dressing rooms, and I make sure to wear a dress that’s at least knee length when I go there. Trying on pants under a dress isn’t the most ladylike, but it beats not getting to try them on! Everything else I just try on over my clothes. This store does have full length mirrors at the ends of every other aisle, though. If it had no mirrors, this scheme wouldn’t work so well.