The Joys of Thrift Shopping: Why I Shop at Goodwill and NOT Forever 21

June 20th, 2012 - By Desire Thompson

Source: rollingout.com


Explores your creativity
Most of us get in the habit of dressing one certain way. I know my friends always tell me that I used to be a plain Jane–and they were right. I didn’t want to jump out of my comfort zone when it came to the dark and dull ensembles I wore, but once I did, I got to be creative in a whole other way.  Also since most online stores and retailers generally have the same type of clothing (which goes right back to the major trends reason) you’re forced right back into what you’re used to.

You won’t have a “We’re wearing the same outfit” moment
This has never really happened to me, but I have seen it one too many at gatherings or parties. Girls with the same shoes or dresses (because every girl shops at Forever 21) get upset and embarrassed, even though they saw a gang of women picking up the same outfit the day they bought it. When you shop on popular websites or in over-hyped stores, there’s never just “one” of something. But at a vintage shop/thrift store, call it a miracle if there’s more than one.

Makes you smarter as a shopper
Some women (well most) should be pretty careful and more attentive when it comes to picking out clothes, even at regular stores, because when you thrift, sometimes some items may fall through the cracks and make it into your bag.  For instance, you don’t want anything that is damaged, has missing buttons or dresses that aren’t true to size. When I’m shopping now, I keep in mind the following:

  • An item may be on clearance because of a really bad return or just low sales.
  • If you can find a dress on one site, you will most likely find it somewhere else for cheaper (keep in mind shipping costs though).
  • Accessories that are in stores aren’t as durable as the ones in thrift shops!


You can splurge on other things
This has to be my number one reason! Because of all the money saved through ditching the mall for the thrift stores, I’m able to spend more on better shoes, that perfect bathing suit and more money to dole out for bills and most importantly these days, gas! Sometimes splurging can be a good thing, just remember to get the things you need rather than what you want first.

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  • jazzie

    1) depends on location theres 2 by my house but the one i go to is VERY NEAT & ORGANIZED
    2)i love mixing my thrift store findings with pieces i either already have or my more expensive/trendy store clothing

  • Mrs.SC

    i love thrifting i got a 100% silk neiman marcus brand bolero jacket for next to nothing at a goodwill. Yes its hard work digging but its worth it when you find gems!.

    • QB

      RT. I’m the flyest i’ve ever been since getting into thrifting. My grandmother and I use to when I was younger and once i got to high school of course i had to impress and by designer things. Now at 25 i’m like what was i thinking!! Thrifting is sooooo much fun and my pocket book hardly has a dent in it. My co-workers and I make it a happy hour event: drinks then thrifting.

  • Chanda

    Thrift store shopping seems like a brilliant idea but I’m eerie about wearing clothes someone else had on, same thing when shopping for new clothes. I thoroughly check to see if anyone’s tried it on first. If I were to shop at the Goodwill, I’m not just gonna blindly pick up anything without examing it first (and I’d still wash and press it out at home).

    • jhona

      Right ! I won’t even buy the one I tried on ! I hardly try on clothes I prefer to know my size.

  • http://kiki072895.tripod.com/blog BrooklynShoeBabe

    I buy my daughters’ back to school clothing from Value Village! Children grow out of their clothes so quickly that the clothing I get is barely worn. Also, if my children have a growth spurt before they’ve worn the items more than once or twice, I don’t feel upset for spending a lot of money.

  • lexie

    love thrifting!! <3

  • staci

    I just can’t! Lol!!

  • jamies

    What goodwill shoppers don’t understand is that there is an art to gw shopping that most people do not have. I have plenty friends, family members, and big friends who shop at goodwill who often brag about their trash bag full of name brand clothes for a dollar ( brand new tags still attached), designers bags, chairs, table sets…. I on the other hand can’t shop like that. To walk in a cluttered store with objects everywhere, I don’t know where to start or DIG…my brain goes into overload. I can’t even make it happen in the tjmax type stores. Don’t get me wrong. I have tried it but it’s not for everyone. My friends make it look good and cheap, but a person like me will not leave with the same results. Maybe an article is needed on how to shop thrift stores, what to look for. I never see anything, but yet the next person can walk right out with best steals & clothes ever ??

    • MNEditor2

      That’s a great idea! We’ll see what we can do to help.

    • Kitsy

      I agree with you 100%. I watched enviously as many of my favorite YouTubers showed-off their thrift hauls and [for the first time in my life] I became interested in it. So a few weeks ago I ventured out to a large Goodwill in NYC and…no ma’am, it’s just not for me! I didn’t like the way it was organized – like you said too much stuff everywhere; I felt like I would need a whole day to go though the racks to find my size and to find something I would really like; worse of all, a lot of the stuff was dusty. I got frustrated and grossed-out and walked my butt to the nearest H&M!

  • Adrina

    Definitely agree with this article. I recently got on the Goodwill boat. Got major name brands (including Lucky Brand jeans) for more than half the prices

  • L-Boogie

    Great article!

  • http://twitter.com/MrsNicoleP2 NicoleP

    The “where wearing the same outfit” I too love that about Thrift stores.

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