Tag: thrifting

Turn to second-hand stores for sustainable fall finds

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date November 4, 2020
2 Comments on Turn to second-hand stores for sustainable fall finds

The best second-hand shops and vintage stores in Budapest | WeLoveBudapest EN | Vintage store, Second hand shop, Second hand clothes

Rows and rows of color and pattern hide a funky Hawaiian button-down, a bizarre T-shirt that reads, “Woody’s back! And his name is Jim!” and a red, velvety sweater on sale for a quarter of its original price. These eccentric and exciting items could only be found together in one kind of store: a thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL

Rather than bundling up in the latest generic looks produced by harmful fast fashion franchises, those in need of warm fall clothing should explore the exciting and environmentally-friendly world of second-hand shopping.

When thrifting, I’m not pressured to keep up with all the latest trends but free to experiment and make my style my own. Digging through the racks of a thrift store can feel like a treasure hunt. Each item has its own story and represents the unique personality of its previous owner, lending to an incredible variety of styles not found among the generic racks of first-hand stores. On my last expedition, I fell in love with a V-neck sweater with funky patterns and sleeves that hang past my fingertips, a unique piece that I would be hard-pressed to find in a first-hand store.

Second-hand shopping is the ethical method to cheaply update your closet this autumn. According to an article by Vanessa Friedman, New York Times fashion director, the apparel and footwear industries are responsible for over 8% of annual greenhouse gas emissions. By buying that quirky button-down from your local thrift store, you’re not only saving it from wasting away in a landfill but adding to your wardrobe without the environmental cost of producing a new shirt.

With COVID-19 still a very real concern, bringing a stranger’s discarded clothes home may seem like an unnecessary risk. Both second-hand and conventional stores are currently obligated to follow the same reopening guidelines.

While the low prices may be tempting, try to avoid charity shops in low-income neighborhoods as your business may raise prices for those who rely on thrift stores for their clothing.

There’s nothing like the rush of pride in responding to a compliment with, “Thanks! I thrifted it!” knowing that I found my outfit, recycled it and made it my own. It’s rewarding, sustainable, stylish and fun.

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Uncategorized

How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment?

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date October 27, 2020
3 Comments on How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment?

Thrift shopping at second-hand stores, consignment shops, rummage sales and online used-good directories is not just for environmentalists and hipsters, but a viable solution for anyone looking to go eco-friendly in small ways. Do visit the thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL for a good experience.

Before going into the green benefits, here’s how thrifting helps you:

Saving Money – Thrifted clothing is far more affordable than new clothes of comparable quality.
Smarter Buys – You tend to spend more time looking over each item instead of buying it outright.
Unique Finds – It’s highly unlikely that anyone else is walking around in the same clothes as you.
Creative Potential – You might be inspired to try new combinations, or even some DIY reconstruction!

If that wasn’t enough, here are 7 ways in which thrifting helps the environment:

1. It Lowers Your Carbon Footprint – A lot of energy goes into clothing manufacture, right from the transportation of raw materials to production processes. Then, there’s the energy required to get finished clothing to stores, and dispose of unwanted items. When you buy secondhand, you’re preventing wastage of energy and resources on the production of new clothes.

2. It Aids in Water Preservation – In addition to energy, water consumption is extremely high at every stage of clothing production. For instance, growing one kilogram of cotton requires 5,300 gallons of water, while wet processing and printing use 18 and 21.6 gallons respectively, per pound of cotton. Manufacturing, packaging and transportation processes add to this cost as well.

3. It Reduces Chemical Pollution – The production of cotton is highly pesticide-intensive, causing soil acidification and water contamination. Textile manufacturing processes also involve the use of harmful dyes, caustic soda and crude oil by-products. These chemicals are generally dumped into areas around manufacturing units, contaminating surface and ground water through soil runoff.

4. It Decreases Landfill Waste – Americans throw out anywhere from 60 to over 80 pounds of textile waste annually, and only about 10% of this makes it to thrift stores. If more people start shopping for secondhand clothes, less fabric ends up being dumped in landfills. That’s not all. Packaging material is also reduced, keeping plastic, paper and metal out of the waste stream.

5. It Inspires Green Living – Thrifting is an essential part of green living, in more than one way. When you buy used items, you keep them from being sent to a landfill and reduce manufacturing demand as well. Also, by donating unwanted clothes to consignment shops or thrift stores, you may be encouraging others simply by giving them something they can use.

6. It Boosts Community Development – While shopping secondhand, your money is used to help local charities and businesses instead of multinational corporations. Thrift stores provide employment in retail outlets as well as donation centers, creating more jobs and boosting the local economy. Many hire disabled workers and donate proceeds to community programming projects as well.

7. It Encourages Recycling – Did you know that recycled cotton clothing uses less than 3% of the energy that would have gone into producing new clothes? When you reuse or recycle clothes, you’re decreasing the demand for production and encouraging sustainable practices. It may not seem like much, but every item that doesn’t end up in a landfill counts as a win!

Tags shopping, thrift shops, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores

Why You Should Take Advantage of National Thrift Shop Day

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date September 24, 2020
2 Comments on Why You Should Take Advantage of National Thrift Shop Day

The Joys of Thrifting

There are benefits for the thrift shop customer that go beyond supporting charities. Fashion is famously cyclical and thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL often house overlooked vintage items that can spruce up any wardrobe at an affordable cost. They may not be as easy to find as new clothes from a traditional clothes shop or online retailer would be, but the search for the perfect item is part of the joy of the thrift shopping experience. The work put into finding that perfect item makes the reward so much sweeter when it’s finally discovered.

To make matters even better, shopping for clothes at thrift stores doesn’t only help charities and non-profits, it is also good for the environment. Textile waste, which sees clothes end in landfill sites just a few years after they were originally purchased, is a real problem. But recycling those clothes at thrift stores helps to address that problem by giving them a second lease of life, which can double the amount of use items get before they are disposed of, as well as encouraging a recycling culture.

Buying clothes in thrift stores also limits the demand for new clothes. Though we inhabit an increasingly environmentally conscious society, it can be difficult to keep track of all the best environmental practices. As a result, the damage caused by the mass production of clothes across the world has often been overlooked. For example, a fairly astonishing 1800 gallons of water is required to make just one pair of blue denim jeans. That is particularly alarming when the scarcity of water in many of the regions where clothes are produced is considered.

And that is without even factoring in the damage that can be done by the excess dyes and chemicals that are an inevitable result of producing clothing on a mass scale. These are often difficult to safely dispose of and end up polluting local environments. Environmental sustainability is becoming an undeniably important part of life across the world and that is a trend that is set to continue in the coming years and decades. Getting an early start on the practice of second-hand shopping could provide valuable experience of a practice that is likely to become commonplace.

The perfect time to explore Thrift Stores

With the school year about to start, thrift stores provide the perfect opportunity to help equip kids for the year ahead with smart, stylish clothes and accessories. For example, backpacks and winter coats, both absolute musts for the school year, can often be a significant expense, particularly as few kids will want to settle for the cheapest, simplest option. But shopping at thrift stores allows parents to buy more exciting options without breaking the bank. For back-to-school thrift store shopping beginners, there is no shortage of advice out there, with a number of blogs and vlogs offering useful advice on how to maximize savings.

Nor are clothes the only purchase that customers can make at thrift shops. Second-hand furniture shops, many of which sell restored pieces, provide particularly good value, allowing consumers to purchase high-quality workmanship that would typically be prohibitively expensive at affordable prices. And with National Thrift Shop Day likely to see stores offering promotions and discounts, it could well be the perfect time to make an investment in some restored furniture.

National Thrift Shop Day

Goodwill, the US’ largest network of thrift shop retailers, has previously marked National Thrift Shop Day by running a variety of campaigns and promotions, encouraging consumers to see the benefits of shopping at thrift stores. In 2017, Goodwill joined forces with Michael-Anthony Spearman, a stylist and personal shopper best known for his Instagram account @bigfashionguy, and the youtuber Jenn Im. Spearman created a video offering tips for shopping at thrift stores while Im expounded the benefits of thrift store shopping on her YouTube channel.

In recent years, local Goodwill organizations have also offered a number of programs to help customers improve their thrifting skills. Goodwill North Georgia, for example, held a ‘shop with your favorite influencer’ event where customers were given advice on how to identify vintage and designer items, how to improve their selections for their wardrobes while fashion experts offered tips on styling. In Greater New York and Northern New Jersey, a ‘thrift store crawl’ was organized, with registered customers receiving a 25% discount.

With both large thrift store chains and independent retailers likely to be offering promotions and sales again this year, it is more than worth keeping an ear to the ground in your local area for potential deals at thrift stores. Because while it is always worth checking out your local thrift store, it is surely doubly worth doing on National Thrift Shop Day. Your local community, the environment and your wallet will all thank you.

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores Tips & Tricks

What Is a Thrift Store?

A thrift store is different from a consignment or resale shop. It is run by a not-for-profit group instead of a merchant. The purpose of a thrift shop typically is to raise money for charities via the not-for-profit group.

Merchandise. The merchandise in a thrift shop is varied, changing frequently because this type of shop relies on donations most of the time. Some thrift shops may take items on consignment as well. A typical thrift shop will have a large section for clothing such as casual wear, business outfits and children’s clothing. Other sections may include household items, appliances, books, toys, furniture and baby items such as strollers. Prices are bargains, often marked at half or one-third less than retail stores.

Expectations. A thrift shop is not a high-end retailer with a large marketing and decorating budget. Expect your local thrift shop to offer gently used items in a no-frills shopping environment. Some thrift shops do have the space for dressing rooms, but many do not, so trying on clothes is not an option. Because the items are donated, selection will vary from day to day and you may not be able to find certain sizes.

Charities. The money you spend at a thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL usually benefits a specific charity such as a church, school, community group or programs such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The proceeds from sales at Goodwill thrift shops help support “job training and placement programs for people with disabilities and other disadvantages.”

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores

10 Amazing Benefits of Shopping at Thrift Stores

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date September 24, 2020
2 Comments on 10 Amazing Benefits of Shopping at Thrift Stores

Shopping at thrift shop in Panama City Beach, FL is one of the easiest ways to save money. With so many thrift and consignment shops around today, it simply makes sense to take advantage of the savings second-hand shops can provide your family.

Quality Kids Clothes – those kids grow way too fast, thrift stores help save a lot of money when it comes to buying clothes for growing kids.

Long-Lasting Quality – any items you find at a thrift store have withstood much wear and tear yet are still in good shape to purchase, this means they’re long-lasting quality products.

Give Back to Community – many thrift stores will give back to their local community through purchases at the store, consider finding a thrift store that does this.

One-Stop Shop – you can find more than just clothes at a thrift store making this trip well worth not only the savings for buying things but saves you in gas because you make one trip to one store.

Designer for Less – many thrift stores stock their shelves on specific days, find out what day and be sure to frequent their new stock because you may find designer items and clothes for well under retail price.

Hefty Sales – thrift stores will often get overloaded with inventory and do monthly ales where you can fill a bag for cheap money, this deal is well worth checking out to save cash.

Broken in Clothes – buying new jeans can sometimes be a pain because they aren’t broken in yet, but shopping at a thrift store allows you to buy broken in clothing.

Unique Wardrobe – thrift stores allow you to create your own style and fashion without feeling like you must pick something from today’s fashion standards.

Good Spending Habits – shopping at thrift stores will allow your kids to start having good spending habits as they will have grown up knowing thrift store shopping is good.

A fun Adventure – lastly, it’s fun to shop at thrift stores on a regular basis because they allow you to have an adventure finding new and old products from all walks of life.

As you can see, there are many amazing benefits of shopping at thrift stores. Sure some families prefer to have that brand new, name brand product but many of us are able to save a significant amount of money by opting to shop at a thrift store. That savings alone can pay for a family vacation or a remodeling project for your home. I invite you to consider shopping at thrift stores more often and enjoy the benefits of making that decision.

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores

5 Benefits to Shopping at Rescue Mission Thrift Stores

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date September 24, 2020
2 Comments on 5 Benefits to Shopping at Rescue Mission Thrift Stores

How Does Thrift Shopping Help You Save the Environment? — Green and Prosperous

We all know that shopping at Thrift Stores can be a great way to find amazing deals on collector’s items and brand name items. But did you know that there are huge benefits to shopping at thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL? In this article I am going to give you even more reasons why shopping at a Rescue Mission thrift store should be at the top of places to shop.

Benefit #5: Frequent Change of Items in Stock

Rescue Missions Thrift Stores are always getting new items in stock. That means more choices in top name brand clothing, home appliances, sporting goods, and electronics. That also means you’ll have more luck in treasure hunting at your local Rescue Mission Thrift Store. It’s no secret that you can find amazing things at your local rescue Mission Thrift Store.

Benefit #4: Pay for Pennies on the Dollar and Pay Zero Sales Tax

One of the best kept secrets about shopping at Rescue Mission Thrift Stores is that customers pay NO SALES TAX on all in store products. We all know that sales tax can take a toll on your purchasing power. Rest easy knowing that what you see is what you get when you shop at any Rescue Mission Thrift Store.

Benefit #3: Designer Clothes and Top Name Brands

Why spend hundreds of dollars on name brand jeans, shirts, and women’s clothes when you can buy the exact same items for just a few dollars. It’s no secret to the seasoned bargain hunter that you can find new or slightly used name brand clothing articles for just a few bucks. So the next time you are out looking to buy new threads, check out your local Rescue Mission Alliance Thrift Store. You’ll find some great threads while helping your community. It’s the right thing to do.

Benefit #2: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

Every year Americans throw away a tremendous amount of clothes and consumer products that senselessly end up in our landfills. The environmental impact of dumping perfectly fine goods is detrimental to the planet on which we live. By shopping at your local Rescue Mission Thrift Store, you are helping preserve the environment by reducing landfill, pollution from factories, pollution from semi-trucks, jet fuel, and exhaust from cargo ships. The simple act of shopping at your local thrift store has a significant impact on our planet’s environment. Help reduce your carbon footprint by shopping at your local Rescue Mission Thrift Store. Mother Earth will thank you for it.

Benefit #1: You are helping build a Better Community

In addition to all the financial and environmental benefits of thrift store shopping, there is one major benefit that you can be really proud of. Every time you shop at your local Rescue Mission Thrift Store, you are helping people gain job experience. Part of our rehabilitation program is to get our people back to work and become productive members in our community. But that’s not all. Every dollar you spend at The Rescue Mission helps us fund our Rescue Mission Programs which help feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and provide recovery programs. Help us build a better community by simply shopping at your local Rescue Mission Thrift Store.

While there are many benefits to shopping at our Thrift Stores, know that by shopping here you are doing a great service to the community, the environment, and your wallet. Thank you and God bless!

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores

6 Tips for Mastering Secondhand Shopping

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date September 17, 2020
3 Comments on 6 Tips for Mastering Secondhand Shopping

5 Easy-to-Implement Tips for Thrift Shopping | Grotto Network — t’s here, it’s here! The official Going Zero Waste guide to second hand shopping.

I love second hand shopping. It’s been my preferred method since I started shopping for myself around middle school.

I remember my first trip to the **thrift shop in Destin, FL**. I was in drama club (of course) and we went to Goodwill to buy costumes for a show.

**5 Tips for Dealing with Eco Anxiety**

When I was at this mega Goodwill in San Antonio, TX, I found so many cool pieces of clothing! After that eye opening trip I would beg my mom to go to Goodwill and the answer was always, “No.”

My mom was not a huge fan of secondhand shopping. It wasn’t until recently that she came around. Finding designer duds with tags still attached on eBay for a fraction of the cost!? She was sold.
However, my love for Goodwill and other thrift stores has never wavered. Shopping for second hand clothing has always been a way for me to snag designer looks for less.

I love the thrill of the bargain. Being an actor most of my professional life, I haven’t always had the funds to buy nice “new” clothing.

My favorite thrifted find was a long sleeve, black lace torch dress. It was cut high and straight across the neck and had a tasteful deep cut in the back. I bought that dress from an antique store for $8.

It fit like a glove. That dress looked like it was made for me. I would wear it to the theatre all of the time and I was consistently stopped (by women with much, much more disposable income than me) and complimented.

It’s my favorite dress I’ve ever worn. I have no photos in it because cameras and phones were still two separate objects. I bought it when I was a junior in high school and try as I may, my hips will never, ever, ever, fit into it again.

This guide you’re about to read has been years in the making. It’s everything I’ve learned about creating a secondhand wardrobe.

Of course, the secondhand market has changed drastically. There’s a few differences between shopping in 2007 and now.
**Clothes aren’t made like they used to be.** if you haven’t watched the True Cost documentary, you should. Our thrift stores are being flooded with poorly made clothing that just doesn’t last.

**Shopping secondhand is way cooler.** Which is amazing!! But, it also means it’s not as easy to find fashionable pieces.
**Deals are harder to come by.** Most thrift stores are starting to mark-up designer brands. While it’s still cheaper than buying first hand, it’s still not as good of a deal as it used to be.

So, let’s get started.

**1. get comfy:**

When, I’m shopping, I’m a woman on a mission. I was never the kind of girl who wanted to go to the mall and browse. I like to shop and try on very efficiently.
This means, slip on shoes with socks. Yes, I look like a total nerd, but it’s SO much easier to try on shoes and clothes in the dressing room. I don’t like putting my bare feet on dressing room floors. It grosses me out.

I also typically wear a dress that easily pulls on and off. This way I can be in and out of the dressing room in a flash.
Moral of the story, dress like you’re going to be undressing…. a lot.

**2. be prepared to leave:**

This one is huge, and what I struggle with most. If I’ve spent 30 minutes combing through racks and another 30 minutes trying all of the things on, you can bet I want to leave with a reward.

It just doesn’t work that way. You will leave empty handed more often than not. In order to keep my wardrobe small, functional, and not waste money – I have to LOVE a piece.
I mean really, really LOVE it.

If it doesn’t fit perfectly, put it back. If you don’t immediately say, “This is one of the best things I’ve ever put on my body!” put it back.
When in doubt… put it back.
How many times have you regretted leaving something on the shelf? Probably one one or two times.

Now, how many times have you bought something, put it in your closet, not worn it, and regretted buying it? Probably more times than you can count.
Better safe than sorry. Walk out empty handed.

**3. know thy wardrobe:**

Before shopping, you should intimately know your wardrobe. We’re often drawn to similar items. My kryptonite is sweaters. I have at least 20 sweaters, and around 5 of them are pink.

So, when I go to the thrift store and see an adorable pink sweater OF COURSE I’m going to pick it up because I love pink sweaters!!!

Because I know my wardrobe, I have the foresight to put it back because I don’t need anymore pink sweaters.
You have to know what’s in your wardrobe ***before*** you go shopping.

What colors do you reach for most in your wardrobe?

Are there any particular colors you love, but don’t wear? I love the color green, but I just don’t wear it very often.
I’m not drawn to wearing green so if I found a gorgeous green dress, even if I love the fit, chances are I’d pass over it simply because it wasn’t one of my favorite colors to wear.

What are your favorite pieces to wear and why?

Off the top of your head what are the five favorite pieces in your closet? More importantly why do you like wearing them?

**Yellow Shirt Dress**: It flatters my shape, it’s a happy color, it has embroidery which is quirky, fun, and bespoke.

**Navy Blue Dress**: It really flatters my shape, I like the short sleeves, I like how heavy it is and how well it hangs.

**Pink Striped Sweater**: I love pink sweaters and it fits perfectly. I love wearing it with shorts!

**White Cable Knit Sweater**: It’s tight but not too tight. I feel like a tennis player when I wear it.

**Blue Wrap Skirt**: I love the pattern. I love how it accentuates my waist and how it can be tied a number of ways.

t’s here, it’s here! The official Going Zero Waste guide to second hand shopping.

I love second hand shopping. It’s been my preferred method since I started shopping for myself around middle school.

I remember my first trip to the **thrift shop in Destin, FL**. I was in drama club (of course) and we went to Goodwill to buy costumes for a show.

**5 Tips for Dealing with Eco Anxiety**

When I was at this mega Goodwill in San Antonio, TX, I found so many cool pieces of clothing! After that eye opening trip I would beg my mom to go to Goodwill and the answer was always, “No.”

My mom was not a huge fan of secondhand shopping. It wasn’t until recently that she came around. Finding designer duds with tags still attached on eBay for a fraction of the cost!? She was sold.
However, my love for Goodwill and other thrift stores has never wavered. Shopping for second hand clothing has always been a way for me to snag designer looks for less.

I love the thrill of the bargain. Being an actor most of my professional life, I haven’t always had the funds to buy nice “new” clothing.

My favorite thrifted find was a long sleeve, black lace torch dress. It was cut high and straight across the neck and had a tasteful deep cut in the back. I bought that dress from an antique store for $8.

It fit like a glove. That dress looked like it was made for me. I would wear it to the theatre all of the time and I was consistently stopped (by women with much, much more disposable income than me) and complimented.

It’s my favorite dress I’ve ever worn. I have no photos in it because cameras and phones were still two separate objects. I bought it when I was a junior in high school and try as I may, my hips will never, ever, ever, fit into it again.

This guide you’re about to read has been years in the making. It’s everything I’ve learned about creating a secondhand wardrobe.

Of course, the secondhand market has changed drastically. There’s a few differences between shopping in 2007 and now.
**Clothes aren’t made like they used to be.** if you haven’t watched the True Cost documentary, you should. Our thrift stores are being flooded with poorly made clothing that just doesn’t last.

**Shopping secondhand is way cooler.** Which is amazing!! But, it also means it’s not as easy to find fashionable pieces.
**Deals are harder to come by.** Most thrift stores are starting to mark-up designer brands. While it’s still cheaper than buying first hand, it’s still not as good of a deal as it used to be.

So, let’s get started.

**1. get comfy:**

When, I’m shopping, I’m a woman on a mission. I was never the kind of girl who wanted to go to the mall and browse. I like to shop and try on very efficiently.
This means, slip on shoes with socks. Yes, I look like a total nerd, but it’s SO much easier to try on shoes and clothes in the dressing room. I don’t like putting my bare feet on dressing room floors. It grosses me out.

I also typically wear a dress that easily pulls on and off. This way I can be in and out of the dressing room in a flash.
Moral of the story, dress like you’re going to be undressing…. a lot.

**2. be prepared to leave:**

This one is huge, and what I struggle with most. If I’ve spent 30 minutes combing through racks and another 30 minutes trying all of the things on, you can bet I want to leave with a reward.

It just doesn’t work that way. You will leave empty handed more often than not. In order to keep my wardrobe small, functional, and not waste money – I have to LOVE a piece.
I mean really, really LOVE it.

If it doesn’t fit perfectly, put it back. If you don’t immediately say, “This is one of the best things I’ve ever put on my body!” put it back.
When in doubt… put it back.
How many times have you regretted leaving something on the shelf? Probably one one or two times.

Now, how many times have you bought something, put it in your closet, not worn it, and regretted buying it? Probably more times than you can count.
Better safe than sorry. Walk out empty handed.

**3. know thy wardrobe:**

Before shopping, you should intimately know your wardrobe. We’re often drawn to similar items. My kryptonite is sweaters. I have at least 20 sweaters, and around 5 of them are pink.

So, when I go to the thrift store and see an adorable pink sweater OF COURSE I’m going to pick it up because I love pink sweaters!!!

Because I know my wardrobe, I have the foresight to put it back because I don’t need anymore pink sweaters.
You have to know what’s in your wardrobe ***before*** you go shopping.

What colors do you reach for most in your wardrobe?

Are there any particular colors you love, but don’t wear? I love the color green, but I just don’t wear it very often.
I’m not drawn to wearing green so if I found a gorgeous green dress, even if I love the fit, chances are I’d pass over it simply because it wasn’t one of my favorite colors to wear.

What are your favorite pieces to wear and why?

Off the top of your head what are the five favorite pieces in your closet? More importantly why do you like wearing them?

**Yellow Shirt Dress**: It flatters my shape, it’s a happy color, it has embroidery which is quirky, fun, and bespoke.

**Navy Blue Dress**: It really flatters my shape, I like the short sleeves, I like how heavy it is and how well it hangs.

**Pink Striped Sweater**: I love pink sweaters and it fits perfectly. I love wearing it with shorts!

**White Cable Knit Sweater**: It’s tight but not too tight. I feel like a tennis player when I wear it.

**Blue Wrap Skirt**: I love the pattern. I love how it accentuates my waist and how it can be tied a number of ways.

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores

Thrift Store Tips: 10 Risky Things Not to Buy

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date September 17, 2020
2 Comments on Thrift Store Tips: 10 Risky Things Not to Buy

5 Unexpected Places to Find Inspiration For Your Next Graphic Design Project – SEO Web Design, LLC — Shopping thrift stores shouldn’t be scary — but the reality is that even the savviest of thrift shoppers could unknowingly purchase unsafe and potentially dangerous items at **thrift store in Destin, FL**. Thrift store tips can save you a few bucks on expensive necessities but without you even knowing it at time of purchase, eventually cost you big on the safety scale. These 10 items you shouldn’t buy at a thrift store each carry their own unique “risk.” According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, a few specific items on this list should never be purchased or sold at a thrift store because they carry the risk of having been recalled by the manufacturer or previously damaged by the former owner or expired over time. While not a safety risk, there are still other items that when bought used defeat the purpose of buying the item at all. Plus, I personally believe that still other things shouldn’t be shopped at thrift stores because of their high “ick” risk of having been previously used in ways that make you go “ew!” I love shopping thrift stores for the best selection of quality clothing brands at a fraction of their original cost. But when it comes to shopping the other departments of thrift stores, keep this important checklist in mind so that you don’t accidentally invest in a thrift store score that compromises your safety or state of well-being!

Whether you’re shopping at a thrift store, yard sale or on a site like Ebay or free/swap/trade sites like Freecycle and Craigslist, avoid buying these 10 items to keep your safety AND savings in check. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this checklist of risky items you should never thrift store shop. Let me know if I should add another “risk item” to the list by leaving a comment below the post. Plus, I’d love to know things that while tempting, you ultimately decided not to buy at the thrift store. We can’t buy everything all the time!

Thrift Store Tips on What Not to Buy

1.) HELMETS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Once a helmet receives impact, its ability to protect the head from future impact has decreased. Actually, if your helmet has received significant impact from crash, collision or fall then you should technically buy a new helmet to sustain future injury.

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** Buying safety equipment like helmets from thrift stores seems harmless, but all you know about that helmet is what you’re looking at and not what it’s actually experienced. The potential risk you take is that the helmet could have withstood impact and was donated to the thrift store after being replaced by its former owner with a new and therefore safer helmet. The former owners of safety equipment usually won’t remember that their equipment has been used and abused and is therefore not safe to donate, which is why the chances of finding helmets for sale secondhand remains likely despite a general understanding of their average lifespan.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** When it comes to safety equipment don’t cut corners to save a few bucks on used equipment. Sure, there’s a chance the helmet may never have been worn at all. Heck, it could even look brand new! But like taking the chance of not buckling up in the car or forgetting to look both ways before you cross the street, the cost of that “small chance” becoming reality will cost you BIG loss in the end. Fork over the price-in-full for new safety equipment to ensure both health *and* wealth.

2.) MATTRESSES & BED FRAMES

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Mattresses are the number one “homes” to that little epidemic we like to call bed bugs. Bed bugs are microscopic, nocturnal critters that can hibernate in the far corners of our mattresses for months without feeding. That means a mattress or bed frame may be in a thrift store for months and soon after purchase and placed in a home of people, the bed bugs awaken because they sense the warmth of bodies sleeping above them. Gross, I know — but ’tis the truth!

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** While cities like New York City have laws guaranteeing a renters’ right for free extermination of bed bugs, a homeowner will have to spend a few thousand dollars for the full extermination process once the bed bugs are discovered. Not to mention the frustrating process of washing and drying clothing if the bed bugs have moved into your closet and drawers.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** I speak from personal experience, having endured living with bed bugs in my New York City apartment for approximately two months in 2010. I threw away all of my furniture and covered my mattress with a cover, washed and dried all of my clothing twice and had a visit from Barry the exterminator three times. It was a difficult situation to deal with and one which I stress no one should ever risk experiencing themselves when shopping in thrift stores.

3.) OLD OR NEW MAKEUP

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Makeup have expiration and best-used-by dates which are not legally required to be marked on the bottles. Since we can’t find an expiration date on our makeup containers, we only know that it’s expired if we remember the approximate date of original purchase.

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** The general rule of thumb is to throw away unopened makeup after a “few years” — but only if it’s remained at stable room temperature. Whose to say those bottles of Cover Girl foundation being sold for $1 each at your local Goodwill weren’t boiling in the summer’s heat while being transported to the store? The opportunity for cheap makeup deals is appealing at thrift stores, but you take the chance that you’re purchasing expired makeup that will run off your face or even worse, have a reaction with your skin since the formula has weakened over time and harsh conditions.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** If shopped correctly, you can still get makeup at discounted prices. When purchasing discounted makeup at a major retail chain, you probably are buying unopened makeup that’s been on the shelf a tad too long than the store wants. But at a thrift store, the shelf life is indefinite since it’s less likely a thrift store employee is going to mind the makeup inventory like a drugstore would. Watch for sales at your local CVS or Rite Aid instead!

4.) CHILDREN’S CRIBS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Children’s cribs, strollers, swings and car seats are carefully regulated to meet the highest safety criteria of the moment. When one of the above is found NOT to meet the government’s closely monitored standards, that item is recalled and therefore legally forced to be taken off the shelves of stores and returned to the manufacturer for recycling.

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** If you own a crib that has been recalled, a public service announcement is made through the news and you are asked to send it back to the manufacturer so that it’s no longer used by you and so that it doesn’t accidentally fall into the secondhand sales industry. However, we cannot hold everyone accountable for awareness of each and every recall, which is why there is always a risk that the toy, sporting equipment, kitchen appliance and yes, even baby crib has been recalled but the previous owner donated it to the local thrift store unaware that they were passing on a safety risk to an unknowing potential buyer. Some reasons old baby cribs are unsafe is because they collapse or because the space between the bars is too wide and can harm small children up to the point of suffocation. According to government regulations set by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, no thrift store is supposed to sell donated baby cribs, strollers, baby seats, swings and more. But the true responsibility rests in the consumer and that is why we must be discerning of our secondhand purchases for children.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** Purchasing a baby crib new means you’re investing in something that has not been recalled, since it remains on the shelves of a mass market retail store. This doesn’t mean that it won’t be recalled in the near future, but the chances of you hearing about that recall is likely. Old recalls are *not* repeatedly announced via public service announcements in the news, so you may buy a baby crib at a thrift store that was recalled two years ago and you’ll never hear about it.

5.) STUFFED ANIMALS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Next to diapers, stuffed animals are probably the most disposable items owned by children . This is because stuffed animals are more likely to be slobbered on, mixed with food, eaten up by pets and yes … even the proud absorbing wipe of a pee-pee or poo-poo! Secondly and far more important than their gross factors, stuffed animals are made with materials to resemble human and animal hair which can become the happy homes of lice. Ick!

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** Since stuffed animals are machine washable, you can take the risk of acquiring icky remnants of past lives or current pests and simply wash the stuffed critters immediately upon arriving home from thrift shopping. Washing thrift store purchases immediately is a regular practice for most thrifters anyway. Just make sure your 8-year-old daughter doesn’t start playing with her new stuffed doggie before he gets a dose of Tide detergent!

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** Like buying lingerie & underwear, some things are just meant to be bought new. Stuffed animals may cost one-quarter of their full price at the thrift store, but do you really want to take that stuffed puppy home only to find it was the previous owner’s snot rag or even worse, for the school nurse to call home from school to report that your son or daughter has a head full of lice? I didn’t think so!

6.) FOOD BLENDERS AND PROCESSORS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** First, unless you find an electrical outlet in the thrift store you’re not going to know if that blender actually works. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve blown way too many blenders in my college years intensely crushing ice for margaritas! Basic blenders are so dime-a-dozen that the chances one found for sale in a thrift store actually works is pretty slim. Second, the chances that the blender is completely “clean” also isn’t likely. If you’re someone sensitive to crusty food remnants, I warn you now: DON’T PEEK INTO THAT BLENDER! You’ll probably see bits of fruit, protein powder and other frequently blended bits. Double ick!

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** Forking over a few bucks for a thrifted blender is chancing not only whether the device works, but whether it’s going to work well. The blades could have lost their sharpness over time, or hardly spin at all. Plus, you’ve got that “former” food life issue. You’ll have to soak the blender’s pitcher in some seriously cleansing dish washing soap and hot water to remove anything that may have stuck around from its former owner’s last meal.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** A brand new blender can be bought for $10-$15 at a Target or Wal-Mart. For the $10 extra in full cost value, you might as well start fresh and get the “first blend” to your benefit. Just remember not to fill the blender up with too much ice, margarita mix and tequila because next to buying a used blender, that’s also a recipe for disaster!

Thrift Store Tips: 10 Risky Things Not to Buy — Shopping thrift stores shouldn’t be scary — but the reality is that even the savviest of thrift shoppers could unknowingly purchase unsafe and potentially dangerous items at **thrift store in Destin, FL**. Thrift store tips can save you a few bucks on expensive necessities but without you even knowing it at time of purchase, eventually cost you big on the safety scale. These 10 items you shouldn’t buy at a thrift store each carry their own unique “risk.” According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, a few specific items on this list should never be purchased or sold at a thrift store because they carry the risk of having been recalled by the manufacturer or previously damaged by the former owner or expired over time. While not a safety risk, there are still other items that when bought used defeat the purpose of buying the item at all. Plus, I personally believe that still other things shouldn’t be shopped at thrift stores because of their high “ick” risk of having been previously used in ways that make you go “ew!” I love shopping thrift stores for the best selection of quality clothing brands at a fraction of their original cost. But when it comes to shopping the other departments of thrift stores, keep this important checklist in mind so that you don’t accidentally invest in a thrift store score that compromises your safety or state of well-being!

Whether you’re shopping at a thrift store, yard sale or on a site like Ebay or free/swap/trade sites like Freecycle and Craigslist, avoid buying these 10 items to keep your safety AND savings in check. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this checklist of risky items you should never thrift store shop. Let me know if I should add another “risk item” to the list by leaving a comment below the post. Plus, I’d love to know things that while tempting, you ultimately decided not to buy at the thrift store. We can’t buy everything all the time!

Thrift Store Tips on What Not to Buy

1.) HELMETS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Once a helmet receives impact, its ability to protect the head from future impact has decreased. Actually, if your helmet has received significant impact from crash, collision or fall then you should technically buy a new helmet to sustain future injury.

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** Buying safety equipment like helmets from thrift stores seems harmless, but all you know about that helmet is what you’re looking at and not what it’s actually experienced. The potential risk you take is that the helmet could have withstood impact and was donated to the thrift store after being replaced by its former owner with a new and therefore safer helmet. The former owners of safety equipment usually won’t remember that their equipment has been used and abused and is therefore not safe to donate, which is why the chances of finding helmets for sale secondhand remains likely despite a general understanding of their average lifespan.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** When it comes to safety equipment don’t cut corners to save a few bucks on used equipment. Sure, there’s a chance the helmet may never have been worn at all. Heck, it could even look brand new! But like taking the chance of not buckling up in the car or forgetting to look both ways before you cross the street, the cost of that “small chance” becoming reality will cost you BIG loss in the end. Fork over the price-in-full for new safety equipment to ensure both health *and* wealth.

2.) MATTRESSES & BED FRAMES

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Mattresses are the number one “homes” to that little epidemic we like to call bed bugs. Bed bugs are microscopic, nocturnal critters that can hibernate in the far corners of our mattresses for months without feeding. That means a mattress or bed frame may be in a thrift store for months and soon after purchase and placed in a home of people, the bed bugs awaken because they sense the warmth of bodies sleeping above them. Gross, I know — but ’tis the truth!

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** While cities like New York City have laws guaranteeing a renters’ right for free extermination of bed bugs, a homeowner will have to spend a few thousand dollars for the full extermination process once the bed bugs are discovered. Not to mention the frustrating process of washing and drying clothing if the bed bugs have moved into your closet and drawers.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** I speak from personal experience, having endured living with bed bugs in my New York City apartment for approximately two months in 2010. I threw away all of my furniture and covered my mattress with a cover, washed and dried all of my clothing twice and had a visit from Barry the exterminator three times. It was a difficult situation to deal with and one which I stress no one should ever risk experiencing themselves when shopping in thrift stores.

3.) OLD OR NEW MAKEUP

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Makeup have expiration and best-used-by dates which are not legally required to be marked on the bottles. Since we can’t find an expiration date on our makeup containers, we only know that it’s expired if we remember the approximate date of original purchase.

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** The general rule of thumb is to throw away unopened makeup after a “few years” — but only if it’s remained at stable room temperature. Whose to say those bottles of Cover Girl foundation being sold for $1 each at your local Goodwill weren’t boiling in the summer’s heat while being transported to the store? The opportunity for cheap makeup deals is appealing at thrift stores, but you take the chance that you’re purchasing expired makeup that will run off your face or even worse, have a reaction with your skin since the formula has weakened over time and harsh conditions.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** If shopped correctly, you can still get makeup at discounted prices. When purchasing discounted makeup at a major retail chain, you probably are buying unopened makeup that’s been on the shelf a tad too long than the store wants. But at a thrift store, the shelf life is indefinite since it’s less likely a thrift store employee is going to mind the makeup inventory like a drugstore would. Watch for sales at your local CVS or Rite Aid instead!

4.) CHILDREN’S CRIBS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Children’s cribs, strollers, swings and car seats are carefully regulated to meet the highest safety criteria of the moment. When one of the above is found NOT to meet the government’s closely monitored standards, that item is recalled and therefore legally forced to be taken off the shelves of stores and returned to the manufacturer for recycling.

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** If you own a crib that has been recalled, a public service announcement is made through the news and you are asked to send it back to the manufacturer so that it’s no longer used by you and so that it doesn’t accidentally fall into the secondhand sales industry. However, we cannot hold everyone accountable for awareness of each and every recall, which is why there is always a risk that the toy, sporting equipment, kitchen appliance and yes, even baby crib has been recalled but the previous owner donated it to the local thrift store unaware that they were passing on a safety risk to an unknowing potential buyer. Some reasons old baby cribs are unsafe is because they collapse or because the space between the bars is too wide and can harm small children up to the point of suffocation. According to government regulations set by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, no thrift store is supposed to sell donated baby cribs, strollers, baby seats, swings and more. But the true responsibility rests in the consumer and that is why we must be discerning of our secondhand purchases for children.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** Purchasing a baby crib new means you’re investing in something that has not been recalled, since it remains on the shelves of a mass market retail store. This doesn’t mean that it won’t be recalled in the near future, but the chances of you hearing about that recall is likely. Old recalls are *not* repeatedly announced via public service announcements in the news, so you may buy a baby crib at a thrift store that was recalled two years ago and you’ll never hear about it.

5.) STUFFED ANIMALS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** Next to diapers, stuffed animals are probably the most disposable items owned by children . This is because stuffed animals are more likely to be slobbered on, mixed with food, eaten up by pets and yes … even the proud absorbing wipe of a pee-pee or poo-poo! Secondly and far more important than their gross factors, stuffed animals are made with materials to resemble human and animal hair which can become the happy homes of lice. Ick!

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** Since stuffed animals are machine washable, you can take the risk of acquiring icky remnants of past lives or current pests and simply wash the stuffed critters immediately upon arriving home from thrift shopping. Washing thrift store purchases immediately is a regular practice for most thrifters anyway. Just make sure your 8-year-old daughter doesn’t start playing with her new stuffed doggie before he gets a dose of Tide detergent!

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** Like buying lingerie & underwear, some things are just meant to be bought new. Stuffed animals may cost one-quarter of their full price at the thrift store, but do you really want to take that stuffed puppy home only to find it was the previous owner’s snot rag or even worse, for the school nurse to call home from school to report that your son or daughter has a head full of lice? I didn’t think so!

6.) FOOD BLENDERS AND PROCESSORS

**DON’T BUY THEM BECAUSE:** First, unless you find an electrical outlet in the thrift store you’re not going to know if that blender actually works. Speaking from personal experience, I’ve blown way too many blenders in my college years intensely crushing ice for margaritas! Basic blenders are so dime-a-dozen that the chances one found for sale in a thrift store actually works is pretty slim. Second, the chances that the blender is completely “clean” also isn’t likely. If you’re someone sensitive to crusty food remnants, I warn you now: DON’T PEEK INTO THAT BLENDER! You’ll probably see bits of fruit, protein powder and other frequently blended bits. Double ick!

**THE RISK YOU TAKE:** Forking over a few bucks for a thrifted blender is chancing not only whether the device works, but whether it’s going to work well. The blades could have lost their sharpness over time, or hardly spin at all. Plus, you’ve got that “former” food life issue. You’ll have to soak the blender’s pitcher in some seriously cleansing dish washing soap and hot water to remove anything that may have stuck around from its former owner’s last meal.

**WHY IT’S WORTH THE FULL COST:** A brand new blender can be bought for $10-$15 at a Target or Wal-Mart. For the $10 extra in full cost value, you might as well start fresh and get the “first blend” to your benefit. Just remember not to fill the blender up with too much ice, margarita mix and tequila because next to buying a used blender, that’s also a recipe for disaster!

Tags thrift shop, Thrift Stores, thrifting

Thrift Stores

How to Shop Effectively at Thrift Stores

Post author By Steve Clark
Post date September 17, 2020
2 Comments on How to Shop Effectively at Thrift Stores

How to Shop Effectively in Thrift Stores

If you like to dress up without busting your wallet then you need to know how to shop effectively at thrift shop in Destin, FL. Do you like dressing up but don’t have enough money to spend on clothes? Do you like to keep on updating your wardrobe with fashionable pieces? Are you fond of vintage pieces? How about designer labels, do you also admire the keen attention to details that they give their clothes, shoes, and bags? You can enjoy these things without spending tons of money. Go thrift shopping!

Here are some tips on how to shop effectively on thrift stores so you could save money and score great deals.

Understand Authenticity

Just because the bag says Louis Vuitton, it doesn’t mean that it’s an authentic one. And just because you found one in a thrift shop, it doesn’t mean that the bag is fake. From time to time, an authentic bag shows up in various thrift shops around the world. I have found and bought numerous authentic designer bags, shoes, and clothes in the past few years that I have been thrifting. I have also seen so many good fakes that could easily pass as authentic items to the untrained eyes.

The key to scoring an authentic designer bag or designer clothes in a thrift shop is to understand authenticity. There are lots of online forums and websites that could help explain how to spot an authentic designer bag from a fake one. Make sure to read these posts and examine carefully the pictures provided to know what an authentic bag is.

Some pieces are very hard to authenticate though (such as Louis Vuitton and Prada Nylon Bags) and might require a professional authenticator to check if the bag is real. If the bag is being sold very cheaply and you have a hunch that it’s an authentic one, then decide if you want to take your chances. Take pictures of the bag as soon as you get home and send it to a credible

Here are some basic authenticity guidelines if you are buying a designer item from a thrift store:

1. Check the font – It should match the font used by the brand.

2. Check the stitch quality and stitch count – Usually, high-end design items have high stitch counts than their counterfeited versions.

3. Check the tags – Depending on the brand, a lot of high-end labels are made in Italy or Spain but a lot of them are also made in other countries so do some online research.

4. Check the material used – High-quality leather feels good to the touch and lambskin leather are very soft materials. Familiarise yourself with different kinds of materials. I did this by frequently going to thrift shops and leather stores to see and feel different kinds of leather and fabric.

5. Stay away from brands you’re not familiar with – I stay away from extremely hyped sports brands such as Adidas and Nike because I’m not very familiar with their authenticity. And also because they have very amazing fakes. There’s a high chance of acquiring a fake item if you’re not familiar with the real authentic items. I’m sure that there are tons of authentic items from these brands in thrift stores as well. However, I’m not that comfortable buying them because of my knowledge level on these brands.

6. Build a relationship with the thrift store salespeople – In some thrift stores, I returned some items that I later found out as fake. I did some self-authentication after I bought those items and compared them with available pictures online. After realizing that what I bought was a good fake, I went back to return the item. Most thrift stores here don’t refund. I always opt for an exchange instead. Please also make sure that you return the item as soon as possible.

Check for Damage and Other Defects

A lot of items being sold in thrift shops are used items and unused but very old stocks. Most unworn old stocks will still have their tags on them while the used ones will have the obvious signs of wear. Choose the pieces that have minimal signs of wear. And don’t purchase anything that has a hole, tear, or huge stains.

What are the parts that you needed to check thoroughly?

1. If you are buying used clothes – Check the seams if they’re intact and check if there are holes in the clothes. If you are buying a lot then this will be very tiring to do. Do this in a well-lit area of the store. Check if there are thread runs and stains.

2. If you are buying bags – Check the stitches. Check the lining of all pockets, some vintage bags will develop a sticky lining over time (depending on the materials used). Check the hardware if there is any rust.

3. Check if the straps are intact and complete. If you do not see the should strap right away, check the pockets of the bag, a lot of thrift stores that I’ve been to store the shoulder straps of the bags inside the bag itself.

4. If you are buying shoes – Check the soles if there are gaps or broken heel. Check the lining of the shoes if there are tears or holes.

Know When to Go

If you are buying thrift items so you can sell them on eBay, Carousell, Instagram or other buy and sell websites, the best time to go to is on their “New Arrival’ day. What is ‘New Arrival’ day? This is the day when they release their newly bought stocks. And this is the best day to score high-end items.

This is a chaotic day for thrifters and flippers because it will be jam-packed and crazy so you better be ready.

If you are only buying for personal use then I suggest that you go on their ‘Sale’ days. Usually, this happens a week or two after their ‘New Arrival’ day. As weeks go by, they slashed the price until it reaches the lowest possible price they could go for. The cheapest time to go is the week before they release their new stocks.

It would be crazy to memorize these dates as it often changes so the best strategy is to just leave them your mobile number and ask them to text you once they have new stocks or once they go on sale.

How To Clean your Purchased Items

As soon as you get home, wash the clothes carefully. Remember that a lot of these clothes are used (or old stocks) and needs a thorough cleaning.

But before you wash the clothes, check out their care labels. Some items are not meant to be machine-washed. Some may need to be dry-cleaned. And some might not need washing at all like leather and will just need to be wiped using a leather cleaner.

What I usually do is I hand-washed the delicates. I only use the washing machine for the non-delicates such as denim jeans and jacket. I try to avoid buying items that are high-maintenance or those that need to be cleaned by professionals.

For bags, I immediately wiped them with a damp cloth. I air-dry the bags afterward and then clean them again with leather cleaner. I also clean the metal hardware using metal polishers. After a few hours, I’ll apply some leather conditioner to help improve the quality of the bag.