After years of vintage, studenting, t-shirt hawking, tutoring, and housekeeping, I have a job in which I am the youngest employee and will be teaching students just a few years younger than me. In some cases, the students are older than my own personal mother. This means the funky has to be saved for the weekend and I've got to look professional. I mean, I'm not gonna start buying beige tweed, but I can't really rock the shabby chic to work so much anymore. And, I'll be working at the same place four days a week, so I can't play the "recycle my five pieces of nice stuff" game anymore.
So a couple weeks ago, Mr. B. called me up and told me he'd found a new thrift store and it was half-price day. I withdrew cash from the bank and was at his house ready to go before he could even get out of the shower. I took out $20 with the intention of spending just that, and getting a blue shirt and a khaki skirt for work. A couple months ago, I got a fantastic pair of blue and brown pants and an awesome plaid skirt (both on clearance for ridiculously tiny amounts of money) that match nothing in my closet, and my khaki skirt has a stain. Heading into month two of lame summer pay, I was dying to shop but had small money.
Mr. B. and I went to what I will call Tiny Thrift Store for the purposes of this blog. I did not find any clothes, and decided I'd spend some loot on other things, namely a set of curtains (Hello, Window Scarves!)
and cookbooks.
It turned out I'd been to the thrift store before, but not on the glorious wonder that is 50% off day. And I found out that here, the last Sunday of every month is 50% off day at most of the thrift stores in town. It makes sense--it's a good time to clear out the junk. How much did I spend at Tiny Thrift Store?
Window scarves 8.00 4.00
Williams Sonoma
Cookbook 2.00 1.00
Vegetarian
Entertaining 2.00 1.00
Joy of Home
Brew (for Mr. B) 2.00 1.00
----------------------------
7.00
Well, those were great finds! Just one problem--I had no shirts, and I still was itching for clothes and to make some purchases. So, we went to Larger Thrift Store. After sifting through the fun of the kitchen supplies and playing the WTF is That? game, Mr. B. and I parted ways and I destroyed the women's section. While there was nothing great in the skirt or pants department for me, I got four shirts for work that will carry me through the summer and into fall (and I know as hot-natured as I am, I'll wear them to work this winter).
For those of you who watch "The Office" (that's everyone in America under 40, right?), I call this my "Pam Shirt."
It has completely awesome buttons, but it's missing one! Oh no, what will I do?
Well, the missing button will still let me be modest, but even better... look what's hidden under the collar.
Booyah! Moral of the story... don't give up too easily if the thrift find is awesome. The black shirt above even had the original extra buttons stitched to the inside care tag. It pays to check this stuff over. I know all y'all can sew on a button. Even if you think you can't, you actually can. I promise. Try it, just don't stab yourself. And if you have a waterbed, don't use it to hold the needle while you find your thread. I haven't done it, but it's been done. All I'm saying.
This next one doesn't look like much, but the neckline is fabulous, the fit is wonderful and the fabric feels like your favorite blanket. It will be good for early fall and spring, and I now wear it for what I call "fake fall." Fake fall is when I get up early and it's cool outside, and I curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee and a blanket and think about Halloween. (Fall fever has set in superbly early this year.)
I came home, removed tags, and have worn all but the shirt I went out specifically to get, the first blue one. *head smack* However, they've all worn great and are in excellent condition, and they were purchased for about $10. So, for under $20, I quelled the shopping urge, revamped my wardrobe, and found the opportunity to use Mr. B.'s shower curtain as a backdrop. Wooh!
Some pointers for thrifting that you probably already know but I will talk about anyway:
1) Carry a measuring tape. (And if you're shopping for furniture, a tape measure.) Sizes vary hugely, especially if you run across vintage. Know your measurements or the measurements of clothes that fit you well, and shop accordingly.
In Thrift Score, Al Hoff notes that you can wear clothes while thrifting that will allow you to try on clothes right there in the aisle (leggings, tight pants, flowy skirts, etc.). Of course, some people will think you are shoplifting. A lot of stores have gotten better about dressing rooms, but if you're in a hurry, these are good ways to get around that. I'm a combination measurer/try on in the aisles/dressing room girl myself.
2) Look at seams. Make sure they aren't crooked. It may be a $4 dress, but if you don't like to sew, it will be a $4 dress that stays in the "sewing pile." (Don't even start on the sewing pile. It's a tragedy, especially if you have no free time, and spend the free time you have on a blog. Seriously.)
3) Wash everything that can be washed. I don't think I have to explain this one.
4) Find out what time or days the new old clothing is put out, and what days have what discounts. Almost every store has special discount days. Pick up a flyer, check the website, or ask!
5) If you have Talbot's taste on a Goodwill budget, hit the thrift stores in the froufrou part of town. Those ladies will get rid of some high end stuff that they are just tired of or out of closet space for. Personally, I prefer hideous aprons from the 70s and vintage waitress uniforms, but when I need work clothes, those are good places to hit up.
Do any of you have thrifting tips? Share! I mean, I don't expect you to tell me your secret spot, but what have you learned in the thrifting process?
(A note: all thrift stores I vist can not currently be named because one of them may be hiring me for side work. Woo.)
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