4 reasons why thrift stores are better
A little over two years ago, I moved to Manhattan. On my first night here, I wrote a song that began “This big city/ with its small sky….” The buildings obscured everything. I felt slightly buried. I felt incredibly alone. The next day I went out into the world and learned that I was not fashionable. Mostly I learned it on the campus of Columbia University, where all of the young women had a certain look. It was a look that my friend Liane and I (both of us at Columbia at the time) tried to describe, months later. “Shiny hair,” she said. “They always have shiny hair.”
“Their skin is always clear,” I said.
“They’re always thin.”
“Their clothes always match. But like they didn’t mean to match.”
“Their clothes are always a little casual, but you can tell they’re expensive.”
“Their jeans are never too blue.”
(these colors are acceptable. source)
In fact, in the year I spent at Columbia, I only saw one heavyset girl. One. I wondered what her life was like. And I felt this enormous, unquenchable urge to buy boots.
But when I went to buy boots, they were all 350 dollars. The nicer ones were a hundred more. Finally, after spending half a day wandering along Broadway, I asked a salesperson in one of the shops, “What is the cheapest pair of shoes you have here?” and he said immediately, “This pair of flats, for ninety-nine dollars.” He pointed at the plainest pair of shoes in the place. They looked embarrassed to be there, huddling against the display shelf.
I’m a bad shopper. I don’t keep track of when sales are happening. I don’t know where to go for big sales. I have never in my life gone shopping because the shopping was better that day. Most of the time, it doesn’t even occur to me to go. And when it does, I usually have no idea where to go. Which is part of why I am compiling a list of four reasons why shopping in a thrift store is better. Another part of why I’m doing that is that Penelope Trunk told me I should try presenting information in a list (she does a list in her most recent post). Which I am obviously bad at. She likes to push me to be better. I like to give being better a shot. And now she can tell me that I shouldn’t write eight paragraphs before getting to the list.
1.When you buy stuff at a thrift store, you can buy a lot more stuff than you otherwise would. Which means there’s less pressure to narrow your selection down to two items. And less pressure to only buy what you absolutely need. Because of this, you can put together more creative outfits, experiment, and stop thinking things like, “Wait…I know I have another skirt that might go with this top, but doesn’t it stick out in the back? I probably wouldn’t wear the top with it after all. I probably shouldn’t get the top. Unless I get a different skirt that will go with it better. But I don’t really need another skirt. Even though I love the top. How much would I have to love the top in order to justify getting it without having the right skirt? As much as I love sunshine? As much as I love my mother?”
(source)
2. When you buy stuff at a thrift store, you can spill stuff on it later, and it doesn’t make you want to throw yourself out of a window. Because, inevitably, whenever I buy something beautiful and white for over $30, I save it for the right moment. And finally that moment comes. And in that moment, someone drops their glass of wine. It doesn’t really matter how long I wait, the wine is willing to wait for me.
3. When you buy stuff at a thrift store, you are paying prices that are closer to the actual cost of the materials and manufacturing of the clothing. It feels more ethically sound. The first time I went into a designer boutique in Manhattan, I was genuinely shocked at how flimsy everything was. The fabric of a $500 dress felt like it might tear apart in my hands. It was sewn clumsily, and the seams stuck out on the inside, like they did on the pillows I sewed when I was ten. Like a secret no one had to bother to hide. I instantaneously became one of those obnoxious people who say things aloud like, “Maybe I’d pay twenty for this. Maybe.”
4. When you buy stuff at a thrift store, it’s usually retro. Which is totally cool. And it looks worn, which is also cool. And unless the previous owner smoked in it every single day for seven years, just wash it and whatever lingering smells that don’t smell like you will come out.
All that being said, my favorite thrift store is in Hamilton, New Jersey. It’s called Red White and Blue. It is amazing. Some of the places I’ve tried in Manhattan turn out to be designer consignment in disguise. One of these days I’ll have to try Brooklyn. If anyone has any recommendations, let me know. Someone spilled wine on my favorite white dress a few days ago.
* * *
Un-roast: Today I love the way I look when I pout. I don’t think I ever pout in real life. But sometimes I do it for the mirror. Or for Bear’s amusement. And it’s really very effective and hilarious.
P.S. New post over at Un-schooled, about teaching a class of eight-year-olds, who are definitely cooler than me, and who definitely have better boots. Also, Virginia from Beauty Schooled was on Slate! She wrote about performing bikini waxes in her usual smart, witty, fabulous way. Check it out here. Virginia, don’t forget about me, now that you’re so famous!
Disclaimer: It’s really hard to find boots in a thrift store. But if you shop thrift, you can spend more money on boots without feeling as terrible. I got my boots at DSW. Now that they’re worn (you know, from me wearing them), I get a ton of compliments on them.
Kate on November 30th 2010 in Uncategorized
Laura responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 1:15 pm #
Beacons Closet and Buffalo Exchange are my two favorites!! Both are in Brooklyn, but I think Buffalo Exchange may also have a store in Manhattan. I never strike out at either of them and there is always a huge variety of fun things.
Also, Liz took me vintage shopping in Paris and I got a fur scarf, a dress, two sweaters, and a purse all for 15 euro. Hands down the best shopping trip of my life.
Kate responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 1:18 pm #
Sheesh. That’s awesome. I haven’t gotten a purse in about five years. Wait. Actually, that one was a hand-me-down from my mom.
I thought of you when I was writing this post. Thanks for the leads 🙂
Cyndie responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 1:30 pm #
yeaahhhh I can never find anything that fits right at thrift stores. but I am sooo cheap, I can never justify spending money on clothes (but somehow spend $500 + on food each month) and I only shop at Target and Forever 21. My boots were 34.95 and my peacoat was 29.99 and I get compliments each time I wear them!
Katie responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 2:04 pm #
Buffalo Exchange for sure. I’ve gotten some of my favorite items there, INCLUDING a pair of BOOTS (perfect, comfy boots, might I add :)) for a mere $17. I looked online and there is one in Williamsburg and one in the East Village…..go check it out….and please share your finds with us!
Katie responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 2:08 pm #
Also – I belong to a schmancy gym here in Santa Monica. Everyone is flat-chested, thin, perfect skin, etc etc etc, and almost always outfitted in Lululemon (which I love, but the few tops I own I save mostly for when I teach and need to look more professional while I sweat). It made me self-conscious at first, and my workouts suffered a little because I was too worried about fitting in. Now I don’t give a crap. And I work harder. And I feel like a rebel in my Sports Chalet shorts and ex-boyfriend’s ratty old Stanford Water Polo shirt. And he didn’t even go to Stanford. Nor play water polo.
Kate responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 2:17 pm #
@Katie
You cracked me up with “And he didn’t even go to Stanford. Nor play water polo.”
Christin@purplebirdblog responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 2:18 pm #
Thrift shopping f’n rocks. I haven’t really done it in a long time, and I need to pick it back up. Your points are so right on.
San D responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 3:01 pm #
I thrift stored all my life. Now it’s on to Etsy and eBay for cyber thrifting. Another hint in suburbia is this: hospitals have great thrift stores as well. Salvation Army has staked its turf too. I’ve been to the store you mentioned in Hamilton, and it’s really great. I’ve been selling my “collection” on eBay recently and have been pleasantly surprised that people like my clothes, jewelry and birkenstocks and have been buying them.
celia responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 3:30 pm #
In Jersey, Value Village just rocks; huge, huge stores with a combo of used, never worn, overstock, books, household and all kinds of great treasures. My latest; a Robert Comstock sheepskin jacket for 14.00 YIPPEE!!!!
San D responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 3:49 pm #
Oh yeah, I forgot about Value Village. I am a member too! And on holidays it is 50% off everything. I used their stores exclusively for costuming the school’s plays and got some awesome bargains!
zoe (and the beatles) responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 4:02 pm #
thrifting rocks! it’s one of my favorite past times 🙂 though, honestly, i rarely do it. i have so much stuff already! when i do shop i always start with the thrift stores. i’ve found some of my favorite pieces there! like my favorite pair of nine dollar jeans! yay for saving loads and loads and loads of money!
Cindy responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 4:33 pm #
oh I love THRIFT STORES.
I saw an add for comfy ugg style boots from Old Navy and now I want to go grab a pair. I haven’t bought boots in ages and don’t even wear them anyways.
but the comfy ones I could live in at home and be stylin (plus it would give my socks and sneakers a break)
I have been dying to go to Thrift stores and buy chunky yarn sweaters to UN-RAVEL and re-knit…so recycled yarn!
if I pick up a sweater for 3 bucks and it gives me 900 yards that is some seriously cheap yarn.
I am fashion challenged anyways so I would be lost in NY. I don’t even like going to the Mall here .
xoxoxo
Kaila responded on 30 Nov 2010 at 11:09 pm #
I just got a brown leather satchel at a thrift store for one dollar. Actually, I paid with four quarters. It’s amazing and I have gotten so many compliments on it. Thrift stores are awesome!
Kate responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 12:01 am #
@Kaila
I have always loved brown leather satchels. I’m jealous.
Wei-Wei responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 3:03 am #
I have never thrift shopped before. Never. In my life. I want SO badly to find a thrift store here in China/Shanghai, but… nope. Just fake markets galore. The pricing is cheaper than anything (including thrift stores) but the novelty just isn’t the same. Even if I do visit the US I probably wouldn’t be able to visit thrift stores. Why? “You come all the way to America to look at secondhand crap? Screw this, let’s go to the Coach outlet.”
I really do want to thrift shop though. Someday…
Ivy responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 10:21 am #
I want to love thrift stores. I really do, but I think I must have bad thrift karma or something because I rarely find things that work out.
Some expensive stuff though? Way ridiculous. If I’m going to pay that much for a dress, I’m going to go to Etsy or pay a friend, where at least I know that the money is supporting a living wage for an artisan. Plus, my friends make amazingly quality stuff. And sometimes, they’ll deal in trade!
Meri @ merigoesround responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 1:01 pm #
Some of my very favorite clothes, especially tank tops and sundresses, are from Buffalo Exchange. I think the key is to find a thrift store in a neighborhood that suits you, as often that is the type of dressers who will sell or donate their clothes there. I seldom find clothes that fit at savers or goodwill, try as I might, but when I find a little hipster enclave, those skinny little rich kids can sure give me their castoffs!
also, god bless target.
Meri
Kate responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 1:15 pm #
@Meri
Wow. OK, I’m definitely checking Buffalo Exchange out. And yes, Target is amazing. I forgot about Target.
Kate responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 1:15 pm #
@Wei-Wei
Thanks as always for the cultural education. You help make me a little bit more aware of the world outside the U.S.
Gaby responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 2:12 pm #
I think half my wardrobe is from the goodwill store here in Houston. It’s AMAZING. Nothing over $10. And I’ve learned to find really awesome brand name things that are still cheap like Banana Republic blazers for work, and jeans that miraculously fit me, and tailored dresses that are still only $10. Shirts and pants are even less! I’m such a cheapo, I barely ever spend more than $20 on something unless it’s really really good, and then I get all anxious about it or have to spend months planning and researching and price comparing online.
I don’t know what the options are in NY, I imagine Buffalo exchange is better than most shopping there. I tend to go for the clearance rack at HM when I’m there. But if you come visit I’ll take you super cheap shopping!
Chloe' Skye responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 4:07 pm #
In Manhattan, there are Housing Works thrift stores all over. They have a beautiful setup and you almost forget you are thrifting. Very reasonable and occasionally have DISCOUNT deals. Can you imagine? Discounts in a thrift store, where the prices are already so low? The purchases support the Housing Works organization, which aims to combat the “twin crises” of homelessness and AIDS. So not only are you getting awesome new additions to your wardrobe, you are benefiting a good cause. Last time I was there, I got a beautiful Ann Taylor blazer (my first blazer ever!) and a great, almost unworn pair of dark blue jeans for $20!
P.S. you forgot that thrifting is a great way to be environmentally friendly. You’re giving someone’s discards a second life instead of enforcing retail overconsumption habits, meaning both eco and labor/social benefits.
Kate responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 4:15 pm #
@Chloe
definitely. I should’ve made it 5, but I was being lazy 🙂
I forgot all sorts of things for this post. I actually spent quite a bit of time at Housing Works, for a project, but have only been to one of the thrift shops (which was great, but far away from my apartment).
Maya responded on 01 Dec 2010 at 6:36 pm #
Take it from a Columbia student: go to Times Square and get some boots from Forever21 for twenty-five bucks. No one knows the difference.
I feel out of fashion here too, but I wouldn’t say everyone’s hair is shiny/they have clear skin/perfectly blue jeans/etc. Actually a lot of people prefer stockings. Or tights. Or leggings. Or some other not-pants item which I thought I would never wear as pants until I started going here.
Also, my heavyset friend here says her life is awesome. And there are many more where she came from. 😉
Dana Udall-Weiner responded on 02 Dec 2010 at 8:11 am #
Every time I go to NYC I feel an unbridled urge to go shopping right away. Everyone looks amazing and I look like a country mouse. But after I calm myself down and chill out a bit, I see there is more variety than at first glance. I’ve never been to Columbia’s campus, but I can imagine it as you say. (Penn is quite similar). Love the line, “the wine is willing to wait for me.” I’d say the same thing about chocolate and blueberries, as there are a lot of both in my house, and they always end up on my clothes.
MWN responded on 02 Dec 2010 at 6:42 pm #
I’ve been wanting to go thrift store shopping but I’ve been too busy with other things this whole semester. When I bought my plane ticket home for winter break, I specifically decided to give myself a few free days to go to museums (take advantage of the free admission my college ID gives me) and go to Beacon’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange. I’ve been to a Buffalo Exchange in San Diego, where I’m from, and I got a pair of jeans and a dress, each new and for $14, that I get compliments on all. the. time. And I bet in NYC they have an even better selection than in San Diego.
I grew up inland but went to a rich college prep school that was so close to the coast that they actually had a varsity surf team. When I first came to New York, people would look at how colorfully I was dressed and they would know I was not from here. (Four years later, I still love color, but I also love black.) It’s true that Columbia and Manhattan in general have high concentrations of very well-put-together people (who are often thin and also wear expensive designer shoes/bags/jackets/jewelry). But actually, for me, coming from my college prep school that was overflowing with blond girls in burberry, I love that New York recognizes that there are many different fashions. Yes, the Columbia stereotype is the preppy look, but there is so much variety in fashion here, and even if it doesn’t all appeal to me, I celebrate it. My older sister and former high school best friend used to tell me that I had no fashion sense. I knew they were wrong; I DID have fashion sense, it was just a very different fashion sense than the prevailing (and singular) view at my high school. That dress I bought from Buffalo Exchange for $14? Yeah, my sisters begged me not to buy it, but I liked how I looked, it fit MY style, and I’m glad I didn’t listen to them. (Plus, I don’t wear a bra with it. Awesome.)
So Kate, I’ve been reading your blog this whole semester, and I am at Barnard–want to go thrift store shopping with me during finals??? I’d love to meet you!
Julene responded on 02 Dec 2010 at 10:48 pm #
OK, you live in NY. I moved here recently – and where the hell are the “thrift” stores? Anything I find has been raided, picked-through by the eBay store militia and then I am left wondering how the hell I’m going to find anything I want to wear in public for a price I can afford.
I don’t miss the Midwest, EVER. But the thrifty surplus was sort of nice.
Just Josie responded on 03 Dec 2010 at 5:33 pm #
I don’t miss the Midwest, EVER. But the thrifty surplus was sort of nice.
===
I laughed so hard when I read this line, because I can totally relate! Being only fifteen, I’ve got at LEAST another 7 & 1/2 years here (I’m stuck attending university here too, because I’ve got a scholarship that only covers IN colleges), and I absolutely HATE it! Plus, c’mon, it’s Indifreakinana, the prevalence of corn fields and openly homophobic and/or ethnocentric (or just blatantly RACIST) attitudes is nauseating!
Anyway, yes — thrift shops are very cool! When I go to prom (*if* I go, ugh), I’m just going to buy (rent, possibly?) a secondhand dress. There’s no sense in paying hundreds of dollars for a dress that I am not likely to wear on any other occasion! Plus, thrift shops are just generally cool. 🙂
Kate responded on 03 Dec 2010 at 8:47 pm #
@MWN
Let’s totally meet up! Email me soon!
Piper responded on 05 Jan 2011 at 1:15 pm #
I’m proud to be a “thrift-whore”. I just don’t understand paying the equivalent of an entire days’ work for one shirt when I can take the same amount of money and buy practically a whole new wardrobe. *le shrug*
Piper responded on 05 Jan 2011 at 1:30 pm #
Also, as a William and Mary student (Southern Ivies, ftw!), I can commiserate with wondering just how so many clothing magazine models could have escaped their papery confines to land on my small campus. Whenever exam day came, I would be the one sitting on the floor outside the classroom in plaid flannel pajamas, striped toe-socks and Converse sneakers, with my hair either A) in a bun, or B) in pigtails, the outfit all elegantly pulled together by an oversized WM hoodie, still studying madly and talking to herself. They would be the tall, slender girls outfitted in strands of pearls and matching earrings, tweed or corduroy, pencil skirts or trousers, ballet flats or knee-high boots, perfumed and perfectly coiffed, with that make-up that makes it look as if they’re not wearing any make-up. Bleh.
Leslie@The Tale of Going Natural responded on 20 Nov 2011 at 12:48 pm #
Have you ever participated in a clothing swap? I am doing my first one next week. You take all your gently worn clothes that you no longer wear or can’t use, and however many pieces you take, that is how many pieces you get. I took 18 pieces of clothing to a store… Next Sunday is the event. I am kind of excited about it. It made me clear out my closet a bit.