Being a fashionista on a seriously tight paying-for-my-own-college budget, I find my best experiences are when I go to the Plato's Closet in my area. Everyone should seriously check it out. But I actually found the cutest ivory lacy tank top at my local Goodwill two weeks ago. I wear it all the time now. I also found a formal dress there for $10, which would probably retail for at least $125. That's the first place I look, but I have a really big Goodwill, so that might not be an option for everyone.
I think that there are a lot of people who do not consider used or second hand shops a place to go for clothing, but you are absoloutely right! They price their clothes is based on the type of item (shorts, skirt, pants, etc) vs the brand name on the tag. As a result, you can often find really great deals on AE, Abercrombie, etc. It's like any sale ... you may go and find nothing one day and then, on the next trip, you find a great skirt, new with tags still attached, for $3! I particularly like to shop for my children's clothes here. Kids outgrow clothing so fast OR you buy them something that they hate and NEVER wear ... parents often donate clothes in absolutely new or new w/ tags condition ALL THE TIME. I can get jeans for my seven year old daughter for about $3-$4 per pair (it varies by store).
Also, with vintage clothing continuously making it's way back into the fashion world, these are also great places to find an original vintage dress or top for a few dollars instead of a copycat new one by a top designer for hundreds more!
Personally I'm a huge fan of thrift/resale shops because you can find unique vintage jewelry and accessories for amazing prices.For those who balk at the idea of buying resale, you don't have to "wear" the clothes. I've purchase items just for trimmings like great lace and buttons and then take those items and apply them to other pieces of clothing
Being a fashionista on a seriously tight paying-for-my-own-college budget, I find my best experiences are when I go to the Plato's Closet in my area. Everyone should seriously check it out. But I actually found the cutest ivory lacy tank top at my local Goodwill two weeks ago. I wear it all the time now. I also found a formal dress there for $10, which would probably retail for at least $125. That's the first place I look, but I have a really big Goodwill, so that might not be an option for everyone.
To look at this another way, I’m not a big fan of buying from Goodwill or Plato’s Closet, BUT I finally went through years of clothing (and body changes---from size 6s to size 14s...since I was about 16 years old) and sold all of my old clothes, load by load to Plato’s Closet. I made a whopping $1,200 in just a few months!!! This paid for my spring break trip (my first year out of college...and I was a high school teacher--needed a break just as much as the kids!) Not only that, but I had enough left over to buy new clothing that I knew I would keep for at least a few years. Even now, I have a new big box stocked up and ready to bring back to Plato’s to make some money. Whatever I don’t sell I bring to local battered women and children shelters. So hey, at least I clear my closet space, make some money, and end up doing some charity! Not too shabby :)
I know how you feel, I’m in college too. I’m a huge fan of resale shops, but I’ve found that like anywhere else there are good and bad days to go. The best time to hit somewhere like that is around April and May when everyone else seems to be cleaning out their closets in preparation for summer.
I’m also a HUGE sale shopper. Target clearance racks are my friends!! I tend to only buy things regular price if I really really need them. Every now and then you can find an 80% off sale at Kohl’s stores. I once got a beautiful cashmere sweater for $5.00!!
And don’t forget—often Goodwill has with-tags clothing from various retailers (frequently Target) amidst the donated offerings. I’ve gotten more than one Isaac Mizrahi for Target item for around $5 apiece, including jackets and shoes, as well as various other name-brand, never-worn items for $15 or less!
A few years ago I found an AUTHENTIC Chanel wool pencil skirt at Goodwill and only paid $1.50 for it!!!! Our Goodwill store in Belle Vernon, PA gets TONS of Target clothing and furniture. I purchase all of my pub chairs that retailed for $100 each for only $15 each...and they were already put together...BONUS!
A few years ago (2001), I got a new job as Office Manager and needed to update my wardrobe. I’d been working in t-shirts&jeans;shops for a couple years prior to that and none of my “good” clothes fit anymore anyway.
Between consignment shops, Goodwill, and eBay, I re-did my entire work wardrobe for just under $400. That included a red silk Nieman Marcus pantsuit, a gorgeous Jones of New York taupe pantsuit, and a bunch of skirts and tops and dresses. Things that “sorta” fit got taken to the tailor. Anything that simply didn’t fit - I donated and got tax receipts! Either way, I win. ;-)
I’m still a fan of Goodwill (both for cleaning out my closet and for buying), but I’ve also discovered that TravelSmith and The Territory Beyond have outlet stores a couple miles from me, so I shop there and buy items for under $20. I’ve gotten some of their “prototype” clothes - those can be great buys, and one-of-a-kind. Outlet stores are great.
I don’t mind second-hand clothes, but I cannot stand to wear second-hand shoes!
SCORE! I just picked up a gorgeous linen jacket, shorts and skirt for $27 *TOTAL*, at a local consignment/charity store. All proceeds go to a childrens’ charity. It’s gorgeous - this wonderful pinkish-salmonish- hard-to-describe color. Very bright but goes perfect with the shirt and dress I wore today and, since it’s solid color (no pattern) and a classic cut, I can wear it for a long time with other things. Yay. I love consignment stores and thrift shops/
And don’t forget—often Goodwill has with-tags clothing from various retailers (frequently Target) amidst the donated offerings. I’ve gotten more than one Isaac Mizrahi for Target item for around $5 apiece, including jackets and shoes, as well as various other name-brand, never-worn items for $15 or less!
Last week our Goodwill Store had all of their Target clothing (for guys and girls) on sale for $1!!! My husband scored five really cool thermal shirts and I found three pieces of Champion workout wear. I shop Goodwill at least twice per week just for the Target stuff. Can’t wait for summer when they bring in the patio and garden merchandise!
I have to admit I don’t go into these types of stores and buy from them too often, but everyone’s right, they have some great deals and you could find some well-made stuff too. This topic has actually inspired me to go to my local Goodwill store later today and browse around a little.
I wish our local Platos’ closet took more----the managers there will ONLY buy teen style stuff---if it’s not abercrombie, forget it.
I sold an ambercrombie hoodie there for $10, but they turned up their noses at kenneth cole, bebe, bcbg, and ann taylor loft all pretty much practically new (do they have a clue? LOL) I’d never tried to get rid of it if it didn’t fit.
I will say, you can find some goodies at salvation army/goodwill type stores....it’s like a little goldmine if you look:
My favorite finds: a bebe top for 1.99, tahari denim skirt for 3.99, and a brand new ann taylor top for 2.99 with tags still attached.
I’ve seen seven jeans, laundry, bcbg, cache, and all sorts of other goodies at second hand shops.
I wish our local Platos’ closet took more----the managers there will ONLY buy teen style stuff---if it’s not abercrombie, forget it.
This wouldn’t happen to be the Plato’s Closet in Bloomington, Indiana would it? I have an easier time selling hardly used beauty products there than clothing and accessories.
I still like to shop there though. It’s the only way I can afford name brand clothing. It was a lifesaver when the store I work at changed their dress code. I got steals on clothing. I also found some sexy tops to wear to the club.
