Rich Little Poor Girl Friday #6

Lesson #6: DRESS FOR MUCH LESS

This is so obvious it is embarrassing, but I must give due diligence on the subject: second hand clothing.

At the age of 16, I starting buying 90% of my wardrobe from thrift stores.  This was partly because I had a thing for vintage clothing and partly because I was responsible for purchasing my own attire out of a clothing allowance. It didn’t take me long to learn that if I shopped at the Sally Ann, I could buy several one-of-a-kind outfits for the price of one pair of brand new, brand name jeans.

If the idea of wearing someone else’s clothes grosses you out, well, it should.  There are some very suspect items lurking around second hand shops, but there is also treasure to be found among the dirt.  Alotta folks buy stuff, never wear it, and then give it to the Salvation Army.  I’ve found brand new, high end, still got the original tags on ’em jeans, hoodies, shirts, skirts, and more, priced at a tenth of their intended retail.

Beware, though.  Uber-low prices cause you to lower your guard and it is easy to fall into the trap of buying something on a whim, giving it a foster home in your closet, and then shipping it back to the Sally Ann.  I’ve finally gotten to the point where I will only commit to buying something if it can pass the Triple Acid Test: Do I like it?  Will I wear it?  Do I need it?

Of course, there are some things one should never buy used: underwear, pajamas, lingerie. Buy these new…but on sale.  If you can’t wrap your head around the concept of used clothing, at the very least buy G.O.O.B. (Going Out Of Business).   Whatever you do, don’t pay full retail. If you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for me…and then send me the money you saved.

Just kidding.

But, no, really – send me the money.  There’s a barely-been-worn Volcom hoody up at my local SA that I wanna buy.