You Can Look Good on a Dime!
B y: R e v. G a i l D a v i s
Growing up in the sixties and seventies was an exciting time for me when it came to fashion and style. I was introduced to thrift stores early on, especially the ones in Greenwich Village and around the High School of Art & Design in New York City, where I was a student. One of my most memorable finds was my first fur coat. I thought I was the epitome of style— until I realized that every time the wind blew, so did bits of my fur! My family got a good laugh out of it, but I was determined to make it work. Eventually, I accepted that the coat was beyond saving in its original form. So, in true creative fashion, I repurposed it— cutting off the sleeves, collar, and lapel and attaching them to a burgundy pantsuit I had made. And let me tell you, once I put that outfit on, you couldn’ t tell me a thing!
And that is what thrifting helps you to do – repurpose, restore, and renew – garments that were created for a particular customer can now be transformed to fit you, transformed to shape your style, add value to your wardrobe, and save you lots of money. Most importantly, items can be transformed into something different and new( e. g. jeans into tote bags).
Why I Thrift
There are a couple of reasons why I thrift. First, looking stylish and staying on trend isn’ t about spending a fortune— it’ s about knowing how to curate pieces that reflect your unique style. Almost my entire wardrobe— 98 percent of it, is thrifted. Every Sunday at church, women would complement my outfits and say, ' I know you didn’ t get that from the thrift store!' My response was always the same: ' Yes, I did!' Without fail, their next words were, ' I need to go shopping with you.' That’ s how Thriftstopping with Gail was born. I started taking groups of women on thrift shopping trips, showing them how to find stylish treasures for less.
Here are some valuable tips to help you save money and find stylish treasures while thrift shopping: 1. Have a Plan but Stay Open-Minded Make a list of items you need but be flexible— thrift stores have unique finds that may surprise you. Keep a Pinterest or mood board of styles you love to guide your search. 2. Know the Best Days to Shop
Many thrift stores restock items on certain days or have exclusive discounts( e. g., half-off tags, senior or student discounts).
Go early for the best selection or later for markdowns. 3. Check for Quality Materials
Look for well-made fabrics like wool, silk, cashmere, and 100 % cotton. Avoid items with excessive pilling, fading, or stretched-out seams unless you plan to upcycle.
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