What do I do for fun? It’s a little twisted, but I shop for second-hand clothes… at thrift stores, and I love it!
My AHA! moment came after I spent almost a whole day looking for an outfit to wear at a mega mall and was in tears that I couldn’t find anything I liked and could afford. That’s when I realized that I hate mall shopping. Ultimately I must have good taste because I always ended up liking something outrageously priced at the mall. Sorry fashion world, I can’t convince myself that it’s worth it to spend $500 or more on a blouse that I may or may not keep for the rest of my life.
Maybe that’s it; I’m not looking for a lifetime commitment with clothing, I’m too fickle, and I can’t quite convince myself that spending thousands of dollars on this season’s ‘must-have items’ is worth it, especially when there are so many cute clothes in thrift stores and so many people in the world who go without even necessities.
Still, I like clothing, and I like shopping without the pressure of having to stick to a budget or look like everyone else. I prefer having what I wear to be a statement of my personality and creativity, especially when someone asks where I got my shirt or skirt, and I can reply, “I found it at the thrift store — for $3.00!”
My sisters and I started learning how to find hidden treasures at thrift stores from Mom when we were young. I supposed it was a necessity for our family early on, but it has become a part of my life philosophy over the years. As I’ve found great clothes at thrift stores, sometimes with the original tags still on, I’m happy to apply the principles from Grandma’s proverb… Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. In my mind, however, ‘Wear It Out’ means I’ve found something worth showing off!
Over the years, my sisters and I have each discovered our own style, methods, and tips for successful thrift store shopping, and we’ve decided to carry on an online conversation about what works and what doesn’t with photos and advice for building a cute and unique wardrobe while saving the world. Want to join the conversation?
