I recently bought 2 new-to-me tops from Value Village to refresh and recharge my casual and nice casual wardrobe for the fall season. In addition to shopping at thrift store prices, I also snagged the 30% off Senior discount for being 55+. Currently, it looks like Value Village stores across the US are offering this discount every Tuesday. I couldn't confirm this on their website, but the cashier at the store and several "savings" websites indicated this discount is available US-wide. So you may want to give your local VV a call to verify for your location.
Anyway, both shirts were originally priced at $6.99 each. The discounted price as a senior 55+ was $4.89. So, for a total of $9.78 I now have a new-to-me casual knit top and a new-to-me blouse.
I wear the dark teal knit top around the house paired with black leggings. It's tunic length and trimmed in machine crochet lace at the hem. Most importantly, as a knit, it moves with me and is very comfortable.
I wore the new floral print blouse the day we attended the play in which my daughter had a role.
I paired it with the cashmere sweater that I bought at St. Vincent de Paul's for 99 cents a few years ago, my black jeans, and my trusty, favorite short boots. I'm a big fan of Ann Taylor Loft and have picked up several tops and sweaters at Value Village by this brand. The blouse is more loose fitting around the middle than I find flattering. However, I remedied that with the sweater buttoned mid-waist for a few buttons.
I used a gift card from one of my daughters to pay for both tops. There's still some balance on the card, which is good, because I have a couple more items to find on my list.
I love shopping thrift stores for tops, sweaters, and lightweight jackets. I can get several items for the price of one brand new one. I'm pickier about the fit of pants and jeans, so I buy those in traditional retail stores.
How about you? Do you ever shop thrift stores for clothing? Do you have some items that you prefer to buy brand new but others that you're willing to do thrifted?
I buy almost everything at thrift stores since a lot of their stuff is more modest which I prefer. I do not buy my leggings at thrift stores though because I'm very picky about those. I also like the variety I can get at thrift stores. I also do not buy shoes there either. I need good shoes for my plantar fasciitis with a bigger toe boot so my toes don't pinch.
ReplyDeleteAlice
Hi Alice,
DeleteI don't buy shoes secondhand either. I'm willing to spend more money so my feet can have exactly what they need.
That teal top is beautiful! One of my favorite colors, and the lace is so pretty! The other is very nice as well.
ReplyDeleteThrift stores--used to frequent them often. Great way to save money. One of the things exacerbated for me by the pandemic was my hate of shopping in-person. So I rarely go to a thrift store any more, and, when I do, it's in search of something specific. For my boys, I rarely found anything in their sizes that was worth purchasing (that age just seems to be hard on clothing), and for myself, I've figured out what I like and rarely find that quality in our city. (Used to find lots when we'd visit my family in Florida, where thrift shops are abundant.) I think I've mentioned before my obsession with merino clothing, lol. My girls still like to go, but thankfully they can drive themselves. The 16 YO has gotten most of her fall clothing there in the past few weeks. I prefer a minimalist wardrobe and will buy online through ebay or other BST sites to save.
Hi Cat,
Deleteoh yes, I can understand a dislike for in-person shopping now. I find I just want to get out quickly and am not willing to spend a whole lot of time in the store. I'm going to have to start looking on eBay for clothing. One of my daughters finds a lot of clothing she likes on eBay. She's pretty specific about what she wants and thrift stores, while they have a lot of variety, don't always have the exact thing my daughter wants. eBay's been great for her.
That was me above. Wouldn't let me sign in for original comment but did for this. Go figure! Have a nice day!
ReplyDeleteI knew it was you when you mentioned merino wool. LOL
DeleteHa ha, that was me ^^^
DeleteI like you purchases and pairings - just my style, too. I occasionally shop at thrift stores for clothes. What I like is getting something that has already been washed, but still in good shape rather than new. That way if the item is going to shrink or wrinkle, you'll know before you buy it. One time I bought a good name-brand shirt at a thrift store. I was thrilled to get it with the tags still on it. However, it shrank with the first washing so it didn't fit well any more. If I had gotten it in a regular retail store, I would have taken it back. That's when I developed my fondness for gently used instead of new when buying clothes at a thrift store.
ReplyDeleteHi Live and Learn,
DeleteI've thought the very same thing, that you can see how well something will wear with laundering and wear. Buying "new" is not a guarantee that something will wear well, not pill badly, or shrink, as you experienced. I can imagine the disappointment that was.
Gently used is a good way to put it.
I recently bought a jacket and a top at Salvation Army thrift store. I didn't drop in for clothes (I like their 49c children book prices), but they had a 50% off entire clothing so I peeked through and was surprised at the selection. I don't need a jacket for our weather but in case we travel again I don't have a light jacket that I like. In the past, I've shopped mainly at Sears and Kmart, not fussy about quality. I still have bins of that clothing bought at less than thrift store prices. I can wear them around the house, so it's not a total loss. Some I can alter and make do for casual wear, but it sure is easy to buy at need from the thrift store.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day!
Laura
Hi Laura,
DeleteThat's great that you found a couple of clothing items for yourself at SA recently. I hope you someday do get the chance to travel again and can wear the jacket. It sounds like you are set for clothing for a long time.
I love thrift stores, but my favorite here has been overrun by a couple online resellers that snag the good stuff immediately. I was told this by an employee that has worked there for years. I witnessed one shopping one day and she was so rude-did all but grab things from my DD’s cart. Anyway, I have found a few things in the last year, but most of my clothes come from Costco. It’s just an easy place to shop for me.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Hi Diane,
DeleteThat's such a shame. I wish thrift stores could limit how much a person could buy in a day or week, so others could have a shot at some of the nicer items, too. I'm glad Costco works so well for you. My son and daughter-in-law have bought many clothing items there and have been very happy with what they bought and the price.
You snagged some darling tops. I make the rounds at a local DI every couple of weeks and have found some great deals. Just today I came home with a cream Nicole Miller faux fur lined winter vest. I would guess that at least half of my wardrobe is thrifted. I like the adventure that thrifting provides - kind of like entertainment.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruthie,
DeleteOooh, that vest sounds lovely. I'm sure you'll enjoy wearing it this winter. I like the adventure of thrifting, too. It's a treasure hunt of sorts. And I like that there's no sales pressure.
Yes, I really like thrusting. Sometimes I have to wait quite awhile but eventually find something I've been looking for. Much better succes with tops than pants. Have to have new to me shoes as my feet are a funny size and need good shoes for support.
ReplyDeleteLili, I saw on a YouTube video where someone took a stretchy clamp and gathered up the extra on a top on the low back to make it fit better. Not sure what it's called but like you use to hold a sheet in place but much smaller...two grippers on an elastic band. It was on Prepper Princess.
Hi Linda,
DeleteYes, good shoes for support and comfort are worth the cost.
Thank you for this info on the clothing clamp. I'll check this out. It could be what I need. I've thought about something like that in the mid-back section. I'll check it out. Thank you!
I love to shop thrift store too! I'm a big fan or cardigan sweaters and scarves. You can change up an outfit with scarves so easily, and cheaply.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Shelby
Hi Shelby,
DeleteI so agree on using scarves to change up outfits economically. I have several of my mother's scarves and I still wear them. I love that some of the 1970s scarves have that 70s feel, but they don't make my outfits look dated, just accented in a funky sort of way. Thanks for mentioning scarves.