Buying new clothes

[boysrus]

Am I the only one here who cannot buy new clothes?
My boys and I went out to get dh some Xmas presents. I went to Marshalls and found this beautiful DOckers sweater for $16.99. I was going to buy it, and even headed towards the register, but stopped before I reached there. We went over and picked up some cologne instead (You can't buy cologne used )
Then I went to Value VIllage and bought him a Geoffrey Beene sweater, an Eddie Bauer long sleeve knit shirt and a Gap colored tee-shirt. All were in brand new condition (excpet the collar of the Gap T needed a little bit of sewing) and my total for the three shirts was $5. When I was in Marshalls I realized that just because it was a gift, that wasn't enough justification to pay so much more for a piece of clothing. And I knew my dh would apprieciate bargain thrift clothes more than brand new ones.
Anyone else run into this? I can buy new if I can find super duper clearance, but it really needs to be an amazing deal.

[jennlyn]

No, you are not alone. I do the same thing. I mostly shop retail for things I cannot buy used. Why would I shop at the mall when I can get things that are new or near new at the thrift store? I feel that by saving money and staying within our budget I am ensuring that I can continue to stay home.

[normajean]

I love resale shops. Traditionally growing up, we have a "Christmas Outfit" to wear to church the sunday before Christmas I want to do that with my kids, and I was looking at new...but I couldn't bring myself to pay $40 each. So I went to a resale shop & found a sweater for DS for $6 and a dress for DD for $4. The kicker was that the sweater for DS was identical (just didn't have tags) to the one I'd been looking at at the store.

[Mama Dragon]

Not for gifts, but for my own clothes. I tell myself I can better afford used clothes so I don't get anything that I like at the department stores, then never (ever) find anything that looks good or fits at thrift stores. I have 5 pairs of jeans in my size from a thrift store that technically fit, but they are so uncomfortable. I'd rather have one pair of brand new levis

[kijip]

I used to be like that in college, when I was both thin enough to easily find my size at the thrift shops and not employed in a job that demands professional appearance. I can't walk into any value village in town and find flattering pants and the like in my size, so I buy new. I buy quality and make it last and don't go overboard but I buy new 95% of the time for me now.

[mamamilkers]

Oh I SO would, but DF is 6'7" and I'm 6' so it's virtually impossible to find clothes that fit us in the thrift store.

[boysrus]

I am six foot and I am able to find things that fit. It can be a hassle though, and I may force myself to buy some new pants so I can get a great fit.

[cappuccinosmom]

lol. I haven't bought new in years. Even Dollar General discounts are too much, when I can get better quality for less at the thrift store next door.

[SugarAndSun]

Wow! We have a lot of tall women here. I'm 5'10" and I find stuff in the thrift store. I can find pretty goof dress stuff, but have a harder time finding casual stuff. One thrift store has a spcial section that has nice stuff, but it is all pricey. I found a great pair of J. Crew cords there, but they were $20. I had to pass, though I did spring for the $20 cashmere sweater I am wearing.

[bwylde]

I find it very, very hard. I am a very big woman who has no luck in finding clothes second hand but it kills me to buy new. I even went in with $145 in gift certificates and I just could not pay $30 for a blouse, which was half off (actually, I bought it and returned it over the guilt of cost; I'm going to wait when the things are on sale at a greater reduction). Fortunately everyone else in the house can find used easily! Even more fortunately I have a friend who has a doctor friend the same size as me who gives me all the clothes she no longer wants

[Sharlla]

I buy thrift or trading boards mostly. I will buy new if their is a clearance sell. The only time I buy new/full price is if it's something I want badly and can't find elsewhere. I always check the beards first though, I just bought a $150 pair of boots for $15 +shipping here.

[Benji'sMom]

I bought myself some new pants for work (great clearance deal) but other than those, my clothes are used. For sure all my shirts are used. You know, it even irks me when buy a knit shirt, that I would not consider a sweater, just a knit tshirt, but the Salvation Army calls it a sweater so they can sell it for $2 instead of $1! So I'm irritated that I had to pay $2 for my J Crew "sweater". But it fits so well, I guess it was work the $2.

[sanguine_speed]

I do buy used clothes for the kids a lot of the time, however I do find that around here I can purchase new on sale for the same price as resale, and with more selection. So, I often shop at Gymboree when they have the big sales like "save an additional 30% off already reduced prices" and I pay $5 for a top I would pay $5 for at a consignment store. Our thrift stores also charge a lot for quality used items versus what I hear about on MDC. For DH, he needs appropriate work clothes and has a 36" inseam. It's hard to find nice pants for him at the thrift store. In fact, I've never been successful. But, he does have some casual clothing from the thrift store. For me, I have a difficult body shape (big butt versus smaller waist plus a very short inseam). I find that for $29 I can buy a new pair of jeans that fits me well and doesn't require any alterations. I have purchased a few pairs of pants at the thrift store, but they were never very comfortable and I ended up not really wearing them anyway.

For the kids, I'm really finding that poorer quality items don't stand up for the younger sibling(s). I'm agreeing more and more with myself that sometimes it is better to spend more on a quality item that will last.

[Belleweather]

Other than my interview suit and my wedding dress, I don't think I've bought anything new and full priced since High School. Pretty much the only thing I buy 'new' (which means basically 'new, but on clearance') is jeans and that's only because I'm hard on my jeans and have had one too many experiences of ripping out a crotch or a rear end in a used pair in public.

ALL of the rest of our clothes come from the thrift store. I just can't bring myself to pay department store prices for anything anymore -- not to mention that I have to take greater care in washing it and worry if it gets stained from playing with the kidlet or if I get sick of it in a few months.

[shayinme]

I rarely find good stuff for myself from my local thrift stores, there is only 1 place I go to and always have luck and its a more upscale/funky consignment shop which means pants cost at least $10 used. Which is not always a deal since a lot of times new stuff on sale at places like Marshalls & TJ Maxx is comparable on price. I do have luck as far as dd's stuff from the thrift stores.

Shay

[Einen]

I used to be that way when I had time to go to thrift stores at least once or twice a week. Now I have no desire to thrift with my 3 kids in tow. Now I shop sales online and we get a lot of clothing as gifts. I also sew most of dd1's dresses.

[GoddessKristie]

Oh gosh, I just have to tell you my story. A week ago my son suddenly outgrew all his 12 mos PJ's. Since he needed new ones anyway I went to get him some for Christmas. The first store I went into had sleepers for $20 apiece. $20!! I nearly passed out!!
I hunted around and got one sleeper for 3.50 and four sets of pants and shirt pj's for $5 apiece. All new, but at that price I wasn't complaining. Besides I had already shopped the second hand stores and couldn't find anything at all!

[beansricerevolt]

Originally Posted by cappuccinosmom

lol. I haven't bought new in years. Even Dollar General discounts are too much, when I can get better quality for less at the thrift store next door.

:

[Ruthiegirl]

I pick and choose what I buy new and what I buy second hand. Levi's go one sale 2 for $40 and I will buy 2 pairs. Those last me a few years (assuming I am not pregnant or overweight ). I buy a new pair of shoes once a year. Shirts, blouses, sweaters, skirts, coats, scarves, handbags, most of those things are bought used for $1-8 a piece. I do buy t-shirts new. They go on sale for $5-7 and I buy a couple each year. They don't seem to last and the used ones are always stretched out and stained.

ETA -- The kids clothes are all second hand except underwear.

[Tera_&_Gibson]

I tend to by most pants and shoes new. The rest of what I wear is used. Unless it is a gift. My DS wears mostly used as well. DH now he is another story. I always look for him when thrifting or garage sailing but rarely find him anything used. I do a lot of shopping at garage sales and buy the next size up for DS regularly.