Boom times for 'gently used' clothes

[Liberal_in_LA]

http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/03/news/companies/recession_recycling/index.htm?section=money_mostpopular


Boom times for 'gently used' clothes
One retail chain that sells used children's apparel and toys is seeing big sales and traffic increases, even in high-income neighborhoods.

See all CNNMoney.com RSS FEEDS (close) By Parija B. Kavilanz, CNNMoney.com senior writer
March 4 2008: 7:58 AM EST

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"In tougher economic times, you'd think more people would grab the cash," Bond said. Instead, more customers are opting for store credit, he said.

"To me it indicates their perception of how long the downturn may go on. So they're anticipating they'll be back a couple of times to the store," Bond said.

[Mojambo]

1. I've been buying used clothes for my entire adult life.

I'm not thrilled with the increased competition that this economic downturn is bringing.

[Liberal_in_LA]

2. I figure that used clothes are higher quality than the thin, cheap stuff sold at Wal mart/Target,etc

[Mojambo]

4. Exactly! n/t

[Warpy]

9. That's why I've stopped buying them

I needed to dress out of thrift shops most of my life. I didn't have an alternative.

Now that I do, I contribute back. I know that it's likely ten people have taken my place in needing to wear used clothing. I don't want to compete with them when I don't have to.

[Liberal_in_LA]

10. U don't have to worry about competition. The US has an excess of used clothes that r sent overseas

The clothes are kept on the rack for a short time, then bundled for over seas market. Our disposable socity has more than enough used clothing.

[Warpy]

28. I know that, but I'm a terrible snob

and I only go for the really good stuff. It comes from making a lot of my clothing back when I could get decent fabrics instead of the cheap, sleazy stuff quilters and crafters use.

Since I can afford it retail, that's what I'm doing.

[ThomWV]

3. I don't wear anything but blue jeans anymore and they all come from E-Bay

I know the style number I like, I know my size, I know never to pay more than $10 a pair. Most of the ones I get are like new, often with just a single washing, sometimes still with the labels on.

[Mojambo]

5. Never thought of getting clothes on Ebay...

I'll have to check that out.

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. Lots of good deals there. No need to pay rack price anymore.

[Telly Savalas]

18. That's a great idea

Thanks for the tip!

[Silver Gaia]

22. Oh yeah! I buy lots of clothes on eBay!

You can find some fantastic deals there if you know what you want. I've gotten some wonderful clothes -- sweaters, jackets, skirts, dresses, jeans -- as well as shoes and boots on eBay.

If there's a particular brand you like and you know what size fits you, you're all set. If not, most of the time, the seller will list the measurements of a garment. If they don't, ask them to measure it for you. If you are unsure what measurements fit you, just measure a comparable garment you already have that you like how it fits, and compare the measurements. I've had great luck doing this.

You can ask them for measurements of shoes, too -- like overall length and width at the widest part -- and make the same sort of comparison to shoes you already have.

Oftentimes, things will be nearly new -- bought a wrong size, didn't like it when they got it home, etc. -- and sometimes even still have tags on them. If it's used, I'd advise to always wash before trying on, just to be on the safe side.

Have fun shopping! :D

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. There's plenty of empty-suit politicians in DC that could donate

to their constituents.

[AlCzervik]

8. if you hang dry things they last much longer, i've lost a lot of weight and everything i can

have taken in i do and i dry almost nothing. All that lint in your dyer used to be part of your clothes, hang em and you'll save yourself some money.

[Liberal_in_LA]

11. Interesting. Thanks for the tip.

[AlCzervik]

12. it works and the bonus besides the other things, stuff doesn't shrink.

[1monster]

25. All that lint in my dryer has a very large amount of cat and dog hair in it...

[earth mom]

13. I was in Ross the other day. I could NOT believe how cheap the clothes have become.

Worse than anything I've seen in the dollar store or at K Mart-both stores that I can't stand and have rarely been inside of. I've shopped Ross for years and I prefer it to the mall because I can save money plus get quality name brands like Liz Claiborne, Ralph Lauren, Birkenstock, Born, etc. The other day, there were little if any good name brands-some Columbia & Quicksilver & Levi for the guys-but most everything else was garbage IMNSHO.

I shop thrift stores too, and have scored gorgeous stuff for a song, but you have to really hunt for good stuff there more often than not. That's why I depend on Ross and also TJ Maxx when I really need something specific like new shoes. But I don't think I'll be able to so much anymore. They are obviously cutting corners-could it be the cost of fuel to bring all those containers from China to the U.S.?! What I saw there looks like more evidence to me that the economy is really in a downward spiral.

What with all the depressing and distressing financial news here on DU today I'm getting pretty freaked out and have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. :yoiks: :wow:

[Liberal_in_LA]

14. ..clothing made of that thin, stretchy, fake material. It will wear out and stain so quickly. n/t

[earth mom]

20. That's exactly what the clothes looked like! I couldn't believe people would be willing

to spend a dime on any of it!

There is more value for your money at the thrift store these days for sure, just as long as you have some patience and aren't looking for something specific.

[cap]

27. it's 3rd world manufactured clothing ... we've just imported their styles over here

I remember that back in the 80's that's what made us look different from India and China. Now we look like them.

[Whisp]

15. one of the best recycling ideas.

I Detest shopping in malls - I just can't hack it, I want to run the hell off. I sweat in the change rooms and usually buy the wrong thing in a hurry because I can't stand it.

but at a thrift store I have fun.

go figure.

[Liberal_in_LA]

16. No one's eyeballing u cuz they think you'll steal their crap. Thrift store peep leave you the hell

alone.

[riderinthestorm]

17. I buy all my clothes at the used clothing stores

For all of us. Now that my daughters' buy their own clothes, I give them what I would have spent on a new birthday outfit and they can go buy what they want, wherever they want. Instead of heading to the mall, they go directly to the used clothing outlets like Plato's Closet and even Goodwill. They know they'll find great clothes at a fraction of the price and usually with some cash left over.

Win, win.

My husband gets 10 rugby and/or polo shirts from Goodwill for Christmas every year from "Santa". They are typically brand new, really excellent quality name brands like Ralph Lauren with tags even, and I never spend more than $20. He's really hard on clothes - he trashes them pretty quickly and I would be horrified if I'd spent a ton of money on an item that got an enormous grease stain on it when he went to tighten the tractor belt. By just paying $2/each, it's no problem.

[mod mom]

19. I do it for environmental reasons.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

21. I have bought used clothes for years. I loved going to thrift shops. I buy on eBay now..both

used and new are reasonable. I just bought a beautiful $300 Kenneth Cole handbag for $15.00.

[shraby]

23. I always call shopping at thrift stores

beating the system.

[1monster]

24. I've been buying gently used clothing for a couple of years now and I dress

far better than I used to.

I can get an entire outfit for four to six dollars, in good fabrics and deigner lables.

Heck, I got a beautiful evening gown with a beaded bodice and three layer chiffon skirt for SIX DOLLARS!

I love those "gently used" clothes!

Psst: Don't tell too many people about it or all the best buys will be gone before we get there!

[Sal Minella]

26. My daughter is a teacher and dresses up and always looks very professional, and all her clothes

come from her favorite little boutique, The Salvation Army Store. It's easy to find specific brands/sizes/items on e-bay.