I do shop at thrift stores. I have done so since I was in high school (past 20 years). My kids almost exclusively wear hand me downs and thrifted items. I always try to find what we need used first.
My husband was skeptical about wearing second hand, but he did eventually change his mind. He has a very small wardrobe. He only keeps 3 or possibly four pairs of pants and 3 pairs of shorts, and wears them until they are totally worn out. I cant remember the last time I bought him shirts. Sometimes he gets them for xmas from family, and again, he has a stack of maybe, 8-10, that he rotates and wears until they are unwearable. Well, last year, his shorts had all met their end, so I picked him up 4 pairs of cargo shorts at the Village Discout Outlet, at half off day, for 1.50 a pair. He is wearing them this year also. His shorts usually last 4 years or so.
This past weekend the Village Discount had all their stores 50% off everything. I got my daughter approx 25 pcs of clothing, pants, shorts, tops, plus my son needed swim trunks and a swim shirt ( I even found him some very nice, new looking and feeling boxer briefs for 45 cents each) for about 50$. Both of them should be completely set until winter. and I have a couple of bins of hand me downs for my son to grow into.
There are a couple of brands of pants that I know I like and I know what size works for me, and I managed to find several, which is unusual for me. But I did go to 3 of the outlets all told. I also found several shirts that were good, and even a swimsuit! and the swimsuit fit! (none of these stores have changing rooms, so you have to just guess-which is why I really try to only go on half off sale day, to limit my risk)
I will buy new underwear, new socks (although 3 out of 4 of us dont like to wear socks) and new shoes when necessary.
This is the first year Im tracking, but I think we will come in under 400$ for all 4 of us for the whole year.