Now don’t get me wrong, I love the high street as much as the next girl and there is so much out there – but I’m no stranger to a charity shop or two.
The term ‘second-hand’ may strike horror in some people, wearing people’s castaways… But believe me, the clothes you can come across rummaging through thrift and charity shops is amazing – I’ll admit you may have to sort through some rather undesirable things to find them (90s tracksuit, no thanks) – but trust me, they are there!
Not only could you find some – dare I say it – classic pieces, you can also bring together a truly unique outfit that no one else out there is wearing. That, for me, beats the high street hands down. Too many times, I’ve been confronted with a girl wearing the same, beautiful, high street-bought dress as me. Needless to say, it can be a little embarrassing.
Not exactly a trend-follower myself, I prefer to take elements that I like or add hints to my outfits. With styles from years past coming back round – sixties mod and seventies hippy for instance – thrift stores can give you the originals from these eras and not some high street replica. Around a year ago, I came across a beautiful black bouclé jacket dating from the 1980s for just £7! I’ve yet to find a high street equivalent that comes close.
A common misconception is that all thrift stores charge a fortune for their stock – which, for some (particularly those labelled largely as “vintage”) may be true –
Another one of my favourite ways of avoiding a high street clone-outfit situation is customizing. I’m aware that some people aren’t nifty with a sewing machine or even a needle and thread – on the other hand, I managed a not too shabby A in Fashion Textiles GCSE, but I’m not here to boast – my point is, anyone can customize!
I’m not ashamed to admit being a Gok-addict. The fabulous stylist Mr.Wan is a lover of customizing – championing high street buys along with haberdashery finds on his programme Gok Wan’s Clothes Roadshow. My mother, on hearing his claims, questioned whether there were even any haberdasheries around nowadays – the answer is yes! Keep a keen eye out especially on market stalls for one. Many big department stores – John Lewis in particular – have a haberdashery section, offering endless choices of ribbons, fabrics, threads, velcros, sequins, buttons, beads, brooches and other bits and bobs to jazz up your outfits all for a small price. I’m partial to altering the buttons on shirts to something a bit more quirky and even pinning a simple badge to your jacket can add a bit of personality.
Alternatively, not only can you embellish your outfit, you could chop things off, alter sleeves, add collars or even wear a dress as a skirt if you wanted! Experiment and have fun with it!
So before you moan about not being able to find that top or shirt you’re after – get creative! You can create a completely different and new outfit from something you already own, follow that certain trend you love and avoid spending money finding a mass produced look on the high street.
Make like Gok and avoid that same-dress-on-a-night-out nightmare by getting thrifty!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thrift fashions on the money during recession
After Denise Honeycutt sashayed down the catwalk modeling a sleek sleeveless black dress with a blue lace jacket, she felt so good she bought the outfit.
"I got those two pieces and a skirt for $20," she said. "How's that for a deal?"
Such bargains may not be haute couture, but during a recession they are a thrifty shopper's dream.
As budgets tighten during the economic crunch, buying used clothing is no longer just for fans of vintage wear.
Many are discovering the hidden treasures in consignment shops, as well as thrift stores and other places once thought to be only for the destitute.
That's a message that Brendan Hurley, senior vice president of Marketing and Communications for Goodwill of Greater Washington, has been working hard to get out.
Goodwill of Greater Washington provided the fashions Honeycutt modeled for the show at the Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia, and has been actively campaigning to spread the word that Goodwill fashion is contemporary and hot.
"Most people have a misunderstanding of Goodwill's mission and they believe that our mission is to sell inexpensive merchandise to the poor," Hurley said. "In fact, Goodwill's mission is to provide job training and employment services to people with disadvantages and disabilities. We just happen to fund that mission through the resale of donated items at our retail stores."
To change the negative perception, Hurley said that four years ago they started a campaign to make the stores more appealing as a source of inexpensive fashions by holding virtual and live fashion shows.
Hurley said things really took off after they launched a viral marketing campaign and the very successful DCGoodWillFashions blog.
Em Hall is the retail marketing manager who blogs as the DC Goodwill Fashionista in a gig that has become so high-profile that she was invited to blog this year from Fashion Week in New York.
About once a month on average, Hall and her team put together "travel and trunk shows" where they pull merchandise from their nine stores, put them on rolling racks and take them to events for attendees to shop.
People respond to the great prices and selection as well as the opportunity to recycle by buying someone's gently used clothing, Hall said. iReport.com: Tell us about your thrift fashions
"The response has been tremendous," Hall said. "We know that finding that treasure at Goodwill, finding that vintage piece, really resonates with people."
"I got those two pieces and a skirt for $20," she said. "How's that for a deal?"
Such bargains may not be haute couture, but during a recession they are a thrifty shopper's dream.
As budgets tighten during the economic crunch, buying used clothing is no longer just for fans of vintage wear.
Many are discovering the hidden treasures in consignment shops, as well as thrift stores and other places once thought to be only for the destitute.
That's a message that Brendan Hurley, senior vice president of Marketing and Communications for Goodwill of Greater Washington, has been working hard to get out.
Goodwill of Greater Washington provided the fashions Honeycutt modeled for the show at the Arlington United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia, and has been actively campaigning to spread the word that Goodwill fashion is contemporary and hot.
"Most people have a misunderstanding of Goodwill's mission and they believe that our mission is to sell inexpensive merchandise to the poor," Hurley said. "In fact, Goodwill's mission is to provide job training and employment services to people with disadvantages and disabilities. We just happen to fund that mission through the resale of donated items at our retail stores."
To change the negative perception, Hurley said that four years ago they started a campaign to make the stores more appealing as a source of inexpensive fashions by holding virtual and live fashion shows.
Hurley said things really took off after they launched a viral marketing campaign and the very successful DCGoodWillFashions blog.
Em Hall is the retail marketing manager who blogs as the DC Goodwill Fashionista in a gig that has become so high-profile that she was invited to blog this year from Fashion Week in New York.
About once a month on average, Hall and her team put together "travel and trunk shows" where they pull merchandise from their nine stores, put them on rolling racks and take them to events for attendees to shop.
People respond to the great prices and selection as well as the opportunity to recycle by buying someone's gently used clothing, Hall said. iReport.com: Tell us about your thrift fashions
"The response has been tremendous," Hall said. "We know that finding that treasure at Goodwill, finding that vintage piece, really resonates with people."
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