Our offices are warm [...to others they are cold.] Recently, however, on a particularly inclement day, I did wear a sweater to work. Terry walked into my office and said, “That’s lovely. I bet your sister Maura bought it for you.”
And she was right. All the “good” clothes I have come as gifts from family and friends. That having been said, I believe I dress myself well with thrift store purchases.
Recently, in South Bend, I scored a pair of slacks, 2 pairs of shoes, and a jacket at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store for less than $20. I felt so guilty about this haul that I gave a donation as well. It was still the bargain of the century.
I love wearing monogrammed thrift store shirts and having people ask me, “What the heck does RMS [or GBW or MC or...] stand for?
My poor mother would occasionally say in despair, “Someone could have died in that thing!” To which I would cheerfully respond,”Well, I’m glad I’m getting more good use out of what they bought.”
The only clothes I tend to buy new are underclothes. But that might change. The VdeP store in South Bend had some pretty classy y-fronts on offer for a pittance…
Please tell me I’m not the only one among you who loves thrift stores.
{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }
We call them charity shops in the UK and for Australians they are op(portunity)? shops. I love them and have had some great bargains. On one holiday my friends and I would go to a 10 o’clock Mass, then have cofee and the tour the charity shops. Great fun.
Maria,
I love charity shops, too. When I visit my sister in her very tweedy and proper English village, I always head for the Oxfam shop. And, should I ever get to Australia, I’ll know to ask for the nearest “op shop.” Thank you!
Paul
The first time I registered charity shops was as a student. My room mate kitted himself out entirely from them and he was one of the most stylish students I ever saw. I think I am with your mother though. The thought of wearing a shirt (or underwear!) that someone has checked out in puts me off a bit. I know, I know. not logical, but thoroughly blessed to be able to make the choice.
Simon,
Yes, it is blessed to be able to make the choice. And I’m not quite into used underwear yet…
Paul
There is a Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries stores near where I live. I’ve had the good fortune of being able to donate used things but I’m not a customer. I’d probably line up with your mother on this, especially as regards underclothes!
Bob,
This is pure “thrift store snobbishness,” but I always find prices with the Salvation Army and Goodwill far higher than with other thrift stores. I haven’t been in their stores in years.
Paul
you are not the only one! I have been going to thrift stores for a year. I love the bargains, but I especially love that I am helping others in need. I also like that I am recycling, reusing, and helping the earth. Plus, I always get comments on how nice my clothes look.
I recently found a shop close to my home that helps a few local organizations. And it is run by all volunteers!
Jennifer,
You are a soul mate!
Paul
I always donate to the thrift stores.
Yet with the possiblity of getting bed bugs I no longer think of shopping for clothes there. Sounds crazy, I know.
I know there have been bed bugs in dept. stores.
So when I shop for myself it is only sale price that I buy.
50% of the last reduced price.
Yet if someone I know gives me used clothing I am delighted.
Carol,
As you say, there are bed bugs in department stores and hotels and everywhere. I always make sure I get any “new” clothes cleaned before I wear them.
Paul
Oh, Paul, I just love the monogrammed shirts! I buy clothes at thrift stores sometimes. Usually I wear my clothes for so long that they are no use for thrift stores, just good to clean windows… But nothing feels nicer than an old t-shirt, frayed at the collar, soft as a second skin.
Claire,
I know. Have you ever tried bed sheets made from t-shirt cotton? Pure bliss.
Paul
I feel fortunate that I have the opportunity to donate to the thrift stores but I’m with Carol and the others who err on the side of caution when it comes to purchasing and I wait for the sales in the stores. My granddaugters who are at university frequent the thrift stores and come home with lots of interesting apparel at great prices.
Hi Lynda,
I just wanted to give you an update on Jen.
She saw a liver specialist and was found to be a candidate to have surgery to remove the tumours. Chemo to be stopped.
There will be more testing in the mean time. This option is good news.
This surgery won’t be for a few months.
So we are all hoping and praying .
Thank you,
Jen and her family are strenghtened by the care and prayers of all.
Carol
Carol, thanks so much for the update. A group of us will pray that all will go well. Prayer is so powerful in giving us strength and in binding us together as community.
Thank you
Carol
Lynda,
Give it time…
Paul
The rectory is reverberating with the sound of my laughter… Someone could have died in that, followed by your quip. Oh such richness!
I have donated to so many thrift stores but not shopped at one. Frankly, I don’t know what is stopping me, because I could use new clothes and don’t have a lot of cash. I y look at photos of myself from 5 or 6 years ago,w hen I bought good, good clothes. Today, I am still wearing many of them! Time for a wardrobe update! St. Vincent de Paul style. It is very French, I mean – he did live in Paris. Tres chic!
Thanks for the reminder to be wise stewards.
Fran,
I had a great aunt who bought some silk suits from Chanel in the 1920s and she wore them for the rest of her life! Good luck with your wardrobe.
Paul
I’m afraid I tend to shop at thrift stores only when I need costumes for pageants or paint clothes.
I have to admit there is a part of me that feels like shoping in charity run shops is somehow taking away from those who need to shop there. I know it sounds crazy but there is part of me that feels like if I can afford to buy something on sale why should I deprive someone on a fixed income from getting that jacket or dress that I know came from a quality maker in a thrift store.
My stewardship efforts tend to focus more on trying to buy decent quality in classic styles, make it last and then pass it on to a charity when we are done with it. My mother always had this philosophy that you don’t give junk to charity but only that which you yourself would be willing to use. I think it was somehow related to the idea that you give not just from your plenty but also from your need.
We’ve made a special effort to buy quality for my son (Don’t get me started on the cheap junk from walmart that shrinks after one wash) because he is 3 years older than my nephew and they are the only boys in the family. Everything we get for Bri gets passed down, used by my sister and some of her friends before coming back to me to head out to the thrift shop or rummage sale. This may have to flip soon however since my nephew is catching up in size to my son:-)
Bless you Maura! Coming from the point-of-view of being the sorter at the thrift store, it sure is nice to open a bag and find clean, wearable clothes, with all the buttons. Your mom raised you right.
Maura (and Jane),
I donate regularly myself (usually because I’ve gotten fatter!) and I thoroughly disapprove of people who give crap to thrift stores. I always make sure whatever I donate has been cleaned and is worth offering.
Paul
thumbs up thrift stores rfun , great buys, meet espec ially friendly other people shopping there.
Kelly,
Yes, you meet really wonderful people in thrift stores.
Paul
I’ve been shopping at thrift stores for years for everything — clothes, furniture, decor items (good stuff and fabulously Catholic kitsch), cook wear, shoes, lamps…that’s the short list. No lingerie, yet, but did once find a glorious bathrobe. Everything goes into the wash or to the cleaners. Take that, bedbugs!
When I lived in Princeton, I’d find clothes with designer labels and tags still ON. My favorite thrift shop in Baltimore is nearby and I don’t even wait for Senior Citizen discount day (50% off!) to shop. Even if I don’t find anything, I always have a great time talking with other customers.
The cashiers know me by sight, if not by name. I drop stuff off and pick stuff up. It’s a community from which I receive more than just bargains.
Wish we had thrift stores like you and Jill have.
Sounds wonderful.
Meredith, you bring joy to everything that you do!
I totally agree.
Meredith,
A fellow traveler! And I didn’t know about Senior Citizen discount day. Only four more years to wait.
Paul
LOVE thrift stores! They carry lots of clean & even never worn garments, some with tags still on. Some of my memorable purchases: two lovely cotton sweaters I adore, a nice leather belt for $1, designer handbag under $7, designer blouse & jeans, (about $6 @), and a casual fleece jacket. Everything comes home & goes in the wash and I get so many compliments on my clothing! I never liked shopping before, but this is more like treasure hunting vs. buying what everyone else has at over the top prices!
Jill,
You, like me, have the thrift store addiction. I was surprised to see new merchandise at thrift stores but I haven’t bought any yet. And, yes, it is the treasure hunt part of it that is a lot of fun.
Paul
Ha Ha we call em dead guy pants at our house. My hubby just said yesterday I need some more dead guy pants! Love the thrift store.
Maryanne,
Love “dead guy pants.” It will now become part of my vocabulary!
Paul
I’m glad to know I’m not alone! One of my monastic friends teased me about being so chic, and was shocked to discover how much of my wardrobe came from the local thrift shop.
I know part of it is that I enjoy “the hunt” for a good bargain, but I think more deeply it’s about where I want to put my resources, and a call to be “downwardly mobile” in ways that aren’t necessarily obvious (no tell-tale monograms on women’s stuff). It’s the same reason I’m commuting by foot and the trolley for my sabbatical instead of driving, parking and taking the fancier train. They are disciplines, in the teaching sense of the words. Ways to know what it means to be poor. Less choice, less service, less of many things.
Except words! My apologies…I should take my ramblings back to my own blog!
No! Your words are good here, like a gift of flowers planted in the comment thread! At least that is what I think…
Michelle,
I’m with Fran. Keep planting the gift of flowers.
Paul
Michelle,
You are taking it a lot further than I am – public transit during your sabbatical. I am humbled – in a good and healthy way.
Paul
And Paul…you just need to think up some quote or aphorism (preferably in Latin, as everything sounds more profound in Latin) that fits the monogram du jour!
Michelle,
I studied Latin for 5 years and can remember about ten words, including “Amo, Amas, Amat…”
Paul
Wednesday morning is my day off, spent at the local Sally when books and clothes are half off. I add great book finds to my faith formation lending library almost every week, also beautiful fabrics for ou Sunday Morning prayer tables. Duplicate books are given away via Book Mooch.
Roberta,
Book Mooch? How perfect!
Paul
My daughter buys many of her clothes at thrift stores, as do some former students, for reasons that have to do with the environment. It takes a lot of resources, including energy, to produce new clothing.