Final Thoughts

Based on my first Housing Works Buy the Bag experience, I've extrapolated a set of general principles that work for me:

• Due to my weird height and frame (5', average weight, short torso, not much of a waist), it's tough for me to find pants that fit well. Unless I can try them on, I won't be thrifting too many pairs of pants in the future, which is a shame since they are such a great bargain. I got seven pairs during the Buy the Bag event but I'm only going to keep three, maybe four pairs. They're not like super-awesome-amazing either. Nice but just okay.


• I will stick to tunics, sweaters, and dress shirts. These tend to be expensive and generic-looking at stores such as H&M, Gap, Banana Republic, and the like.


• Keeping a look out for patterns and colors is the best way to sift through the madness.


• Brainstorm a shopping list to stay focused while shopping.

Pros...

• It's cheap, duh. 8-)


• When shopping at a mall or SoHo, it's exhausting to walk from store to store. When thrifting, there is a plethora of great labels all in one spot. Sweet.


• At Housing Works at least, I seem to be the perfect size for thrifting as most stuff I picked up was perfect for me. Yay for average-sized girls!

Cons...

• Can't try stuff on and there are no returns. Boo.


• Shopping euphoria/shopping in the moment can lead to unwise purchases.

I never knew thrift shopping could be so fun. I'm definitely hooked and will continue to add thrifted items to my wardrobe.