We’ve all heard it – vintage clothing is in. But nowadays, vintage (or used clothing for less glamorous terminology) apparel is far from what it really is; many stores sell items specifically targeted at this fad, yet not at wallet-friendly prices. And yes, many of us may feel weak at the knees when we see a gorgeous 50’s inspired gown that obviously will make us appear classically beautiful, but not in my world! With pocket change to spend on a wardrobe, I can’t fall victim to these imposter vintage-inspired hypocrites. Most of the clothing in this realm is not actually used; it is fashioned to look like it belongs in the past decade, but with a modern spin. So I hereby solemnly swear to give you the lowdown on how to seek attire that will both fit your budget and timeless look. Please meet my good friends Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, and Urban Renewal. All of these stores are home to thousands of donated pieces that are ready for a new life! My weapon on choice: Goodwill.
My Goodwill addiction began circa the summer of 2010. There is one dangerously close to where I work, so my lunch breaks always included a visit. Folks, I am the typical college student. I work hard for my money and most of it goes to the university I attend. This leaves me with about 20 dollars a month to look good. That…is not a lot in a normal store, could I even afford a designer pencil with that chump change? I think not. But Goodwill lets me still be a girl, still shop, and find items I can be excited to take home. Here are a few of my favorite finds along with their truthful price tags as evidence to my sincerity:
Marilyn Monroe black and white print - $2
Silver watch - $3
Several real silver rings - $10 for 5
Red Steve madden belt with tags on - $2
White high-waisted pants turned shorts - $10
Feather necklace - $2
Two formal dresses in great condition - $15 each
Brand new high top Nike blazers- $25 (if you don’t know, these go for around $200+)
Celtics Jersey - $10
Countless Steve Madden flats/heels - $10-12 each
White pumps with wooden heel - $5
American apparel EVERYTHING - $5/piece
American Apparel black halter bodysuit
Ralph Lauren black wedges - $5
White skinny belt - $2
Black skinny belt - $2
Now, some of us are just not up for the work of sifting through grandma’s Victorian-everything-up-to-the-neck-with-lace collection. Thrifting is hard work. You must be dedicated. It is not like usual shopping where you go into a boutique filled with heaps upon heaps of beautiful merchandise and you have to so difficulty choose the ones you really love and can’t live without. No – when thrifting, you must expect to look through racks upon racks of hideous crap to find the one gem you fall in love with and realize you need. So I lend you my honored rules to live by in the name of Goodwill to guide your journey:
1) You can not go looking for what you find! If you really want a fitted black blazer, you will not find it. You will instead end up leaving with a new pair of pearl studs and the red ballet flats you never knew your heart desired until you stepped foot into the used-clothing abyss. But this is the beauty of the experience. You can’t go to the blazer rack and pick out the nicest one and just pay 20 bones and be on your way. The vintage treasures must find you. They are rewards to the rigorous effort you put forth when your fingers are nearly bleeding after searching through one too many old-lady dresses.
2) There are a few key sections I always hit: jewelry, shoes, and décor. Jewelry is always cheap (even for Goodwill) and always fun to sift through. The shoes section can really surprise you. The staples of my footwear collection have almost all come from Goodwill. And let’s be real, décor never fails. If you need a little color to spice up a room, I promise you something in that section will catch your eye. If not, check back tomorrow. Which leads me to my next rule…
3) Go often! If you go once a week, you are bound to find something by week four, ladies! It’s all about spotting the hottest finds as soon as they arrive at the store, even before being priced sometimes! With frequent visits, your goal is to also become a regular. The women behind the racks know my shoe size. I have had them come up to me with shoes that aren’t even on the floor yet, asking if I want to look! It takes something to work in a store like Goodwill and the employees are usually nice and involved in your thrifting experience.
4) USE YOUR IMAGINATION! This rule is actually my best. You can’t expect to have an A+ outfit picked out for you on a mannequin at Goodwill. You must seek out the pieces and figure out how they can become a fashionable element to an outfit. All the time, friends, strangers, my boss, whoever will confront me with the “I love your outfit!” or “I love your dress” and I always laugh and just respond “Goodwill” and they never understand. Because before they saw me wearing it, my “dress” was a floor-length floral skirt that I hitched up to a strapless mini with a belt around my waist.
5) My final rule: have fun with it. When you rack up a 30-dollar bill and have 10 new wardrobe items, you’ll thank me. Don’t take it too seriously. We all want to look good but we don’t want to pay for it. Even adding one vintage piece to your look will have you feeling fly when someone asks how much you paid for it.
My concluding advice is to get out there! Find what donation-driven shops are around you and get to work! I also suggest you spread the word – everyone likes discounts, even the boy bargain-hunters (my boyfriend’s wardrobe is also almost entirely Goodwill-funded). Happy thrifting my fellow discount lovers!
