My Goodwill haul cancels out minimalism efforts

[KBecks]

Today I had a doc appointment and on the way home stopped at Goodwill.  How fun. 

I just browsed, thinking maybe I would get some new clothes.  I spent $100 but might have overdone it.

Hats
2 winter hats, one reversible, both cute

Sweaters - nice brands!
- Fuschia Ann Taylor cashmere $7
- orange J Crew lambswool (orange? but Ok it was $10)
- Jones New York gray cardigan  95% cotton, 5% cashmere $7
- Talbots merino wool made in italy gray turtleneck $10
- really cute Gap sweater, no fabric tag  $5

Pants
- Not Your Daughter's Jeans brown cords - I am not sure if I love the fit - do these make my butt look weird? -  but decided to risk - $6
- Van Husen gray dress slacks $6
- Kohl's brand trouser jeans $ 7
- slightly too tight Levi Strrauss signature in light wash - $10
- do not fit yet but I love them (doh!) talbots lined gray wool crops $8

Kitchen
- cute hobnail jar glass canister
- a green butter bell that I will likely use as a sugar bowl upgrade

Misc
- 4 rolls Christmas gift wrap $1 ea and a gift bag $0.50

On the one hand, dude! I scored at Goodwill.  I tried everything on.  Now the too small pants and slightly tight jeans might be stupid, I would say that a portion of the clothing purchases are a gamble whether I will wear them well.  But they were not expensive and in good condition.

As a matter of fact there was $40 of home decor that was very cute that I might want to go back for.....

None of this is minimalistic!!! Gah!  Marie Kon Mari would hurt me if she knew!

Do you ever shop at Goodwill and do you control yourself better than this?

[Beardog]

KBecks:

Some of those items alone would have cost $100!  If you don't have a problem with routinely spending money that you didn't plan to spend, you could forgive yourself, enjoy your good luck and serendipidity, and move on.  If you are accumulating more stuff than you really want and are living in cluttered environment, you could make a donation to the Goodwill to offset your recent purchase, and take the donation off your taxable income if you itemize.

[Mr Chin Stubble]

no and yes

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

My philosophy is that I can buy anything I want at Goodwill. See, if it doesn't work out, then whatever, I donated six bucks to Goodwill and I give their stuff back.

However, your today's haul is, like, larger than my current work wardrobe, so either I am harder to fit or pickier or you did get a little carried away :-). Hey, jobtraining for people in need, amiright?

[Snow White]

I buy almost all of my clothes at GW or other thrifts...no shoes or undies but everything else. I rarely buy more than one or two items at a time though. Maybe I am picky but I also have a decent minimalist wardrobe so I NEED little.  I buy a lot of crafting materials there too.. wool and cashmere sweaters to felt along with 100% cotton shirts/blouses for quilting. I love thrift stores...sigh. 💕

[seattlecyclone]

I just paid $15 for a pair of shoes at Goodwill that looked practically new. Out of curiosity I went home and looked up what they cost new and it's $75! They look to be of better quality than the last few pairs of cheap new shoes I bought and wore out within a few months (I walk a lot). We'll see how well they last!

[Kitsunegari]

Wow, do you really need all that stuff?

I am an avid thrift-store shopper, trying to recover. I usually control myself slightly better than this, but yes, I also have troubles passing by pretty stuff in luxurious fabric - the fabric is my deal-maker, so to speak. I'm trying to set myself straigh, and now I avoid buying anything that doesn't fit wonderfully or that has even a minimal percentage of sintetic fabric. And I still find too much stuff I like...

I'm afraid the combination of thrill of the hunt and FOMO is addictive!

[KBecks]

Yeah, this could be a problem.  I don't get out and shop much, and my wardrobe is not huge, it's medium.  Really. 

It is nice that if one of the $6 or $10 items is not just right, I can re-donate without a lot of worry.  I am not good at making outfits, although some of these tops and bottoms can go together.  And, would you believe I did not even get through all the racks!  I didn't look at the skirts or dresses or blouses or the other side of the sweater rack.   The store has a sign that says they put out 6,000+ items yesterday.  I find that hard to believe, but I don't know!!!   

There is another Goodwill near my children's Tae Kwon Do studio.  But it seems one store is enough.  I think the problem is defining need and aimless shopping.  If I only bought to fill needs I might have gotten 2 sweaters and 2 pants and OK, 3 winter hats.  :)   

Now I have to put all this stuff away!

I buy new shoes, socks and undies, too. I really like Target's $5 Gillian O'Malley undies. I think they're a good value.   I am OK buying new sometimes but Goodwill has been very good to me, even with some mistakes along the way.

[Snow White]

I agree that you can't go wrong with an item you paid only a few bucks for. I recently found an awesome 2 ply black cashmere V-neck sweater for $3.00 that looked brand new and fit perfectly.  It did anyway until I forgot it was cashmere and washed it with my jeans and dried it in a hot dryer. Oops...it will now get cut up and added to my thrifted cashmere stash. ☺️

[Kaybee]

You'll get the minimalism down eventually.  Trust me, its a lot easier after you've done it for awhile!! 

My wardrobe is down to capsule "status" but it takes time to learn *your* style and what your preferred colours are (I used to buy tops in various colours and never wear them...it turns out I'm most comfortable in certain shades so I don't even bother looking at stuff that's not in "my" colour range).  I'm lucky to work in a uniform but my personal wardrobe covers all the seasons and has something that covers me off for pretty much every occasion (tropical travel, European travel, casual, dressy, super dressy, etc).  Life is SO MUCH EASIER when you love everything in your closet!  Keep paring down and remember that you're not required to buy something just because it fits or is a "deal". :)

[I'm a red panda]

I have no interest in being a minimalist. But I do try to be frugal. 

In fact, I find having stuff is handy. I like having a lot of stuff.  I just don't want to buy junk I don't need, nor pay more than necessary for any of the things I have.

[DrMoney]

These items are already doing damage to your mental state: you bought, you feel guilty, you're here posting for advice--that doesn't sound joyful to me. If what you're looking for is a deal, I think you found it. If what you're looking for is a deep sense of joy and purpose-driven spending/consuming, I think you've veered off the path. I hope that isn't coming off as judgmental! I am working through a similar process right now, and sometimes it's helpful to talk these things through!

[Cranky]

I buy less at Goodwill (or other thrift stores) when I go regularly, because then I'm pickier. I do keep a running list of what I could use for my wardrobe, and dh's, and for the house. Pretty much anything will turn up at the thrift store if I'm patient.

[KBecks]

You'll get the minimalism down eventually.  Trust me, its a lot easier after you've done it for awhile!! 

My wardrobe is down to capsule "status" but it takes time to learn *your* style and what your preferred colours are (I used to buy tops in various colours and never wear them...it turns out I'm most comfortable in certain shades so I don't even bother looking at stuff that's not in "my" colour range).  I'm lucky to work in a uniform but my personal wardrobe covers all the seasons and has something that covers me off for pretty much every occasion (tropical travel, European travel, casual, dressy, super dressy, etc).  Life is SO MUCH EASIER when you love everything in your closet!  Keep paring down and remember that you're not required to buy something just because it fits or is a "deal". :)

The capsule thing is so cool, and I've read about Project 333, etc, etc but I struggle to take time and put effort into putting an outfit together. Working with a color palette does make sense.  I also don't really like accessorizing but I love it when other people have nice combos.  Shopping is a pain, trying clothes on is a pain! 

I think that having more of some things would be good, but I basically live in athletic clothes or around the house clothes, or go to a school meeting or church clothes. 

Today I will put away these clothes and pull out some clothes I'm not wearing or dont' work.  I have a heavenly cashmere sweater that I got used that is just a little too short in the waist, and another buy from a consignment store that I thought looked good but it doesn't.  The dressing rooms in that store are too dark.

[KBecks]

I buy less at Goodwill (or other thrift stores) when I go regularly, because then I'm pickier. I do keep a running list of what I could use for my wardrobe, and dh's, and for the house. Pretty much anything will turn up at the thrift store if I'm patient.

That's a good tip but I don't shop too often, that is like "luxury time" to go out and look at clothes.  In reality I probably need nothing and can make do with what I own. 

[Paradise]

Hey, good haul, OP! I LOVE Not Your Daughter's Jeans jeans - love the fit and I get complements while wearing them - always stunned at that. But, the frugal part of me can't ever bring myself to pay the $100+ full freight on them - usually pick them up at Nord Rack on super-mega-clearance or on eBay for < $20 per pair and find they are well worth it. Congrats! And hope you like your new ones -

[Milizard]

Not all these brands are all that great.  Jones NY, Gap is hit or miss, Levi's used to be good, but I think the one you mentioned is the budget-line of their brand?  Kohl's stuff is kinda crappy, sorry.  It just doesn't stand up to use.  I can't remember if there were any others.  You did get some really nice brands there, too, no doubt about that.  Some of it depends on how old the items were when they were finally donated.  (Stuff made longer ago was made better, with more quality materials.)

I'm turned off by Goodwill myself. The Goodwill you went to sounds much better than the couple I've checked out, however. I try to find stuff for my boys and it's overpriced for the condition.  I can get brand-new items for the same price on clearance.  Oh, and the Christmas wrap/bag?  That's a clearance price as well.  If you needed it, great, but not an unheard of deal or anything. 

[HenryDavid]

The Talbot's merino wool sweater wil probably last a decade if you're careful with it.
Many years ago I just made merino v-necks part of my everyday "uniform." Get 'em on sale, hand wash, last 10 years.
Except for full-on summer they work year round.

[EconDiva]

I try to buy as much as I can from used places like Goodwill, Plato's Closet, eBay and local thrift stores. 

I try to focus on the brand and fabric quality because after so many years of shopping like this I have noticed something...certain brands and/or materials are definitely not going to last very long used.  I found some of those $3 tops that were 'steals' wouldn't even be in my closet 6 months later because they fell apart in the washer or dryer.  Granted, this could also occur buying the item new after wearing for some time as well, so I guess better to buy it used?

I bought an Express sweater from Plato's closet like 12 years ago I still wear today (granted I just don't think they make their sweaters like this anymore).  I'm sure I didn't pay more than about 5 bucks for it.  So with thrift store clothing purchases it can really be hit or miss.  But I just love finding items that are of good material with a tag on it!  Kindof rare that happens, but it does happen.

I'm always contemplating that whole capsule wardrobe someone else mentioned.  I don't know why I can't ever bring myself to get on that bandwagon though.  I do believe there is value in having good fitting, classic pieces of good quality material that last long which usually means a higher price I'd think.  With that said, I think mentally I'm less likely to buy some of those pieces because of cost--I'd end up thinking "I could buy 10 blouses from Goodwill for the price of this one [new, brand name, more expensive capsule] blouse".

[EconDiva]

Not all these brands are all that great.  Jones NY, Gap is hit or miss, Levi's used to be good, but I think the one you mentioned is the budget-line of their brand?  Kohl's stuff is kinda crappy, sorry.  It just doesn't stand up to use.  I can't remember if there were any others.  You did get some really nice brands there, too, no doubt about that.  Some of it depends on how old the items were when they were finally donated.  (Stuff made longer ago was made better, with more quality materials.)

I'm turned off by Goodwill myself. The Goodwill you went to sounds much better than the couple I've checked out, however. I try to find stuff for my boys and it's overpriced for the condition.  I can get brand-new items for the same price on clearance.  Oh, and the Christmas wrap/bag?  That's a clearance price as well.  If you needed it, great, but not an unheard of deal or anything.

This.

Also, I've had my favorite Goodwills that I've been to while in some other cities I'd been highly disappointed.  For instance, I have several I realllly like in Atlanta and am surprised to find I don't like the main near me now here in Chicago at all.

I really find clothing (and shoes) to be ridiculously expensive most of the time and I'm actually one of those people that's slightly annoyed by constant sales.  In other words, I know this $59.50 sweater is going to be $37.50 if I use one of the bazillion coupons sent either via text, email or offered online every 3 days Express.  Just frikkin price the sweater at $37.50 and let's all be done with these games.  But alas, I understand part of your market will buy at $59.50 so...yeah.

I'm sure OP already does this too but maybe try more shopping the end of season, clearance sales?  Like the ones that only happen a few times a year?  If there's a certain store/brand you really like you can try to stock up on pieces then that would be new and last longer...may not be as cheap as Goodwill up front but over the long run the price probably balances out if the item can be worn much longer.

[KBecks]

The Talbot's merino wool sweater wil probably last a decade if you're careful with it.
Many years ago I just made merino v-necks part of my everyday "uniform." Get 'em on sale, hand wash, last 10 years.
Except for full-on summer they work year round.

I put it on this morning with the Kohl's jeans!  Feel more put together than usual, huzzah!

[KBecks]

My philosophy is that I can buy anything I want at Goodwill. See, if it doesn't work out, then whatever, I donated six bucks to Goodwill and I give their stuff back.

However, your today's haul is, like, larger than my current work wardrobe, so either I am harder to fit or pickier or you did get a little carried away :-). Hey, jobtraining for people in need, amiright?

Hi FP!  I like that buy anything you want at Goodwill allowance.  Practice will make perfect.  I will use more restraint next time or perhaps go with a list, but at $2 - $10 an item, there is at least some flexibility!

When I would go to a department store I feel guilty about spending lots of money especially if the item is say, 80% - 90% good but not amazing.  At Goodwill and thrifts I can take a chance now and then.   If I have any regrets it's the 2 pairs of pants that aren't a great fit, but the Kohls jeans I'm wearing right now, love them!!!

Hey I wonder if that jeans repair job talked about on your journal would be better off as an excuse to go thrifting.  :)

[KBecks]

I try to buy as much as I can from used places like Goodwill, Plato's Closet, eBay and local thrift stores. 

I try to focus on the brand and fabric quality because after so many years of shopping like this I have noticed something...certain brands and/or materials are definitely not going to last very long used.  I found some of those $3 tops that were 'steals' wouldn't even be in my closet 6 months later because they fell apart in the washer or dryer.  Granted, this could also occur buying the item new after wearing for some time as well, so I guess better to buy it used?

I bought an Express sweater from Plato's closet like 12 years ago I still wear today (granted I just don't think they make their sweaters like this anymore).  I'm sure I didn't pay more than about 5 bucks for it.  So with thrift store clothing purchases it can really be hit or miss.  But I just love finding items that are of good material with a tag on it!  Kindof rare that happens, but it does happen.

I'm always contemplating that whole capsule wardrobe someone else mentioned.  I don't know why I can't ever bring myself to get on that bandwagon though.  I do believe there is value in having good fitting, classic pieces of good quality material that last long which usually means a higher price I'd think.  With that said, I think mentally I'm less likely to buy some of those pieces because of cost--I'd end up thinking "I could buy 10 blouses from Goodwill for the price of this one [new, brand name, more expensive capsule] blouse".

A capsule wardrobe doesn't have to be expensive, it just needs to sort of, match -- LOL. :)  You could totally do an entire thrifted capsule wardrobe.  See Project 333 for inspiration.  I love her attitude.  http://bemorewithless.com/

I don't really want 10 blouses, but after chatting on this thread, I think I have 10 or 15 sweaters (I mean, I bought like 5 yesterday, doh!) and I think I have 10 pairs of shoes, well more than that, probably 4 pairs of boots, 1 winter boots, 5 pairs of athletic shoes (I teach fitness), slippers, dress shoes -- not crazy at all.  I mean it's a lot of shoes but I'm not insane about it.   Oh I have rain boots and I should change them out for more practical rain boots, and I would get hiking boots if I found anything I like.  Summer is about 4 pair sandals.

My stuff just doesn't match so great.   

And if I could I would live in sweatpants  / yoga pants but I don't want to make the world look at me wearing sweatpants all the time.

[KBecks]

Not all these brands are all that great.  Jones NY, Gap is hit or miss, Levi's used to be good, but I think the one you mentioned is the budget-line of their brand?  Kohl's stuff is kinda crappy, sorry.  It just doesn't stand up to use.  I can't remember if there were any others.  You did get some really nice brands there, too, no doubt about that.  Some of it depends on how old the items were when they were finally donated.  (Stuff made longer ago was made better, with more quality materials.)

I'm turned off by Goodwill myself. The Goodwill you went to sounds much better than the couple I've checked out, however. I try to find stuff for my boys and it's overpriced for the condition.  I can get brand-new items for the same price on clearance.  Oh, and the Christmas wrap/bag?  That's a clearance price as well.  If you needed it, great, but not an unheard of deal or anything.

Yeah, I was flipping through racks and looking for nice material, as first criteria, then the tag.  This Goodwill has giant racks of clothes.  It is a large Goodwill.  So there were probably 1,000 sweaters on the rack I was picking from.  The Goowill was recently remodeled into a new store, the old store was grungy with bad light and not a fun place to go, but the new store is nice and they play great music in the store. I was there probably 90 minutes shopping.  That's a long time, and I tried on a lot of things that didn't fit / weren't good to find the better stuff that I brought home.

The brands aren't that important. I'm wearing the Kohl's jeans and really like them.  Not so sure about the orange sweater but I'll try. :)

I don't need super great clothes, mostly around the house, running errands, sometimes a social thing. 

My copy of The Life Changing Art of Tidying Up arrived yesterday -- ha!

[KBecks]

This.

Also, I've had my favorite Goodwills that I've been to while in some other cities I'd been highly disappointed.  For instance, I have several I realllly like in Atlanta and am surprised to find I don't like the main near me now here in Chicago at all.

I really find clothing (and shoes) to be ridiculously expensive most of the time and I'm actually one of those people that's slightly annoyed by constant sales.  In other words, I know this $59.50 sweater is going to be $37.50 if I use one of the bazillion coupons sent either via text, email or offered online every 3 days Express.  Just frikkin price the sweater at $37.50 and let's all be done with these games.  But alas, I understand part of your market will buy at $59.50 so...yeah.

I'm sure OP already does this too but maybe try more shopping the end of season, clearance sales?  Like the ones that only happen a few times a year?  If there's a certain store/brand you really like you can try to stock up on pieces then that would be new and last longer...may not be as cheap as Goodwill up front but over the long run the price probably balances out if the item can be worn much longer.

Yes, clothing is expensive.  Our Cub Scouts do a fundraiser coupon sale at a mall store and so last night we were out selling coupon books.  I was next to a display that had a cute fuzzy winter hat.  The price was $38 for a stupid knit winter hat.  $38!!!!!!!  Insane!  I don't like to shop much and I don't make time to work the sales.  I feel like I don't want to give away brain space to what day the sale is, etc.  It feels like the retailer wins if I get into their rat wheel.   And like, instead of signing up for the Target card and getting 5% back, why don't I just buy 5% less stuff?   I do always ask if there is a sale at checkout though if I'm buying something.   Sometimes I buy full price on Zappos.  I have occasionally gotten shoes (expensive LaCanadienne boots) on Ebay for a good deal from the shoe overstock / returns / however they get their merchandise folks.

Secondhand has been fun.  I am lucky that this store has been good. I have even found boys clothes there -- but many boys clothes get worn out and I'd never be able to get all their clothes there, but I can fill in a little bit.  I have 3 boys so I have more chances that something will fit somebody. 

When I go out looking for something in particular I think it's harder than just seeing what treasure can be found.  But that's dangerous too.

[KBecks]

Wow, do you really need all that stuff?

I am an avid thrift-store shopper, trying to recover. I usually control myself slightly better than this, but yes, I also have troubles passing by pretty stuff in luxurious fabric - the fabric is my deal-maker, so to speak. I'm trying to set myself straigh, and now I avoid buying anything that doesn't fit wonderfully or that has even a minimal percentage of sintetic fabric. And I still find too much stuff I like...

I'm afraid the combination of thrill of the hunt and FOMO is addictive!

What is FOMO?   Fear of missing out?  :)

[ketchup]

I will overbuy clothes at thrift stores, but mostly that's because I'm a dumb clueless guy that doesn't know what looks good or fits right.  I'll buy five shirts and end up only using two of them routinely and still call that a win.  The excess gets recycled back to Goodwill at some point.  It's still often an average of single-to-low-double digits per year spent on clothes apart from shoes, socks, and underwear, so I don't sweat it.

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

...

Secondhand has been fun.  I am lucky that this store has been good. I have even found boys clothes there -- but many boys clothes get worn out and I'd never be able to get all their clothes there, but I can fill in a little bit.  I have 3 boys so I have more chances that something will fit somebody. 

When I go out looking for something in particular I think it's harder than just seeing what treasure can be found.  But that's dangerous too.

I sometimes to to a big semiannual consignment sale. They tend to have way more inventory at once and if you need a couple of big-ticket things (snow pants, say, or bathing suits or Halloween costumes) it can be worth the trek. But they are not all created equal. I've been to some that were really dinky and sometimes things are overpriced.

[Milizard]

Not all these brands are all that great.  Jones NY, Gap is hit or miss, Levi's used to be good, but I think the one you mentioned is the budget-line of their brand?  Kohl's stuff is kinda crappy, sorry.  It just doesn't stand up to use.  I can't remember if there were any others.  You did get some really nice brands there, too, no doubt about that.  Some of it depends on how old the items were when they were finally donated.  (Stuff made longer ago was made better, with more quality materials.)

I'm turned off by Goodwill myself. The Goodwill you went to sounds much better than the couple I've checked out, however. I try to find stuff for my boys and it's overpriced for the condition.  I can get brand-new items for the same price on clearance.  Oh, and the Christmas wrap/bag?  That's a clearance price as well.  If you needed it, great, but not an unheard of deal or anything.

Yeah, I was flipping through racks and looking for nice material, as first criteria, then the tag.  This Goodwill has giant racks of clothes.  It is a large Goodwill.  So there were probably 1,000 sweaters on the rack I was picking from.  The Goowill was recently remodeled into a new store, the old store was grungy with bad light and not a fun place to go, but the new store is nice and they play great music in the store. I was there probably 90 minutes shopping.  That's a long time, and I tried on a lot of things that didn't fit / weren't good to find the better stuff that I brought home.

The brands aren't that important. I'm wearing the Kohl's jeans and really like them.  Not so sure about the orange sweater but I'll try. :)

I don't need super great clothes, mostly around the house, running errands, sometimes a social thing. 

My copy of The Life Changing Art of Tidying Up arrived yesterday -- ha!

Just sayin, the Kohls shoes, for instance, look great but fall apart quickly.  I've had other clothes from there, too, that just don't hold up very well.   But if you can find pants that fit well and you like them, that's awesome.  Those are so very hard to find for me.

It's so funny you mention that book! It was free on Audible this month, so I got it and listened to it twice.  I loved it, but felt a little lost without something visual to reference, so I bought a used copy of the sequel, Sparking Joy, which finally arrived a couple days ago.  In fact, it took so long to ship that I started listening to it on YouTube.  After double "reading" parts of both books, I'm just now finally starting to understand the idea behind keeping things that I really like, despite their lack of practicality.  It was an eye-opening revelation for me--relating to how I have come to value some things and discount the value of others.  (That wasn't explicitly stated in the book, by the way.)  I hope you like it!

[Kitsunegari]

Wow, do you really need all that stuff?

I am an avid thrift-store shopper, trying to recover. I usually control myself slightly better than this, but yes, I also have troubles passing by pretty stuff in luxurious fabric - the fabric is my deal-maker, so to speak. I'm trying to set myself straigh, and now I avoid buying anything that doesn't fit wonderfully or that has even a minimal percentage of sintetic fabric. And I still find too much stuff I like...

I'm afraid the combination of thrill of the hunt and FOMO is addictive!

What is FOMO?   Fear of missing out?  :)

Correct. As in, in a retail store if I like something I can "think about it" and leave the store and eventually go back to buy what I liked; in thrift stores is "now or never".

[Kaybee]

The capsule thing is so cool, and I've read about Project 333, etc, etc but I struggle to take time and put effort into putting an outfit together. Working with a color palette does make sense.  I also don't really like accessorizing but I love it when other people have nice combos.  Shopping is a pain, trying clothes on is a pain! 

LOL, it sounds like we have similar issues when it comes to getting ready!!  My roommate teases me I only need to do two loads of laundry (whites and darks) since I stick to black, grey, white and various shades of blue but honestly, picking a colour palette makes getting dressed AND shopping much easier.  I know that in the long run, I feel best in the colour palette I've chosen for myself so when shopping, I don't even need to stop to look at things that are in other colours (thrifting is a breeze now!) and when I DO find something in at a thrift store in one of my shades...I already know that it will match pretty much everything in my wardrobe.  Getting dressed is easier because pretty much everything coordinates, it's a matter of making sure I'm not too monotone.  I could (and actually do often enough) dress myself in the dark and still look great.

Paring down also helped me decide which "silhouettes" I preferred.  Those airy, floaty tops that seemed to be everywhere last summer??  I love the way they look but don't like them on me.  "Floaty" tops tend to hit me around my hips (my widest point) and hide my narrowest point (my waist) so I always feel like I look bigger than I am.  It didn't matter how many times I'd see a nice one in a store and bring it home, I'd wear it once and never again.  Now, I just know that although they look great on the rack, it's not my style and don't buy it.

I struggle with body issues and I used to HATE getting dressed each morning.  It involved pulling half of the stuff out of my closet and approaching an emotional breakdown and I'd STILL not be thrilled with what I'd end up wearing.  Now, my wardrobe is probably a quarter of the size but I always feel like I'm wearing my "favourite" outfit.

[tallen]

I work in a dirty, greasy shop and once I've worn something to work, it is forever "work clothes". A couple times a year I do a round of the local thrift stores to get more work clothes, but what usually happens is I find nice stuff I don't want to ruin right away. So I end up rotating in the clothes I've been wearing outside of work for my work clothes and end up with a new wardrobe a couple times a year.

[Virgil Starkwell]

My father used to take me once a week to the thrift store when I was growing up. He taught me about fabrics, furniture, books, etc.

I worked three part-time teaching jobs in addition to my full-time teaching gig and so I had a weekly schedule of all the Salvation Army/Goodwill stores I'd visit en route to/from each job. I'd even go to one thrift store when I had a lunch/free period back to back. The highlight by far was finding Armani suits!

When I go back to the US once a year I make time to visit my old haunts. My favorite is the one my father used to take me to.

I still can't believe they use staples to attach price tags to camel's hair coats. 

[Kitsunegari]

My father used to take me once a week to the thrift store when I was growing up. He taught me about fabrics, furniture, books, etc.

This is something I kinda dream of doing with my LO, but I'm afraid they'll start seeing shopping as a hobby/recreational activity... do you have tricks to avoid it?

[Virgil Starkwell]

This is something I kinda dream of doing with my LO, but I'm afraid they'll start seeing shopping as a hobby/recreational activity... do you have tricks to avoid it?

Perhaps if it's approached the way food shopping is done - keeping to a list. There could also be a periodic inclusion of an unexpected find not on the list if it's under a certain amount. IOW, create some rules. Kids love rules!