Hi there! Ever since Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" started to hit airwaves and became The Song in teenagers' lives, it seems that a lot more people now shop in thrift stores.
For some families, thrifting is a pretty big thing and the parents introduce their kids to that kind of shopping early on in their lives while other families never even talk to their kids about it. I happen to be a part of the second category.
I know that I've spoken a bit about the awesomeness of thrift stores before on my blog, but I've never really gone in depth about. I had never even heard of thrift shops until middle school, so two years ago, when one of my friends mentioned it and because my school was so close to one.
To be completely honest with you, at first, I was really snobby about it and thought it was disgusting. "Buying other people's old clothes?! EW." Keep in mind that that was after a long phase of wearing nothing but Aeropostale t-shirts with skirts and jeans. But then, I started to (kind of) develop a personal style and thought that buying clothes that other people wouldn't know where to find was actually pretty darn cool.
Let's go back to how I thought it was disgusting. The other week when I passed a Salvation Army and a Goodwill on my way home, I asked my parents to just drop me off there while my brother and them went to Toys 'R Us or something. I was beyond ecstatic about it because the only thrift shopping I've ever done was at the store close to my old middle school and I wanted to get a taste of the more "common" thrift stores.
My parents, I mean, they're awesome and loving and all, but they just don't get thrift stores. They just think it's weird and for people who don't have enough money to afford new clothes. Which is so not true, but besides the point. Thankfully for me, they reluctantly let me go anyway. I jumped out of the car and semi-pranced, semi-walked to Goodwill. You know that "walk" that you do when you're so excited about something but are trying to contain your excitement? Well, that's exactly what I was doing.
I walked into the store, and sure, it smelled a bit funny, but I was just so, so excited. I gleefully went through every hanger in the store (except for the men's section), eager to find a hidden treasure. Oddly enough, I got found my treasure on the fitting room bench when I went in to try some other stuff on that didn't end up fitting. I was this ombre knit cropped sweater that resembled something that I saw on UO's website a while back and I just fell in love with it right then and there. Funny how these things happen, eh?
After paying and leaving the store, five dollar-sweater in hand, my parents were kind of pissed. They frowned upon me shopping there and even told me that they donated dead people's clothes to those stores and forbid me from ever shopping there again. I know, it's melodramatic and all, but I want to know what you guys think. Sure, it's possible that they donate dead people's clothes to the Salvation Army and Goodwill or whatever, but do you see the history behind the clothes, or do you just think it's gross? Do you shop at thrift stores? Let me know what you think in a comment below! I'm so freaking curious.
P. S. I love my parents. This post isn't supposed to be a rant or whatever about how annoying it is that they don't like thrift shops. Maybe it is to you, but I just thought it was interesting.
Thanks for reading!
- J
Haha funny that you post this now. I just recently went thrifting and picked up my halloween costume and whole bunch of other stuff for $2 each (okay they were having a sale, it's not usually that cheap, but STILL) anyway, everything I picked up I was like "Yep, love that!" and everything was my size, and when I looked on the tags everything was brand name! So like, why not buy it used, (as long as it isn't stained or anything). I picked up so much and I got this white american eagle jacket that is just very fall-ish looking to me, IDK I like it.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I guess I can't really relate, because I'm part of that first category, I mean my grandmother used to take me to thrift stores all the time and stuff. I guess if you think about it, especially when you're young, you don't care what you're wearing, and you're most likely going to get it dirty anyway. Even still, like I said alot of stuff at thrift stores is brand name stuff anyways, so if you really care about that kinda thing you can still thrift.
About the dead peoples clothing.... you're not gonna end up buying a dead persons clothes unless you're an old person yourself, or dress like one. I'm sure most dead old people wouldn't be wearing the clothes that you would like to buy, chances are it's just clothes out of someones closet that they out grew or didn't wear anymore.
So ya long comment but I felt like it so ya! :D
LUV YA Juliana <3
see you soon-Kailey
Oh, how I adore your long comments, Kailey. :) I'm even more excited to see your Hallowe'en costume this year! Too bad we can't "celebrate" together, but I guess that's partially my fault, haha.
DeleteLOVE YOU, TOO, Kailey.
- Juliana
I personally love thrift shops! I find there's nothing better than finding an absolute bargain and feeling proud that you bought a shirt for just £3 whereas the person sitting opposite you probably paid £30 for theirs. I also find it a lot of fun just browsing through everything and trying to find a hidden gem!
ReplyDeleteI love that feeling when you just find a really good deal anywhere, whether it's in a thrift store, at a department store, whatever. It really is more fun having to look through everything to find hidden treasures! I just wish there was one closer to my house. :(
Delete- Juliana