Categories
Tips & Tricks

How to Repurpose Gently Used Clothes

Here at thrift stores in Destin, FL we’re all about repurposing gently used clothes. We believe in giving a piece of clothing or furniture new life by selling it to you at a discounted price. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, as they say. Repurposing is easy, and there are many different ways to give your gently used clothing new life! Here are five ways to repurpose your clothes.   

  1. Add an embellishment.
    Embellishments are a fun way to repurpose your clothes and have fun. Add a patch, or use dye to create a new look. Buttons, jewels, and thread can also be used to give your clothes a vintage look.
  2. Plan a neighborhood swap.
    If you have bags of clothes that your family will no longer wear, consider planning a swap with neighbors or family members. Everyone meets and brings the clothes they no longer want. Then, everyone can grab what they want! Anything left over can be brought to Goodwill!
  3. Wear in a new way.
    If you have a dress you don’t think you’ll wear again, perhaps you could turn it into a pool cover-up. Or turn long jeans into jean shorts. Get creative with old clothing and try to turn it into something new. The best part is that if you end up not liking it, you can always bring it to Goodwill.
  4. Donate to Goodwill.
    At Goodwill, we receive donations from the community every day, so our shelves are always stocked with tons of unique finds. Did you know that whatever we can’t sell at our stores, we recycle? It’s true. Learn more about how your shopping and donations make a difference in the community.
  5. Give to a corporate charity drive.
    If your employer is hosting a clothing drive for charity, this is a great time to clean out your closets and donate clothing. Find out how you can plan a corporate charity drive, here.
Categories
Tips & Tricks

Repurposing Old Dishes from the Kitchen

Looking at repurposing old kitchen dishes? There are many ways to use dishes, silverware, and glasses around the house and even outside. Check out some of these ideas for inspiration.

DIY Pedestal Stand
Using a plate and a cup with a stem (or candlestick), glue them together and add a fresh coat of paint. The result is a pedestal that can be used for cakes, accessories, jewelry, and decor.

Spoon Wind Chimes
Turn old spoons into a delicate wind chime. Leave the spoons as they are, or turn them into little fish for a coastal vibe.

Painted Decor
If you have a bunch of mismatched plates, a coat of spray paint will help you create a cohesive look. Use them as home decor on coffee tables, shelves, and bathroom vanities.

Holiday Globes
If you’re in the holiday spirit, you can repurpose old stemless wine glasses into holiday globe decor. Use a piece of wood as the base, add a figurine, then place the overturned glass on top.

Hanging Planter
Old dishes can be turned into a hanging planter. Find small bowls that are deep and sturdy. Drill a hole in the bottom for drainage and on the sides for the hanger.

Coat Hook
Use smaller plates to add a vintage touch to a coat hook. Glue the flat bottom side to the base of each hook.

Mosaic Garden Stones
You’ll need a concrete stepping stone, tile adhesive, sanded grout, and a patterned plate. Break up the plate into smaller pieces. Then adhere to the concrete stone and grout once it’s dry.

Eclectic Tea Set
Assemble your own tea set using thrift store finds. Use smaller plates as saucers, and go on the hunt for vintage teacups.

Many of these DIY crafts can be completed using old dishes you can find at thrift store in Destin, FL. For more details drop comments in the comment section.

Categories
Tips & Tricks

How to Repurpose Used Outdoor Furniture

Thrift shops in Destin, FL is known for its sizeable selection and unique finds. Our furniture section is known for items that go quick. Now that everyone’s enjoying the summer season and spending more time outdoors, it’s a great time to add some furniture to your outdoor space. If you’ve found some used outdoor furniture, there are many ways that you can repurpose it to give it new life. Here are a few ideas:

Spray Paint a Bright Color

If you find a chair with a shape and style that you like, painting it with spray paint is a great way to freshen it up. We love how this bright green color adds a vibrant pop to this patio decor.

Replace or Add Cushions

New furniture cushions add comfort and style to gently used patio furniture. Consider replacing old cushions with fabric and fill of your choice. You can sew your own cushions or shop around for cushions that fit your sofa and/or chairs.

Mix and Match

You might not find an entire patio dining set that you love at a price you love, but when you shop at Goodwill, you can mix and match. Pair a set of chairs, or all different chairs, with a different table. Mixing wood and aluminum is a great idea!

Use Outdoor Furniture Indoors

If you find a piece of outdoor furniture you love, but don’t have anywhere to put it, consider using it indoors. This isn’t an odd design trick, in fact, it’s currently a trend in interior design. Going for a casual coastal design? Bring in the wicker!

Categories
Thrift Stores

3 Articles Of Clothing You Can Find In A Thrift Store

There is a saying that says: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and boy, is that saying it right when it comes to shopping at secondhand stores. At thrift stores, such as Goodwill and Plato’s Closet, you get to create your own style with clothes that people used to wear. Weather it is a shirt or a sweater, pants or jeans, you can always find something worth having at a thrift store. As a faithful thrift store shopper, also known as “thrifting,” I have noticed that a bunch of fashion from the 90s and early 2000s are back in action and still being worn, and like I said in my 90s nostalgia article, I love my 90s clothing! These 3 things listed below can help you decide what you want to benefit your closet and help unclutter someone else’s!

1. Sweaters

These things are a must! Now that it is getting cold, sweaters are a key accessory to anyone’s closet. There are Christmas sweaters, patch sweaters and baggy sweaters (which are my favorite). The best sweaters in a thrift shop are men sweaters, because they are so darn cozy, especially for smaller women. Sweaters just go great with pretty much everything and you can find one that will fit your personality as well as your style.

2. Dresses

I must admit, sometimes it is hard to find just the right dress at a second-hand store, but when you do, make sure you keep it close. Just like any other store, there is a variety of dresses from short to long, but at an unbeatable price! There are many vintage dresses that are sold at thrift stores that are so adorable you want to purchase it to just look at it. Whichever reason for buying the dress, just know that you will be happy with your sale.

3. Jeans

There are so many type of jeans that you can find in a thrift store it is crazy. Whether you want skinny and distressed or baggy (also known as mom jeans), you can find them right there on the racks! A ton of girls bring back the 90’s look when they get mom jeans, cut them up and turn them into high-waist jeans or shorts. It really shows how some styles will really never die and how these girls think outside of the box with their wardrobe.

At thrift shops, you can turn an original idea into a newly made masterpiece just by picking out a piece of clothing. Making something yours when it belonged to someone else can boost your confidence and maybe even turn you into a fashion queen (or king). These flea markets can turn your closet into a runway once you find the things that fit you. Also, they can put more money in your pocket because they are so inexpensive. In the words of rapper Macklemore”s song Thrift Shop, “I’m gonna pop some tags, only got 20 dollars in my pocket, I’m hunting, looking for a come up, this is freaking awesome.” He knows how cheap it is! So, what are you waiting for? Go on and pop some tags at thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL.

Categories
Thrift Stores

Why I Only Shop at Thrift Stores

When I was a kid, I always kicked off a new school year by revamping my wardrobe. I threw out the old jeans that had ripped in the crotch area and donated the “babyish” t-shirts decorated with glitter and ponies to the Goodwill.

Afterward, I always went shopping for new back-to-school outfits with my mom. Except, these outfits weren’t really new — they were someone else’s unwanted clothes. They came from dim, carpeted thrift stores, not the fluorescent lights of Macy’s.

Throughout my childhood, I only ever shopped at thrift stores.

While my friends prided themselves on their designer outfits they’d plucked off the mannequin, I was sifting through the racks of the nearest thrift store. I won’t lie and say I didn’t also want designer clothes, but I didn’t have a choice. My parents lived on a shoe-string budget for most of my childhood, and they didn’t have the money to spend hundreds of dollars on clothing.

If I wanted more than a t-shirt from JCPenney, I had to get creative. I spent a lot of time scouring the local Goodwill for a diamond in the rough. I learned how to put an outfit together — what colors complemented each other, and which ones clashed.

I was a thrift-store diva — the ultimate bargain shopper. If a Prada purse or Burberry blouse managed to find its way to the Goodwill, I knew it. It was in my hands and paid for before anyone else could see it.

As an adult who can finally (sometimes) afford the $30 tops I see in the window, I haven’t been able to kick the habit of shopping at thrift stores. At the end of the day, I still end up at the Goodwill.

But, despite the embarrassment I might’ve had as a pre-teen who didn’t want to be caught dead in someone else’s hand-me-downs, I’ve since realized there are a lot of upsides to shopping in thrift stores.

You never know what you might find

People tend to associate thrift stores with old, unwanted clothing that nobody or their grandmother would be caught dead in. The Goodwill is supposed to be the place that people go when they’ve given up on caring about their appearance.

This isn’t true. Although there is plenty of junk lying around, you’d be surprised just how many designer labels end up on those racks too. The issue isn’t whether or not fashionable thrift store clothing exists, it’s how to find it.

As a kid, I could spend hours in a thrift store searching through racks. Finding a cute designer top took some effort, but it was worth it. I got to wear expensive brands without worrying about the price tag.

As an adult, I still get that same rush. Spotting a $100 dress and paying $8 for it is like finding abandoned money in a parking lot. Not only is the experience satisfying, but there’s no guilt involved.

The only downside is that it does take some effort. You’ll have to sort through a lot of unwanted, stored-in-the-back-of-closets junk before you find something you actually want. Some thrift stores may attempt to organize their haul, but other places will grab everything, put it on the rack, and leave it for you to sift through.

I don’t mind, though — the hunt for hidden treasure is what makes it fun.

Thrifting makes you fashionable

Most people would like to assume they’re fashionable. They can go into a store and pick out a cute outfit easily. However, what a lot of people don’t realize is that our favorite designer stores tend to do the shopping for us.

They arrange the store so that complementary items are close together. It isn’t a coincidence that a purple blouse is right next to a matching pencil skirt. Most of the time, even if you’re picking out the ensemble yourself, the store is still doing half the work.

You might not even realize how undeveloped your fashion sense actually is until you walk into the disarray of a thrift shop. Nobody is going to help you out there.

When you have to sift through unorganized, outdated clothing, you quickly learn what goes well together and what doesn’t. You don’t have a choice — the layout of the store forces you to think for yourself. You realize what items can pass as vintage chic and which ones should be left in the past. You learn which patterns complement each other, and which ones clash.

Thrift stores allowed me to invent my own wacky style. I’m not sure you would call it fashionable, but it works for me. Regardless of what kind of clothing store I’m in, I always know what works for me and what doesn’t.

There’s no shame in thrifting

When I was a teenager, I used to dread the question: “Where did you get that top?”

My friends had good intentions. They expected me to answer with the respectable Macy’s or JCPenney’s. Regardless of how cute my outfit was, I was always too ashamed to admit I’d gotten it from a thrift store. I usually blew them off with the vague, “Oh, this? I’ve had it in my closet for a while.”

To say I got it from a thrift store felt like an admission that I was poor. Well, technically, I wasn’t poor so much as I was lower middle-class (at least, that’s what my mother called it).

Nowadays, when people ask where I acquired my leopard print skirt, I have no shame in admitting it came from a thrift store. Not everyone has the budget or the desire to wear fresh designer garb. Thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL allows you to purchase clothing — outdated or fashionable — at bargain prices. That’s something t celebrate, not look down upon.

I’d be lying if I didn’t say I occasionally popped into a traditional clothing store. There are some items you just can’t find in a thrift store. However, for the most part, I’m a thrifter. I’ll scour the racks of Goodwill and every local second-hand store I can find for a diamond in the rough — and I won’t be ashamed of it. What once was a source of shame for me has since become a way to save money and even have fun as an adult.

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Uncategorized

Should retailers worry that secondhand apparel is flooding the market?

“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” launched on Netflix on January 1st of 2019. Since the show’s debut customers have donated so much clothing that thrift stores in the Bay Area, California put limits on how much merchandise they take in. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t buyers for the influx of merchandise brought on by Kondomania.

Customers are thirstier than ever for secondhand merchandise because it gives them an opportunity to buy reasonably-priced clothing without contributing to the environmental crisis that’s been exacerbated by fast-fashion. Sustainability is a growing priority for consumers of all ages, and the number of consumers who “prefer to buy from environmentally friendly brands” jumped 15 points since 2013 — from 57 percent up to 72 percent.

Mobile thrifting platforms such as Swap.com and ThredUp let customers thrift shop from anywhere, so it’s just as convenient to buy secondhand as it is to buy mass-produced goods.

Sourcing Journal reports, “ThredUp wants to make the experience of browsing women’s shoes, shirts, slacks and more on its website ‘indistinguishable’ from shopping first-run goods at a traditional retailer. The company sells 35,000 brands in 100 product categories, processes 100,000 unique SKUs each day and is on track to clinch its 100 millionth SKU this year.”

With Payless going bankrupt and Charlotte Russe following suit, it’s getting easier to see why ThredUp predicts that the resale market will grow to be 1.5 times larger than fast-fashion by 2028. While Millennials and Baby Boomers are the biggest thrift shoppers right now, more than one in three members of Gen Z will buy secondhand this year.

Consumer priorities are shifting, secondhand shopping is now as convenient as buying fast-fashion, and customers can find nearly anything they want by thrift shopping. It’s hard to imagine these changes will come without cost for traditional retailers.  

Do you want to explore unique crafts and home goods? Visit thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL to get the desired goods at one place.

Categories
Tips & Tricks

10 Ways to Take Care of Your Clothes and Make Them Last Longer

Whether you’re a total fashionista or you avoid the mall at all costs, you probably spend a lot more than you think on clothing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family spent $1,736 on clothes in 2012. Although kids outgrow their clothing fairly quickly, adults can hang onto theirs for years – as long as it doesn’t wear out.

Since longer-lasting clothing means more money in your pocket, be sure you do all you can to preserve your wardrobe. Of course, it may require changing a few habits. Luckily, you don’t need special products to keep your whites sparkling and your dark garments looking sharp.

Making Clothes Last

1. Start With Quality

While I don’t recommend buying overly expensive brand-name garments, it’s always a good idea to purchase quality clothing. By spending more on quality pieces that never go out of style, you create a solid base wardrobe with longevity in mind. You can then add in cheaper, trendier pieces for a season or two without feeling guilty. Those quality investment pieces last longer thanks to thicker fabrics and better construction.

It’s also a question of quantity versus quality. When purchasing kids’ clothes, you usually want to go for quantity, since the items are only going to fit for a few seasons. However, when purchasing professional clothes for yourself or a pair of jeans to wear daily, it’s better to invest in one quality item than five poorly made pieces that may need to be replaced in a few months.

Decide where to allot your clothing budget. Set some money aside for trendy, fun items, and reserve some cash for pieces that are bound to stand the test of time. Some of the clothes and items I don’t mind investing in include the following:

  • Two-piece business suit
  • Classic trench or pea coat
  • Comfortable, well-made shoes
  • Well-fitting jeans
  • A few crisp button-up shirts or blouses

When clothes shopping, look for clues that an item is made to last – and remember, price isn’t the only indicator. Instead, try to spot attention to detail, as well as tight seams and buttons. If the material is overly thin, or you see loose threads, buttons, or snags, those are clues that an item may not be very well made.

2. Pay Attention to Laundering

That tag found on the neck or down the side seam of your shirt is not for decoration: It gives you a garment’s laundering instructions, which are designed to ensure that it stays in great shape.

If you know you hate hand-washing and line-drying, avoid buying clothes that require special care. You’d be better off spending your money on sturdier items. In fact, looking at laundering instructions is part of my shopping process. Even if it’s a steal, a piece that requires dry cleaning could cost more in the long run – especially if you choose to ignore care instructions and end up ruining it.

Some other laundering tips can help keep your clothes in great shape. While you should always check the instructions on the tag, these are some general techniques to keep in mind as you hang out in the laundromat or laundry room.

  • Wash Dark Clothing Inside-Out. Dark-wash jeans, black blouses, and other darker material can become faded in the wash, particularly as it rubs up against other garments. Always launder your washer-safe dark clothes inside-out to ensure they hold their color.
  • Invest in a Clothesline or Drying Rack. If you don’t have a place to line-dry your clothes, they usually end up in the dryer – a death knell for line-dry-only garments. A clothesline only costs a few dollars and it can also help you save on energy costs. If you don’t have the yard or the climate to dry clothes outside, a drying rack for your laundry room is only about $20.
  • Wash Metal Separately. Buttons and zippers often find their way into the wash, but can become seriously hot in the dryer, which can lead to scorching and melting on your other clothes. Wash clothing with metal components separately and never with delicate clothes, such as silks or knits.
  • Go Color-Safe. Is there anything more frustrating than ruining clothes with bleach? While it helps make your whites whiter, it can also stain colored clothes and damage delicate fibers. Swap your regular bleach for a color-safe alternative, which is also gentler on fabric.
  • Wash Your Clothes Less. The washing process is famously tough on clothes. Agitating, tumbling, and coming in contact with other garments can leave garments faded, stretched, pilling, and damaged. Unless your outerwear is visibly dirty, you probably don’t need to wash it after each wearing. See if you can extend washing to every other wear, or even three wears, before you toss your garments in the laundry.
  • Get to Know Your Settings. While each make and model of washers and dryers is different, they all have something in common: They come with instruction manuals. Read up on your model so you know when to use “wrinkle release” as opposed to “delicate.” Delicate settings traditionally work well for lingerie, but they’re also effective for clothes that you want to preserve and treat gently. The delicate cycle uses less agitation, so there’s less wear and tear. This setting is perfect for lightly soiled stuff that requires a little extra care, or for items that specify the “delicate” setting on the tag.

3. Practice Good Hygiene

It may sound simple, but practicing good hygiene – such as showering daily, wearing deodorant, and using proper undergarments – can help keep your clothes cleaner and in better condition. Don’t forget that sweat also causes stains. By insisting that your family members treat their clothing with cleanliness and care, you should get some extra uses out of each piece.

It also pays to make sure you wear the right clothes for the right events. If you know things are going to get messy at a birthday party, don’t send your daughter wearing an expensive lace dress. Or, if you’re going out to a bar where people smoke, opt for your cheaper wardrobe items.

4. Learn Basic Repairs

Learning to complete basic repairs on your clothing – such as replacing a loose thread or a missing button – can make them last longer and save you a ton of money. Even if you’re perfectly careful with your garments, fallen hems and buttons that pop off can take shirts and pants out of commission. You can always bring your clothes to a tailor for a fee, but why spend the money if you can do the repair on your own?

A simple sewing kit – which you can find at many big box retailers – costs just a few dollars and contains scissors, a variety of needle sizes, and thread. Even if you’ve never sewed before, online videos can teach you everything you need to know, from buttonhole stitching to repairing a zipper. If you can tie a knot in the end of the thread and weave the needle in and out of the fabric, that’s enough to get started.

5. Iron With Care

When you iron, you’re using heat to loosen fabric fibers and press them flat. Unfortunately, there’s also a good chance you can end up burning or yellowing the fabric if you’re not doing it properly. Using too much heat on delicate fabrics can completely ruin them, so make sure you always use the right heat level for the type of fabric you’re ironing.

Many irons have different levels for various fabrics on the heat dial, but here’s a general guide:

  • Linen: 445° F
  • Cotton: 400° F
  • Viscose/Rayon: 375° F
  • Wool: 300° F
  • Acrylic: 275° F
  • Polyester: 300° F
  • Silk: 300° F
  • Acetate: 290° F
  • Lycra: 275° F
  • Nylon: 275° F

Another option is to invest in a steamer for about $25 to $50. It uses moisture and heat to release wrinkles while clothes are on the hanger, and it can be a lifesaver for the perpetually time-crunched. Because you don’t have to continually reposition your clothes like you do when ironing, steaming can save a lot of time. I love steamers for items that need to be deodorized and straightened, but don’t require clean creases.

6. Rotate Your Clothes

The idea of “last in, first out” doesn’t only apply to produce, but to clothes as well. We all have a favorite pair of jeans that are snatched out of the dryer as soon as they’re clean, but rotating your clothes means less wear and tear.

One way that I track my garments is by rotating them in my closet. After laundry day, the clean stuff goes to the back, while the items still in the closet are moved forward where they’re easier to see and grab. Eventually, my favorite items rotate from the back to the front of the closet, where they can be seen and worn again.

This can be especially helpful for kids’ clothes. Children are traditionally pretty hard on their gear, so rotating it can mean fewer holes in their jeans and less fading on their shirts. Unless, of course, your little one has a “favorite shirt” – in which case, you might just be out of luck.

7. Practice Good Storage Habits

Whether you have a walk-in closet or a couple of shelves, the way you store your clothes can make them last for years or, alternatively, leave them looking misshapen and damaged in just a few months. Here’s how to store your clothes to make sure they last as long as possible:

  • Fold Heavy Sweaters on a Shelf. While you might think that hanging is best for your expensive sweaters, heavier garments such as wool sweaters can actually stretch out when you hang them in your closet. Your best bet is to stack them folded on a shelf so they keep their shape – and save that precious hanger space.
  • Button Buttons and Zip Zippers. I can’t count the number of times a wayward zipper on one garment has snagged or scratched the fabric on another while hanging in my closet. Sharp zipper teeth, studs, and even buttons can catch on clothes and result in damage, so make sure they’re fastened when you hang them in your closet.
  • Invest in Better Hangers. Sure, you can score wire hangers from your dry cleaner for free, but they’re not made for long-term storage. Wire and plastic hangers can stretch out the shoulders of your garments, which means they won’t lay nicely on your body. Consider investing in better hangers with wood or plush arms, which help garments keep their shape.
  • Give Clothes Some Breathing Room. Even if you’re short on space, resist the urge to pack your closet full of clothes. Squishing a ton of items next to each other can result in wrinkling and fading as the fabrics are constantly mashed together. If you’re having to squish hangers and garments just to squeeze in another shirt, it may be time to look into other storage solutions. For example, a standalone armoire can help reduce some of the pressure on a bulging closet.
  • Think Cool and Dry. Excess moisture and heat can encourage mold growth – even on clothes. The mantra for your closet should be “cool and dry.” Never store clothes in a humid bathroom or moist basement closet.

8. Dye Faded Clothes

I have a pair of black skinny jeans that fit like a glove. Of course, after near-constant wash and wear, those black jeans are beginning to look gray and worn-out.

While looking for laundry soap at my local grocery store, I came across some easy-to-use clothing dye for just a few dollars. Simply add it to your sink or a bucket, add water, and follow the package directions for getting the best color. It usually takes 20 to 30 minutes of stirring to ensure even coloring. After the garment has been colored, rinse it with cool water and hang to dry.

Typically, garment dyes work best on solid colors, and can help to bring faded or stained clothes back to their former glory. A box of dye costs around $6 and contains two treatments. Just make sure that you wash your newly dyed item with like colors the first time you run it – the dye can come off on other items.

9. Dress After Your Hair and Makeup

Women’s clothing often takes more of a beating when compared to men’s. Why? Because women use cosmetics that can stain and fade garments. By doing your hair and makeup before you get dressed, you can avoid those pitfalls. Buy a robe to wear while you go through your daily routine to prevent things like lipstick and bronzer from getting on your garments.

Unfortunately, hair dye and hairspray can seriously damage clothes. Hairspray is a main culprit for fading, so resist the urge for a final spray before you head out the door. Also, if you dye your hair at home, make sure to wear old shirts while you’re doing it. Hair dyes are generally permanent and can easily ruin a favorite shirt. You can also wrap a thin towel around your shoulders to protect your clothes from your various cosmetics products if you don’t want to mess up your hair by putting on a shirt after it’s done.

Don’t forget about deodorant and antiperspirant. When you apply, make sure it’s completely dry before putting on a shirt. The aluminum contained in many antiperspirants can turn clothes yellow and cause brittleness.

10. Adjust Your Dryer

If you were to name the appliance in your home most damaging to clothes, it would definitely be the dryer. The heat can scorch clothes and cause shrinking, fading, and even pilling. However, it’s hard to argue with the convenience it offers – you use the appliance because it saves you time.

If you want the best of both worlds, check your dryer settings – many allow you to configure temperature, timing, and dryness. You can try lowering the overall temperature and keeping the same dry time, taking clothes out while they’re still damp. Or, if you don’t have temperature settings, you could just set the timer for 15 minutes fewer than normal, then transfer your clothes to dry on a laundry rack. Taking clothes out of the dryer before they’re done also minimizes shrinking in many fabrics such as denim – so your jeans might actually fit better.

Final Word

Unfortunately, not all clothing items are meant to last forever. They’re bound to wear out, fade, and change shape after repeated use. Still, by being a little more careful in the way you clean, handle, and store your clothes, you can get months and even years of extra wear out of each piece. When you multiply those results by the number of members in your family, it adds up to big savings.

Thrift shopping at thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL can be so much fun. It takes a little bit of time, patience and practice. In the end, it is rewarding and you can really find the best things. Take the time to really find yourself when you are thrift shopping. Happy shopping!

Categories
Tips & Tricks

How to Buy Quality Clothing on a Budget

Just one look in my closet and you’ll think I spend all my money on clothing.

It’s not that it’s stuffed full of clothes. In fact, the opposite is true; I have fewer clothes than most people. But the clothes I do have are high-quality, mostly designer pieces.

I didn’t always used to be this way. Like many people, I’d see a cool shirt at Target, or a $5 flannel at Wal-Mart and I’d pick it up for something new to wear. I’d even try clothes swapping parties to save the most money. But most of the time, after a dozen washes, the seams would be frayed or a hole would be forming in my clothes.

This cheap, “disposable” clothing just didn’t last, and into the donate pile it would go.

Why Cheap Clothing Isn’t Really Cheap…

I know how tempting it is to buy cheap clothing. Clothing retailers like H&M and Target have mastered the art of offering low-quality but still reasonably cool clothes. And whether we’re in a recession or not, it’s hard to resist a $20 trench coat.

But think about this for a moment: How much quality can you really get with a $10 dress at H&M? How long is that $15 sweater from Target really going to last you?

I can tell you from experience that the answer is “not long.” And, I’m sure you’ve probably experienced the same thing yourself.

My point here is that cheap clothing isn’t really that cheap at all. You might be getting a bargain at first, but it’s not going to last over the long haul.

Why Buy Quality Clothing?

High-quality clothing is made with care, which means it’s going to last. I strongly believe that I save money by spending a bit more on clothing for several reasons:

1. You don’t buy on impulse.

When you focus on buying quality, and quality only, you’re unlikely to buy something on impulse because it’s cheap and looks cool.

This means that the clothes in your closet really mean something to you. They’re chosen with thought and consideration, and they’re chosen because they really say something about you in a meaningful way.

I have far fewer clothes than I did this time last year. But the ones I do have are really special to me. I’ll likely still have them years from now.

2. Your clothes last longer.

Quality clothing lasts longer. Unlike Wal-Mart clothing which usually falls apart after a dozen washes or so, high-quality clothing can stand up to some serious wear. You’re getting more out of your investment when you spend more up front.

How to Save Money and What to Look For When Buying Quality Clothing

If you want to transition your own wardrobe from “disposable” fashion to high-quality pieces, don’t underestimate the power of buying pre-worn clothing. It’s a great way to get designer clothes on a budget that still have plenty of “wear” left in them. Try following these tips:

1. Know What You Want

My own wardrobe transition started with one piece of clothing: a James Perse shirt. This Los Angeles designer makes simple but high quality clothing. I stumbled onto one of his pieces at my local Salvation Army ($3.99!) and promptly fell in love with his clothes. My search for discounted James Perse clothing led me to other designers I really love as well.

I’ve since found two other James Perse tops at the Salvation Army. Both, of course, were second-hand clothes, and have now been heavily worn by me. They still look brand new.

My point here is that it helps to find a few designers or lines that really speak to you and your budget. Once you find a designer or line of clothing that really fits well and looks great on you, then scour eBay and your local thrift stores looking for them.

2. Go Slowly

This is a process that takes time, so it’s best not to rush it. Be prepared to come up empty-handed time and time again.

If you can enjoy the process, you’ll find yourself having quite a bit of fun. After all, it’s super easy to hit the mall and fill up a bag full of Abercrombie and Gap. But where’s the fun in that? Scouring consignment shops and thrift stores is like looking for treasure. And when you score second hand designer clothes for a few bucks, you’re going to feel like a million.

Now, this isn’t to say that all my quality clothing has been bought second-hand. It hasn’t. In fact, the sweater I’m wearing as I write this is a piece I paid full price for (well, actually, it was on sale). But most of what I buy is pre-worn. Again, eBay is a great place to find good deals once you’ve found a designer you like.

3. Know Quality

You’re eventually going to come across a piece you love, but have no idea who made it. It’s happened to me plenty of times.

It helps to learn how to recognize a quality piece of clothing when you see it.

Start by looking at the seams. Are they sewn properly? Grip the fabric on both sides of the seam and pull gently. If the thread holding the seams together pulls apart slightly, it’s not sewn properly.

Look at other details. Is there top-stitching? Are there four buttons on the cuff rather than three? Is there any bead work? Is there a 2-inch hem for pants? Are the buttons or fasteners sewn on securely?

All these tiny, subtle details point to a high-quality garment over a cheap one.

4. Go for a Test Run

I know it’s hard to learn how to recognize quality at first. You can shorten your learning curve by heading to a high-quality boutique or retailer, like Saks or Macy’s. Go find high-quality designer clothes and look closely at the details mentioned in step 3. Try on the clothing and see how it feels.

You’ll likely notice an immediate difference. These clothes are simply better made, and you can feel it.

Last Word…

I’d love to hear back from you on this. What do you think? Is spending more on clothing, but buying less, something you do? Or do you feel that buying cheaper clothing more often is a better bargain?

If you’re looking to know more about finding the right home design for you to decorate as you please, at an affordable price, visit thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL today.

Categories
Thrift Stores

Go-To Guide for Thrift Shopping for Clothing

I LOVE clothes. Like far too much (if my closet could speak, it would tell you it’s full). As much as I love buying a brand-new outfit, nothing quite beats buying a cute outfit for half the price. I absolutely adore thrift shops, second-hand shops, and consignment stores. Nothing quite like waking up early on Saturday morning to hit up all the local stores and see the fresh goods they put out on the racks. You can find the best things at thrift stores. Honest truth. However, thrift shopping isn’t for the faint of heart. I’ll be the first person to tell you that thrift and consignment shopping takes some skill and patience. That is why I am here to be your friend and give you some tips and tricks for navigating the world of thrifting!

  1. Evaluate You. What does that mean, you ask? I mean you need to evaluate your style, your current wardrobe, and what styles inspire you. This step can come with its challenges. Before you start shopping, you need to look at what you have already and what you think you might need. Knowing what you need will ease the feeling of being overwhelmed when you hit the racks. Know your personal style, because style is all about what you feel good wearing. Don’t get caught up in labels and brands. Think about what you like wearing and what you think you pull off well. Now, this next statement might contradict what I just said. Think about the style and fashion that aren’t you or you always consider trying but too afraid to. Yes, you want to be you, but the fun about thrifting is you can really expand yourself and your style.
  2. Discipline. Remember everything I just told you before. Do you remember? Make sure you keep all of what you evaluated in the back of your mind when going out shopping. When you finally decide to go out and look, it is so much easier when you have a picture in mind. When you have a set vision, idea, end goal, or look that you want to achieve, it can take out a lot of the pressure. You don’t want to get off the rail and start looking at prom shoes and dresses when you really wanted to look for 90’s vintage mom jeans. It helps to keep discipline when navigating the aisles of thrift shops.
  3. Be Picky. This is so crucial. When you pull something off the rack really give it that up and down. Pay attention to every detail of it. Is the material good? Are there any stains? Does it look too worn? Is it something you could potentially fix up or make into something new? Don’t necessarily look at the brand or label. Although, if you get your favorite brand then that is brownie points to you. Keep your mind open, but don’t go crazy and start pulling everything off the rack. If you think it is worth picking up, then follow the next step below.
  4. TRY IT ON! I’ll say it again for the people in the back… TRY IT ON! Ladies and gentlemen, I can’t stress this enough. I will be honest here. I hate trying on clothes. I hate putting piece after piece on. It gets tiring and frustrating sometimes. However, you can’t just purchase the things you found without trying them on. Trying things on is worth the time and hassle. This is the time that you get to picture yourself actually wearing this and keeping it in your wardrobe. You might pick up on some flaws that you didn’t catch when you were initially examining the item. You need to be completely honest with yourself during this stage. If you feel even the slightest bit iffy about the piece, then put it back. You need to feel confident and comfortable in it.

Thrift shopping at thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL can be so much fun. It takes a little bit of time, patience and practice. In the end, it is rewarding and you can really find the best things. Take the time to really find yourself when you are thrift shopping. Happy shopping!

Categories
Tips & Tricks

How to Price Your Items at Garage Sales and Flea Markets

Make Sure The Price Is Right!

Occasionally, I sell items at flea markets near my home. Usually, when I start gathering things I no longer want, I go and try to sell them at one of the local flea markets. Being a casual seller, I often sell different items. Along the way, through talking with other sellers, and in reading articles on the internet, I’ve learned a few things.

1. Trying to sell large ticket items can be tough.

I recently sold a stereo system at a flea market. It wasn’t very high end, but it was still high enough in price, that it took awhile and many “lookers” before I sold it. When selling big ticket items, you run into several problems. One is that most people in general don’t carry much cash, and most sellers at flea markets and garage sales don’t take credit cards, so, oftentimes people who are interested will tell you that they don’t have the money on them, so they don’t buy the item. Then, especially if it is a very large item in size, shoppers aren’t prepared to handle the item at the moment. And, many people are there to look for low priced items, usually under $10 or the equivalent, especially in a bad economy. Selling higher priced items can be done, but it is tough to do, so try to sell items where you’re willing to let go for $10 or less.

2. Don’t Hold An Item!

Never do this! The first time I sold items at a flea market, someone came up to the table and said they wanted this particular item I was selling, but that they’d come back later to buy it, asking that I hold it for them. So, I agreed, and turned down two other offers to buy the item. Well, the person never came back! Lesson learned: Never, I repeat, Never! Never Hold an item, especially if the potential customer hasn’t bought it!

Since then, I’ve had many would be buyers of my items claim to have interest and saying they’d come back. Only one did! It’s my belief that, within 10 seconds of saying they’ll come back, a “looker” will completely forget all about the item! So, I never hold items and I even let people know if they say they’ll come back, that I cannot hold an item. Also, even if they do pay you and say they’ll pick up the item later, tell them they have to take it now. This way, if they don’t show up, you won’t feel like you have to find them to give them their item. They bought it, it’s now their responsibility, so don’t hold it for them, because then you’ll feel responsible.

3. Accept the fact that you will have to sell your items at much less than what you paid for them.

You may feel that the small wooden chest or great radio that you’re selling is like new and worth the money you paid for them. But to a shopper, these are still used items! After all, if you are buying a used car, that was even just two years old, to save money, no matter how good that car looked, you would probably still not be willing to pay what you would if the car were brand new! You shouldn’t expect other shoppers to think differently, nor to have or understand the sentiment that you may have regarding your items.

4. Note the condition of your item and compare prices for items.

Know the condition of your items. If an item is like new, you can charge a higher price. Likewise if it is complete, as in a set, or items like stereo systems, which include speakers or other components. Then, if possible, do research, especially on higher priced or big ticket items. Ebay, Amazon, and Craigslist are good places to see what items are selling for. Also see if other sellers at the flea market are selling a similar item and note their price.

5. Try to sell complete items if possible.

Related to 4. above, try to sell complete items. This means that, in the example of the stereo system, that you have all the components, and the user’s manual, too. The user’s manual is very important when you’re selling electronic items, particularly if the item is not very user friendly! Also, incomplete tea sets, card collections, or sound systems will not sell as well.

6. Be prepared to haggle and negotiate!

Sometimes shoppers will simply pay the price that you have marked for an item. But oftentimes, they will suggest a lower price. It’s often best not to be too rigid, but beware of dropping your price too low or too fast. For instance, I had my stereo priced as “$70 OBO”. “OBO” stands for “Or best offer” This is good to price this way for items that may be hard to sell, as it invites potential buyers to make reasonable offers instead of turning them away out of hand because the price is too high.

Seeing that the stereo was hard to sell, I would tell prospective buyers that I’d consider $60, or even $50, which was the lowest I’d go. Well, finally, a couple showed much interest, then said they’d think about it after I told them $50. I’d arrived at this figure after doing research in which a pawn shop only offered me $30.

The couple came back and asked if I would accept $45. I thought about it, seeing that no one else had come back to buy the stereo, even at $50 and with one of my very low priced items tossed in at no extra charge, and the couple’s offer was only $5 below my minimum. So I took their offer and sold them the stereo for $45.

So, don’t be rigid in your pricing but do consider what your minimum is, what your research says, and what the potential buyer is offering. This will help you get a decent deal.

7. BE HONEST!

Be Honest! If the radio you’re selling is missing a small antenna so it’s reception depends even more on how it’s placed, tell the buyer before he or she buys it! If a game is missing a piece, or that power drill quits every so often, tell before receiving payment! This is just the honorable way to do things, period! Even if you’re a casual seller and think a customer won’t be seeing you again, they could still tell others about being given a raw deal. Down the road, when you’re selling at the flea market again, someone may recognize you and quietly warn others to stay away. Then you’ll wonder why you sold so little. You just never know. So be honest. Honesty is really the best policy!

I don’t know everything about selling at flea markets and garage sales, and I do learn more each time. But I do hope that these tips will help you sell more next time.

If you’re someone with an eye for good deals, you can purchase high-quality items at thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL and get the better deals.

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