Why is buying clothes 'n' stuff at thrift shops and yard sales considered negative?

[Byzcat]

I wonder about this periodically.

I would say that right now, 80% of my wardrobe came from the Salvation Army or St. Vinny's. Really, you can find cool stuff their at really low prices.

I remember once I was talking to the pastor of a church I used to go to back in Vegas, and he commented on my outfit, telling me I looked regal.

So, I told him I had gotten the black jeans, black beaded top, and black leather jacket at the a thrift store, and the black suede boots at the church rummage sale. He said, "Why do you say that?" as though I was admitting that I had a virulent strain of leprosy.

I've heard comments like this a lot, "Why do you admit negative things about yourself?" when I'm bragging that I got a bargain on something really nice.

What's up with the stigma attached to thrift store/church rummage sale/yard sale clothing?

I mean, OK, wash it before you wear it, sure, but why is it considered a bad thing that you wear used clothing? I think being able to put together a rockin' outfit for under fifty dollars (including the leathers) is something to be proud of.

[bassteban]

I was not aware of any stigma. Who cares what anyone else thinks, anyway?

[7StringBassist]

I bought clothes for my job from the Salvation Army best choice I made cost me 10 bucks for some jeans id destroy there anyways

as long as you dont buy underwear there your good to go

[bwv1013]

Originally Posted by bassteban

I was not aware of any stigma. Who cares what anyone else thinks, anyway?

+1. most people i know think of it as a "cool/hip" thing to do. i choose not to just because i HAD to when i was a tot, but i certainly don't look down on people who do. as a matter of fact, i commend your sense of value. rock your style dude!

[MatticusMania]

Ive bought a lot of really cool clothes from thrift stores. I havent been in a while, but next time I need some clothes thats most likely where I'll be going.

[chrisisnotevil]

I don't see the difference between a lot of local charity shops, and the "vintage" clothing places so prevalent in Manchester and beloved of hipsters, except in the latter the prices are increased tenfold, the sales staff unfriendly, sometimes to the point of open hostility and the profits go to inflating somebody's bank account rather than helping those in need.

[Din Of Win]

Haha the only time it's negative is when i got in an argument with a girl and said she 'bought her personality at goodwill'. Which is whatever because i don't think i've bought clothse at a real store in 13 years...


Ain't no smarm like thrift store/vintage store clothse wearin' smarm...

[DaveDeVille]

i've found some really great deals at a GoodWill close to home...

i don't brag about it , but i'm not ashamed to admit i shop there either .

[Pilgrim]

It's not negative by me, and national trends show that thrift stores are getting MUCH more traffic as people watch their $$.

[Kosko]

You can find clothes from Banana Republic at good wills in nice areas if you're thrifty.

[Byzcat]

Hmmm....

Maybe it's because we're musicians, and therefore all a bit strange, maybe it's because musicians have a way of being chronically broke, so thrift store shopping is an accepted necessity in the subculture, or maybe it's because most musicians are guys, and guys don't care as much about what people think of them based on where they buy their clothes (and don't seem to judge each other based on clothing choice the way women do).


But I have vivid memories of wearing a beautiful buckskin coat with raccoon sleeves (something I'd never wear today, unless raccoon and venison became regular parts of my diet) that I had "inherited" from my mother, and the girls on the school bus sneering "where did you get that coat? At Goodwill?"

If I'd had the ovarios then that I have now, I'd have said, "Yeah, 817(h, you have a problem with that?" And as much as we like to think girls grow out of it, women do judge you on whether you're fashionably dressed, and will criticize you (not necessarily to your face) if your clothing is "dated", or kinda funky.

Among the people I prefer to hang out with, it wouldn't be considered a negative thing, but in the larger culture, wearing last year's (or ten or twenty years ago's) fashions is looked down upon.

Hopefully, this is changing now that the economy has made thrift store shopping a necessity.

[Tama]

Originally Posted by 7StringBassist

I bought clothes for my job from the Salvation Army best choice I made cost me 10 bucks for some jeans id destroy there anyways

as long as you don't buy underwear there your good to go

Same here...I see no problem.
You wash the pants or shirts & wear em.
Probably more sanitary than eating off utensils at a restaurant I think.
Cheers, Dave

[Bard2dbone]

I wish I could buy clothes at Goodwill or some otherr Thrift stores. But you'd be amazed how much stuff they DON'T have in my size.

Apparently most folks shaped like me keep all their threads until they decompose.

[ForestThump]

Vintage is in, man.

[Thor]

I figured that when you said beaded top and leathers we
weren't talking about guys clothes.

The ladies are much more competitive on the fashion, clothes
and shoes stuff. (Or maybe they just like to cat on each
other more.)

OTOH my daughter is really pissed that my wife got rid of all of
her 80's shoes and handbags as apparently that stuff is
making a comeback. My wife was of the been there done that
mentality, though she always did have nice taste in shoes.

Anyway, my son only buys vintage 60's stuff and since he is
pencil thin, the stuff looks pretty good on him.

AFAIAC, I see no problem putting together a rockin outfit on
the cheap if you think it looks good on you.

[WickedPissah]

I might be going to one soon, because I want a denim vest, but can't find one anywhere.

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by bassteban

I was not aware of any stigma. Who cares what anyone else thinks, anyway?

This.

[69limeRev]

I dress way better than I could afford to otherwise. Anybody snobbish about that is missing the point, and a lot of great bargains.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by Bard2dbone

I wish I could buy clothes at Goodwill or some otherr Thrift stores. But you'd be amazed how much stuff they DON'T have in my size.

Yep! I think I've found one or two things ever that I liked and bought. I wanted a leather jacket in college, but apparently they never made them for people 6'5". I think tall people did sell off their old clothes, but there are/were fewer of them so they get snapped up fast.

[thumpbass1]

No negative feelings about it from this old child of the early 70's. Heck, buying thrift clothing was hippie chic back then. Now I usually donate more stuff than what I'd buy, but I still like to look around the local thrift shops.