Poll

Do you buy used clothes from thrift stores?

All the time
119 (84.4%)
No way
22 (15.6%)

Total Members Voted: 133

Author Topic: Used vs new clothing  (Read 31038 times)

Mr. Minsc

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 162
  • Location: PEI, Canada
    • ThriftyHamster
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #50 on: June 11, 2013, 06:53:13 AM »
Being a tradesman and farmer my work clothes have been thrift for ages.  I've even been shifting over to buying my regular clothes thrift.  The way I see it the used clothes will actually be cleaner than most things you touch on a daily basis.  We live in a sea of germs, no way around it. ;)  Just throw the clothes in the wash and you're good to go.

Underwear and socks are bought new and a worn for the long haul.

melidesau

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 21
  • Location: Montreal
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #51 on: June 11, 2013, 07:23:45 AM »
Some people have mentioned fit issues as their reason for not buying used. In fact, for me it's the complete opposite: I'm fairly thin but have very muscular legs, to the extent that I have problems getting my thighs into not only skinny jeans but often wider cuts as well such as boot cuts...  In thrift shops, due to the wide variety of brands available, I can always be sure to find a few pairs of pants that fit, whereas I've spent entire days trying on all of the pants in all of the stores in Montreal's downtown shopping district and in multiple malls with absolutely no luck.

Plus, my jeans all tend to wear out in a matter of months no matter where I buy them, so there's no point spending more than $10 per pair...

NataliaDuma

  • 5 O'Clock Shadow
  • *
  • Posts: 20
  • Age: 37
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #52 on: September 06, 2015, 12:54:47 PM »
There is really nothing wrong in buying secondhand items from thrift stores. For me it is even more wise to buy items there since it doesn't only let you spend less money but in a way you get to contribute as well to the benefit of the environment since you can lessen on the use of the natural resources that were used for creating the item.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #53 on: September 06, 2015, 01:52:39 PM »
I've tried shopping at thrift stores, but in addition to the bad smell (our Goodwill), the clutter of the stores get to me (Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, Plato's Closet- everywhere I've been...). It stresses me out. The same reason I can't go into a Kohl's. Everything is too close together, the racks are so hodge podge. It's just too much.

Add in that I'm in between sizes and I despise shopping and the thrift store experience is a bit of a nightmare for me.  Just not getting clothes except when absolutely necessary has been my main technique. And then I shop online, order way more than I need, and return- getting to select in the comfort of my home.


However, I will say the Schoola.com deal posted here was a great experience for me. Everything came in such great shape I would have never known it was used. It all smelled great. The fact you can't sort by size on their website bothered me, but it was otherwise easy to navigate.  I am not sure I will use them a lot in the future, because I thought it was really lucky so many of the things I ordered fit, and not being able to return is a bit of an issue- but I really liked them.  Of course, this doesn't help for men's clothing.

And so far, all my baby clothes have come from garage sales. I hope to keep that up for awhile.


mm1970

  • Senior Mustachian
  • ********
  • Posts: 10881
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #54 on: September 06, 2015, 02:27:55 PM »
I have purchased thrift store clothing before, especially when losing weight when you go through a few sizes.

Generally though, I hate to shop, and thrift stores are bad because I cannot find anything.  And they are pretty expensive here.

I still browse sometimes, but prefer to not buy clothing.

Jakejake

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 720
  • FIRE: June 17, 2016
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #55 on: September 06, 2015, 02:51:08 PM »
I've always been a thrift shop person - but only in the last year got over my no used bras rule. I guess because we call it "underwear" they are associated with that whole other level of germs. I finally figured out though that arm pit sweat is probably 1000 times more gross than boob sweat, so if I'm buying used shirts I may as well get bras too.

I'm a hard to fit size that target or kmart stores don't carry, and I need sports bras with actual cup sizes because S, M, and L makes no sense. The rare store that does carry my size seems to think that charging $50-90 per bra if I have a large chest and small back is reasonable. Since I want 8-10 regular bras, and the same in sports bras so I can live for a week or so before doing laundry, that would run me $1000 or so. Or I can pick them up at thrift shops where miraculously other people my size really do exist, for $1-$5 per bra. For a $900 savings, I am fine with running them through the wash once before I wear them.

The math - since most of my paycheck goes direct deposit to retirement, my take home pay is a couple cents below $3 per pay period. It would take a little over 2 years for me to save enough take home pay for one new bra, vs. 1 week for a thrift shop one, or a little over a day if I catch them in the dollar day sales.

ketchup

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4323
  • Age: 33
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #56 on: September 06, 2015, 04:01:46 PM »
Every non-sock-or-underwear article of clothing in my closet was either from the thrift store, or a gift (one or two things).  I buy cheapo new shoes (16.99 at Costco).  I just bought new shoes, my first clothing purchase of 2015.  I should come in well under my $50/yr "goal."  I went straight from parents-buy-me-clothes-through-high-schoolish to now-all-my-stuff-comes-from-thrift-stores.

My girlfriend has been spending a lot more than that over the past year, but that's because every purchase has been a size smaller than the last.  So, a very good reason to be going through a lot of clothes.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #57 on: September 06, 2015, 04:32:59 PM »
I've always been a thrift shop person - but only in the last year got over my no used bras rule. I guess because we call it "underwear" they are associated with that whole other level of germs. I finally figured out though that arm pit sweat is probably 1000 times more gross than boob sweat, so if I'm buying used shirts I may as well get bras too.

I'm a hard to fit size that target or kmart stores don't carry, and I need sports bras with actual cup sizes because S, M, and L makes no sense. The rare store that does carry my size seems to think that charging $50-90 per bra if I have a large chest and small back is reasonable. Since I want 8-10 regular bras, and the same in sports bras so I can live for a week or so before doing laundry, that would run me $1000 or so. Or I can pick them up at thrift shops where miraculously other people my size really do exist, for $1-$5 per bra. For a $900 savings, I am fine with running them through the wash once before I wear them.

The math - since most of my paycheck goes direct deposit to retirement, my take home pay is a couple cents below $3 per pay period. It would take a little over 2 years for me to save enough take home pay for one new bra, vs. 1 week for a thrift shop one, or a little over a day if I catch them in the dollar day sales.

Are the used bras you are finding still supportive and in good shape?  I find that the material wears out.

Also- where are you buying the hypothetical new bras?  Mine cost less than $15!

Jakejake

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 720
  • FIRE: June 17, 2016
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #58 on: September 06, 2015, 05:01:10 PM »
If you are a weird size, you're stuck buying from specialty retailers, who charge $100/bra and their products rarely go on sale. If you are a 34B cheap bras are an option. For a 30G, they generally aren't.
That's the problem exactly. Dillards in Ohio has a good selection, and I've driven there from Michigan (an hour each way on top of the bra cost itself!) to find something that fits and is supportive. Stores around here don't stock anything in a 34 above a C, even victoria's secret was a complete waste of time for me.  But at thriftshops I've seen all sizes, even one near me has a selection of 32J's - I considered buying them just to resell, but then didn't want the hassle.

If they aren't new quality (no stretched out elastic) I'm not going to buy them but sometimes they look like they've barely been worn, and some have tags still. When you find one that's perfect, it's like finding 50 bucks lying at the side of the road.

I'm a red panda

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8186
  • Location: United States
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #59 on: September 06, 2015, 05:11:14 PM »
Wow color me shocked it is easier to find a difficult bra size used than new.

I had no idea.

Kitsunegari

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 477
  • Location: Quebec, CA
  • Penny wise, pound foolish
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #60 on: September 06, 2015, 05:34:06 PM »
A good 80% of my wardrobe comes from thrift stores. I live really close to a fantastic Goodwill, and I shop there regulary, probably more than I should...
I started here in Canada tho, when I was living in Italy there were very few second-hand stores, and they're considered the last step before homelessness - you'd go there only if it's the only option for you.
And when we donate clothes to the churches, we openly say "giving clothes to the missions" because the common assumption is that they get sent to charity in South America or Africa.

ETA: I just talk to my french-born boyfriend, he says french people have the same attitude towards used clothing, so maybe it's a cultural thing.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2015, 06:04:54 PM by Kitsunegari »

tthree

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 424
  • Location: Canada
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #61 on: September 06, 2015, 06:45:14 PM »
There is a really great ladies consignment store close to my place.  They only accept "high end" gently, used items and they donate the rest.  Everything I have bought has been in pristine condition. 

90% of my kid's clothes has been hand-me-downs.  I tried a consignment sale, but it was WORSE than Winner's.  I was appalled people's greediness.

TomTX

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 5345
  • Location: Texas
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #62 on: September 06, 2015, 07:21:04 PM »
Why not buy them yourself? I have a hard time buying nice clothes without some female input, but jeans I can manage.

I can get rugged, thick denim jeans brand new in the exact size I need from Costco for $13. Thin, half-used jeans in the thrift store are $5-$10. Not really seeing a value there, as the lifespan will be dramatically less.

Other stuff I typically get at 80+% off at department stores brand new, often stacking a coupon on top of that (ie $10 off $30 or whatever). I recently threw away some receipts where I had purchased over $300-$500 (retail suggested) in clothes at 95+% off from department stores.  So, $400 list price, paying less than $20. Used to be able to do some really brutal stuff in JC Penney on the right weekends - that went away 2 reorgs ago.

Current target is Kohl's: I will get a $10 "Spend on anything" coupon in the mail, then stack with a $10 off $30 coupon and select items from sale or clearance. For good selection/specific need for the toddler, I'll get 6 of the ($12 on sale for $5) items to total $30. Then use $10 off $30 from my coupon app to get down to $20. Then use the $10 "use on anything" coupon to get down to $10. That's $72 "list price" for $10, or roughly 86% off. $1.67 per brand new toddler item (pants, shirts.)

However, if you don't mind the thinner selection, hit the 80% off racks to get up to your $30. Then use the $10 off $30, then use the $10 off anything.

Kohl's is walking distance from my work ;)

Frankly, thrift stores are often not a good enough value for me. But then again, the thrift stores (and semiannual kids consignment events) are pretty crummy/expensive around here.
« Last Edit: September 06, 2015, 07:25:49 PM by TomTX »

fishnfool

  • Bristles
  • ***
  • Posts: 393
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #63 on: September 06, 2015, 08:57:24 PM »
My wife prefers new as well but sometimes I can get her to browse the goodwill or salvation thrift store. About half the time we shop thrift we walk out empty handed. But sometimes it's fun to hunt the thrift shops if we're in the mood.


The_path_less_taken

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 653
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #64 on: September 07, 2015, 09:54:29 PM »
You do know when you buy clothes off the rack, possibly dozens of people have tried it on, without it having been washed before YOU try it on?



Thanks. I now  have the creepy crawlies, big time.

(you're right, btw)

Goldielocks

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 7062
  • Location: BC
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #65 on: September 08, 2015, 12:23:03 AM »
I've never had good luck buying clothes for myself at thrift stores...despite trying, I've only found two shirts that were good at a thrift store.  I'm a tall fat woman, so size is an issue.  But just about all my kid's clothes are second hand.  I make a lot of my own clothes, and I've had some luck finding men's shirts that I can cut up and use as fabric to make shirts for myself.

I find the exact opposite.

I have found more custom made and  Tall Girl clothing at the thrift store than I can find clothes that fit in other stores, barring a couple of brand names that "almost" fit right.   I usually need blazer sleeves let out or hems taken down.  I also have a lot of success for casual size 10 shoes...  hard to find anywhere else but european sizes in town.  Note, this is at the equivalent of good will, not the consignment fashion stores.

What I like is a rack of 30-40 slacks, all different styles, lined up and in my size.  It is SO FAST to try on 8 pairs of pants to find the one pair that works / fits.  At the other stores, I need to spend hours looking for clothing in my size that I like.

I have been on the hunt for a nice, flowing, lighter weight sweater for airplane travel.  Three months in, and nothing is showing up at the local thrift stores.  So I started to look at full price... guess what, I can't find anything there either.  I will wait and just keep looking.

mustachepungoeshere

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 2404
  • Location: Sydney, Oz
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #66 on: September 08, 2015, 01:51:29 AM »
I'm unsuccessful with thrift shops for two reasons.

1. We live in a LCOL suburb, and some residents are on the low socioeconomic side of things. Our thrift stores are very picked over.

2. I'm bad at shopping. Truly terrible at the spontaneous picking out of clothes. I need a picture in my head (or better yet, a picture on my phone!) of the item I want and what it will go with in my wardrobe. Then I set about finding it lightly used on eBay. (I'm currently waiting on two jumpers I bought on eBay last week for five per cent of the RRP.)

I've had a couple of failures - didn't fit or didn't suit - but I just re-sell or give away.

So, yes to used clothing, no to thrift store clothing. I didn't vote.

TrMama

  • Guest
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #67 on: September 08, 2015, 12:05:55 PM »
I don't bother anymore since we moved back to an area with a really tight used clothing market. Anything that makes it to a thrift shop is well and truly worn out, plus it's 10 year out of fashion. I clothed my kids in about 90% used clothing when they were small. However, once you get past the preschooler stage, kids clothes get worn out (stained, torn, etc) before the kid outgrows them.

Instead, I make most of my own clothing from fabric I know will hold up. I wash the fabric before I cut into it, so when I make the item I know it won't shrink, or run, or do anything weird. The kids clothes are either handmade,r bought on clearance from one of the many outlet stores near us or bought from Costco.

I despise shopping and would rather work longer than spend extra time in thrift shops.

We did however, recently buy some hamster cages for the kids new pets from thrift shops. That was well worth the time spent since we got them for 25% off. This allowed the kids to buy them with their allowance without having to save for 6 months. 

Bob W

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 2942
  • Age: 65
  • Location: Missouri
  • Live on minimum wage, earn on maximum
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #68 on: September 08, 2015, 12:21:39 PM »
WE are blessed with some awesome thrift stores in our community.   There are a lot of rich folks that move to lake communities and apparently die shortly there after leaving lots of new designer clothes for us poor folks.  The thrift stores support things like the homeless shelter,  dog shelter,  woman's shelter etc...

So today I am wearing a nice pair of slacks,  nice name brand shirt,  fancy shoes.  I bought my belt and underpants new.   Total wardrobe cost  $20, $8 excluding the belt.     I stop in about every other week and browse the thrift store and buy when the good stull is there.   Shoes are the hardest for me to come by but I've been very lucky this year. 

So yeah,  USED is where it is at.   Can't stand to pay retail for new every again. 

Zikoris

  • Magnum Stache
  • ******
  • Posts: 4536
  • Age: 37
  • Location: Vancouver, BC
  • Vancouverstachian
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #69 on: September 08, 2015, 12:56:01 PM »
I get my clothes new, but the real trick is to stop buying clothes. We basically just buy socks and underwear at this point.
 I think most people could last at least a few years on what they have, especially once they switch to hanging everything to dry.

Candace

  • Pencil Stache
  • ****
  • Posts: 582
  • Age: 57
  • Location: Hampton Roads, Virginia
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #70 on: September 08, 2015, 01:29:10 PM »
I'm a thrift store convert.

The idea used to gross me out. Then when I needed to buy a few shirts I didn't intend to keep very long (after shoulder surgery I needed more button-down shirts during recovery), a friend took me to the thrift store to help. I had previously noticed some of her beautiful dresses, and she said she got them at the thrift store. She helped me find 4-5 shirts. A couple of years later, I still wear two of them.

This spring when I had sadly gained a few pounds and needed shorts for vacation, I went to the thrift store and bought 3-4 pairs for $4 each. Certainly better than spending $60-$100 for new clothes. Now my lower-size shorts fit again. I can't bring myself to spend full-price for clothing now, except for shoes, socks and underwear.

If you go to a Goodwill in a nice neighborhood, you are not unlikely to find fancy designer clothes, sometimes with the tags still on.

What culture does your wife come from, that used clothes are so horrible? And does she feel the same way about wanting fancy vacations, cars, etc? Will she drive a used car?

NoraLenderbee

  • Handlebar Stache
  • *****
  • Posts: 1254
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #71 on: September 08, 2015, 02:03:05 PM »
I've gotten some good clothes from thrift stores, but I haven't shopped there in a long time. Mainly--I just hate shopping. Also, the way all different styles are mixed together means a lot of searching to find something I like, which uses up my limited shopping energy. I prefer to buy clothes online once I've found a size and brand that works for me (and a good enough sale). Maybe one of these days I'll go again.

If my weight were changing, or something like that, I'd definitely go the thrift store route.

KittyCat

  • Stubble
  • **
  • Posts: 242
  • Age: 34
  • Location: CA, USA
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #72 on: September 08, 2015, 02:32:00 PM »
In the last three years, I spent $50 for several shirts at Ross, $8 for two shirts at Target, and $10 for 16 pairs of socks. The pre-owned stuff was in great condition, looked nice, and nothing seemed wrong with them, so why not?

Bracken_Joy

  • Walrus Stache
  • *******
  • Posts: 8927
  • Location: Oregon
Re: Used vs new clothing
« Reply #73 on: September 08, 2015, 03:33:49 PM »
I tend to shop at Ross or TJ Maxx or Marshalls, stores like that. Similar pricing in my area, and I tend to find a better selection for my age group. It would be different if I were near thift stores with better goods, but I'm in a pretty low income area, and most stuff tends to be "old lady clothes".

I have nothing against thrift clothes, just no good options up here for me. Still end up there sometimes though, and recently got a bunch of used clothes through Schoola using a free deal going around the forums (yay $50 free clothes!)