Second-Hand Is Super
I have a rather limited number of first-hand clothing--undergarments, a few pairs of silken women's long underwear, a hooded sweatshirt, a number of souvenir concert t-shirts, a couple garments I've sewn myself. But, the vast, vast, vast majority of my clothing comes from the second-hand shop or clothes swaps with my girlfriends. As a result, I may not have up-to-date fashions, but that really isn't me anyways.
In fact, over the years I've discovered that it is more likely that I'll think something is awesome if most people think its ugly or old or both. I've had some...interesting....comments, like when my friend told me that she thought it looked like I was wearing an old lady church dress....which it very well may have been before I owned it for all I know. Or when my cloths-swapping girlfriends decided to take a photo of everyone wearing the most ugly/ridiculous thing they could find and then after the photo was taken I took home one of the dresses and a floral flannel nightgown worn in the photo. But, I don't mind and it doesn't matter. I like what I like and I am thankful that most people don't. Otherwise I'd have more competition at both Goodwill and the clothes swaps. I guess what I see as unique and timeless might be seen as weird and dated.
So it was really nice today when a library regular told me "Gosh, I really like what you've got on." and I said "Thanks," and he continued on to say "Don't tell me you got all that second hand!" To which I had to reply that every single bit of it was, indeed, second hand (socks and underwear excluded). A light, black sweater (free), a long black scarf (free), a homemade paisley-floral skirt ($3), leather hiking-type boots (free). After taking that little mental inventory I was all the more pleased with his compliment on my look. It is so thrifty, so uniquely me. And second-hand garments are much softer on the planet than the majority of first-hand clothing.
Hooray for second-hand shopping. That seems quite timely with the insanity of Black Friday and Christmas shopping descending upon us.
(Here I also have to mention that at the bank on Tuesday the teller asked if I was going Black Friday shopping and I laughed. She seemed surprised by that response, and I didn't mean to insult her if in fact she was going Black Friday shopping, but the idea of me fighting the crowds, standing in line, going to the store in the middle of the night just to get a "good deal" just was too funny. I didn't mean to laugh. It just happened. It would just never happen.)
In fact, over the years I've discovered that it is more likely that I'll think something is awesome if most people think its ugly or old or both. I've had some...interesting....comments, like when my friend told me that she thought it looked like I was wearing an old lady church dress....which it very well may have been before I owned it for all I know. Or when my cloths-swapping girlfriends decided to take a photo of everyone wearing the most ugly/ridiculous thing they could find and then after the photo was taken I took home one of the dresses and a floral flannel nightgown worn in the photo. But, I don't mind and it doesn't matter. I like what I like and I am thankful that most people don't. Otherwise I'd have more competition at both Goodwill and the clothes swaps. I guess what I see as unique and timeless might be seen as weird and dated.
So it was really nice today when a library regular told me "Gosh, I really like what you've got on." and I said "Thanks," and he continued on to say "Don't tell me you got all that second hand!" To which I had to reply that every single bit of it was, indeed, second hand (socks and underwear excluded). A light, black sweater (free), a long black scarf (free), a homemade paisley-floral skirt ($3), leather hiking-type boots (free). After taking that little mental inventory I was all the more pleased with his compliment on my look. It is so thrifty, so uniquely me. And second-hand garments are much softer on the planet than the majority of first-hand clothing.
Hooray for second-hand shopping. That seems quite timely with the insanity of Black Friday and Christmas shopping descending upon us.
(Here I also have to mention that at the bank on Tuesday the teller asked if I was going Black Friday shopping and I laughed. She seemed surprised by that response, and I didn't mean to insult her if in fact she was going Black Friday shopping, but the idea of me fighting the crowds, standing in line, going to the store in the middle of the night just to get a "good deal" just was too funny. I didn't mean to laugh. It just happened. It would just never happen.)
Thank goodness I was older when all the insanity of BF set in. I would get trampled. I wear free or second hand with pleasure.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there is a type that can pull of anything. You are that type--young, not fat, and sort of hippie-like (compliment), and appreciates the cut and look of things past. You are all four. I am not the first two.
My forte has been sewing my own clothes, so I have no need to shop for many things. Well, now I do shop because I cannot sew for a bit.
Could you model the old lady dress?
Oh, you make me laugh! I take it all as compliment! I'm getting into sewing my own clothes. I think that is super-duper! The dress I am working on is from fabric found at the second hand store. It will be the best of both worlds!
DeleteYes, I'll take a photo in the dress for you. You can tell me what you think.
Hooray for second-hand shopping. I am with you on that. I love a good bargain.
ReplyDeleteHooray, indeed! I don't understand how people can stand to buy first hand clothes. They're so expensive!
DeleteI absolutely love vintage clothing, but my super petite size prevents me from shopping at second-hand stores :( I'm completely jealous!
ReplyDeleteI am a rather average size so I do have that going for me. Matt has commented on it actually--that I have rather average foot size, head size, body size--and so find a lot of things to fit me at both clothes swaps and thrift shops. Though at the Montana Vintage Store I have a hard time because everything is so small since it is all actually vintage AND secondhand rather than just the latter....people were just smaller! The hats are most noticeable!
DeleteI've worked 2 overnights this past week preparing for the madness... I'd LOVE to get out of Retail before another Holiday Season is upon us. I've found some REAL treasures at the Goodwill Clearance Center recently and am now hooked with shopping there. In fact I'm planning to go Thursday.
ReplyDeleteI bet it is a nightmare from your end. At least I can just stay home and thus avoid it!
DeleteI'd like to check out one of those Goodwill Clearance Centers....I've never seen one in the flesh.
Wow, I've never heard of a Goodwill clearance center. Going to have to look into that. I'm with you on Black Friday... not going to happen, & also mostly wear secondhand clothing. I also sew with thrifted fabrics, but have not yet made a dress, only simpler things. I hope you'll post pics of yours.
ReplyDeleteI hear (Becky correct me if I am wrong) that they sell things in mass--by the pound. I'd sure like to check one out myself! I will post a photo of the dress which I hope will be ready by Christmas...but, silly ambitious me, I thought I might be able to finish it over the Thanksgiving holiday! So, we'll see. Its a bright red fabric though that I think would be especially great at Christmas.
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