Goodwill
Goodwill Changing Minds, Changing Prices
What: Recessionistas want deals on designer duds they can brag about, because it’s no longer “in” to overpay for a Prada handbag. Nor is it affordable. Enter Goodwill. The non-profit chain, which has been a reliable treasure trove for many of us over the years, has lots of leverage right now. And it’s new target consumer is you, bargain hunting stylistas. Taking a few hints from Victoria’s Secret, Saks, and other high-end retailers, Goodwill has been slowly introducing designer boutiques into the country, in an effort to appeal to more upper-class patrons. Along with that, the organization’s started blogging, tweeting, and generally plugging in to communities like this one.
From the New York Times:
Across the country, Goodwill is competing for shoppers with a keener eye and sometimes deeper pockets. A few stores are adjusting prices accordingly. The many who think of the brand as a graveyard for no-name castoffs would be surprised — or dismayed — to find a Prada bag marked at $200 and climbing at auction on a Goodwill Web site, or a Pucci shirt for $800.
What We Say: We can’t get on Goodwill’s case for “recession profiteering,” but we have to wonder if this will benefit us in the long run. Instead of discovering a couture dress on our own, Goodwill will slap it up on a mannequin and put a high price tag on it. Where’s the fun in that? Kudos to Goodwill for getting business-savvy, but we’re on the fence about this new makeover. Also, Goodwill has been a reliable source of apparel for people who previously couldn’t afford to shop at department stores. What’s going to happen to the people who have to shop at Goodwill, when those who choose to shop there take over?
What do you think, is this move for better or worse?
Photo by Masseman
Plus Size Bridal Gowns on a Budget
Q: I am a plus-size bride in dire need of a beautiful wedding dress on a budget. I live in the New York area and everything seems to be in a size two.
A: There are many options out there for brides on a budget, including plus-size brides. Here are a few:
Lane Bryant.com
The fashionable plus size bridal company has created a line of beautiful and budget bridal gowns for plus size fashionistas. Collection features simple sleeves dresses, similar to the weddings dresses designed by J.Crew, for under $150 dollars. Read my review of the line
The Bridal Building
1385 Broadway
New York City
This is the place where many designers have their showrooms and sales offices. These showrooms are open to the public on Saturdays and you can find designer dresses from 30% off retail prices. Tailors are available on the spot.
The Bridal Suite of Manhattan
262 West 38th Street, Suite 1701
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 212.764.3040, Fax: 212.764.3018
Contact: Bernadette Pleasant
bpleasant@BridalSuiteNYC.com
A large selection of styles and prices. Call ahead to see if they are having a trunk sale.
Last Call Neiman Marcus
Woodbury Commons (Central New York) and Franklin Mills (outside of Philadelphia, PA.)
These outlets of the high-end Neiman Marcus store carry a wonderful selection of gowns, for up to 80% off their retail price. Sizing is hit or miss, though I have spotted plus-sizes before.
Kleinfields
110 West 20th Street
New York, New York 10011
Phone (646) 633 4300
e-mail: info@kleinfeldbridal.com
THE place to shop in New York for bridal gowns is Kleinfields and the store featured on TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress”. Brides travel here from as far away as Washington, D.C. Kleinfields has a large selection of gowns to fit every size and price range. Call ahead for an appointment.
David’s Bridal
location: wherever there’s women…but one Manhattan location on 25th and 6th Ave
A large selection of affordable, but somewhat plain, plus size wedding dresses.
Local Thrift Shops
Thrift shops can offer wonderful bridal treasures, if you don’t mind wearing a second-hand dress. It’s always worth taking a look at your local Salvation Army or Goodwill stores. In New York City, also check out Housing Works Thrift Shop in Chelsea.
If you can’t find your perfect dress at any of these stores, try finding it on the internet. Online bridal shops like CocoMyles, Watters.com and Bridal Shop at Yahoo can offer a wide range of sizes and cheaper prices because there is little store overhead. Also try eBay, which has a huge selection of plus-size bridal gowns, some new and some not so new. When using eBay, make sure you ask for several pictures of the item and purchase with a credit card that has buyer protection—not a debit card. That way, if any problems develop, you might be able to get a refund from your credit card company.
Happy Shopping,
The Budget Fashionista
How to Shop Goodwill
Ah, Goodwill. We know what you’re thinking—sequined holiday sweaters and acid wash mommy jeans. Well, there is some of that—but you may not realize that amidst the trove of fashion faux-pas, there are some bonafide gems to be discovered. If you can just get past the mothball smell, and remember that thrift shopping is a cornerstone for many a budget trend-setter.
We wouldn’t want you to head in unarmed, however, so Angela’s compiled some useful tips to make the most of your thrift shopping experience:
Never-worn items. You may not know this, but Goodwill frequently has with-tags items on the racks from retailers, for super cheap prices. I’ve gotten brand new totally cute shoes by Isaac Mizrahi for Target and Xhilaration—never worn and with pricetags—for between $3 and $5 a pair. I recently picked up a beautiful brown pinstripe XOXO jacket—regularly priced $49.99—for 15 bucks, with tags. And this week, I saw a navy pinstripe jacket by Isaac Mizrahi for Target for just 5 bucks—but had to leave it behind because it just didn’t quite flatter me. Darn it.
Gently used pieces. Even if you’re looking at items that have come from someone else’s closet, used doesn’t always mean used up. Look for items that don’t typically get worn to death. Goodwill is a great place for winter jackets (especially the wool dress kind), suiting jackets, and workwear skirts. It seems that women often tire of—or not longer fit into—these items before they’ve outlived their usefulness or style potential. There are some big shoulder pads and wacky tablecloth patterns in there so you’ll have to keep your fashion wits about you, but it’s not uncommon to find a classic wool coat or perfectly acceptable houndstooth skirt if you wade through a little of the yuk.
Know what not to buy. Of course, Goodwill is not a department store, so it shouldn’t be a one-stop shopping experience for all your wardrobe needs. Areas to avoid:
~ anything denim (believe me, the previous owner got all they could get from these items)
~ knit tops (they’re usually washed out, stretched out, or just plain out)
~ most anything black or white (most people don’t wash their black or white items properly, so you’ll be hard pressed to find anything black or white that doesn’t look as though it’s been worked over by someone else, and that’s just not pretty)
Goodwill Goes High End in Connecticut
What: Goodwill tests a 13,000 sq foot super store, featuring higher end goods, in the western Connecticut city of Brookfield.
What the experts say: from Cool News of the Day: “That’s where he noticed that “thrifty and upscale” is not always a contradiction in terms. “People are really interested in finding treasures, whether it’s from for-profit re-sale stores or charities,” he (David H. Turner, president of Goodwill Industries of Western Connecticut) observes, adding “We’re upscaling because it’s a business necessity.”
What I say: One hand it’s great that Goodwill and other thrift stores are starting to price their goods and remodel their stores to be competitive, but on the other hand isn’t the point of thrift stores to help those can’t afford to purchase new items?
Banana Republic Deal: 15% Off When You Bring in a Pair of Old Pants
THIS PROMOTION IS NOW OVER.
Donate an old (but still in good shape) pair of pants at your local Banana Republic and get 15% off off the purchase of a new pair of pants. Donated pants will be sent to Goodwill.
Fall 2006 Fashion Preview: Gray, Gray, Gray
Gray is this fall’s MUST have color. Whether a heather gray jersey dress like the one above (at Old Navy) or a steel gray cashmere coat, everyone should try to incorporate a bit of gray into their closets. Here’s some tips on how you’ll wear it:
- Pair a gray dress with a pair of bright red, pink, or blue stockings for retro 80s look (try Target’s Xhilaration line of stockings)
- Wear a gray suit with this fall’s hot new shoe, the ankle boot
- Buy or make a chunky knit gray sweater and wear it with a pair of leggings
- Head to the nearest Salvation Army or Goodwill and score a gray “Grandpa” cardigan sweater. Pair it with a chic wide belt (Forever 21, H&M, Target) and wear it over a pencil skirt for the office or a pair of jeans for a more casual look
Budget Best: Online Vintage Consignment Stores
One of my favorite childhood memories involves rummaging through the racks of the local Junior League thrift store with my seamstress grandma. A Saturday morning ritual, I never left the shop empty handed. There was always a vintage patent leather clutch or rhinestone brooches or Hermes like silk scarf—with prices tags well under $5.00.
Fast forward 20 years.Now vintage fashion doesn’t always equal bargain prices. Deals that could be found in local thrift stores are now going for $100.00 plus dollars at online and offline vintage stores. In fact, many vintage and consignment shop owners stock their stores with items they found at their local Salvation Army and Goodwill (biggest spot—Jersey City Salvation Army). However, all is not lost. There’s been a emergence of online vintage stores that have great items without the high mark-ups. Here’s some of my favorite.
But first ... a few things to remember
1. Sizes, like people, change over time. Sizes of clothing pre-1980 tend to run significantly smaller than its comparable size today. The rule of thumb is to add 2 sizes to your current size to find your vintage size. For example, if you wear a size 10 now, you would wear about a size 14 in vintage clothing.
2. Follow care instructions carefully. Because of age, vintage fabric tends to be much more delicate than newer items. Make sure you follow the care instructions exactly. Unless otherwise expressed in the care instructions, I would send all vintage items to a reputable dry cleaner.
3. Try several places before purchasing. Prices of vintage items vary greatly by stores. Search around, and you may find a similar item cheaper at another shop.
4. Shop it like a regular store. Yes, that Pucci print jumpsuit is exactly like one worn by Edie Sedgwick in the 60s. However, if you wouldn’t purchase it on the rack of a “regular” store, don’t purchase it now.
Shop Goodwill-Our Favorite thrift store now has an online auction site. The nicely designed site is not quite Ebay, but you can find items at a cheaper price than its for-profit competitor. Shop Goodwill is the best place for cheap costume jewelry on the web. Where else could you find one of this season’s hottest styles, cameo brooches, for $2.00? There is a major downside to the site, very few of the postings have pictures.
ebay.com- Ebay has started to ramp up its style section, with a focus on fashionistas on a budget. Good deals can be found here, especially in the area of vintage fashion. I’ve purchased several items from the store, most recently a vintage hat covered with silk daisies circa 1962. Before spending any money with an Ebay store, check it sellers ratings and view their buyer comments. In addition, always purchase items from e-bay using a credit card with buyer protection. That way if the item is fake (which happens more often than not), you may be able to get your money back via the credit you used to purchase the item.
Fashion Dig—The grandma of online vintage. Has a HUGE database of online and offline vintage stores.
The Snob—One of the first and largest online vintage retailers, the Snob has a comprehensive, searchable, online database of vintage fashions from designers like Versace, gently worn authentic Hermes handbags (including vintage), Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Valentino, Missoni, Malo, Fendi, Jil Sander, Manolo Blahnik, Gucci, Chanel and Prada shoes and bags. . All merchandise is authentic and in excellent condition (some items in mint, unworn condition). Check out their large selection of plus size vintage and consignment items.
Rodeo Drive Resale - This Rodeo drive based store, has a online store with an impressive collection of vintage handbags and evening dresses worn by stars to premieres and Hollywood events. Of particular interest is perhaps the largest selection of St. John Knits consignment items. Frequent costumers can negotiate free shipping on their purchases.
Vintage Trends—Large vintage online store for men, women, and children. Has not only clothing, but has vintage military, lingerie and housewares as well. My favorite section is the vintage ethnic clothing from Pakistan to Ghana to Bali. Most items priced between $20-$50.
Hey Viv—Looking for 1950’s/ early 1960’s inspired dresses. Have dreams of purchasing a dress that would make June Cleaver green with envy? Hey Viv is the 1950’s/1960’s inspired vintage store selling dresses, and outfits from the time period of I love Lucy and big cars. Great place to look for a poodle skirt. Most items priced below $40.
Know a great vintage site that should be on this list? Submit it (go to the customer feedback form) to me. I am always on the prowl…….
Fashion Advice: Classic Men’s Style on a Student’s Budget
Dear Budget Fashionista
I am a poor undergrad who is very tired of seeing hordes of banal A&E, Hollister, and Abercrombie zombies wandering my campus. How can I make a tasteful and rather classical appearance with a minimum amount of damage to my pathetic wallet?
A: College campuses, once the seat of all things cool and hip, now look like something the Gap threw up after a wild night of partying at the local bar. No longer is college the place to experiment and try out new things. Campus fashion has become as boring and as tedious as an 8:00 am class.
The first stop on your way to dressing classically is to purchase the book “Dressing the Man” by Alan Flusser . This book is an excellent reference for any guy looking to develop his own classic style. We suggest that you check if your bookstore will allow you to pass the book off as a “textbook” (tell them it for a class on reconstructing the current paradigm of the contemporary definition of masculinity through the use of apparel).
After getting the book, head to the nearest Salvation Army or
Goodwill. “Sally” and “Goody” are the best places to score key finds like classic suit jackets, overcoats and more. Look for jackets that are fully lined, made of either 100% wool or cashmere. Leave the polyester alone. Tweed is always in for men, so pick up a few here. These stores are also great places to land trench coats (think Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca)—a must for any classic male wardrobe. Take your thrift store finds to the nearest dry cleaners and have them tailor the items to fit you perfectly. In fact take all of your finds (whether they are from a thrift store or from the Nordstrom’s) to a tailor. If you are daring enough, ask the tailor to throw on a couple of suede patches at the elbow for good measure.
As far as pants go, you can still shop at the same spots as your unfashionable brethren. The Gap, Banana Republic
, and Abercrombie are great places to purchase basic pants. Again, look for pants made of 100% wool, cotton, or other natural fabrics. Pay attention to the rise (the distance between your crotch and waist). Your pants should hit you right at your waist. They should not be low risers, as is the current trend. The inseam (the length of the pants) is also very important. As a rule of thumb, the pant leg should “break” at the front of the shoe and approach the top of the heel at the back. Cuffs add additional weight to help pants drape well. Make sure your tailor adds an additional 1/4-inch to the length. Pants, even when they are dry cleaned, tend to shrink a bit.
Now to complete the classic look, you need accessories. Wearing a tie is a classic option and is something that will definitely set you apart from your college mates. Learn how to tie a Windsor knot (the fat knots wore by bankers) and you might be able to score a free lunch or two from friends who want to learn how to make such a stylish knot. The tip of your tie should hit the top of your pants—no shorter, no longer.
Stay away from designers like D&G and DKNY, all of whom tend to be a little trendy with their menswear designs. Also, always wear a nice belt. You local Marshall’s or TJ Maxx is a great place to find these items. For shoes get a pair of classic loafers or driving moccasins from http://www.minnetonkamoccasin.com. If you are brave enough, buy a pair of Dexter penny loafers and put a dime in the shoe.
Clean, collegiate, and classic.
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