Joys of Thrift Store Shopping

Don’t get me wrong! Once I could finally fit into the sizes they DO frequently carry at my local thrift stores I was thrilled. For $20, I could now get five pairs of pants.

However, my local Goodwill does not have a fitting room, so it’s all guesswork.

It has been totally hit or miss. Sizing is all over the place. The 22s from one maker are hugemongous compared to another. And I never even knew there was a normie size 24 until I pulled out this pair of jeans that might fit my 4-year-old labeled “24." I knew just looking at them that I probably couldn’t get my ankles past the knees.

Adding to this confusion, is the new simplicity (stupidity sizing, as far as I’m concerned) that some retailers are doing. I’m sort of familiar with the system they have at Catherine’s for pants (I was so excited when I no longer fit in to my 12s –early postop). However, that is not going to help me in the least with Chico’s shirts (which I may or may not be fitting into). It's like shopping in a foreign country.

Adding to that is the way they have things organized. Naturally, dresses are with dresses. Long sleeve shirts with long sleeve shirts, etc. However, within those categories items are grouped together by color – sizes are not separated. I understand – they’re a charity and they save money this way. But I just want to let y’all know that you’re not going to save a bunch of time shopping in these places. Those $3.99 jeans are gonna cost you in minutes. (And if you need a size bigger than 22, don't bother with my Goodwill. You will have to sort through 300 pairs of pants to find one pair.)

However, my biggest beef are these *&(*%* low rise pants. I really don’t need a pair of pants that creates a muffin top when I already have a pannus that looks like the pizza dough factory exploded. (And what nutjob designer thought someone needing 22 plus size jeans would want a muffin top?) I can’t look at a pair of pants and tell if they’re low rise or not.

But I do love me a pair of $3.99 pants that sort of fit. And in that, I’m 6 for 10.  The rest are going BACK to Goodwill (with my 26s).

Amen sister! I have just started enjoying the thrills of the thrift stores. It is definitely a game of hit or miss. I got a size 22 shorts which are smaller than a size 16 pair I also picked up!
I'm a real shortie (5ft 1) and I am amazed at what they call petite, their petite is still 6" too long for me! It is fun to hunt though!

I cannot believe they do not have a dressing room!  At least they take the returns.  Enjoy the finds you got that did work for you!

I can't wait! You are making me excited for this NSV!! I can't wait to buy w/out having to order from a catalogue or online! =)

Patti, I agree that it's a thrilling experience, a real high to find clothes that fit and are a bargain at the thrift stores! I'm loving it, and I prolly always will frequent thrift stores, even when my body decides it's at its maintenance point.

Like you pointed out, make sure you have time and patience to sort through the stuff; but it's fun to find cool clothes at rockbottom prices! Remember how expensive some catalog clothes were?!

Enjoy; loved your post! I was crackin up at the muffin top pannus-pizza dough factory explosion but can so relate!

~Linda

I, too, have discovered used clothing.  I go to our local "Savers", which is a DAV (disabled veterans) organization.  They even have 20% off with a donation and 40% off on seniors day (there's a good and a bad to getting older - lol).   Today I'm wearing Evan Piccone pants, a lovely black sweater, and a jacket my sister gave me.  Before I had to have stuff made for me (about 45-80 dollars, depending on material) or order from Making It Big (which ran about $60 for pants - black knits, elastic waistband or $50-100 for tops - both of which I wore to death!).  Now I get pants for under $8 and tops for around $5 or $6.   It is WONDERFUL.   They do have a dressing room and I do use it.  Never did that before either. 

To avoid low rise pants, measure the zipper of jeans that work against your arm or something else you always have with you.  Compare that when you shop.  Good luck, Loris

I hear ya on the way sizes varie.  I bought some jeans at Suzies in Las Vegas that were  Venezia Lane Bryant brand that were size 26W and  still can't fit them...and I wear a 20W-22W in most other jeans.  As for our local Goodwill, thank goodness they do have a dressing room and take returns for7 days after purchase...love Goodwill!