goodwill 101

 

Today, I had a sunny afternoon to myself and the energy to put in some time at my local Goodwill.  I have come to realize that I have some practical “rules” about thrift shopping. 

• Eat something first.  You make better decisions.
• Preferably go alone.  You make better decisions. 
• Have a rough game plan.  This time I was hunkering for dress shirts to go with a new tie, a gray slip, winter dresses, and knit skirts.  This gives you a place to start when you first get in the door.  Of course, I rarely stay on plan.

• Give yourself plenty of time.  You want to wander and touch everything.
• Wear easy to slip off shoes and clothes that are not annoying to take off and on and off and on. 
• Grab lots of items that peak your interest (patterns, softness, color, buttons, snaps, certain brands) and always try it all on.  Generally only 25% of items that you try on will actually look great.  
• If it is itchy, do not purchase it.  You will never wear it.
• If it the wrong size, stained, or ripped, put it back.  Mourn the fact that if it was perfect it would have changed your life.
• If it is dry clean only, shake your fist at the universe and put it back.  (Unless you go all crazy and decide to gamble/handwash it because you got to wonder if it got here because someone already tried to handwash it.)

• Leave when you are not able to figure out what you have looked at and what you still need to look at.  You have been there too long and it is time to leave. 
• You are now ok not to visit again for like 1-1.5 months.
• Go home and wash everything.  Go through your current closet for items that are annoying or can be replaced by your new items.  Donate them (circle of life).

FYI - I was highly successful this time with a pair of pants, a skirt, a few sweaters, a pair of shoes and a bunch of shirts.  Stay tuned!