I've been so excited to write this blog post, and it seemed like I was never going to have the time. Yay for chill friday nights. :)
I've always been interested in secondhand and thrift shopping. As a young girl it seemed like nothing around here was worth going to. I stopped by the Salvation Army and many second hand stores around the area but it seemed like everything was made for an older set of people. I think the real reason it didn't work was because I was too young. I had very little sense of my own personal style and I was a little chubber so it was difficult for me to find something that looked good AND fit me.
As I got older, I discovered the stores Goodwill and Stuff. This was like a goldmine, but I still wasn't secure in my fashion identity, so clothing still eluded me. But never fear, I spent those years stocking up on books. Now, at 23, I can confidently say, "I know how to shop in a second hand store".
So without further ado, here's what I collected on my latest shopping trip. :)
I went on this shopping trip specifically for skirts, but the button up shirts and dresses always get my attention too. So I walked im, got a cart and headed straight for the skirt isle. And let me tell you, jack pot day. You know, besides the little old ladies that go the wrong ways down the isles and don't move even though they looked at the same item fifty times and can't decide if they should buy it or not because they have 15 other identical ones at home. . . but I digress.
When shopping at Goodwill it is important to not get discouraged or too attached to an item, before you inspect and try it on. Clothing at Goodwill comes from all generations and times. Seams and general clothing wear have to be inspected for any damages, like tears, rips, or stains. Also look for where the cloth may be getting thin or is generally misshapen. For this reason, I buy all of my tank tops new. Why would I want to buy a possibly sweat stained, misshapen rag of cloth? When you find quality items, that seem like they are the right size for you it is best if you snatch them up as you pass.
It is also important to go through an entire isle if you're looking for a specific item in a non-specific color. Gems can be hidden behind other less awesome items. Once you've gone down an entire isle and are satisfied with your selections, it's time to head to the dressing room. And let me tell you, this is my favorite part. I don't worry that something might not look as good on me as it does on the hanger, or vice versa. So now, let me talk to you about my selections.
1. This skirt is colorful and super swooshy, for a lack of better descriptive word. It's got an elastic waistline and hits me lower calf. It's crazy colored and covered in flowers. Wearing it earned me lots of compliments and I'm so glad I bought it, even though it's ridiculously colored.
Price: $1.69
2. So, I visited the shirt section, sue me. I love my button ups and this was just a bonus. It's a coral three quarter sleeve shirt with white stripes. It came from The Gap and has minimal wear.
Price: $1.69
3. A red and white stripped button up. It was hanging there on the rack calling my name and I couldn't say no. And I put it on just so I could light up like a christmas tree about how wonderful it felt and how beautiful it looked.
Price: $1.69
4. White dress with black flowers and a below the bust ribbon tie. BONUS! It has pockets. How awesome is that? It looks amazing and just yeah.
Price: $5.38
5.Sheer long sleeved button up. It's also beautifully colored. Are you getting that color asthetic is important to me? I got it to ride the motorcycle in and I think it works quite well. I wore it as a shirt over a tank top in the morning when I knew the day was going to get warmer.
Price: $2.38
6. This skirt is a lipstick red, A-line cut skirt. THIS SKIRT IS MY FAVORITE! It might partially be due to the fact it was originally $143.00 and I got it for $3.38, and also because it looks awesome on me! Can you believe that?!I don't know what else to say about this skirt. It's lovely and it was expensive so I know it's quality.
Price: $3.38
7.This is a royal blue trumpet skirt. It's most lovely. I haven't worn it yet. I think it's sitting in my closet mocking me about the fact that I don't have anything as beautiful to pair it with.
Price: $1.69
8. This is a sea green A line skirt. It also has pockets. Sweet! I'm in love with this pockets on skirts thing. It works so well with the advancing technology and the "need" to always have our phones on our possession.
Price: $3.38
Subtotal Cost: $21.28
Taxes: $ 1.49
Total Shopping trip cost: $22.77
The best thing about Goodwill is how often they put new things out. Which is about every two hours. So you can always find something that wasn't there before. I get tired of going to retail chain stores because it's the same inventory for weeks and everything has the same general style. Goodwill has everything. Every single thing. Except military tanks, because that would be ridiculous.
The second best thing is the price for what you get. Where else, besides a garage sale (which I haven't gotten to yet), can you find cheaply priced, quality, second hand items? That's a rhetorical question. No, not really, if you have something better, please share! :)
I hope you enjoyed this post, if you made it all the way through. I like words, a lot.
I've always been interested in secondhand and thrift shopping. As a young girl it seemed like nothing around here was worth going to. I stopped by the Salvation Army and many second hand stores around the area but it seemed like everything was made for an older set of people. I think the real reason it didn't work was because I was too young. I had very little sense of my own personal style and I was a little chubber so it was difficult for me to find something that looked good AND fit me.
As I got older, I discovered the stores Goodwill and Stuff. This was like a goldmine, but I still wasn't secure in my fashion identity, so clothing still eluded me. But never fear, I spent those years stocking up on books. Now, at 23, I can confidently say, "I know how to shop in a second hand store".
So without further ado, here's what I collected on my latest shopping trip. :)
I went on this shopping trip specifically for skirts, but the button up shirts and dresses always get my attention too. So I walked im, got a cart and headed straight for the skirt isle. And let me tell you, jack pot day. You know, besides the little old ladies that go the wrong ways down the isles and don't move even though they looked at the same item fifty times and can't decide if they should buy it or not because they have 15 other identical ones at home. . . but I digress.
When shopping at Goodwill it is important to not get discouraged or too attached to an item, before you inspect and try it on. Clothing at Goodwill comes from all generations and times. Seams and general clothing wear have to be inspected for any damages, like tears, rips, or stains. Also look for where the cloth may be getting thin or is generally misshapen. For this reason, I buy all of my tank tops new. Why would I want to buy a possibly sweat stained, misshapen rag of cloth? When you find quality items, that seem like they are the right size for you it is best if you snatch them up as you pass.
It is also important to go through an entire isle if you're looking for a specific item in a non-specific color. Gems can be hidden behind other less awesome items. Once you've gone down an entire isle and are satisfied with your selections, it's time to head to the dressing room. And let me tell you, this is my favorite part. I don't worry that something might not look as good on me as it does on the hanger, or vice versa. So now, let me talk to you about my selections.
Price: $1.69
2. So, I visited the shirt section, sue me. I love my button ups and this was just a bonus. It's a coral three quarter sleeve shirt with white stripes. It came from The Gap and has minimal wear.
Price: $1.69
3. A red and white stripped button up. It was hanging there on the rack calling my name and I couldn't say no. And I put it on just so I could light up like a christmas tree about how wonderful it felt and how beautiful it looked.
Price: $1.69
4. White dress with black flowers and a below the bust ribbon tie. BONUS! It has pockets. How awesome is that? It looks amazing and just yeah.
Price: $5.38
5.Sheer long sleeved button up. It's also beautifully colored. Are you getting that color asthetic is important to me? I got it to ride the motorcycle in and I think it works quite well. I wore it as a shirt over a tank top in the morning when I knew the day was going to get warmer.
Price: $2.38
6. This skirt is a lipstick red, A-line cut skirt. THIS SKIRT IS MY FAVORITE! It might partially be due to the fact it was originally $143.00 and I got it for $3.38, and also because it looks awesome on me! Can you believe that?!I don't know what else to say about this skirt. It's lovely and it was expensive so I know it's quality.
Price: $3.38
7.This is a royal blue trumpet skirt. It's most lovely. I haven't worn it yet. I think it's sitting in my closet mocking me about the fact that I don't have anything as beautiful to pair it with.
Price: $1.69
8. This is a sea green A line skirt. It also has pockets. Sweet! I'm in love with this pockets on skirts thing. It works so well with the advancing technology and the "need" to always have our phones on our possession.
Price: $3.38
Subtotal Cost: $21.28
Taxes: $ 1.49
Total Shopping trip cost: $22.77
The best thing about Goodwill is how often they put new things out. Which is about every two hours. So you can always find something that wasn't there before. I get tired of going to retail chain stores because it's the same inventory for weeks and everything has the same general style. Goodwill has everything. Every single thing. Except military tanks, because that would be ridiculous.
The second best thing is the price for what you get. Where else, besides a garage sale (which I haven't gotten to yet), can you find cheaply priced, quality, second hand items? That's a rhetorical question. No, not really, if you have something better, please share! :)
I hope you enjoyed this post, if you made it all the way through. I like words, a lot.
