After losing 50 pounds since August, I really needed some new clothes. My XXL shirts look like tents on me. Can’t really afford a bunch of new shirts and pants so I grudgingly went to a local thrift store. Managed to get 8 shirts and 4 pairs of pants for $47! Some of the shirts still had tags attached.
I figure once I get to maintenance, I’ll stop by again never know what I’ll find!
I may need to try that one of these days. Down 90 lbs and still wearing the 4xl shirts and mostly the same jeans with suspenders. Not quite 1/2 way to goal so I hesitate to spend money on clothes.
I tried the thrift store route but it doesn’t really work for me because women’s clothing tends to reek of perfume and I’m allergic. Washing doesn’t always get rid of it, but just walking into a thrift store is difficult because there’s also mold, smoke, and dust from hundred’s of people’s homes in the air.
I have the same issue with retail clothing, but often if I dig in the very back I can find something that wasn’t tried on by a woman reeking of perfume. That is, if the only route to the women’s section isn’t through the make up and perfume section in the first place! Doing a lot more online shopping these days!
Our family frequently donates and shops at our local Goodwill stores. Especially on sale days. January 1st is half off most clothing sale. I do not know how we could afford to buy the clothes we needed at a regular store. It is also great so that we don’t feel bad donating our clothes when they get too big because we didn’t pay too much for them at the start.
During my initial 180 pound loss 7 years ago I started thrifting. I am now the queen of it. Lol. Yesterday I picked up a couple items at a Goodwill Boutique where they only sell designer brands.
I just went through my closet and found some old friends I put in the back since they didn’t fit. Haven’t been to a thrift store yet, but plan to, since most of the clothes I have are at least 2 sizes to big.
Oh yea, thrift store shopping is still my saving grace to dress well for work and not break the bank. Secondhand stores rule and I have some really nice clothes that fit and feel well after a 70 pound loss.
I pride myself on buying mostly thrift store now. It’s like a treasure hunt and you save sooo much money. I’ve found some amazing things there. The only thing is you may need to go often. It’s always helpful to have a list of things your are looking for to focus your search.
I also got a special cleaner from Amazon that takes out most of the odors you will find. Because I shop there so much, the cleaner was one of my Christmas gifts. LOL.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HZXGAHQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I try not to get things that reek. I hate fabric softener and don’t use it because of the chemicals.
My best find was a BOSU trainer (normally $80ish). I got it for $3.
I also found a great pair of black athletic pants that I almost wear every single day for like $5.
Adding a cup of vinegar to the wash also works well as an odor remover
I do quite a bit of thrift and consignment shopping for myself and my three daughters. I went to a Volunteers of America shop yesterday and bought 2 shirts and a pair of jeans for $8.00. I do add vinegar to the wish to help with any offending odors.
I have very sensitive skin so I have to be very careful with other people’s clothing. On the other hand, a lot of the new clothing that comes from other countries seems to be bathed in chemicals as well. I wash both used and new clothing in a soda ash soap (Nellys) and borax – the borax is especially helpful in getting out perfume and other smells. You can imagine I can’t use regular detergent as that just makes me itch all day long. Then I use wool dryer balls in order to not have to use dryer sheets.
Here in CT, Savers is the best thrift store - they have their clothing on racks according to size. Always drives me crazy that Goodwill organizes by color so the clothes racks look like a rainbow. Really, does anyone go to the store and say, I want a blue shirt, any size? sheesh. So it’s harder to find something that fits there.
One of the best things about thrifting is that the clothes are already washed, they aren’t going to change size when you wash & dry them.
Thrifting is a good idea. My 3XL clothes are getting too big after losing 75+lbs and I don’t plan on being in 2XL for much of 2017. Save some money and still look good.
