Do you have any friends who dress retro cool and secretly shop regularly at Thrift Stores? You know these artsy types.....they are always wearing funky sweaters, groovy coats, great skirts, colorful scarves, hip pocketbooks, chunky jewelry etc. and yet they never tell you where they found their retro dynamite looking stuff.
Addicted to Thrift Shops
Then one day you are passing by a Thrift Store and they practically leap out of the car and ask if you could stop for just a few minutes and let them take a quick look around inside. You kindly agree to their request. Then once inside the store.... they confide in you that they are addicted to second hand shopping and have been to this very same store just a few days ago. Oops you have been snookered.
Confessions of a Thrifty Shopper
When your girl friend is certain that she can divulge more to you about her passion for cheap Thrift Shop thrills and that you (a close friend) won't act judgmental...she suddenly spills the mother load and tells you that in fact...the sweater that she is wearing righ
t now is indeed from "Goodwill".Catching your breath...you have two immediate thoughts...(1) OMG...."I can't believe _____is wearing something from a Thrift Shop" and (2) WOW she looks great...can you help me find a cool sweater like that......And with that idea...a new recruit is suckered in to the world of Thrift Store Couture.
What's "in" and What's "not"
But as I mentioned before......seasoned Thrift store shoppers are regulars. These gals know the difference between shock, shlock and "in" stock. The successful Thrift Shop dresser has "style"......they know what is "in" and what is "not". They are skilled at hunting through racks
and scooping up the goodies before you or I ever get there.Master Shoppers
Obsessed shoppers are master buyers ...they are friends with the Thrift Store staff, they know when the sales are...they know when the best days to shop are...etc. I know of several shoppers who could be considered "apparel stalkers" ...they can tell you when a particular treasure arrived, how long it has been at full price and when it will be moved to the 50% section.
Sneaky Tactics
And on that very day...when the blue tags are pinned to the half priced items... your Thrifty lady is outside the shop door an hour before opening hoping to find the sa
cred half priced scarf that they buried under a pile the day before (a strategy employed to be sure it is there in the morning).Keeping Secrets
The next time you are out shopping with your friend you will be dying to know where they bought the scarf they are wearing...but you have a pretty good idea...and you dare not ask.
Other Names For Thrift Stores
Second Hand Clothing Store
Consignment Shop
Vintage Shop
Resources
The Style Blogger
http://www.thestyleblogger.com/2009/10/how-to-shop-vintage.html
Directory of Thrift Shops:
http://www.thethriftshopper.com/
Locate a Goodwill Store
http://locator.goodwill.org/?gclid=CMSNkoSPgp8CFZAN5Qod-zvRMQ
Salvation Army Website
http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-local/Home
C. Dianne Zweig is the author of Hot Kitchen & Home Collectibles of the 30s, 40s, 50s and Hot Cottage Collectibles for Vintage Style Homes. She is also the Editor of Iantiqueonline.com an actively growing internet based resource community for people who buy, sell or collect antiques, collectibles and art. You can find Dianne’s fabulous retro and vintage kitchen, home and cottage collectibles at The Collinsville Antiques Company of New Hartford, CT, a 22,000 feet antique emporium with an in-house retro café.
To read more articles by C. Dianne Zweig click on this link:
C. Dianne Zweig’s Blog Kitsch ‘n Stuff
Email me at dianne@cdiannezweig.com
Visit my website, CDianneZweig.com
Dianne is a member of:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors
The Authors Guild, Inc.
I'd like to think of myself as a master thrifter, but I am clueless as to when the sale days are, when each store is stocked, etc. I do thrift several times a week, though. And, it's not uncommon for me to spend $50+ on knick-knacks and fabrics... that's a lot for a thrift store!
ReplyDeleteHehe great post! You have a great fun blog :)
ReplyDeleteIf you get the chance, I have an opshop/retro blog down in Australia.
www.trishhunterfinds.blogspot.com I also have a store on there where I sell some of my finds :)
Trish