Here, all -- the Times article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/0.....QTHFSelzhi
This is a fascinating thread and I have lots of feelings but no coherent thoughts at the moment.
All I will say is that Ropa Usada experience sound horrible, Carol!
And I have enjoyed shopping at all kinds of places, but tend not to feel comfortable in extreme thrift environments (the smells, the lights), OR small, very high end boutiques, because in the past, I could be talked into items that are not right for me. That would be less likely to happen now that I'm more confident in my own style.
Having said that, I have had great experiences in some boutiques (and I used to work in a couple, including one that sold Marimekko designs!). And also in thrift stores. Anyone from Canada's east coast know Frenchy's?