Category — Secondhand Wardrobe Shopping

The other day I found myself in need of a stack of used long sleeved tee shirts. I do programs for kids at schools and libraries and I’m scheduled to do one next Wednesday where I teach the kids to make stuffed animals from the sleeves of used tee shirts.   

I thought I had plenty of sleeves for everybody. Then I spoke with the librarian and found out that many more kids had signed up for the program than they had anticipated. I suddenly found myself with just barely enough supplies. Thank goodness that Goodwill has 2 for $3 days! 

Yesterday I strolled into the store, went straight to where the long sleeved shirts are located, looked for the ones with the discount tags, and within 10 minutes I had just what I needed. Not only that, I got a bonus for my secondhand efforts—in with the tees that I will use for my recycling program, I also nabbed a few that are in great condition and that fit me just right. 

It’s easy to shop for clothes at Sears and come out with a boring wardrobe. Generally, those of us who love dressing secondhand don’t have that problem, but there are other style dangers that lurk when we go out sniffing around for used bargains.

For one, we have to be vigilant in avoiding clothing that’s stained, torn or looks worn in other ways. That means carefully examining all items before plunking down your two dollars and fifty cents. For another, and I don’t know how to put this delicately, no clothing has the potential for being as goofy looking as clothing from a thrift store. There are so many strange things at secondhand stores, from sweaters with massive 3-D Christmas trees to MC Hammer balloon pants. Don’t get me wrong—I love goofy, but a little goes a long way.

I was one of those teenagers who really suffered because my family couldn’t afford to dress me like the other kids at school. I wasn’t picked on because of it, I just felt uncomfortable every single day. I wish I’d known that there was an alternative so inexpensive that even I, a kid with just a teeny bit of my own money, could have afforded it.  

Now I jump at the chance to speak to groups of teenagers about how they can find wonderful clothing at thrift stores. The kids never have much to say. Some of them are grossed out by the whole idea. But I’m sure that some stay quiet because they don’t want the other students to know that they wear used clothing.  

I’ll keep giving these talks because I understand how valuable it is to know that you can dress well even when your finances are tight. I also keep hoping that some of the kids will learn that donating is a much better alternative than tossing still-good clothing into the trash.

The other day, I was about to take my 19-year-old son out to lunch when he suggested that we first stop by a neighborhood thrift store so that he could look for some shorts for himself. I was a little grumpy about it because I was planning my usual weekly thrift store trip the next day, when most of the clothing would be ½ off. Unfortunately, he was working the following day, so we popped into the thrift for 10 minutes before hitting the diner. He found 3 pairs of shorts for $17.

The next day, the sale day, I found 12 really heavy, made-for-restaurant use, Anchor Hocking drinking glasses, a black tee by Newport News, a cuddly (and brand new—still had the sizing sticker down the front) fleece sweater from Banana Republic and a Gap pea coat in a brilliant turquoise corduroy. All of it cost $25. Hitting the sales doesn’t always work out, but when I have a choice, ½ off is always more appealing than full price. 

I’ve gone to a few sewing conventions, and have got to say that they were jaw-dropping events. The classes were great, that wasn’t what shocked me. It was the way most of the attendees were dressed. Since these events were about home sewing, I expected to see people decked out in beautiful, flattering things they’d made. Ha! I saw loads of polyester pants with elastic waists. I knew the waists were elastic because oversized tee shirts were tucked into them. As a topper, there were a lot of patchwork vests and jackets that showed off the exquisite needlework skills of the wearer. Even though the toppers would have been beautiful to view on a hanger or a wall, as garments they were unfitted and unbelievably unflattering. 

Lest I sound like a big snoot, let me just say that I have nothing against ugly clothing. In fact, I really like it as long as I’m by myself and in my own house. This morning is cold and rainy and I’m alone, writing and periodically taking breaks to work out. I’ve got on stretchy pants that are in a shade that can only be called baby stool brown, shoes that are comfortable but make my naturally oversized feet look clowny, a tee shirt that appears to have been chewed off at the neckline because I tore into it with a pair of blunt scissors one day when it felt too tight, and a pilled shapeless fleece sweater.  

This outfit is comfortably delightful for my tasks this AM, but I’m meeting some friends for lunch. When I go out of the house, I’ll change my clothes. I’ll do so for one reason—because people judge each other on appearance.  

Since I have some amount of control over how I look, it amuses me to look like something the cat dragged in when I’m here by myself and then to look pretty good when I go out into the world.   

To get back to the sewing convention–as I was wandering around, trying to keep my eyes fixed on something other than the ugly clothing, I kept wondering if all of these people had avoided looking in the mirror before they left home. Which brings me to the first of the style suggestions that I will make here on my blog: Get into the habit of looking in the mirror before you leave home. Check the back view as well to make sure there’s isn’t anything that you’re missing, like a big spot on the seat of your pants. While you’re looking, try to be kind. If you usually don’t have a gander at yourself before leaving home, there might be a reason—like maybe you are overly critical when you look at yourself. Don’t do that now. Just make sure that you look decent. We’ll move on to more challenging assignments later, but for now, get used to your own reflection.