Three Tips For Fall and Winter Thrifting During COVID-19 & Beyond
As we transition into the chillier months of the fall and winter seasons, it’s a great time to get creative with our thrifting. Check out these three fantastic ways you can keep your fashion fresh during the colder months, especially as we continue to persevere through the pandemic.
1. Find Items That Tell a Story
From embroidery to fabric, the clothes that you buy can tell an interesting story. Often when we shop during the fall and winter months, we look for the warmest items. While you’re warming up, however, you can still find things that tell a story and spark a conversation. As you thrift, take a step back and look for pieces that are both interesting and enjoyable. The meaning of the clothing you wear and what it means to you can make any outfit warmer.
2. Find Items That Pop
Next, look for pops of color for your cold-weather wardrobe. The uniform of the fall and winter is often muted and reserved. But if the clothing you choose has a pop of color, it can make your outfit feel warmer, more tied together, and more unique. Pops of color, if effectively thought out, can transform an entire outfit and give it a new life.
3. Find Items with Shape
Finally, playing with shape can enhance the outfits you thrift this season. Shapes such as circles, lines, polka dots, squares, and geometric patterns can transform any outfit. Especially when paired with heels and boots, shapes can make outfits feel more streamlined and thought out.
So what are you waiting for? Check out what’s new at your local thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL and experiment with the story, color and shapes in your wardrobe.
The most popular reason to buy something used is to SAVE some money, and furniture is a great item that can often keep more money in your pocket if you can buy used. Especially on items that take little wear and tear such as accent tables, bookcases, display cabinets, etc. You can often get a piece of furniture at a fraction of the cost of what you would spend new, and you may never notice the difference.
2. Character & Craftmanship
How does the old saying go? “They don’t make them like they used to!”. This can be especially true in furniture, where it was very common years ago to use materials such as solid woods, hand tied springs, hand carving, and other features in furniture. This type of craftmanship is becoming a lost art today, as the marketplace has been driven by low cost goods in the mass market.
3. Uniqueness
With the growth of the Big Box Retailer in todays culture there is less choice than we used to have, many people want to have something unique in their home that maybe their neighbor or friend does not have.
4. Recycle
What a better reason to buy something new than to help keep down the use of natural materials used by unnecessary consumption? Rather than letting something go to waste, when you buy or donate used furniture someone else may be able to reuse or repurpose your furniture. This helps keep natural resources in the natural use of their life cycle and reduce landfill waste.
5. Repurpose & Make it your Own
One of the most popular trends in design today is to “Repurpose” furniture and other materials to be used in decor. Through the internet we now are able to get just about any idea of how to refinish, repaint, repair, or even remake just about anything. Maybe you have been looking everywhere for that pink dresser for your daughters room, but can’t seem to find it anywhere.
With the low cost of used furniture, your problems may be solved with just a little sweat and a gallon of paint, and on top of it all when someone asks, “Where did you get that great piece of furniture?” you can say you got it from a thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL
It’s a good idea before you shop (thrift OR new) to take inventory of what you currently have in your closet. What’s missing? What needs to be replaced? What do you already have too much of?
Taking 5-10 minutes to assess what you already have will prepare your eye to keep a sharp lookout for the items you need and then start your shopping at the thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL.
2) Shop one department at a time
The shopping order that never fails:
Dresses
Pants
Skirts / Shorts
Shirts / Blouses
Jackets
Purses / Sunglasses / Jewelry / Accessories
Shop one section at a time, and head to the fitting rooms to try on what you find after finishing each section.
3) Keep an open mind
As you’re shopping each section / department of the store, don’t be afraid to pull out a few “riskier” items to try on! People’s wardrobe has become SO much more fun since adopting this strategy.
4) Try everything on
Used clothing isn’t always fun to try on BUT you will regret it 9 times out of 10 when you buy blind. Plus a lot of thrift stores don’t have very good return policies (if they have them at all) so just take the extra few minutes and head to the dressing room.
5) Ask yourself, do you LOVE it?
Don’t waste your time considering “ok” items. ONLY buy if it’s a “hell yes” – your closet real estate is far too valuable to store anything less.
7) Ignore price tags
Ignore the price tags until the VERY end of your shopping trip.
You’re thrift shopping so nothing should be too crazy expensive. Don’t let the super cheap price of an item sway you into liking it more before you have tried on everything else.
Remember, if it’s not a “hell yes” then it’s a no – no matter what!
8) Will you actually get that tailored?
If you try something on that is AWESOME but it’s just a little too loose around the waist or the sleeves are too long or it needs to be hemmed – be honest with yourself. Will you actually take this garment to a tailor?
The same thing goes for small mending projects like holes or tears or missing buttons.
If you’re like me, those things will never get fixed. Ain’t no time for that.
Going thrift shopping at a nonprofit thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL is a wonderful way to find unique items at more affordable prices. Thrift stores are often filled with “hidden gems” that are hard to find anywhere else. Here are examples of great items you can often find at thrift stores.
Collectible dishware
You can sometimes find collectible dishware such as mugs, cups, plates, or even vintage Pyrex glassware on thrift store shelves. Start searching your local thrift store to start building a collection of mix-and-match dishware to brighten up your kitchen.
Canning jars
Vintage and antique canning jars are another great thrift store find. These jars come in a wide variety of sizes and colors and can be easily repurposed for storage, drinkware, or decoration. For a simple DIY project, paint the inside of a canning jar and use it as a charming country-style flower vase.
Books
Are you an avid reader? You can often find your next read at a more affordable price by shopping at a thrift store! Vintage books also make great home decor for your coffee table, bookshelf, or china cabinet.
Decorative frames
Store-bought frames can be fairly expensive, but many thrift stores are filled with beautiful frames at more budget-friendly prices. You can easily give older frames a refresh by painting them with spray paint and create a home gallery for your photographs or artwork.
Stylish accessories
If you’re on the hunt for one-of-a-kind fashion accessories, look no further than your nearest thrift store! Be on the lookout for pins, sunglasses, hats, jewelry, belts, and shoes to complement your style.
The best part of thrift shopping is the thrill of the hunt!
Remember, when you shop at a thrift store, you help people in your community go to work!
Smart shoppers know that thrift stores are places to discover fashionable finds for a fraction of retail store prices. Not only can you score great deals on gently used (and sometimes new!) clothing, shoes, and accessories when you go thrift shopping, but you’re also helping the environment by choosing to purchase second-hand items.
If you’re on the hunt for affordable men’s apparel for yourself or the mister in your life, reach out to a thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL. Follow this guide to start thrift shopping for menswear like a pro:
“Suit up” for less
A good suit is a classic and versatile addition to any wardrobe. They’re great for special occasions and professional settings, such as job interviews. However, finding a brand-new suit can be an expensive endeavor. If you’re looking to save money on a quality suit, try shopping at a thrift store. There, you can find gently used suits for far less than retail store prices. Even if you find a suit that is slightly too large, you can always have it tailored to fit properly!
Stock up on basics
Whether you’re starting from scratch to rebuild your wardrobe or just looking for some basics to add to your closet, you can’t go wrong with essential menswear pieces such as jeans, t-shirts, dress shirts and jackets. These tried-and-true basics make up the foundation of any great outfit, for any season.
Find one-of-a-kind styles
One of the best parts about shopping at a thrift store is the opportunity to discover unique and vintage clothing. Vintage menswear is particularly appealing because many of the styles are timeless and can be worn over and over again. Look for stylish vintage pieces like wool blazers, tweed jackets and pants, and cozy sweaters to add to your wardrobe.
Save on shoes
Men’s shoes, especially dress shoes, are another expensive item. Don’t be afraid to search your local thrift store for gently used shoes. With a little shoe polish, you can often bring leather dress shoes back to “like-new” condition!
Don’t forget the accessories!
Accessories are a great way to express your style and bring more interest to an otherwise plain outfit. From neckties and bowties to watches, cufflinks, belts, and even hats, there’s no shortage of men’s accessories to find when you go thrift shopping.
How to Teach Your Kids the Value of Thrift Shopping
The excitement of a treasure hunt. The variety to choose from. The thrill of discovery and the joy of spending a fraction of your budget…
What do these things all have in common? Thrift shopping, of course! You can teach your kids important life lessons while thrift shopping, like getting the most for their money. But what other values can they pick up while shopping at a local thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL?
The value of creativity
Thrift shopping sparks the inspiration to stretch creative thinking. Walking through the store, you kids may see a bunch of items placed on shelves. But can they reimagine them in a new way? For example, they can repaint a wooden trunk and turn it into a spot for their books. Colorfully printed shirts will look trendy converted to homemade pillowcases on their bed!
The value of helping others
By choosing to shop at thrift stores, you teach your kids the value of giving back and helping others. Explain to your kids that shopping at and donating is a way to help people get jobs and take care of their families.
The value of individuality
Trends come and go, but a person’s uniqueness never goes out of style. It doesn’t cost much for your children to create their own look when they’re thrift shopping. Encourage them to try new styles and express their individuality with their clothing. They’re not likely to see that look on anyone else. And if they decide to change it up, they can donate those items right back!
The value of controlling their own money
What better way to teach your kids the importance of saving and managing money than by thrift shopping? When your kids pay a fraction of retail costs on clothing, accessories, toys, and other items by thrift shopping, they are learning to manage money and take control of their spending. Thrifting is a valuable lesson that can help your kids save better and spend smarter throughout their lives!
The value of taking care of the planet
Buying secondhand from a thrift store saves something from ending up in a landfill and something new from being produced. Every time you shop in a thrift store, you teach your children the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling items to protect our planet. Your children will see that many used items look just as good as those brand new ones off the shelf!
You can’t even bear to look at it sometimes, right? That corner of your house where all the excess clutter lives or the closet where you shove everything without its own place. You’re hardly the only person to have these areas in your home, but why do we let them get so bad? As it turns out, there are many reasons why it’s so hard to get rid of clutter. We’ll show you some common explanations so that you’re more aware of your own reasoning.
Clutter Becomes a Part of You
There is a blurry line between thinking, “That object is mine,” and, “That object is a part of me.” Sometimes, we forget that we are not just the amalgamation of everything we keep around the house. Physical items often carry the memory of accomplishments or feelings of self-worth. Throwing these away can sometimes feel like losing a part of yourself, rather than just losing another piece of clutter.
Feelings of Guilt Can Arise
A very common reason why it’s so hard to get rid of clutter is the guilt we feel upon throwing away some items, even if we don’t like them. This guilt can pop up for a lot of reasons. We might feel guilty that we’re throwing away something that we received as a gift, or we could feel guilty about the money we originally spent on the item.
At the same time, that item only brings you guilt when you look at it. As such, it would actually be best to get rid of whatever it is so that you can stop feeling guilty every time you see it.
We Keep Things That We Love
Even if it’s outlived its usefulness, you may not want to give up something that still makes you feel good. The important thing to remember is that those feelings will still be there after the item is gone. “It’s the thought that counts” is the key phrase here. While we may feel that we need to hang onto gifts or accolades, you don’t actually need to have the item to remember the good feelings that it once brought you.
Decluttering Is Stressful
Sometimes, the answer is quite a bit simpler. Decluttering a house that is full of clutter of all kinds is a daunting task that no one really enjoys. You may do it because you must, but the process can be grueling if you’ve left it to build for a while. Starting a little bit at a time and not trying to tackle everything at once can help.
You can feel better about donating these items to a thrift store in Destin, FL because they’ll head off to a new life with someone else. Your donations enable our partner charities do the good work they do – each and every day.
If there’s one thing we can all get behind, it’s that having a clean home is better than having a dirty and cluttered one. While this is easy to say, putting it into practice is usually much more difficult. Take your closet, for example.
Most of us have closets full of extra clothes and accessories that we no longer wear or haven’t worn in a long time. Looking at these bursting closets can be a little stressful and make you want to start over fresh. If you think it’s time to start putting everything in its proper place, this complete guide to organizing your closet will help you get started and stay on track.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you really start to dig into the work ahead of you, it will help to make sure you don’t need to stop and gather more stuff in the middle of the process. The supplies you need will depend on what you’re planning to do with the clutter in your closet. When you’ve gathered everything you need, you can start the process in earnest. Here are a few items that will help you get started:
Boxes to help sort through clothes quickly
Sturdy shopping or garbage bags
A measurement tool to help you know how much space you have
A basket to throw miscellaneous objects in
A mirror to try on clothes you’re unsure about
Use the Multi-Box Method
The method we’re referring to here involves having labeled boxes for what you will do with the clothes you put inside of them. You’ll most likely want four of these, at least. One box for items that you will definitely be keeping, another box for items that you wish to sell or donate, one box for items that can be recycled, and a final box for anything that is unequivocally trash. Make sure to put large labels on these boxes so you don’t get them mixed up. The last thing you want is to accidentally donate all your good clothes.
Completely Empty Your Closet
The reason you’ll want to have those boxes before you begin is that you’ll be completely emptying your closet so you can start from scratch. If you do not follow this process you may leave way more stuff inside your closet than you would prefer.
Take the time to go through every piece and really decide if it’s worth keeping or if it could make someone else happy. Once you have a completely empty closet, reorganizing it will be much easier and go much more smoothly than trying to jam things in where they happen to fit.
Don’t Be Afraid To Let Go
Arguably the hardest part about cleaning out your closet is letting go of clothes and accessories that might have once meant a lot to you. This wouldn’t be a complete guide to organizing your closet if we didn’t address the very real feelings of loss one can feel when decluttering.
Part of the reason the multi-box method is so important is that it allows you to let go of things without having to throw them in the trash. Your clothing donations can be a huge help to someone who is in need, so you can feel good about letting go of your old possessions.
Clean the Closet Top To Bottom
When we say clean, we mean clean with cleaning products. Chances are that if your closet has been clogged with stuff for a while, a lot of dust and dirt has settled inside. Before you go and start putting all your nice clothes back in the closet, you’ll want to give it a thorough scrub with some cleaning spray and a towel.
Make sure to also vacuum the floor and dust any cobwebs away. Having your closet be squeaky clean will let you better visualize how you want to set it back up.
Get Some New Closet Organizing Equipment
One big reason your closet probably got so cluttered in the first place is because you didn’t have any organizational equipment helping you keep everything in its place. Don’t underestimate the impact that having a few dividers and extra baskets can have on the organization of your closet.
There are some products you can buy that will transform your entire closet into a beacon of efficiency, but don’t worry too much if they’re out of your price range. Buying a simple door organizer or a new shoe rack can go a long way in preventing piles of clothes and shoes from building up.
Separate and Organize Your Clothes
Once you have the basic outline of how the closet will look, you can finally start the task of separating and categorizing the clothing that you’ve decided to keep. Remember to keep similar types of clothes together to start. Separate by pants, shoes, shirts, belts, scarves, and whatever other category of clothes you may have. There are a few extra organization tips we can give you as well:
Once everything is separated, keep the categories in mind as you find places to put the items. Don’t separate similar things onto different shelves if you can help it.
Pieces that don’t see a lot of use, such as seasonal wear or super formal clothing, should be kept out of the way of clothes that you more regularly wear. Tuck them in the higher or further back portions of your closet
Organize your clothes by how often you wear them. Keep the clothes that you always reach for first right in the center of the closet, so they are easy to grab. This way, you can slowly work outwards through your wardrobe, making it easier to keep organized.
Maintenance
All the organizing and cleaning in the world won’t help if your closet looks like a mess a week after you’re done. The important thing to remember about cleaning out your closet is that it should help you continue these habits in the future. This is why you want to find a system that works for you, not just one that looks good. You’ll be more inclined to continue on the path of cleanliness if you make it easier on yourself.
Organizing your closet may seem to some like a monumental task, but you can do it with a little time and diligence. Thrift store in Destin FL is a place to donate clothing once you’ve figured out which clothes to keep and which to donate.
3 Reasons You Should Donate Your Old Clothes Instead of Throwing Them Away
So, you’re ready to clean out your closet. You have a lot of clothes that you don’t wear anymore, and you’re ready to revamp your wardrobe. While you’re doing that, you’re probably wondering what you’re going to do with all the old clothes. Before you throw them in the trash, consider donating them to your local thrift stores in Destin, FL.
It’s much better for the environment
When you donate your clothes, you are saving the environment from a lot of harm. According to the EPA, it costs $45 on average per ton to dispose of waste in a landfill. Clothing that sits in landfill releases toxic greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the environment when they break down.
Lastly, making new clothes takes hundreds of gallons of water, and the production of new textiles accounts for 10% of all carbon emissions on the planet. All of these things can be avoided if you donate your clothes for reuse.
It helps people in need
Even though you don’t want your old clothes anymore, it’s almost guaranteed that someone else will. There are many people in need of usable clothing. There are disaster victims, underprivileged people, and children in need of clothing, and your donations can help. When you throw away your clothes, they have no chance of reaching people who need them the most.
It will give you an ego boost
When you do things for others, something good happens for you too. Doing a good deed like donating your old clothes will make you feel good because you’re doing something for a worthy cause. You’re getting rid of the clutter in your home and helping others at the same time.
Nearly 100% of the textiles in your home can be recycled and donated, regardless of the quality or condition. This means you really have no reason not to donate your old clothes! It’s better for the environment, it helps children in need of clothing, and you’ll feel great.
It is good to explore new ways to save money. But sometimes in our quest for fresh ideas, we forget the basics that served us so well in the past.
When that happens, take a step back and brush up on those neglected, tried-and-true methods.
All these money-saving tips have a theme in common: The details matter. Being vigilant in all areas of our financial lives — from the big stuff to the small stuff — can make a real impact on our bottom line.
Here are seven classic money-saving tips worth another look.
1. Buy used
Let someone else take depreciation on the chin. Buying used is one of the best money-saving moves, whether it’s previously owned cars, secondhand appliances in good working order, or gently used clothes and books.
Don’t wait until you need an item to buy it; instead, plan ahead. Think about what your family will need three months or six months down the road.
Then, look for bargains. During the dog days of summer, scour thrift stores in Destin, FL for great winter clothes. In autumn, pick up a used patio set from the classifieds.
2. Lighten up on the utilities
I’m a child of the ’70s and distinctly remember the first energy crisis during that decade. It seemed like, overnight, the country developed an energy conscience and began trying to conserve.
I still watch our use of utilities closely today — turning off lights when I leave a room, using dimmer switches and keeping the thermostat set at reasonable temperatures as the seasons change.
You can do it too. One very simple way to start is to install energy-saving compact fluorescent bulbs. Keeping utility costs in check saves money and reduces our carbon footprint at the same time.
3. Skip the treat (sometimes)
Don’t get me wrong: What fun would life be without a little indulgence? But for the frugal-minded, a treat that happens every day is no longer a treat — it’s overhead.
Will that treat be any less delicious if you make it at home and skip the retail markup and long lines? We all have our own “latte factor” in life, but remembering to keep our treats in line with our budget is essential when trying to save.
4. Buy in bulk
Rather than focusing on sale prices for individual items, compare prices per ounce or per unit. Often, buying in bulk makes more financial sense.
But keep three things in mind when buying in bulk:
Don’t buy more than you have room to store (or share).
Buy only those products you actually will use.
For perishable grocery items, make sure you’re not buying so much that you won’t have time to use them before they go bad.
5. Ride a bike
You can save a lot of money by commuting to work by bike a few times a week, or using a bike for local errands. Besides avoiding the expenses of fuel, parking and wear and tear on your car, you will get a free cardio workout.
Making a bike your prime mode of transportation is a bit easier these days, when the pandemic has more of us working from home and spending less time running errands.
6. Learn a money-saving skill
If you’re focused on frugal living, explore hobbies and activities that are enjoyable and that also help your bottom line.
Learn to plant a vegetable or herb garden, try your hand at basic car and home repair projects, or learn to refinish furniture.
7. Save the raise
If you get a raise but can still make ends meet on your pre-raise salary, consider pocketing the extra cash and putting it toward your retirement savings or other investments.
Also, put other “found cash” into savings, including a tax refund or quarterly bonus.
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Steve Clark 