Thrift Shop Back to School Wear

I'm not going back to school, nor is my 3 year old.  But this time of year still rings in an old feeling of new beginnings and the need to freshen up my wardrobe.

I am a big proponent of buying used goods.  I know quality used goods are a smart economical and ecological choice.  But so far, I have resisted buying used clothes for myself and have rarely done so for my daughter.  Instead, I usually opt for buying a small number of new quality clothing items, figuring that new good quality will last.

So I surprised myself when on a trip to the hardware store last week, I stepped into the local SPCA thrift store and starting browsing the clothing racks.  I was even more surprised when I came across some really good finds.  I ended up buying two pairs of pants for Porcupine, and a t-shirt and new pair of jeans for myself.  The jeans I bought were brand new with the tags still on.  They were also five bucks.

So there you have it.  I don't know if I am a total convert because I am fairly hung up on quality, and thrift stores sometimes don't always deliver for clothes in that department, but I would definitely look again.  Especially for Porcupine, who outgrows clothes in a few months time.  The clothes I found for both of us were good quality. The total bill was $20 and it went to a good cause.

Porcupine is wearing a pair of new used pants in this photo. 

And here is my SPCA thrift store back-to-school ensemble.

Comments

[Summer]

I love thrift store shopping. Though, I've been doing it since I was born so I have the opposite, buying new name brand clothes gives me the creeps. LOL You can find some great buys at thrift shops, and if you're handy with a sewing machine you'd be amazing what you can find to remake.

[Self Defense Girl]

I love thrift store shopping! You can get the best bargains. I would say about 80% of my childen's clothing has come from thrift stores. And they're all name brands too. Not to mention all the great books you can find for really cheap.

[Rogue]

Your blog is beautiful and I love the title. I also love not so expensive stuffs but the quality and aesthetics suit my eyes and wants. I always go with the price when I do buy goods because I know that more often than not, it is the brand that sells and makes the price and not really the quality.

[Hausfrau]

Do you have a JBF sale in your area? They usually occur twice a year and have great quality & selection of used kid's clothing (among many other things). I just went to mine and got very nice winter jackets and shoes and pants for my son (13 mths). I have to plan ahead on sizes, but I try to get his whole wardrobe at these sales (aside from hand-me-downs).

[Condo Blues]

I feel the same way about thrift stores. Some of the clothing is only OK for wearing at home or doing massive reconstruction because it's out of date.

In that case, I shop at consignment stores. Yes, it's a little more expensive than the thrift stores but they weed out all of the out of date, ripped, stained, etc. clothing so I don't have to tear through piles of clothes to get to the good stuff. I find that I can find some good quality, fashionable, and name brand stuff that way - and since it's the secondary market I'm being more environmentally friendly. On line auctions are good too (for work clothes) just look for the sellers who are selling used clothes in good condition.

[flower girl dress]

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