I am relatively new to thrifting. Growing up in a small town I remember going with my sister and her friends to the Country Store and the Salvation Army while they rummaged through racks of clothing and accessories. I remember thinking that it would be gross to wear something someone else had worn before!
Since then I've gone to other thrift stores but never really found items to suit my style and honestly I still felt uneasy about wearing something "old." All of that changed on Sunday when I went to Crossroads Trading Co. to sell my used clothes and pick up some new treasures. The basic premise is that you take in your gently used clothes and if the buyer selects your items based on style and season you can get 50% in store credit or 35% in cash. Even though I had a nightmare that the girl sifted through my clothes and told me it was worth 10 cents, I actually had a quite the opposite experience.
My finds:
Left: Ann Taylor Dress, originally $89 only $20, new with tags!!!
Right: Converse One Star Shirtdress, $10.50
Left: Sofft leather boots, drumroll please...$37 brand new! Similar styles retail for over $200!
Right: LOFT short-sleeved sweater, $14.00 almost new!
So if you've added everything up, I spent $81.50 right? Wrong!
I traded in 17 items of clothing that I never wear and got $77 in store credit! Apparently my clothes weren't worth 10 cents, rather $154! I paid less than $5 for my four purchases, got rid of old clothes taking up room in my closet, and walked away with great deals.
I am officially a thrifting convert. It felt so good to rid myself of "baggage" and not keep feeding the consumerist culture around me. When winter comes along I'll trade in some items that dont' fit or suit my style anymore and hopefully find something new to me! I'll save money and the environment!
Okay, enough of my rant (and bragging), I recommend you try out a local thrift store because you may find some gems! Or come visit me and we'll go together!
Do you enjoy thrifting? Are you new like me? What's been the best thrifted purchase you've made? Any tips? Questions?
I'll be back later today with an outfit post.
I'll be back later today with an outfit post.
What amazing finds! I love that first dress.
ReplyDeleteThrifting in my neck of the woods isn't that good. I think it largely depends on the overall style of your town. Living in a small one, most of the things I find are old lady clothes or nasty T-shirts.
I worked in an upscale consignment store like this while I was in college & it was amazing. I got all the fabulous things that the 'rich girls' got tired of after a wear or two & often times, paid NOTHING by using my store credits from trading in clothes! isn't it a thrill?! :)
ReplyDeleteyou got some fab finds there xxxxxxx
ReplyDeleteWow!! Good scores!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see you are getting into thrifting!
I am 'somewhat' new to thrifting. I thrifted a bit when I was younger, but have been on over a decade-long hiatus (for no particular reason, just always buying brand new, ya know?). Anyways, I'm trying to save HARD CORE for my wedding (this August) which is sooo difficult bc I just want to shop. I have found that thrifting can help ease my withdrawls (haha) and I can still find some great stuff. And it's pretty rewarding too!
A.Co @ A.Co est. 1984
Ooh, awesome thrifting gets. I'm really no good at the thrifting, probably because I don't know the right places to go to and partly because I don't know what to look out for. Ack, I need lessons!
ReplyDeleteLove the Converse shirtdress---have seen/envied it around the blogosphere! I'm very new to thrifting, too!
ReplyDeleteAMAZING finds! i really want to empty my closet now and hope for good luck like you :)
ReplyDelete