Why I Shop Thrift...and Yes, Occassionally Sell Some Items.

While the majority of the feedback that I've received due to my recent television appearances has been positive, there are a few people who have expressed concern about what I do.  Specifically, people ask why I shop thrift stores if I can afford not to.  They also ask why I take all of the "good stuff" from people that really need it.  Let me address each point.

First of all, I grew up poor.  Destitute.  I spent my entire childhood shopping thrift out of need, so I know how it feels to have thrift shops as your only clothing option.  While I now can afford to shop retail, old habits are hard to break.  I simply don't like overpaying for things.

Second, while I never felt embarrassed to shop thrift even when it was hard to make ends meet, I know that others wouldn't be caught dead in a thrift store.  Maybe I'm crazy, but I'd like to think that my TV appearances are helping remove the stigma.  I'm actually proud of this.

Third, I specialize in vintage clothing.  Last I looked, you can't find a vintage blouse at Macy's.

Fourth and most important, the money I spend at thrift stores is helping people.  If people like me don't shop thrift for "moral reasons", Goodwill's revenues decline.  It's that simple.  In fact, check out their mission statement.  

• MISSION STATEMENT: To help change lives through the power of work. Goodwill provides career training and placement assistance for employment.  We support our programs through profits generated through the sale of donated goods.  Nearly 90 cents of every shopping dollar we receive help fund educational programs and services that assist people in finding better jobs and building careers.

Note that their primary goal is to generate funds to help people train for and obtain employment...not to provide clothes to those that can't afford to pay retail prices.

Finally, let me address whether or not I take all of the "good stuff".  There are thousands of thrift stores in the U.S.  On average, I sell 3 to 5 items per month.  I really don't think I'm emptying the shelves.  Finally, I don't think I'm buying items that are in high demand from the disadvantaged.   I certainly didn't shop for vintage clothing when I was looking for a job and couldn't rub two dimes together.
I do admit that a minute percentage of people will suffer as a result of my actions.  They won't get that Hermes scarf or Chanel skirt because I found it first.  On balance, however, I sleep well at night knowing that my actions are contributing to charitable efforts and convincing the up and coming that there is no shame in shopping thrift. 

Road Trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico.

My husband tore his calf muscle while playing tennis Fourth of July weekend.  Because of this, our vacation plans that we had scheduled for Mexico got canceled and we decided to take a road trip.  Translation, I got to do all the driving.  

We wanted to escape the Houston heat so we headed up to Santa Fe, New Mexico, about a 900-mile drive.  Did I mention I did all of the driving?  Anyway, of course I can't visit a new city without checking out the thrift scene.

Santa Fe only has one Goodwill so this was an all-or-nothing trip.  I honestly didn't have high hopes based off of the horrible 1-star rating that this location received on Yelp.com.  But, I never accept online reviews of thrift stores as true representations since many of the reviewers are not seasoned thrift store shoppers and can be easily scared away if they don't score on their first trip.

I hit the Santa Fe Goodwill on a Sunday morning.  The store was easy to find and had plenty of parking.  Once I walked inside I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was well organized and clean.  I spent about two hours going through the racks and I think that I hit on some major scores!  According the the Yelp reviews, this store had nothing but cheap, out of style clothing that was overpriced.  After looking at my pictures, I'll let you be the judge and decide if these reviews were on target.

Issa London dress!!  A favorite of Kate Middleton!  Retails for around $500+.  Goodwill price $7.99.

Lamarthe leather purse.  Made in Italy.  Goodwill price $6.99!

Hickey Freeman, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Hermes silk ties!  Goodwill price, $2.99/each!!!!

Strapless silk Ann Taylor dress.  Retails for $150+.  Goodwill price, $7.99!

Ralph Lauren khaki shorts.  Goodwill price, $2.99!

Twinkle by Wenlan skirt.  Retails for $200+.  Goodwill price, $6.99!

New with tags Ann Taylor shirt, John Varvatos men's shirt, and Coldwater Creek jacket.

Great shoes, $6.99-$7.99!  Isaac Mizrahi for $6.99!!!!  These are the real deal, not from Target!

So, what do you think?  Does this store deserve these reviews:

• "This particular Goodwill seemed to pull from perhaps a lower-income donation base. A lot of the clothes were brands that come from Wal-Mart, Target, Penney's & the like. You're probably not going to find a Valentino dress hiding in the racks, but you never know :-)"
  
• "I was sooooo disappointed with this Goodwill.  I guess I'm spoiled by the ones in my home area - possibly because they pull from high-end neighbourhoods and always have great stuff to find.  Sadly, this one in Santa Fe just wasn't that way.
  
  It was medium sized, and had a lot of shoes.  Sadly all those shoes were worn out looking.  The clothes were very much "old lady" clothes for the most part.  Mum and I did find a few cotton gauze skirts (in NM in the summer we found we *really* hadn't packed enough lightweight clothing!), but I couldn't find any tops that I even liked."
  
• "One of the worst Goodwill shops I've seen in terms of stuff for sale. I even saw a rusted grater on the shelves -- seriously people??!!  I did see one Staffordshire china cup for 99 cents (hideous) and an occupied Japan serving bowl for $3.99. Where do all the wealthy people of Santa Fe donate their stuff???"

The lesson for the day:  Don't judge a book by its cover!  I'm so glad that I stopped in to this store.  The employees were absolutely delightful and the store was packed with great finds!

Shop Jen's Closet on Live Well Network's Mirror/Mirror!

I am beyond thrilled with how this segment came out!  I was lucky enough to style Mirror/Mirror host Rebecca Spera at Goodwill last month.  Along with styling Rebecca, I also go over some key thrifting tips.

Be sure and check it out!