Tag: shops

It’s no secret that our planet needs more and more help as time goes on. Anything we can do to stop the pollution of our planet needs to be put into action as soon as possible. As a singular person, you may often feel like you have no way to cause any real change in the world. When everyone works together, we can collectively make a huge difference. If you want to lessen your impact on the environment, consider donating your old clothing to the thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL.

The Issues with Fast Fashion

We should first look at how the fashion industry currently affects the environment. As more and more people enter the middle class, the demand for new clothes goes up as well. This high demand for new clothes has created a push for faster clothing manufacturing processes. Unfortunately, these faster processes often involve greater damage to the environment. This can result from the factory’s practices or the materials used in the clothes.

The fashion industry has a bad habit of changing what’s “in fashion” in order to sell more clothes more quickly. Because many people want to stay fashionable, they buy new clothes too often and discard perfectly good clothes that still have plenty of life in them. Combined with the fact that many clothing production methods are extremely wasteful and harmful to the environment, this means that consumers need to lower their demand for new clothes and use what they already have.

Landfill Reduction

Nobody likes landfills. They are ugly, harmful, and take up far too much space in our world. When you throw away clothing, you’re consigning it to an eternity in a landfill somewhere, to clog up valuable space. Every year, tons of clothing articles are discarded and end up in landfills for no good reason. Many of these clothing items are in perfectly serviceable conditions as well.

By donating your clothing, you stop the landfills from getting bigger and you keep usable material from being thrown in the trash. Many mass-produced clothing lines have fibers inside of them that will never break down, no matter how much time passes. These clothing fibers can do serious harm to the planet if left in a landfill. Donating your clothes gives them a new life that isn’t in a dump somewhere.

Lowering Your Carbon Footprint

As we mentioned, certain fibers in mass-produced clothing don’t break down at all. Unfortunately, some of those that do break down do so in harmful ways. When textiles are placed in landfills, they can release two of the most damaging chemicals to our environment: methane and carbon dioxide. That’s not to mention the emissions from textile factories as well, which contribute a large amount of greenhouse gases every year.

Donating clothes helps the environment in two ways. Keeping clothing from reaching the trash means that it won’t start breaking down and releasing gases that harm the planet. It also creates less demand for new clothing.

With less demand, textile factories will not produce as many clothes, thus reducing their overall greenhouse gas emissions. The first step toward reducing your own carbon footprint starts with a simple drop off to one of our clothes donation boxes. You can make a difference for the environment, even in a small way.

Reduction in Water Consumption

Most people don’t think how much water goes into the production of each article of clothing. In addition to greenhouse gases and soil pollution, the diminishing amount of water on the planet is another cause for concern. The fashion industry uses an enormous amount of water every year in the production of new clothes. For example, people often grow cotton in extremely dry climates, making their demand for water much higher than the average.

By choosing to donate your clothes instead of tossing them, you break the cycle of overusing fresh water. Lower demand means factories won’t need as many clothes materials that require huge amounts of water. In addition to this, clothes dyeing pollutes an egregious amount of water in its processes as well. When the demand for new clothes goes down, the amount of dyeing is reduced as well, saving tons of water in the process.

Helping Those in Need

By helping those in need with donations of clothing items, we can do a lot to help the environment. One of the biggest reasons to donate clothing is to aid people that have been affected by natural disasters as a result of climate change. Many of these people can no longer afford clothing.

Clothes that could have been sitting in a landfill taking up space will instead help the people that need them the most. You can also help those in your immediate community this way, helping to foster a sense of inclusion and engagement.

Circular Economy Changes

Donations can even change the way our economy works. Right now, our economy is heavily based on consumption alone. This overconsumption of goods and materials causes so much harm to the environment. We should strive for a circular economy; one in which everyone reuses and recycles items whenever possible.

This way, everyone will be doing their part to help save the planet. This shift to a more sustainable economy is something that can cause drastic and long-term change for the better.

Finding the right items to donate is just the first part of the donation process. You may find that you have quite a bit more than you originally intended to donate. This happens to most people when they do a big home cleanout looking for donatable items. Knowing how to organize donation items is a crucial step to the process, as it makes your job easier and gets those items onto shelves sooner rather than later.

Take a Systematic Approach

The real key to organizing all your donation items is to come up with a system early on, ideally before you even start. You’ll want to have designated places for each type of item. Take your time and take it room by room. Avoid the temptation to move randomly between rooms; just stick with one room until you’ve fully cleared it out. Being methodical will ensure you are more organized as you go, and you won’t end up with big piles of stuff all over your house.

Separate the Trash From the Good Stuff

As you begin to organize your rooms, you’re going to run into a lot of things that simply cannot be donated. These items could be too worn down or have glaring issues that make them unfit for donation. Items such as these need to be thrown away rather than added to your donation pile. Removing things that you know aren’t good enough to be donated saves time for everyone and ensures your entire donation gets put to good use.

Keep Like With Like

When you’re considering how to organize donation items, keep in mind that presorting them helps donation centers more than you realize. Sort your donations by the type of items you have. Make separate piles or boxes for things such as:

• Home goods
• Clothes
• Books
• Electronics
• Miscellaneous

Sorting these into their own bags or boxes makes the entire donation process much smoother, allowing your items to help people as quickly as possible.

Clearly Label Everything

Labeling is a crucial aspect of an efficient donation. Not only will labeling your bags or boxes help you as you are going through your stuff, but it also makes our jobs easier when we receive the donations. The labels don’t have to be too specific—a simple category of items on the outside can be invaluable in helping us get your items to where they need to go.

Many of those items you might think of throwing away can go a long way toward helping the community. Your donations to thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL can really make a difference.

According to the National Retail Federation, Americans will spend more than $586 billion this year on holiday shopping.

Last year, when I checked my bank account in early October, I didn’t think I’d be able to make it through the holidays with a steady savings and a happy family. But I managed to do both and now my obsessive organization for holiday shopping is entering year 2.

The NRF estimates the average holiday shopper will spend $750 on gifts, cards, decor, and more. Save your time, sanity, and extra cash with some holiday organization.

1. Make a list, check it twice

Create a spreadsheet, Google Doc, or even hand-write a list of people you’re buying for. Mine includes a column for the people I’m buying for, a gift idea, the amount of the gift, a place for more info on the gift (this could be a direct link to an online purchase), and if it’s bought or needs to be bought. Split up friends, family, and extended relatives into different groups. Mine are color-coded since I have a few different groups to buy for. I also made a list of people who will receive just holiday cards rather than gifts.

2. Make a budget

You could say “I’m only going to spend $300 on gifts this year,” and while that may be a good idea in theory, it depends on how many people you’re buying for. Try prioritizing each person and setting a price limit for each person’s gift. I will probably spend more money on my mom than my great aunt in New York. You can shop on a small budget at the thrift shops in Destin, FL. At thrift shops second hand items are available and you can find a good deal if you shop carefully.

3. Don’t rely on retail stores

The Internet tells you when an item is out of stock. A retail store doesn’t tell you until you’ve arrived, searched, and come up empty-handed. See exactly where the watch you’re scoping out for your significant other is available before trekking out to buy it.

4. Buy the same thing more than once

If you’ve got a big group to buy for, consider piling up on gift cards for a few different people. Costco sells $100 worth of certain gift cards for $80, for example. Check out the best sites for buying discounted gift cards here.

5. Split the difference

If you are planning on getting a big gift for someone, but know you can’t afford it on your own, talk to friends and family about dividing payments among a few people. Last year, my family bought my grandma a new TV and a bunch of us chipped in what we could.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask

You’d rather get someone something they like than guess and get them something they won’t use. Post-holiday returns and exchanges are hectic, especially for the people who have to stand in line. While you may want to keep up with the tradition of surprise, it doesn’t hurt to simply find out what someone wants or needs. Ask your loved ones to email you a list of what they want or get them started on Amazon Wish Lists, which helps tremendously.

7. Prior use doesn’t mean second-rate

When I invested in a record player earlier this year, I started going to second-hand stores and thrift shops in search of finding great records for $1 instead of $20. This also bodes well for books, appliances, dishware, and even furniture. If someone you know recently moved and needs some household items, check thrift stores for lightly used products.

8. Compare prices

Brick-and-mortar stores continue to find ways to compete with Amazon and other online retailers, so check the price online first. Use Amazon’s Price Check app (Android and iPhone) to see if you can buy it cheaper online. Use price comparison websites as well.

9. Read and re-read the fine print

If you surprise someone with a gift they dislike, they could end up stuck with it if you don’t know the return policy. A friend once got earrings for her sister from Forever 21. Her sister wasn’t a fan of them, but the store doesn’t allow returns on jewelry. To better prepare yourself this holiday season, read about the best and worst return policies for 2012.

10. Start before Black Friday

If you see a sale on an item in October, don’t wait until December to snatch it up. I made my holiday shopping list at the end of September to get a head start on purchases. I buy a little at a time and don’t break the bank. A lot of times, sales start long before Black Friday.

It doesn’t matter if you wear $30 jeans or carry a $200 handbag. If you’re reading this, you probably wish you’d spent a little less on clothes and accessories.

1. Start by getting cash for your old duds

Before you even think about buying new clothes, you need to empty your closet and fill your wallet. I’m talking about getting rid of the outfit you bought for the special occasion that happened three years ago, letting go of the jeans you got in anticipation of the weight loss that never happened and saying goodbye to the items leftover from your punk phase, which unfortunately did happen.

Anything that hasn’t graced your body in the last year should head out the door. Where to, you ask? My vote is the local consignment shop, assuming your clothes are in good condition and don’t look like something Austin Powers would try to save the world in.

If the consignment shop won’t take them, you could try holding a garage sale. And if that doesn’t work, you could give them away to your local thrift store. However, you presumably spent good money on those clothes, so try to recoup some of the cost if you can.

2. Next, head to the thrift stores and consignment shops

When it’s time to buy, I want you to again head to the consignment shops and thrift stores in Destin, FL. Yes, I know these are the same places you just unloaded your collection of circa 1990 paisley blazers, but not everyone dumps their unwanted cast-offs there.

Some people don’t want to hassle with selling their goods. Some people donate really nice stuff to thrift stores. I mean, really nice stuff.

So don’t turn your nose up at your local Goodwill, Salvation Army or mission store. Instead, walk in with an open mind and see what they have to offer. (For more on thrift store treasures, check out this article: “Not Your Grandma’s Goodwill.”)

You can also go to consignment shops where you’re practically guaranteed to find a better selection of more stylish clothes, but you’re practically guaranteed to pay more, too.

3. Then check out eBay

I must admit this isn’t my first choice for clothes shopping because you’re relying on the seller’s description and photos that may or may not show all the details. Plus, you have to throw in shipping for some auctions, and return policies may be non-existent for some purchases.

That said, I’ve had good luck scoring bargain baby clothes on eBay, and I’ve also seen some good deals on designer clothes. If you do shop on eBay, pay careful attention to descriptions and seller feedback. When in doubt, ask questions. If the seller’s response doesn’t put you at ease, walk — er, click — away.

4. Don’t forget to look at garage sales

A final secondhand option to getting cheap clothes is garage sales. Depending on your region, that may mean you’ll have only a few prime weeks in the spring to scout out these clothing bargains.

You may have to weed through a lot of undesirable items to find the gems, but they’re there. If you don’t relish the hunt, you can try online garage sale boards through Facebook instead.

5. Shop at the end of seasons

But let’s say none of those secondhand options turn up what you want. Or maybe you can’t bring yourself to wear other people’s old clothes.

In that case, you’ll be stuck buying new clothes. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be stuck buying overpriced new clothes.

Your first strategy to save in the stores is to buy at the end of the season when items are being cleared out. There’s something of an art to this. Buy too early at a clearance sale, and you’ll pay more than you might later. Wait too long, and you could miss out on the item you’re coveting.

I had this problem recently with winter coats. By the time I decided to buy, my son’s size was long gone. On the plus side, I did manage to score an $8 winter coat for his little sister.

6. Find coupons or wait for a sale

Sometimes you can’t wait until the end of the season. If it’s 20 degrees out in November, you need a winter coat in November. For most people, there’s no waiting until February.

In that case, you need to at least look for a sale. Now, in our hypothetical it’s-freezing-in-November scenario, maybe you can hold out until Black Friday when you can get some of the best pricing of the year.

If your timing isn’t so good, do a search at RetailMeNot to see if the store you’re considering has any coupons available.

7. Compare prices online

Before you log off your computer, go to a shopping comparison site to see if you can find the same clothes at a cheaper price somewhere else. PriceGrabber is one option, or you can simply type the item and its brand name into your favorite search engine and see what comes up.

8. Check out discount retailers

Another way to get brand name items for less is to shop at discount stores such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls and Ross Dress for Less.

These stores stock overruns or other items they have acquired at a deep discount. You never know what you’re going to get when you walk in the door, which is part of the fun for those who love bargain shopping.

Although you can get deep discounts at these stores, they can also be fertile ground for impulse purchases and overspending. Make a list of what you need before leaving home, and promise yourself you’ll stick to the list regardless of what non-essential amazing deal catches your eye.

9. Adopt a personal uniform

Sometimes, the best way to save money is to simply not buy so much. You can do this by adopting a personal uniform. Have a go-to outfit that you wear everyday or, at least, stick to a variation of it. Building your wardrobe on only a few foundational pieces ensures everything you own matches seamlessly.

In addition to saving you money, some people suggest a personal uniform could make you more successful. Lest you think a personal uniform has to be modeled after Steve Jobs and his turtlenecks, I’ll let one of my favorite bloggers explain how it can work for the ladies.

10. Baby everything you buy

Finally, you can spend less on clothes if you take better care of what you own.

That means no more walking over the week’s laundry that was left on the floor. That means not letting your dog use your dirty clothes as a bed. That means hanging something back up in the closet after you wore it for 20 minutes rather than throwing it in the wash.

Also, launder your clothes as directed by the label. And avoid the dryer if possible. The high heat can dramatically shorten the lifespan of some fabrics.

Thrift stores in Destin, FL can be a wonderful mishmash of trash and treasure. But all thrift shoppers have their own “Moby Dick”-style white whales – the items for which they are always hunting.

Maybe it’s first-edition books by a favorite childhood author. Or those missing pieces of Grandma’s discontinued china pattern.

1. Pyrex

There’s a classic look to vintage Pyrex bowls that modern cooks still love, and the right dish (especially in a matched set) can sell well on eBay, Craigslist or places like Facebook Marketplace.

Fortunately for thrifters, grandchildren cleaning out or downsizing a relative’s home may just want to get rid of Pyrex and send full matched sets off to the thrift store. Study up at a fan site like Pyrex Love and learn how to identify vintage Pyrex. You might be bowled over at what you find.

2. Silver

Much of the flatware dumped at your local thrift is inexpensive and not worth much. But if you’re really into it, you can study up and learn how to identify the occasional real sterling silver piece that slips in among the dross.

It may only be an odd fork or spoon, but find enough and you can melt it down for a tidy sum. As with vintage Pyrex, you want to walk into the store informed as to what is real silver. Study up at eBay’s forums or by watching good YouTube videos by those who thrift and profit from silver, and you’ll soon be shining.

3. Vintage globes

Hey, is that East and West Germany on that cool vintage globe? Persia instead of Iran? Istanbul, or Constantinople? Vintage globes are about the simplest thrift-store find for which you can identify the date – borders are redrawn as the world’s geopolitical order reorganizes itself.

Here’s a neat guide to help you figure out in which year your globe was made. However, watch out for reproductions – if an old-version globe looks too new to be true, it probably is.

4. Books

OK, so you’re not going to retire on the sale of something popular and mass market, like that everybody-and-their-uncle-bought-it paperback version of Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code.” But there are treasures on those shelves, if you know what to look for.

Older hardcover books in great condition, signed first editions and other rare reads are your best bet. If you know a certain author well, you can probably keep his or her rarities in your head. Or, check out a specialty book site such as AbeBooks.com.

5. Textbooks

College textbooks are pricey, and that makes them smart thrift-store scoop-ups. But like any good student, you need to study up. No one’s buying a Biology 101 textbook that’s been supplanted by two newer editions.

Tip: Head to a thrift store near a big college or university and use a website or mobile app like BookScouter to see if the texts you find are still A+ buys.

6. Vintage board games

Vintage board games can be a fun thrift-store find if you’re game for the hunt. Pop-culture and TV-themed games are special hits with certain fandoms. I paid a pretty penny to re-buy a 1970s version of “Mystery Date,” which is full of hilarious stereotypes about dating.

Check a site like BoardGameGeek to see if the game you’ve found is trash or treasure. But be warned: Board games were meant to be played, and played hard. Avoid games with missing pieces, damaged boards and taped-up boxes if you’re hoping for a resale win.

7. Scrabble tiles

Word up! While we’re talking board games, keep a special eye out for old Scrabble games. When you find a copy of the fun word-making game, don’t worry so much about the condition of the box or its board. Instead, check to see if it has the classic wood letter tiles, the cool kind you can imagine being made into earrings, a bracelet or a necklace.

Even if you’re not a natural jewelry-maker, these tiles are pretty simple to turn into jewelry, or you can sell them to someone who’s more craft-centric. (Mahjong tiles work, too, and are even prettier.)

8. Waterford crystal

Waterford crystal has been a part of elegant dining tables since the 1700s (with a century gap when the Irish company closed and reopened). But in this modern era when we’re more likely to drink out of a disposable Starbucks cup, not everyone buys it – or can recognize it on the thrift-store shelves.

The fragile vessels are breakable, so they don’t always make it to your local store intact. But if you find one, snap it up. There are numerous tips on how to identify Waterford. Study, and soon the answer will be crystal clear.

9. Le Creuset cookware

Le Creuset and other enameled cast-iron pots are a cook’s dream. Slow-cook a stew, whip up a stir-fry, even bake yourself a loaf of tasty no-knead bread – in each case, cleanup is a snap. However, these pots are far from cheap. A good-sized Le Creuset or its equivalent can run you hundreds of dollars.

Cruise through the kitchenware aisles at your thrift store and look for these colorful, heavy pans, often clearly marked with Le Creuset’s name. If you can’t resell it, you can almost certainly use it – these pieces last forever.

This cookware ranks among our top picks in “9 Indestructible Products That Are Worth the Price.”

10. Instant Pots

The Instant Pot is a multi-use cooking appliance that does the job of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice steamer and even a yogurt-maker. It’s helped bring back the art of pressure cooking – without that old-days fear of kitchen explosions.

You’ll have to spend a decent amount to pick up a new pot, but here’s a secret: Many of those who were given one for the holidays never quite got over that old pressure-cooker nervousness and didn’t even take it out of the box. If you prowl the small-appliance section of your local thrift store, you may see a lineup of brand-spanking-new Instant Pots in various sizes. Bon appetit!

11. Designer clothes

While most clothing at thrift stores is pretty ordinary, spotting a designer piece can give you a nice item to resell to fashionistas. You may want to start the hunt at a store in an affluent neighborhood. But, really, you can find designer labels almost anywhere.

Check especially the jeans, high-heeled shoes, evening-gown and handbag sections of the store. And watch the calendar – you’ll get the best deals on off-season stuff, like a pricey North Face ski jacket in the middle of summer.

12. Picture frames

Sometimes thrift-store art can leave a lot to be desired, but the frame in which it hangs is often the real deal. It’s not tough to remove and discard Grandma’s paint-by-number clown to get at the fancy vintage frame in which it once lived.

Look for ornate and fancy, and avoid frames that feel cheap and flimsy. Talk about the art of the deal.

1. High-end apparel

Quality has improved at thrift stores. Few try to sell every donation they take in. Instead, teams of volunteers or employees inspect incoming items to determine which are fit for sale. In most instances, the dregs are returned to the donor or passed on to another charitable organization.

You are likely to find used, high-quality clothing items that are going to serve you better and longer than cheap new things. That new bargain blouse might be stunning on the hanger, but one wear and wash will be enough to send it to the nearest trash bin.

An added bonus: You won’t have to worry about pushy salespeople hovering over you, encouraging you to buy items you don’t need just to fatten their commission.

2. Furniture

If you desire to decorate your home in a way that stands out — and doesn’t look like a spread from the furniture store’s weekly circular — here’s your chance. Best of all, you won’t empty your wallet.

3. “Funky fashion” items

Have you ever spotted a spunky item you’d like to try, but you have reservations because of the price? Well, thrift stores offer this option, minus the buyer’s remorse.

If it turns out that the colorful dress, pair of oversized earrings or leather purse no longer tickles your fancy, you won’t be stressed out about it if you only spent a few bucks.

Or, you may discover you just landed a treasure. A former co-worker was in desperate need of collared shirts for work, so he picked up a few from the Salvation Army. One of them happened to stand out because it was extremely bright. Upon further examination, we discovered it was a Lacoste shirt worth $70, and he got it for $1.75!

4. Picture frames

Go to almost any thrift store, and you will see a large heaping section of picture frames — some with pictures, some without — usually located along a wall somewhere.

These frames often go for a song. As Lauren Shaver writes at the Bless’er House Blog:

I hardly ever buy picture frames in a retail store because there are so many beautiful ones already in thrift shops for a couple of bucks each. Spray paint them or distress them with chalk paint and they’re instantly customized for the look you want.

5. Clothes, toys and athletic gear for kids

Children grow way too fast! I wish I’d listened to the countless warnings during my first pregnancy so I wouldn’t have spent so much on items my son didn’t even use.

The second time around, I didn’t let history repeat itself. The bulk of little brother’s apparel is either handed down from big brother or was purchased at the thrift store. We happen to live close to a consignment shop that hosts $1 days twice a month, and it’s not uncommon to spot designer labels — from Calvin Klein to Polo — on the racks. Also included in that promotion are toys, many of which are very gently used.

If you’re searching for cleats or other athletic apparel, be on the lookout for those as well. Or, try secondhand sporting goods stores. I’ve been able to save as much as 75 percent on athletic gear and equipment by buying used.

6. Kitchen items

Thrift stores often sell bins of kitchen utensils — both used and new in the packaging — at bargain prices. On a few occasions, I’ve even purchased Pampered Chef pans for pennies on the dollar.

7. Books

You’ll often find hardcover and soft cover books — from recent best-sellers to vintage classics — for anywhere from 50 cents to $2 at the thrift store. As Chelsea Coulston writes at the Making Home Base blog:

If I don’t find anything at a thrift shop in Destin, FL, I almost always find a book or two. Children’s books are usually my favorite. You can find the sweetest vintage children’s books that are gently used and in great condition. Additionally, I look for books that have uniquely colored covers to use in decorating.

If you’re new to thrifting, it can be very exciting to discover a whole new world of affordable and sustainable goods available at your fingertips. But let me tell you, as a thrifter, there are some things about my shopping style that have changed and evolved over the years. Perhaps they date me, perhaps they show I’ve learned a few things, but they all definitely scream, “She’s been doing this a while!”

Here are a few ways to tell if you might be a seasoned thrifter.

1. You look for comfortable shoes.

You might be a seasoned thrifter if you’re done teetering around in ill-fitting heels for fashion’s sake.

I recently found this pair of leather, nude-colored wedges that looked and felt like a sneaker. Cute shoes with a good arch that add some height but don’t cause back pain or calluses? YES. PLEASE! You can have your plastic leather faux Louboutins to teeter around in. I’ll just be over here dancing in my kitchen to 90s rap in my Naturalizers.

2. You can spot 100% natural fibers – especially wool.

You might be a seasoned thrifter if you noticed how fast fashion has pummeled the selection of secondhand clothes with a dearth of synthetic fibers and scratchy polyester. For us old-schoolers, wearing clothing that holds stink or makes us itch is no longer worth being on-trend. Because the trend that never goes out of style is natural fibers. Leather, wool, cotton, silk, bamboo – the closer it is to nature, the longer it’ll last and FEEL!

I recently found a (VINTAGE!) brand new 100% wool dress shirt for my husband. It still had the creases from the store in it. I had to look twice because the wool fabric was so fine and light, I thought it was certainly synthetic. Lo and behold, it was a button-up shirt made with fine wool suiting material.

3. You buy off-season.

You might be a seasoned thrifter if you look for a great new coat in the sweltering summer heat. That’s right, looking for what you need right now is SO over. Looking ahead in the off-season shows you really know your stuff and is the perfect time to buy it. Christmas decor in July? Sure! When else do you think your neighbors are cleaning their basements out?

Swanky swimwear in December? You betcha. Often the things you don’t need immediately are the exact same racks that get walked past by everyone else too. If you know your stuff, you’ll make the time to swing by the off-season racks to set yourself up for success long before you need it.

Knowing what you’re looking for at a thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL is the perfect strategy at any age. And knowing that all your hard-earned scouting skills are paying off for you and your wallet AND help fund programs in your community make the treasure hunt even more rewarding.

When I learned of preloved culture, it changed the trajectory of my buying and spending habits. Yet, many people do not understand what preloved culture is let alone the concept of preloved on its own. So, let’s take a look at the definition of preloved to understand its importance.

The word preloved, by definition, means the item was loved by someone before being offered for sale. Many resellers often leave out the factor of previously loving the item. Others take pride in the fact that their items have been loved. If a seller does not believe that someone is going to love and deeply respect and get utility out of the item, it should not be sold to said person. “Loved” is the integral portion of preloved items.

As an avid preloved buyer, donor and seller, I seek to make sure that the items I buy and sell are loved thoroughly. Loved further means that the item was well taken care of and was gently used and worn. Loving an item in the preloved community means that the item was used, but it was not misused or damaged.

Those who do not partake in the preloved culture do not typically understand the nuance of the culture. However, when looking for luxury, mid-range, and contemporary clothing and accessories, it is important to understand that the item was taken care of and it was not damaged.

When interacting with others who sell preloved items and those who participate in preloved culture, the need for proper and thorough communication is vital. Communication helps individuals understand the items that they are interacting with in the preloved market. Preloved helps individuals make and bridge community with others.

So, the next time you want to buy an item of clothing or an accessory secondhand from a thrift shop in Lebanon, TN take the time to think about it in a preloved context. When you start buying preloved items, it is important to understand the context surrounding the concept and practice. Moreover, it is important to understand that there is more than what meets the eye when the concept is espoused.

I’ll freely admit it: I’m a big fan of thrift shops in Lebanon, TN. They take discarded clothing, accessories, furniture, books and housewares; and they use the funds from their thrift stores to provide job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people who are difficult to employ. It’s a rare occasion when I buy a piece of clothing new.

I’ve also made it known among my friends that I will always accept discarded clothing. If it doesn’t fit me, or it’s not my style, I’ll take it to thrift shops. Everybody wins, and nothing ends up in a landfill.

Also, when pieces of clothing you own are no longer wanted, don’t throw them away. Donate! It might just be the perfect thing for someone else. It’s not unusual to find pieces that never have been worn and still have their original price tags attached. Below are more tips for shopping secondhand clothing:

Have a plan. Go into a thrift store with a list of specific items you need to look for: pants, tops, shoes, work clothes, seasonal clothes. Avoid impulse purchases. Do you really need those four-inch high strappy slingback sandals? Or are you more likely to never wear them?

Secondhand shops are killer cheap, but it’s still a good idea to set a budget for your shopping trip.

Wear clothes that are quick and easy to take off and put back on because you’ll be going into the changing room at least once. Think t-shirts, comfy jeans, and slip-on shoes. Avoid fancy underwear that you wouldn’t normally wear.

Do a quick scan of the entire store, then circle back to scour through the most likely racks. Most thrift stores do not organize their racks by size. You’ll find different sections for men’s pants, men’s shirts, women’s pants / skirts / dresses, women’s tops, and children’s clothes. Within those sections, you’ll usually find clothes sorted by color.

Find the section you want, go to your fave colors, and then take some time to systematically flip through all the options, checking for size and style. Pull out likely candidates to try on. Remember not to take more items than the store allows into the dressing room at once. Don’t rush.

Size isn’t everything. Clothing sizes, especially in women’s clothing, can vary wildly from one brand to the next. Vintage clothing sizes can be even more archaic. Your best bet is to eyeball anything that looks promising. Hold it up to your body. If it fits, that’s all that matters. Don’t get something just because it’s inexpensive or a cool designer label or something you might fit into some day when you’ve lost weight.

Need an honest opinion? Take a couple selfies in the dressing room and text a trusted friend who will tell you if it’s awful.

If you find a winner, walk around in it outside the dressing room for a few minutes. Make sure it doesn’t ride up, pinch sensitive areas, or have a label that feels like a cactus in your collar. Does it hang and flow comfortably on your body?

Check the label for washing instructions. Is it dry-clean only? Hand-wash only? Gentle cycle only? No iron, no bleach, etc.? Make sure the item isn’t more trouble to care for than it’s worth.

Can you coordinate the item with other pieces of clothing in your closet? You should be able to mix and match it with at least one other outfit, preferably more.

Finally, if you just can’t find anything that works for you, don’t feel as though you MUST get something. Walk out and come back another day. Thrift stores are constantly changing their inventory to accommodate new acquisitions and dress the store for seasonal favorites. (October is the BEST time to check thrift stores for awesome costumes.) Check back in a week or two and see what’s new.