Notes from an avid thrifter

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to introduce a friend of mine to the world of thrifting Angie Good style.  This is what I shared with her...

1st - You have to set the bar low.  Looking for extreme specifics when thrifting is only setting yourself up for disappointment which leads to consumption of a pint of So Delicious Carmel Chunk Coconut Milk Ice Cream.  Be general.  Look for tops or bottoms. Skirts or blouses. Etc.  There will be a story at the end of this post.

2nd - Stop throwing items for the size you hope to be in to the cart.  Shop for the size you are.  And if the size you are makes you sad, mosey on over to "Active wear" and get yourself some COMFY gym clothes and plan to hit the gym with meeeee.  I can bring a friend for FREE. 

3rd - If you like it, try it on.  You may be a medium and the sweater tag says small.  Try the small on.  You never know.  It might be a good fit.  Same scenario but the dress says XL.  Don't freak out.  It is just a tag with a size identifier.  Calm down.

4th - Make friends with a stranger.  You are not 5.  They are not offering you candy.  There's no real stranger-danger at the thrift.  Make a friend.  Joke about something hideous.  My friend Rita and I made a friend while discussing rabbit collared dresses.  They were womens dresses with the head of the Velveteen Rabbit slapped on the Peter Pan collar.  Talk about not ever wanting to grow-up.

5th - Only buy it if you love it and will wear it.

6th - Plan to turn your hangers the opposite direction at the beginning of the next season.  All unturned hangers get donated or consigned.  The thrift is gave and take = the perfect relationship. 

7th - Make a memo or note in your cellphone that is a revolving list of items to look for at the thrift.  I have a secret Pinterest Board called (cause I am soo  original) "Look for these pieces at the thrift."

Ok. As promised - my not having specifics story.  It ends well, in case you are like several friends who like to know the end first. 

For 18 or so months I have been on the hunt for Anne Taylor Loft black cropped pants.  Did you catch the "18 or so months" part????  I have come to the end of my thrift hunt and decided to use a 50% off coupon and buy them.  Wonder of wonders - Anne does not make my favorite cut of cropped pants anymore.  Sad day. 

Last week after sharing my wealth of thrift knowledge (my Mr Miagi-like wisdom) with my thrift apprentice, I threw caution to the wind and logged in to the ThredUp app.  I narrowed my search to Loft black cropped pants.  There on the screen were my cropped pants.  My size, the cut I like and they were from Anne Taylor's Loft.  I like to say it like she owns an actual loft. Maybe once upon a time she did and she loved it...like my cottage.  I should have branded my knitting / crocheting projects "Angie Good's cottage."  I suppose now it would be my duplex since I no longer reside in the cottage.

ThredUp had my cropped pants for 80% off the store's former regular price.  That's a great savings.  I added them to my cart and checked-out before you can say, "Cute pants!" 

It took 18 months and a memo on my phone to find my cropped pants.  They arrived and fit as expected. 

Stay strong and be patient!!! Fun finds come to those who thrift!!!!