Ok, save your gasp for another time, I get plenty of my clothes from Goodwill.
If you read my post about shopping boy’s clothes at Thrift Stores, you’ll already know that there are many reasons someone sends something to Goodwill. I, personally, have sent great items there that just didn’t fit or never fit, or sundry reasons.
And because we’re not made of money, I shop at Goodwill.
1. Don’t take kids. This is hard work. You’re going to be thumbing through a lot of clothes, and trying a LOT of things on so leave the kiddos at home. Sure, you might spring upon a great buy with a child or two in tow — but they don’t have the Goodwill Stamina for you to really pump up your wardrobe.
2. Know your shape. A lot of times things are at Goodwill because they have shrunk, so be able to pull out an item and guess if it fits or not. This takes time, but hauling 100 things into the dressing room, only to have 2 fit isn’t a great feeling.
3. Shop above your size — see #2. Also, they don’t have a million re-stockers on hand, putting items back in the right area. Stuff’s all over and you might find a treasure where you’re not expecting it! Also, people tend to send stuff to Goodwill that has shrunk in the wash. So, just because the tag says M doesn’t mean it really fits like one. 🙂
4. Know your brands. Just like with Princess P there are brands I gravitate to more with Goodwill buys. One of my VERY Favorites is Talbot’s, they just make great clothes that I can’t afford, even on a good day. I’ve gotten a LOT of Talbot’s stuff, and I often get compliments on it! I also like Ann Taylor, and Loft clothes. There are plenty of labels out there I know nothing about, so I tend to assess quality and haul it into the dressing room.
5. Prepare for battle in the dressing room. There’s usually a wait and they aren’t particularly sanitized, but I have to try on stuff. My goodwill does have a return policy, so if I get something home and it just doesn’t work out I can return it for store credit. BUT, I’d like to not buy something I completely regret at home. I try to wear clothes that are easy to get on and off and I don’t mind being on the floor of the Goodwill. Uh huh, because I’m a classy gal.
6. Look it over. You’ve tried it on, you’re ready to buy but I always stop and look over every piece, both sides, under the arms and definitely check the crotch to look for wear, fading, stains or holes. If there’s an issue, is it worth fixing — do you think you can? Some stains easily come out, but some don’t. Once the tag is off, it’s yours. Is it worth taking a gamble? Sometimes it is!
7. Don’t forget the shoes. PLUS, they’re easy to try on! Plenty of great shoes with lots of wear left in them on those racks (and there are plenty that are disgusting, same as the rest of Goodwill). I have to steer clear of this wall anymore as I am fully stocked on shoes, and happy to report I love almost all the shoes I’ve gotten there. Great brands, and likely better shoes then I would have bought at my normal retailers.
8. Don’t forget accessories. There’s lots of great watches and necklaces behind that counter. Don’t be afraid to ask to see them, and decide if they’re for you! My favorite watch is from Goodwill and I get a ton of compliments on it.
So, those are my tips. Next time you’ll see me, I’m sure you’ll wonder if I got my clothes at Goodwill and I’m happy to report there is a 90% chance the outfit was either bought at Goodwill or at Nordstrom’s Last Chance. But, that’s a blog for another day. Click below for all of my best thrift store tips!
Like tips that help you save money while still looking great? Be sure to grab my budgeting worksheet:
Lynness says
Following you now! Nope, you’re not too poor to shop there- I sometimes think even Goodwill is too expensive! (I mean, there are T-shirts people couldn’t get rid of at their yard sales for a quarter and now they’re @ Goodwill for $3.99…?!)
My rule is, unless I absolutely LOVE it and have never seen ANYTHING like it (or if they’re brand-new-with-$75-tags Ralph Lauren pants in a length long enough for my husband, like I scored today), then I won’t buy it unless it’s 1/2 price. Our Goodwill does a color-coded tag thing, and each week a different color is on sale. If it doesn’t go by the end of the week, it gets taken to the Goodwill Outlet, where things are sold by the pound. (There is literally a policeman there to keep order, and a line you have to stand on until the bins of new stuff are in place on the floor. I guess fights have broken out.)
One tip- our Goodwill generally has set prices for items “unless otherwise marked” and so most clothes have just the color-coded plastic tag without a paper part attached. This is GREAT, because then I can wash it with the plastic tag still on and see if stains come out. If not, I just return within 7 days.
Cathy says
I agree about the prices and they’re going up! Not just there but at all the thrift stores. Ugh! I just have to be a little more selective and decide if I REALLY want it in my clothing collection that bad. If it is something that I really think will add value to my wardrobe I will Google it retail and see if I’m really getting a bargain. I have to be saving 50% or more for it to be a savings to me. Preferably, I love to save at least 90% off retail. It is Goodwill for goodness sakes. Everything they get is FREE. They make 100% of every item. My husband thrifts more than I do so he got to know a few GW employees including a manager locally and they said that their store makes $10k per week minimum. I don’t think they’re hurting. Also, some of them will negotiate prices. Moreso on furniture and higher priced items. If I have found a ton of finds in one day and I have let’s say 10 or more clothing items, I’ll ask them if they’ll give me a discount. It’s usually 10% but if you don’t ask, you don’t receive. It depends on the employee also. If you go enough, you’ll learn which ones to ask and which ones not to bother with. 🙂 Happy thrifting!
Hilary says
Yeah, I have to hope they’re doing something good with the money. 🙂
Dot says
I dont look for clothes that will fit me I look for the fabrics and can I cut the dress up and remake it!!! Do any of you think to do that or is it that your dressmaking skills are not up to it But if you get fairly simple patterns and lay out your unpicked dress or what ever you can then have a complete NEW outfit what do you think about learning some dressmaking skills and do some repurposing that way cheers from dot in Australia
Hilary says
Dot! You are clearly CRAZY talented! I’d love to shop with you someday!
Jenny says
My girlfriends and I call it GW Boutique. It amazes me the clothing–nice clothing I can get at GW Boutique for a quarter of the cost brand new at the Mall!
kimmi says
I love it!! My mom and I call its Saks GW!!!! 🙂 Happy Shopping!!
Hilary says
Yes, I usually can find more stuff there than at Sak’s.
kimmi says
I dont think i’ve ever been in a “real” Saks 5th Ave!!
Hilary says
We have an outlet of it near it that I have walked through (to get to something else). 🙂
Erin says
New to your blog! Loving it! I just recently started a new job and had to buy some new clothes. I went to 2 different resale shops and found a TON of new clothes for about $40.
My best tip for GW or similar stores is to look at displays, lots of times they are in awesome shape and unlike a lot of stores they use all different sizes. I am not good at accesorizing so this is great for me!
I am off to read some more of your your posts!Thanks for the awesome tips!
Hilary says
thanks everyone, it’s great to know I’m not alone shopping at the GW. 🙂
Amber's Crafts and Stuff says
The thrill of getting a good deal at a thrift store is like a drug to me! I don’t shop at goodwill for clothes very often because they do the one price for all shirts they consider a woman’s shirt and sometimes it is outrageous. $6.99 for a T-shirt is too much. Where I live there are tons of other thrift stores where they take time to price clothes individually..sometimes you get a T for as little as $1. My daughter’s boyfriend thinks that you only get junk and other people’s trash from thrift stores but everytime she goes to see him she is dressed to the nines and most of the time at least half of what she has on came from a thrift store.
Mary Two Rick says
A manager at a charity thrift shop assured me that they are in the business of selling clothes to ANYONE regardless of their financial status. Sales = cash flow they use to help serve their clients.
SHOP ON!
Mary Two Rick says
A manager at a charity thrift shop assured me that they are in the business of selling clothes to ANYONE regardless of their financial status. Sales = cash flow they use to help serve their clients.
SHOP ON!
Marcia Buroker says
I go “Goodwill Hunting” every weekend, sometimes twice a day (there are 2 by where my dad lives). It is my FAVORITE STORE! I would rather by a designer outfit from Goodwill than a “new” outfit from Walmart!
Emmy says
I’ve been an avid thrift shopper for over 2 years. I wandered into a thrift store when we just moved into our house for something to do while we waited for our furniture to come. I found an Ann Taylor silk blouse and a beautiful Loft skirt both in great condition and I was hooked. I have always sale shopped, but even with sales and clearance I quite a big more for those brands than the $3 I paid at the thrift store. Since then I’ve almost exclusively thrift shopped for my clothing. I’ve scored BCBG MaxAzria, J. Crew, White House /Black Market, Talbots, Ann Taylor, INC, and more stylish and beautiful items. My favorite excursion was a $6 per bag clothing sale in my area – I went in the afternoon expecting to find everything picked over. I found a Tablots 100% cashmere sweater in perfect condition, a vintage leather jacket also in excellent condition, an Antonio Melani blazer (similar retails for $200), a blazer from the Limited, an INC top, a Max Studio top, pants and a top from Express, and a few other items all for $12.
Hilary says
Oooo, that IS quite a haul!
DJC says
I get 90% of my very nice clothes at Goodwill, cashmere sweater( $10.00), Macy’s jeans with the tags still on ( $9.00) nice boots ( $20.oo), Columbia rain jacket ( *$12.oo) , almost new Nikes ($15.00 ) and score on household items too. Kitchen things, a rug, knick knacks , etc. The key ? I go once to twice a week with an open mind and I’m very picky and only buy good quality !
Hilary says
SO smart. I’m wanting a new shirt today. I think I’ll stop by Goodwill first. 😉