Thrifting

Stagiaire Fash

I've said for over a year that I'm going to start buying second hand, but somehow I can't get started. It's looking like shops reopening may be my put-up-or-shut-up moment, with very full racks. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp.....TIQd2BhURj

Are you planning to buy second hand once shops open again?

3 years ago

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from cindysmith

Kathie

Veteran

In theory, I’d love to do more second-hand shopping. In practice, I find it quite difficult. For a couple years, I did do a lot of thrift store shopping with a dear friend who was simply amazing at it. She hit 3-4 thrift and consignment stores each week, and had a knack for picking out perfect items for others. Suffice to say, I truly don’t enjoy shopping that much, and I think for me to be successful, I’d end up with a larger wardrobe than I want. So, I buy new for myself, and am focusing on items that I plan to keep for years. And I do more thrift/second hand for my two DSs.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Probably not, or not for a long time. At this point I don't see myself shopping b&m retail either for clothes. Wearing a mask everywhere makes everything much harder, so I'm avoiding going inside anywhere unless unavoidable.

3 years ago

kkards

Veteran

Not in person, maybe online, as thrift shopping has been deemed riskier than full price shopping since you need to touch more and spend more time. But then, I’m pretty risk adverse, Each of us needs to determine our own comfort as we move forward

3 years ago

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Suntiger, I agree with you about the masks! To me "when this is over" includes when we don't need to wear them any more. That's when I will challenge myself to check out second hand stuff--although if I come across sidewalk racks sooner, I might look at them too.

Kathie, oh to have a friend like that! Your list sounds similar to mine. Having it, with general items like "longish berry colored topper" and "long bootcut jeans" is what makes me think I can handle the second hand shops. I may find out differently once I try.

3 years ago

Anonymous

Nope. Won't be shopping any retail stores once they reopen.

3 years ago

Synne

Veteran

One of my oldest and most treasured second-hand items is from Berlin. It's a green-gray leather bum-bag, with equisite decorative overlapping leather flaps. The previous owner was a regular at Ibiza and the party scene in the 70's. I snagged it for 15 euros. If I lived in Berlin I'd go crazy (and broke!) thrifting!

3 years ago

Runcarla

Veteran

My favourite thrift shop not only opened, but moved to a new store front after 40 years in the same place! They opened up this week, and I popped in (masked) for a moment to say a (physically distanced) ‘hi!’ Spacious as the new place is, they are being very strict with numbers - so I told them I would be back when I was serious about shopping.

I need to make a list of what I’m looking for before I go, and I’m not feeling comfortable enough to visit any store without a mission. I feel comfortable enough visiting this shop, that I would visit it before other clothing retail that is available in my small (17,000 pop.) community.

3 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I volunteer at a thrift store. Although other thrift stores in our area have opened, we haven’t. The other stores’ staff are paid, and are younger. Our membership is mostly elderly, and we’re trying to figure out how to make it safe for everyone. Although I think our organization is wonderful, I’m not willing to become sick or die for it. And I’m at the low end of the at risk age group, but my husband is older than me. I don’t want to kill him.

3 years ago

Preppy Pear

Veteran

I think I’d be equally ok with thrift shopping if stores practice the same levels of sanitizing, social distance, etc. as other stores. I may be wrong about this, but I’m not too worried about picking up the virus through fabric and other second-hand items, especially if I’m careful and wash my hands and so on. But I’m not ready to shop for clothing yet in person, try on, leisurely look through things, enjoy the experience, etc.

3 years ago

Star

Veteran

Before I did quite a lot of thrifting but I have decided to no do so until next year. Actually a good thing because I have plenty of fabulous clothes that I need to make fabulous outfits with!

3 years ago

slim cat

Veteran

No - it was always challenging for me to find the right pieces in my size even before coronavirus. I'd rather go to the Nordstrom Rack or Marshall's when it'll be open.

3 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

What Slim Cat said as far as thrifting and consignment go.

I will be shopping back in b&m stores when they re-open here in Seattle. I am very curious to experience the new normal with its COVID-19 restrictions. Watch it all unfold in front of me. Much like how Brooklyn described it in her post today:

https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/resuming

I've been wearing a mask for many months whenever I go outside, which is several times a day to walk Sam (we live in a loft apartment in the city). I much prefer life without a mask, but I am quite used to it now.....

I will be increasing my online purchasing though. That was already happening anyway.

3 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I had planned to search for certain statement items at consignment shops... but I don't think I will be doing that after all -- not until we're no longer distancing/ not wearing masks, etc. -- which I expect may be several years from now. I just don't enjoy the experience all that much.

I'll probably just buy new, and buy less. And shop online a lot of the time.

3 years ago

Joy

Veteran

I already have in a consignment store, but thrift are only open for food so far. I plan to do mostly thrift or consignment shopping. JAileen take care.
I will only do the most needed shopping as I am very high risk and so is DH. I really don’t need any new clothes and can try ordering online if really in need.

3 years ago

nemosmom

Veteran

I've picked up some secondhand pieces for summer online and had no trouble. I get major anxiety when I go out to shop for anything, so I suspect I won't be doing any unnecessary shopping for a while. That said, I know lots of people have been editing out stuff (me included), so I bet there will be some fab finds for those brave enough to shop.

3 years ago

Sal

Veteran

Yes I will do so. I am looking forward to it actually.

In terms of having success with thrifting I think you do need to look regularly. If you are clear on colour and fabric that is a good place to start!

3 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Clothing stores are gradually re- opening here but often with no tryons. I am finding the maskIng, trying to see ( wear contacts + need reading glasses for price tags, labels) , gloves, watching what I touch, to just ruin the experience. I also feel it will change my judgement - sometimes good way as “ no buy” but also maybe grab something. It’s different from grocery run where I get mostly same things. Garden centers are no longer as fun with mask but I don’t have to try on the plants!
TJMAXX opened before other store and I went in- very different feeling because though it is not at all “ thrifting” , it is kinda what unexpected thing might turn up there. Clothing was nowheresville- and I knew I didn’t want to riffle anyway, with no dressing rooms- so I just looked at shoes and socks and I found some perfect sneakers for lounging.
But, was a stuffy, less- fun experience so not going back soon.

3 years ago

Cardiff girl

Veteran

I love thrift shopping but won’t be rushing back into any shop that isn’t essential for a long time yet.

3 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I am like you FashIntern in that I *say* I want to do some thrifting. It’s more true in theory than practice. The only thrifted top I found in recent years, 2017, the silk coral and olive one for $8, was so serendipitous that I found it within a minute of walking into the store. It’s still a great top, I just have so many tops I am trying to wear the non-30-wears ones, which that is not.
As I finally wear through stuff, and need to buy some items ( could be a year away!) I may try again. Some of the shops I don’t like the smell of, and the thought of their cleanliness or lack of it in the current environment doesn’t feel good.

3 years ago

madeline

Veteran

You might want to try Thred Up, which is an online second hand retailer. They make you give your email address just to look, but I dont mind it.
As far as my shopping habits post pandemic- online all the way and limited at that. I have more clothes than I could ever wear in a lifetime or two!

3 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Umm, yes, have been for a couple of weeks now. The rate where I live is low (but not non-existent), there are rules about masks (compliance low but not non-existent), and the chance of getting a virus from clothing is ... you get it. It is for my sanity though.

3 years ago

Brooklyn

Veteran

I plan to, yes, but at a later stage. At the moment the thrift stores in my area are closed. Not because that’s required. I suspect it’s about protecting their volunteers. As JAileen says. Entirely reasonable. I do want to make a more concerted effort to satisfy my desire for “new” with items that don’t increase my impact on the planet. Guilt free shopping

3 years ago

bridgie

Veteran

No, I will not be shopping any second hand stores when they re-open.

JAileen, I am a person who loves to laugh and try to find humor in most situations, but have found no humor in anything recently (obvious reasons). Until today, when I read your comment above, although very serious I do think you presented it in a cute way that brought a small chuckle. I don't want you to kill your husband, either. Take good care of him and yourself too! Hugs.

3 years ago

cindysmith

Veteran

I have fallen in love with the sale section at The Real Real. Given my propensity for destroying clothes, it's a great way for me to have super nice pieces that won't break my heart when my lifestyle does what it does to clothes. I'm wanting to make a run to the DFW metroplex and hit up Clotheshorse Anonymous and ReThreads, because they have such great stuff at reasonable prices

3 years ago

Category