Garbage Pickers

Since I shared my thrifty fabric stash last week, I though it might be a good time to expound on the whole thrift-thing, and really dig into the subject.  But first, a musical interlude:

Do you guys like the music of Blanche?  I'm always behind on the trends, and I'm never hip to the hot, new stuff, so I'm going to assume that you've all heard of them and avoid embarrassment.  I like their shtick, I gotta say, but I especially enjoy this little ditty that's a not-so-subtle tribute to the thrifty at heart.  You can listen to it here, it's called Garbage Picker.    If you like their style, I'd recommend popping over to their terribly lovely website and listening to Another Lost Summer,  it's one of my faves (but it's actually best listened to in late August.)

Now that we've taken care of the overture.....on with the show.

   
 

Since I have been planing to create an entire Spring/Summer wardrobe with as many recycled pieces as possible, I thought it would be fun and educational to document my progress on my blog, and over at this flickr group I started up.  If you are interested in playing along, please do sign up and post pictures!  You don't have to commit to anything crazy, you don't have to be in the pictures, there really aren't any rules, just have fun!  You can post pics of any clothing or accessories for yourself, or loved ones that was thrifted, from a yard sale, found on the side of the road, or recycled in any way.  If you like, tell us a bit about where you found it, how much you paid, why you like it, etc.  And if you come home with a few dud (as we ALL do from time to time, ) you can post them as freebies to anyone who is interested.  Sometimes I buy things that I know are not going to fit or look good on me, but I just can't help it.  Shipping a light, summer item in a bubble mailer is less than $2 (only a bit more for International) so sending a few pretty things to a better home is not a big expenses (plus it can be kinda fun!)  All of that is optional, of course, and I'd like to just stick to free stuff, no money involved, if that's OK with y'all. 

I've already posted some things from a thrifting haul last weekend, and you can see and read about them over at the flickr group.  I can already see a that I'm going to have some weak areas.  One of them is the shoe department.  I can never seem to find good shoes, probably because my feet are giant and boat-like (tall girl = big feet.)  I usually get really discouraged and often skip that section altogether, so that's something I'll have to work at.  Also, the fun of buying cute tops often leaves me lacking in bottoms, so I must remember to scour the capris and skirts with more vigilance.  It is very relieving when a thrift store has a changing room (no matter how sketchy it may be) because that lessens my chances of bringing home garments that wouldn't fit me on a good day with a girdle.  I'm NOT very talented at eyeballing sizes and there is nothing more depressing than getting home and realizing, "Wow, guess I'm not exactly a size 10 by Banana Republic standards."  (But who was I kidding anyway?  I'm really a 12...)  The double edge to this sword is, that sometimes miracles happen and that size 7 dress that you though looked a little big actually does fit and looks awesome.  The morale is, try it on if you possibly can and don't buy it if it doesn't fit.  I was in Thrift Store City last Saturday, holding up a darling summer dress that I really wanted to fit (despite the discouraging size on the label.)  I was looking down at the waist, talking to myself (a bad habit of mine when I'm thirfting,) and this old lady standing next to me piped up, "Forget it honey, it ain't your size."  I was a bit taken back. The raspy, Marlboro voiced lady was absolutely right, and it was refreshingly honest.  I thanked her, and put the dress back.

You can meet quite interesting people at thrift stores, I always do.  You would think that, given the nature of establishment, it would be teeming with sad, downtrodden souls wandering the aisles, looking forlorn and despairing about their lot in life, too poor to afford the Mall, forced to buy second-hand.  But, that has never been my observation.  For the most part,I find the energy high and the shoppers fierce.  Hungry for a bargain, enjoying the hunt, digging for treasure.  I'm often surprised at how competitive even I can get, if someone walks buy with cart full of cute things, I'll beat myself up, "Why didn't I find that stuff first?  Why was I wasting time looking a the belts??"  There's never a dull moment.  Shortly after my fashion tip from Grandma-Menthol, I noticed I was being tailed by an older gentleman that was fond of natural linen dresses.  He kept asking me if I thought they would be OK in the machine, or if they'd have to be sent to the cleaners.  I told him I was not the best person for advice in that department, and he went on to tell me his life story, that his operation was next week, and how it was so expensive.  I'd noted already that he was a tranny (and yes, I can use that term because I watch Law and Order SVU and I have been schooled in this sort of lingo.  I would never, for example, call for an 'ambulance' again in my life.  That's rookie.  The proper term is 'bus', and don't forget it.  Save yourself the embarrassment.)  Anyway, I did find myself taken aback a little with the 'surgery talk', not because I found it particularly shocking, but because it wasn't a typical conversation for me and I wasn't sure how to respond.  I said the first thing that came to mind, "Are you excited?"  Apparently that was incorrect, because she gave me a funny look and walked away.  What I should have said is that linen wrinkles like a champ, and she'd look better in jewel tones. 

OK, the point is:  thrifting doesn't have to be hard, and it's not always exciting.  People ask all the time where I find my stuff, and say how lucky I am (and I do think luck is a factor) but I put in the hours, believe me.  For every killer haul I've made, there were at least five times that I trudged through an entire shop and left with nothing but a headache.  But, the same thing happens sometimes on a trip to the Mall, and I know you all have experienced that, too.  Here are a few tips and ideas that might help:

1.) Develop techniques to get you through a store faster.  Like, I have long legs, so when I browse the pants I just scan at the bottom and only look twice at ones that stick out far below the others.  Shop by section, and if you are feeling burnt-out, concentrate in one area only.  Don't feel like you have to scour the whole store.

2.)  Use a cart and if you like an item, just put it in and keep going.  Do a final weed-out at the end, before you check out.  I find it distracting and time consuming to hem-and-haw over every item as you find it.  If it really strikes your fancy, just toss it in the cart and keep going.  When you are ready to leave, you can go through the items assembly-line style and duds usually stick out like sore thumbs. 

3.)  Keep a mental list about what you need/would like to find, but don't obsess about it.  In fact, don't even write it down.  You'll just get discouraged.  Thirfting is about the serendipitous not the scheduled.  I usually seem to find what I want, but not necessarily when I'm looking for it. 

4.)  Step outside of your box.  This is hard for me, because I can be a real plain-Jane when it comes to clothes.  Thrifting is great for that, because it allows you the opportunity to try new things without a major monetary risk.  That daring-style top that I would never spend $75 on at Macy's is worth a gamble from Thrift USA for $3.99.  So what if I only wear it once?

5.)  If your heart tells you gotta have it, then just buy it.  Seriously.  I can't tell you how many times I've been haunted buy unbought treasures.  And for what?  A few measly dollars?  Even if you just donate the thing right back to the store next year, it's better than the regret.  I almost lost the Sea Captains due to my hesitation, and that would have been a sad thing, indeed.  Don't tempt fate.  If you have to "go back" for something, it will almost always have disappeared.

6.)  It goes without saying that buying second-hand is about as "Green" as you can get.  Your shopping local, your recycling, repurposing, and (depending on the store) you are often supporting a good cause.  Emerald green, in my book.  Gotta love it.

Whoa.  That was lot of info for one post.  Hope you're not bored to tears!  I could write on and on about the subject (maybe I should write a book?  Everyone else is.)  But that's enough for today, I will post more tips and ideas later, especially since Yard Sale Season is almost upon us, and that's a horse of a different color, my friends.  For all of you that complain there are no good thrift stores in your area, tune in for the Yard Sale tips, 'casue I know you can find a couple of those to hit up this Spring.  Oh, and I really must do a post about my sister, for even though it's only April, she has already won the "Thrifting Bandit of the Year" award.  For real, I could never top the goods she's unearthed already this year.  I cower in her almighty shadow.  I'd have to find the Hope Diamond on a bric-a-brac shelf to even still be in the running.  I did find a picture the other day that looks like it COULD be the last known photo of Jimmy Hoffa.  Doubtful, but it's all I got. 

Comments

[Stefanie]

So I know you were joking about writting a book but seriously you should consider pitching the idea! Your writting style is great, I think anyone reading your book would learn a lot and laugh along the way with your sarcasim/humor. That is one book I would buy as an avid thirfter/garage saler. And I would give it to friends who dont understand this wonderful world

[Sarah]

You are dead on about the luck bit. There is no luck involved really, it's merely a matter of frequency. Stuff is out there everywhere, you just have to be the first one in the line. :-)

(Did you read Thrift Score?)

[Casey]

These are fantastic tips! Even for a "seasoned pro" like me--its good to be reminded how to approach the whole thrifting adventure. ;)

[julie (jane's apron)]

You are so right...there's never a dull moment at the thrift store. And that's why I love it so much. Love your post...informative and funny (you should write a book!).

[mj]

Here are my additional tips, that I always think I'm going to write up when I'm in the thrift store because they totally help out:

Know your sizing, and how different brands fit you (I rarely pick up a target or kmart brand at the thrift store either, because it's worth it to sift for the quality stuff. If I want something cheaply made I'll buy it new, thank you.)

Remember that sizes have changed over the year, and skirts/pants used to be a lot higher waisted. So don't feel hurt if you're a size 8 and you're trying on a 12. Also, thrift stores have unusual sizing/sorting procedures sometimes so you may have to look through most of the rack to find what's your size. Sometimes small women's T's are in the kids' section.

Fabric usually hangs out by the curtains.

I've heard some people say that thrift shops are only there for poor people, so we shouldn't shop there if they have money for new clothes. Besides the good points you've mentioned, remember that a lot of thrift stores have charities associated with them so shopping there and donating is a way of giving back, not taking things away from the needy.

[Alli]

I love this idea! I'm crazy about thrifting and recreating clothes. I'll definitely be joining in over on Flickr.

[ash]

sigh
yard sales.
can.not.wait.

[g]

This post was so much fun to read - thank you!

[Alyson King]

I am forever thrifting, so this was an extra interesting post. And I live in Norfolk! Your Sea Captain paintings: I swear, I think I saw them! Which store did you buy them from?

Last night I got a coconut purse from the CHKD store on Little Creek and it's my new favorite thing. :)

[Molly's Knitted Teddy Bears]

This post is one of my favorites! What great info on thrifting. I am so motivated to do some serious thrifting this season. And, once I find some great things, I will be adding them to your flickr group.

BTW, so glad you got the sailor paintings. I wasn't sure if you would give in or not, but I am so glad you did buy them.

[Kristin]

I am absolutely swooning over this post! I do so many of the things you mentioned in your tips, but also learned a few things as well! My problem in the clothes department is finding items that will fit a plus sized gal. Not as easy as one might think, but that's true for malls too.

I joined the flickr group and already have something to add, if I can find the energy to upload photos tonight. If not, it'll be there soon.

I have some big news over at my blog as well, so if you have a moment, pop on over and take a peek. HUGS!

Kristin