Thrift Store Challenge

[Iowajes]

I saved hundreds of dollars buy not buying name brand clothing.

I've never found clothing without a brand name.
Even cheap stores have brands. There isn't such thing as a generic.

 

[NYCDiane]

I'm not arguing that it's new. I was just trying to share what I was told by the manager. I do find it odd that Goodwill prices just about everything from Target with a higher price than Target had on the item.

The Goodwill I shopped at had it priced much lower than Target and it still had the Target tags on it and the packaging around the blanket.

It seems to me that the SAs and Goodwills all have their own ways of doing things. For example, people have said their SA or GW doesn't sort by size. The ones by me definitely go by size. The ones by my friend go by color (weird). The SA/GW by me also have the 1/2 price days, color days, etc. One thrift store I used to go to when my daughter was little would have a "stuff a bag" day where you would pay $5 for whatever you could stuff in the bag (they would go by types --- one day, children's clothing; another day, women's; etc)

 

[sweet maxine]

I buy all of my clothes from thrift stores. I buy very nice brand-named clothing for pennies on the dollar---including shoes. My Salvation Army typically has $1.50 day at least once a week. At the first of the month, or usually on the weekend closest to the first, all clothing is priced for $1, except for jackets and suits. Shoes are typically $2.50 or so a pair. I have a wonderful pair of Merrill's that I found there which I wear hiking, and I paid roughly $2 for them. During the summer, sandals go for 50 cents a pair.

Everything I buy is washed and dried and generally looks like new. I've been amazed at the bounty of clothing I've found, and my wardrobe is much, much better than it ever was when I paid retail.

 

[SDSorority]

I buy all of my clothes from thrift stores. I buy very nice brand-named clothing for pennies on the dollar---including shoes. My Salvation Army typically has $1.50 day at least once a week. At the first of the month, or usually on the weekend closest to the first, all clothing is priced for $1, except for jackets and suits. Shoes are typically $2.50 or so a pair. I have a wonderful pair of Merrill's that I found there which I wear hiking, and I paid roughly $2 for them. During the summer, sandals go for 50 cents a pair.

Everything I buy is washed and dried and generally looks like new. I've been amazed at the bounty of clothing I've found, and my wardrobe is much, much better than it ever was when I paid retail.

 

[hsmamato2]

This thread is still here..... well, as OP has probably noted, many of us here on the BB shop at thrift stores as a routine...and 7.50 for an outfit is not remarkable,even a little bit. The only people that seem impressed by such a thing are people who don't shop 2nd hand,and still think it's something for 'poor people' or those who just don't care..... I have shopped 2nd hand my entire life, well before it was 'in style'...and I know the true secret...in America,people toss a LOT of wonderful stuff in those donation bins.... and much of it is very nice/extremely usable/excellent quality. I have so many pairs of shoes that I first tried from a goodwill,then loved, then they became my 'go-to-' brand..Teva,Merrel,Birkenstock,Keen,Converse,keds,I've seen Uggs at my Goodwill(haven't bought them)you name it,I've found it 2ndhand....and it's not painful to buy a pair of Danskos for 10 bucks,decide I don't like the feel,and pass them along to someone who might like them more.....(last disney trip I packed my cute but uncomfortable Converse high tops- didn't hurt to wear once,and leave in hotel trash bin for 3.00) as far as 'tags still on' or 'like new' that's also not unusual.... like I said, one persons excess is another persons thrift shop gain!

 

[bjscheel]

DS needed dress clothes for a Model UN event.... three days worth of clothes and he only owned ONE pair of dress pants and one good shirt (and thankfully one nice pair of dress shoes and a belt). So it was off to the thrift store with fingers crossed and high hopes. He is tall and slim with really long arms, so I knew that this would be a long shot. We hit the SA first (because it tends to be cheaper than GW but less selection in our area). WOOHOOO!! It was our lucky day! I bought him a pair of dress pants (Dockers brand), a BRAND NEW dress shirt, a second dress shirt (not new but excellent condition Lands End TALL WITH EXTRA LONG SLEEVES!!) and ..... drum roll.... a SUIT! A lovely Calvin Klein from Macy's, charcoal grey men's suit.... very "up to date" (i.e. no crazy wide lapels or 1990's double breasted) and it actually fit him PERFECTLY.... no need to let out or let in or hem! And he LOVED it!! With any luck, he is done growing and can get several wearings from this suit. So he had brown dress pants, a brown argyle sweater (that he already owned) and the new dress shirt for yesterday, the suit with the new(ish) blue shirt for today, and the black pants and grey shirt he already owned for tomorrow! Combine all of this with borrowing a few ties from his Dad and he will be looking pretty darn dapper this weekend for the grand total (out of pocket for this particular shopping trip) of $22 !!!!.....................P

I thrift shop when I can (this was a particularly good weekend as I went to a consignment bag sale Thursday, Goodwill on Friday, and SA on Saturday- usually don't get to go so often) and have found awesome things. But this particular story reminded me of when my sister was getting married on a tiny budget in 1990. She borrowed her dress, but her DH needed a tux. He is 6'3" with a long torso and size 13 feet. We stopped at a consignment in a tiny Iowa town. They had a white tux and white dress shoes and all fit him perfectly...I don't remember the cost now but I believe under $20. It was unbelievable.

 

[North of Mouse]

I've never found clothing without a brand name.
Even cheap stores have brands. There isn't such thing as a generic.

Technically, you are correct (which I think you know), but most people use this classification, and we all know what we are talking about!!
This seems universal, no matter where we go!

 

[Iowajes]

Technically, you are correct (which I think you know), but most people use this classification, and we all know what we are talking about!!
This seems universal, no matter where we go!

But there is a lot of room in what people call "brand names". So no, when you say you don't buy name brand clothing, I don't really know what you mean.

Does that mean you don't buy Champion (which is a recognizable name brand, but sold at Walmart), or that you don't buy Under Armour (still a mass market brand, but more expensive). Or does it just mean you don't buy Dolce and Gabana?

 

[North of Mouse]

It seems to me that the SAs and Goodwills all have their own ways of doing things. For example, people have said their SA or GW doesn't sort by size. The ones by me definitely go by size. The ones by my friend go by color (weird). The SA/GW by me also have the 1/2 price days, color days, etc. One thrift store I used to go to when my daughter was little would have a "stuff a bag" day where you would pay $5 for whatever you could stuff in the bag (they would go by types --- one day, children's clothing; another day, women's; etc)

You are so correct - they seem to be franchised out! Whoever owns all of them in this area must be 'very' greedy, LOL!!

They sort by 'general' color, 'never' have any type specials, and just this past week went up on their prices! They won't take debit cards, don't have shopping carts (baskets only). I really get frustrated with them, but I keep going back as I've found some wonderful 'finds'!!

The state where my sister lives, on the other hand, has 'all' the above.

 

[North of Mouse]

But there is a lot of room in what people call "brand names". So no, when you say you don't buy name brand clothing, I don't really know what you mean.

Does that mean you don't buy Champion (which is a recognizable name brand, but sold at Walmart), or that you don't buy Under Armour (still a mass market brand, but more expensive). Or does it just mean you don't buy Dolce and Gabana?

Well, guess I just met an 'exception' LOL to knowing the general understanding of 'brand' names!! No problems - to each their own!

 

[Iowajes]

Well, guess I just met an 'exception' LOL to knowing the general understanding of 'brand' names!! No problems - to each their own!

How much does something have to cost before you consider it a brand name? I'm really quite serious.
Is St. John's Bay a brand name? Is Lands' End a brand name? Is Mossimo? Faded Glory? Or just Gap, Hollister, and Abercrombie?

Seriously. Because Faded Glory and Mossimo are "brands" I recognize. But they are Walmart and Target brands- so maybe they aren't really "brand name".

Where is the line drawn? What makes it a brand?
If you say you don't buy brand name- what do you buy? Do you buy things like Faded Glory and Mossimo? Or is there a level below that?

 

[sunshinehighway]

How much does something have to cost before you consider it a brand name? I'm really quite serious.
Is St. John's Bay a brand name? Is Lands' End a brand name? Is Mossimo? Faded Glory? Or just Gap, Hollister, and Abercrombie?

Seriously. Because Faded Glory and Mossimo are "brands" I recognize. But they are Walmart and Target brands- so maybe they aren't really "brand name".

Where is the line drawn? What makes it a brand?
If you say you don't buy brand name- what do you buy? Do you buy things like Faded Glory and Mossimo? Or is there a level below that?

I'm assuming cost and store which carries it are the determinations of " brand name " in that case.
I think it's funny that some people are so down on thrift stores but buy cheap crappy clothes that don't last more than a few washings or look like worn after a few washings.
The clothes they are buying new are exactly the same things that end up as the junky clothes in the thrift store.

 

[hsmamato2]

I am pretty sure by 'brand names' in general people are referring to expensive designers.....I am not a designer hound...but I do recognize something that's higher value when I find it, like a REAL coach purse at Goodwill vs. the many fakes,or a White stag brand from walmart. Real Michael Kors vs. fake. (Do I care about Coach or MK? nope- just an example) but I do know what people mean when they are looking for designer brands. I like finding Talbots or Ann Taylor,or new Birkenstocks clothing in my style, it's not designer, but higher end,and the quality is excellent. SO I do look at brands, but I'm not tied to them. And people probably paid a lot more for the item in the first place, hence it's perceived value. (If I have a choice of sweaters,they all look the same, with a choice of Gap,Lands End, Talbots,Michael Kors,Dolce,White Stag,or Joe Boxer, I am choosing Lands End or Gap, or Talbots b/c of the quality- and I know I can wear it for years and it will still hold up.) Though I have a White Stag cardigan that I bought at least 12 years ago,that still looks good, I still use it every summer lol

 

[Carina]

How's this for a thrift store Challenge!
A new prom dress was not in our budget 2 years ago when my oldest graduated, so we looked at our local thrift store and got that dress (*minus the sash) for $20

*The blingy part of the sash was $18 on Amazon and we stitched it to a ribbon we bought for $4

The shoes were $15 (new)
The purse was $15 (Walmart)
Hair accessory was $3 new

Total prom outfit came to $75! Most girls she graduated with spent over 10x that, and you wouldn't have known. I think she looked fantastic

Her sister graduates this year and bought her dress for $25 at the same thrift store, but she's lost weight so it's going to need to be altered ( which won't cost as oldest is a great sewer.)

I <3 my frugal girls!

 

[auntmeme7577]

How's this for a thrift store Challenge!
A new prom dress was not in our budget 2 years ago when my oldest graduated, so we looked at our local thrift store and got that dress (*minus the sash) for $20

*The blingy part of the sash was $18 on Amazon and we stitched it to a ribbon we bought for $4

The shoes were $15 (new)
The purse was $15 (Walmart)
Hair accessory was $3 new

Total prom outfit came to $75! Most girls she graduated with spent over 10x that, and you wouldn't have known. I think she looked fantastic

Her sister graduates this year and bought her dress for $25 at the same thrift store, but she's lost weight so it's going to need to be altered ( which won't cost as oldest is a great sewer.)

I <3 my frugal girls!

View attachment 2327

Both your daughter and the dress are BEAUTIFUL ! Well done!

 

[Sereina]

How's this for a thrift store Challenge!
A new prom dress was not in our budget 2 years ago when my oldest graduated, so we looked at our local thrift store and got that dress (*minus the sash) for $20

*The blingy part of the sash was $18 on Amazon and we stitched it to a ribbon we bought for $4

The shoes were $15 (new)
The purse was $15 (Walmart)
Hair accessory was $3 new

Total prom outfit came to $75! Most girls she graduated with spent over 10x that, and you wouldn't have known. I think she looked fantastic

Her sister graduates this year and bought her dress for $25 at the same thrift store, but she's lost weight so it's going to need to be altered ( which won't cost as oldest is a great sewer.)

I <3 my frugal girls!

View attachment 2327

What a deal! Your daughter looks so gorgeous in it. Very classy!

 

[SDSorority]

How's this for a thrift store Challenge!
A new prom dress was not in our budget 2 years ago when my oldest graduated, so we looked at our local thrift store and got that dress (*minus the sash) for $20

*The blingy part of the sash was $18 on Amazon and we stitched it to a ribbon we bought for $4

The shoes were $15 (new)
The purse was $15 (Walmart)
Hair accessory was $3 new

Total prom outfit came to $75! Most girls she graduated with spent over 10x that, and you wouldn't have known. I think she looked fantastic

Her sister graduates this year and bought her dress for $25 at the same thrift store, but she's lost weight so it's going to need to be altered ( which won't cost as oldest is a great sewer.)

I <3 my frugal girls!

View attachment 2327

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

 

[amberama76]

We are "thrift store people" Everything I have on today came from a thrift store with the exception of my panties and socks. My bra was even found at the thrift store and was new with tags still on, it was $7 and was from Cacique. My jeans were $1, they are just Rider's by Lee so I didn't save a ton. My shirt was probably $2 or less it originally came from the Avenue (big gals know what their prices are like) The shoes are Sketchers GoWalks and they were brand new as much as I could tell No wear on the soles and no foot indents inside. I got them for $4.

My daughter's prom dress came from a thrift store...we couldn't find what she wanted so we got a plain black dress and I sewed a ton of ruffles on the skirt and made a green sash for her waist and she was thrilled. With all the tulle and chiffon I got and the cost of the dress I'm certain it cost less than $20!

 

[Carina]

We are "thrift store people" Everything I have on today came from a thrift store with the exception of my panties and socks. My bra was even found at the thrift store and was new with tags still on, it was $7 and was from Cacique. My jeans were $1, they are just Rider's by Lee so I didn't save a ton. My shirt was probably $2 or less it originally came from the Avenue (big gals know what their prices are like) The shoes are Sketchers GoWalks and they were brand new as much as I could tell No wear on the soles and no foot indents inside. I got them for $4.

My daughter's prom dress came from a thrift store...we couldn't find what she wanted so we got a plain black dress and I sewed a ton of ruffles on the skirt and made a green sash for her waist and she was thrilled. With all the tulle and chiffon I got and the cost of the dress I'm certain it cost less than $20!

Very pretty - No way you could tell it was 2nd hand.

 

[NYEmomma]

Very cute outfit. Not sure why the negativity. Jeans and a tank with a cute cardie is definitely an outfit, and a practical one for most people!

I wish we had an adult plato closet!

It's called Clothes Mentor (the adult Plato's Closet). We have a couple around here and I've always assumed that they were owned by the same company since the layout, the signage, etc. look the same and they're always right next to each other. I've never been in though -- still living in denial that juniors' clothing fits and looks good on me.