Thrift store shopping
 

Since I'm aiming high and planning to lose a good chunk of weight in the next year or two, I'm going to be going through a lot of sizes. I'd like to do at least some of my shopping in thrift stores since I'm on a tight budget and hope to not be wearing the intermediate sizes for extended periods of time. My problem is that the thrift stores I've been in seem to organize clothes by color, not size - so finding plus size clothes takes forever! Does anyone know if any of the major chains (salvation army, goodwill, thrift town, etc) organize differently? Thanks -

Around here, all of the thrift stores have a plus-sized section. And almost all of them sort the other sizes by both size and colour. Also, a lot of the thrift stores have specials - color of the day, customer appreciation day, a percentage off if you donate.

I love thrift store shopping! I don't think I'd even know how to shop in "regular" stores anymore. ;)

Goodwill is a good place to shop. They usually have a plus size section. Just ask and someone should be able to help you find it.

I LOVE thrift stores; I spent all day yesterday in them, and then came home and was leafing through my closet and, a few dresses aside, couldn't find any clothes that had come from anywhere other than a thrift store. Brand name, nearly new, averaging $6 a piece. Totally your friend.

The Salvation Army, in my experience, is really bad about organizing by size; even within the plus size, if they have a section (and they usually do), you'd find the whole range of plus size clothes jumbled together--really, really annoying to leaf through looking for the magic intersection of one that both is attractive AND your size.

You should look for a Savers near you:

http://www.savers.com/Find-A-Store.aspx

They're usually huge, clean, and really well-organized. And look for Goodwills near-ish to where rich people live, lol.

We just got 2 Savers stores in my area and they organize by style, then color, then size. so you can walk in and find a black skirt in your size immediately. I was thinking about buying from then for my intermediate sizes too. Then there's always Walmart and Kmart.

Thanks for the suggestions - I did the zipcode search for a Savers, and there's one pretty close by that I'll try soon =D A new Goodwill opened up near here too, so I'll have to check that out and ask if there's a separate section~

Goodwill marks by size even within the plus size section. I have been buying and will continue to buy there until i drop all the weight. Garage Sales are a great place to look too. You can't try on at a garage sale but when you get something for a buck or less, it is worth the risk.

Our Goodwill has a plus-size section too.

Here's a tip for places that have no change rooms (like yard sales) wear a slim fitting tank top. You'll be able to try on shirts, sweaters etc without getting undressed.

THAT is what I do, :lol:...

I shop thrift stores a lot. Finding anything in my size is rare, but I shop frequently, so I'm still able to get at least 1/3 of my closthes from thrift stores.

Even when thrift stores have plus-size sections, they're often a mess (people are either careless in returning the clothes to the proper area, or they deliberately hide the items in amongst the smaller sizes hoping to hide them from other shoppers). I think it's why so many organize by color - people are less likely to return the items to the wrong areas - and if they do, it's instantly visible to the shop workers.

We have a friend who works in one of the shops, and she says the children's section and the plus-size sections are nightmares to keep organized. She said she could spend her entire day trying to keep those sections organized.

When there is a plus size section, it does take more time, but do look in all the sizes - or at least your size and the size up and down. If you're on the larger end, it really does pay to look in all the plus sizes though. When I was a 5X/6X and even now as a 3X/4X I find a lot of my clothes "hiding" in the 1X section. It drives me bonkers, but it happens so often that I'm convinced, it's deliberate. Either someone is returning it to the smaller section, because they don't want to admit their real size or more likely to try to hide it from other shoppers (because it's almost never hidden just one or two sizes down, it's always seems to be in the 1X section).

And look for Thrift shops that get Last Season's stock that hasn't sold.
I had a friend who was avid thrift store shopper and she knew where the unsold clothes would end up - near the warehouses, on the cheaper side of town.

I bought a pair of denim capris, a pair of gym shorts, and a new book for $4.60:D

The "only" problem that I have found with thrift stores is that you get used to paying $1 to $4 dollars for clothes and it is hard to pay retail after that!
My 17 yr old daughter is an avid thrifter with me and she has a very hard time buying a pair of jeans at a retail store because " I can get 5 pairs for this price at Goodwill!"

I LOVE thrift stores!!! Just about all my son's clothes come from there, Mine come from there when I can find them in my size - I have such a hard time finding pluz size clothes :-( I have no extra money for clothes so Thrift Stores are my friends!!

Goodwill is good for organizing their plus size section. If you are in the DFW area, ThriftTown is pretty good as well.

Haha, this is soooo true. I can't even spend $10 on a pair of pants for myself or the kids. All our clothes (except under garments)come from thrift stores, garage sales, craigslist (love me some craigslist clothing lots) or deeply clearanced at a brick and mortar store or it's website.

We have goodwill and salvation army. SA has the bigger and better selection. Both have plus size sections and both sort by color. Neither sort by sizes :( I don't go unless I have a good hour or two to devote.

value village always is sorted by size.

I almost made a dreadful purchase last week. The Goodwill had a pair of denim bib overalls in my size (30/32), and a real bargain at $7.99. Beautiful color denim, with a fall scene embroidered on the bib. Very pretty - on the hanger.


I came to my senses, realizing that I didn't have to try them on to know that I'd look ridiculous in them (the original owner must have realized it too, because it looked like they'd never been worn at all).

I almost regret it, because hubby and I just (tonight) got invited to a Halloween party, but except for the Halloween party I can't imagine a situation in which I'd wear them.

I do that too, haha I live not too far from one, and around here Wednesdays are half price clothing day.

I love thrifting, I have promised myself that I won't buy new clothing until I am goal weight. Especially pants.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Goodwills, Salvation Armies, church thrift stores and the like. All of the stores in our area display by size, so very easy to find what you need. I'd say 95% of my wardrobe and shoes are from these stores. The variety compared to new, is great - the price compared to new, is wonderful. You do occasionally find items with the tags still on, otherwise the quality is always good, as most places go through everything and toss the poor stuff. I would still think it's worth the effort if I had to sort through everything to find the right size. And how FUN to bring in a bag of stuff that has gotten too big and look for smaller sizes!!!

I love the thrift stores...you get a great variety and at a fraction of what you would pay at the "name brand" places...plus why spend a lot of money on clothes we don't intend on spending a lot of time in...I got rid of my "skinny" clothes a few ;) years ago so...as I shrink I will need to buy new clothing...garage sales are also a favorite! I expect to be at gloal by my birthday in April...perfect for spring garage sales :)

We have an America's Thrift Store...everything is by size. So easy! I wish all thrift shops were like that.

I hear ya, My clothes shopping has mainly been from walmart and thrift stores. I have a gift card for Ross Dress for less that I refuse to use till I get to my goal weight.
It bugs me to no end when thrift stores sorts womens clothing by color. I'd rather skip it and dig through a pile of clothes for my kids then shop for myself.

Even tho I am at goal I still can't stay out of thrift shops. You need to go often as things change so quickly and be patient. I usually have an idea of what colors and fabrics I like and make a quick run thru to see if there are styles I like and if it is in my size. It takes a little practice but it is worth it. For instance pink is not my favorite color so I don't even bother to look at anything pink. I no longer wear elastic waist jeans or slacks so I keep moving when I see that.It is worth it and I have made some great buys.

Went "thrifting" today myself...what a find...we have a Missionary Thrift Store that somehow manages to get designer clothes donated along with the other things...everything is clean, on hangers, sorted as to item i.e. skirts, blouses, jackets, suits..etc. I even saw a Lily Rubin outfit there...now that's a designer! size 6 or 8 so definitely not my size....I've been donating my things to Am-Vets but may have to share some with Missionary Thrift....it's my new favorite store.

Marilyn

I have loved Thrift store shopping since my friend introduced me to it 20+ years ago. I definitely have my own style and don't really follow fashion trends, never have. I find it wonderful that you can find such a variety of clothing in thrift stores from different years and even eras. When you go into a regular clothing store, you are pretty much stuck with whatever the style of the moment might be. Thrift stores are a treasure trove for those with their own style.

Another thrift store shopper here :wave: All my clothes came from thrifts while I was losing (went from a 20 to a 6 in 8 months, that was a lot of new clothing purchases). Some of my old clothes went to a local consignment shop, a nice way to recycle funds. The funny thing is most of those clothes came from thrift stores originally :) I still do most of my shopping at thrifts, a little at Label Shopper. My Mom and I always plan a thrifting day when I visit her. We love it

I love shopping on the 99 cent tag days for incentive clothes. I don't feel wasteful at all walking out with 5 cute pieces to hang in my closet to wear in the future for the cost of two lattes I *didn't* drink because they aren't on plan.:D