Hi, my name is Mary and I am a thrift shopaholic.
I genuinely feel like I am addicted to thrift shopping. I get a high off of it. Finding a great piece, be it a dress (my favorite), boots, or a jacket, for so little money makes me feel good. So, if I am feeling stressed or down, where do I head? You got it, the thrift shop.
I have always loved dresses, and when I was little, my mom and I would go shopping, and she would buy me the best dresses. Those were precious times with my mom. We would also go to the diner and have lunch. It was usually a turkey club sandwich, which we would split. My mom left for her heavenly home when I was just 13, and now I find myself getting comfort from thrift shopping and diners. Although my mom and I did not shop at thrift shops, I have become a big fan of them, so much so that I do not enjoy shopping at stores for new clothing.
Some people are closet thrifters. They do not want anyone to know that they shop at thrift shops. I don’t get it. I am proud of it. Getting a bargain is a great thing. It leaves me more money to spend on other things. I once bought a Lands End coat for something like $6.00. It was such a great buy. It was in perfect condition. Someone I knew commented on it, and I said, “Oh, I got it at a thrift shop”. She looked at me disapprovingly and said, “You shouldn’t tell people that.” I was like, “Why not? I am proud I got such a great deal. It is wonderful”. I lost a lot of respect for her that day.
What is wrong with buying clothes that were worn before? You wash them, and they are fine. I could write another blog on being yourself, but I will save that for another day. This person had an image to project, and she certainly did not want to ruin it by shopping at a thrift shop. And if you are one of those people who do shop at thrift shops but do not want anyone to know that you do. Why? Just be you. Who cares! If someone compliments me on my outfit, I say, “Oh, I got it at the thrift shop for $10.00, “with a tone of delight and confidence in my voice. The reaction I get is usually positive.
Some of my best finds were a brand new “Free People” dress with the tags still on for $20.00. In the store, it sold for $100. Another “Free People” dress for $8.00. I bought a long winter Michael Kors down coat for $40, probably for a few hundred brand new. I also recently purchased a Michael Kors short winter coat with a detachable hood for $17.00, which sold for over $100.
Today, I bought an Ann Taylor butternut leather jacket for $20, selling for over $150. Then, there were all of my favorite items that I purchased. So many are not brand names, but I loved them and got them for $6.00 or even $2.50 or 10.00. I cannot get enough of thrift shopping. I decorated my room with stuff from the thrift shop, which is fantastic.
Today, while at the thrift shop, I overheard people talking. It seems everyone is addicted. One woman told me, after my admitting that I am addicted, that she is too, and she goes there every day. I felt a little better after hearing that. We need a thrift shop anon. But on second thought, I don’t think I would go as I love thrifting. It is a passion of mine, and it makes me feel good. I no longer like to shop in stores that sell new clothing. I was in Marshall’s just today, and I couldn’t deal with it. I couldn’t find anything I loved, and everything was overpriced.
When I go to the thrift shop, I usually see things right up my alley. I love a particular style, and it makes me so happy to find that stuff in the thrift shop for a reasonable price. Last year, I got leather Ivanka Trump boots for $10. Just yesterday, I got leather Miz Moos boots for $8.00, which sell for almost $200 in the store. Yeah, how could you not get a high from that?
The downside is that I buy more than I should. I have so much clothing, but I love and wear it all. Oh, and I also purchased a cool jacket. It cost me $30. It ended up being a designer jacket that sells for $168 online. I have never been into designer things, but if you can get it for so little, it is exciting—not because of the name, but because it is well made. I could care less about labels.
I can go for a month without going to the thrift shop, which is good. It is not easy. I fight myself. I think of it as a hobby. People spend a lot of money on their hobbies. Feeling grateful and thank God that this is my “addiction” and not something worse.
Happy Thrifting!