27 Comments
User's avatar
⭠ Return to thread
Melanie Eccles's avatar

That was me - and to this day I'm still a thrift store shopper and advocate. I've studied fashion and imaging consulting for years and I know how to dress. People always compliment me on my sense of style and they are often shocked when I tell them I shop at thrift/consignment stores. Sometimes I can't believe what people give away or consign. I actually made a business out of it when I decided to owned and operated a ladies consignment boutique for nearly 20 years. I made a pretty good living selling used clothing and accessories so I'm thankful for the experience I received because I was raised as a poor welfare kid. I did not remain on the welfare system - I was on my own from the age of 17 and was an entrepreneur - the thought of having a boss didn't sit well with me at all.

Expand full comment
Fre'd Bennett, MAHA's avatar

I have many expensive items of clothing - one of my favorite suits is 3-button navy Brooks Brothers suit that I paid $50 for at an upscale consignment store. (It was at least $900 when new.) My suit wardrobe includes Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and many others. All purchased second hand.

At this moment I'm wearing a navy Lacoste polo shirt, some Tabasco khaki shorts and Sperry Top-Siders. All purchased used - but many of which are still with the original tags.

I realized a long time ago, that except for a brief moment, all clothes are used clothes. It's stupid to waste money on brand new designer wear when you can buy the exact same items for like 60-90% off.

Expand full comment
Roger Beal's avatar

Buying "gently worn" used is tougher for men than women, at least in our semi-rural area. Men wear stuff until it disintegrates ... whereas some women think "Oh, I cannot wear that again, I've been seen in it already!" and donate it.

And before y'all label me a sexist for that observation, it was made by my wife and not by me. She has a spiffy wardrobe of quality casual stuff (most looking like it was worn once) bought for pennies on the dollar at thrift shops.

Expand full comment
Melanie Eccles's avatar

You are not a sexist - you are absolutely right - my husband says the same thing, especially of more rural areas. When we go to the big cities we always source out the thrift/consignment stores and he finds great stuff there, but obviously I find way more, that's just the way it goes. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

Expand full comment
ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Agree. Have wished husband could get the male equivalent of fine clothing I wear from thrift stores. Difficult for a male.

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

I am not bothered by the “I’ve been seen in it already”’thing but my style and needs change more frequently than my husband’s do.

Expand full comment
Fred's avatar

I appreciate you! Some of us have no style! 😁🙋‍♀️

Expand full comment
ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Thanks, Fred. More thoughts on this, but won't go into them now. However, in my mind, the same is true for used cars. Only twice in our married (52 years) life have we bought a new car--and then, only because the new car had what we needed (1978 Subaru--still could use less-expensive leaded gas and then, 1987 Ford Aerostar--because with 3rd baby, we needed a larger vehicle, and only the Aerostar [which proved to be something of a lemon] had the leg room needed by a tall husband.

Expand full comment
Melanie Eccles's avatar

Exactly!!! And good for you for figuring that out. I just bought a pair of embellished Brazilian Rox Jeans at a consignment store that still had the original price tag of $380 on them - I paid $40. Yey!

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

That’s great and I admire that you have gotten such great finds. I have found that it takes so many visits to the second hand shops and so much time combing through the “junk” that I just don’t have the patience nor do I want to spend the time.

Expand full comment
ViaVeritasVita's avatar

That was my attitude toward yard sales--although thrift shop clothing was much more efficient.

Expand full comment
Fred's avatar

Go to high end neighborhoods and the ones who support Cancer.

Expand full comment
ViaVeritasVita's avatar

Yes--on my return to 'teaching', with need for professional dress, I found the tony Phila suburb Bryn Mawr Hospital Thrift Shop tp be the "once and done". Colleague , envious, remarked on my appearance--how to? Answer: I purchase clothing pre-chosen by women of taste and means.

Expand full comment
Fre'd Bennett, MAHA's avatar

I actually buy most things online these days. I have done Thrifting, but you're right - that's time consuming and often results in not finding what you're after.

Online I can search for exactly what I'm looking for, and specify if I want "New with Tags,' or the exact color, brand, etc.

Expand full comment
Fre'd Bennett, MAHA's avatar

I had my luggage stolen in Spain recently. So I had to replace several items.

Told my wife what I needed, and it showed up in the mail.

One of the items was a white Lacoste short sleeve, retails for $110.

Paid $44 (tax and shipping included) for a new one with tags and still with creases, never washed or worn.

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

That’s awesome (what you needed showing up in the mail not the stolen luggage, of course!).

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

See, I really need to try things on for the most part so I generally avoid buying clothing online except in very specific circumstances.

Expand full comment
AngelaK's avatar

I like the way you dress! Preppie all the way! ♥️

Expand full comment
Fre'd Bennett, MAHA's avatar

It's the age I grew up in. At one time, I owned 3 copies of "The Preppy Handbook."

Today I could easily model for "Prep Persona No. 5: the County Club Years.' Page 192. (Ask me how I know.)

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

I love that! You used your experience in a positive way and gained useful knowledge and insights. The people on welfare in my town (which was tiny so everyone knew everyone else’s business) were the definition of deadbeats. Didn’t work, didn’t want to work, perpetually on the government dole. While do many around them worked really hard and struggled 😕

Expand full comment
Irunthis1's avatar

It was that perception that made it embarrassing for me to use food stamps and medicaid for my son while I was in college as a single mom. But I did it to give him and me a better future. Not all ppl were deadbeats...I still worked 16-20hrs a week holding down a 20+ hour curriculum. And I paid my loans all back (only borrowed 30k for pharmacy school). Paid back those food stamps and any medicaid he used via taxes many many times over. My caseworker used to tell me she wished she had a hundred ppl like me instead of what she usually deals with. But yeah. An atypical example for sure. Still was embarrassing tho. And I still went without because my income was such I only qualified for a small stipend. I was a lot skinnier then. 😉

Expand full comment
Alan Devincentis's avatar

Key word, you were embarrassed! It used to be that people that had to take a handout or up, were ashamed. I don’t see that anymore. I see those taking and scamming at the same time, instead of working. And if you are on assistance, I’m thinking nails and eyelashes and cell phones might be a tad expensive for the likes of those people. But apparently, it’s now a sense of arrogant pride.

Expand full comment
Double Mc's avatar

Why feel embarrassed when your money comes from a nameless, faceless bureaucracy? It was different when, in the past, charity had to be taken from people you knew, and who may not have had much to give. That's the worst part of it.

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

Exactly!! When it was neighbors there was a sense of accountability. It helped build ties and also keep people honest to only ask for what they needed.

Expand full comment
Irunthis1's avatar

Back then, you got a coupon book of actual "food stamps" which is where the term came from. It took time to count them all out as they came in various denominations like money but they were glued into a booklet. Everyone around you could see what you were doing, knew what it was, and gave the stank eye as you used them. There were no cell phones to own, no debit cards, just checks, cash and credit cards which I didn't have. Even the cashier would glare. I wasn't even buying steaks believe me as I needed meals for a growing boy I bought fruit, vegetables, hamburger, chicken, eggs and milk.

Expand full comment
RunningLogic's avatar

You are the kind of person I am happy to help! It’s meant to be a temporary help not a way of life. I know the reality of generations on welfare from growing up where I did and seeing it first hand, and that’s my objection. The problem with the system is that it is more designed to enable that than give an incentive to get off the program. As your caseworker seemed to acknowledge 😕

Expand full comment
My Favorite Things's avatar

I shop at thrift stores. I wear new/like new Chico’s, Talbots and other brands of upscale clothing. I’ve also found some nice antiques. I recently purchased a stapled plate from the 1870’s for a dollar because it was “damaged.” The company made dinnerware for Tiffany.

Expand full comment