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…
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Agree. Have wished husband could get the male equivalent of fine clothing I wear from thrift stores. Difficult for a male.
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.
I appreciate you! Some of us have no style! 😁🙋♀️
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.
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!
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.
That was my attitude toward yard sales--although thrift shop clothing was much more efficient.
Go to high end neighborhoods and the ones who support Cancer.
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.
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.
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.
That’s awesome (what you needed showing up in the mail not the stolen luggage, of course!).
See, I really need to try things on for the most part so I generally avoid buying clothing online except in very specific circumstances.
I like the way you dress! Preppie all the way! ♥️
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.)