Wait. Isn’t ANYTIME a good time to thrift? Well, yes, especially in this world of fast-fashion and consumer waste. But there are a few timing-related factors to consider.
Toward the beginning of the season
Even if you’re a bargain-hunter extraordinaire who waits until garments have been marked down at least three times before pouncing, consider thrifting at the beginning of the season instead of the end. Thrift store items are so much cheaper than retail, even at “full price,” and if you thrift when the season is just beginning you’ll get first pick of new offerings. Waiting for markdowns will mean better bargains, but as the season begins to peter out, so do the seasonally appropriate offerings. Get shopping while the getting’s good.read more
A while back, reader Emma sent this question via e-mail. I wanted to delay posting it for a bit, until the Target/Missoni furor had died down a bit.
I saw the other day on Facebook that you prompted a short discussion on the Missoni for Target line, but I’d like to hear more of your and other people’s thoughts about the line in general. Most people commented on the quality – or lack thereof – of the line, but what about the entire concept of affordable designer wear? Since the line launched last week I have seen no less than 4 different women in very different settings wearing only 2 different outfits. Although I’m not a person who can, or really wants to be able to, afford high end designer clothes like Missoni I can certainly appreciate the uniqueness and specialness of being able to. Before the Target line if I had seen someone wearing the distinctive Missoni zigzags it would have meant something totally different than it does now. Now all I can about is the LACK of uniqueness and specialness – like the equivalent of having a knockoff hand bag. read more
Recently at an airport I noticed a woman walking toward me from some distance away wearing what appeared to be an odd combination of colors. But when she got closer I could see her dress was not actually a solid color but rather had a very detailed print that wasn’t evident from far away. There were colors in the print that actually matched other parts of her outfit, so up close she seemed very put together. So: I was wondering if you had any thoughts about how to dress if you’re going to be seen from a distance – for example, anyone who gives presentations in a large room. (And also how to “test” how you will look from a distance, since most of us stand fairly close to our mirrors when we get dressed in the morning.)read more
Originally posted 2013-01-16 06:45:28.
About Sally
Sally McGraw is a Minneapolis-based freelance writer, blogger, and editor.
