Don't overlook Goodwill,etc.

[Guest CindyLouCovington]

This topic has been covered before, of course but for any new members it would be helpful to point out that you can get a fantastic amount of clothes for yur money at Goodwill, Salvation Army,St. Vincent de Paul and other charity stores.And a great deal of it is brand new! Apparently some people with more money than they know what to do with buy a complete new wardrobe each year and get rid of their old clothes even if they have never been worn. A lot of it is very good quality,fine materials,expensive brands Of course small sized girls will find a larger selection, but there is plenty in all sizes.You can get nice shoes, leather purses,all kind of stuff for very low prices.You can fill your closets to overflowing without emptying your bank account.

[Guest Edina]

Goodwill is my best shopping friend. I have found $100 size 13 heeled leather boots for $15, $60$ size 12W platform-heel leather loafers for $13 and more skirts and other great plus-sized clothing. Both of the footwear finds were so lightly worn, that I figure that they were probably used by their original owners only once or twice. And one time happened in on a two-for-one sale and snatched up two skirts for $5 I wore them for my first and second times going out dressed in public. Recently I was approached by, and had a nice conversation with a woman who remembered me from shopping at the Goodwill where she works I shop there so much. I may not always come out with something, but when I do it is well worth all the time I take in rifling through the racks.

[Guest Bellexia]

This is very true, they can have pretty dang good deals. I always hit these places and pawnshops up first before large purchases or anything. Even if it does smell like sadness in those places.

[Guest Megan_Lynn]

I just love thrift stores. So many good things can be found in them for decent prices.

[Guest]

Goodwill is my best shopping friend. I have found $100 size 13 heeled leather boots for $15, $60$ size 12W platform-heel leather loafers for $13 and more skirts and other great plus-sized clothing. Both of the footwear finds were so lightly worn, that I figure that they were probably used by their original owners only once or twice. And one time happened in on a two-for-one sale and snatched up two skirts for $5 I wore them for my first and second times going out dressed in public. Recently I was approached by, and had a nice conversation with a woman who remembered me from shopping at the Goodwill where she works I shop there so much. I may not always come out with something, but when I do it is well worth all the time I take in rifling through the racks.

Like your new avatar. I also want to sing from the choir. I need the correct business causal shoes to start my new job next month. I found a really stylish suede black pair of closed toe heels for work. It is peculiar that as I grow on hormones, my feet have gotten more slender. I am out of a wide and into a regular. Now I am blessed with even more stylish tries. Shop on Girl Fren! Giggle. Hug. JodyAnn

[Guest Sarah Faith]

I know this is going to make me sound incredibly spoiled, but... I have never been a fan of buying clothes from these kinds of places. The town I grew up in didn't have these kinds of stores, and my family never wanted to drive over into Mesa to find them. We donated all the time to goodwill though, but we never really bought anything there. Even now that I'm older and in transition I'm not exactly made of money I still stick to the department stores, and online shopping. Though some of the graphic tees I buy you would never find at a thrift store anyways.

For the record I grew up as basically and only child so I never had hand me downs, the idea of wearing possibly pre-worn clothes really grosses me out so that is probably why.

Hugs,

Sarah

[Guest Bellexia]

I know this is going to make me sound incredibly spoiled, but... I have never been a fan of buying clothes from these kinds of places. The town I grew up in didn't have these kinds of stores, and my family never wanted to drive over into Mesa to find them. We donated all the time to goodwill though, but we never really bought anything there. Even now that I'm older and in transition I'm not exactly made of money I still stick to the department stores, and online shopping. Though some of the graphic tees I buy you would never find at a thrift store anyways.

For the record I grew up as basically and only child so I never had hand me downs, the idea of wearing possibly pre-worn clothes really grosses me out so that is probably why.

Hugs,

Sarah

You are so spoiled. Like totes.

[Guest Sarah Faith]

I know this is going to make me sound incredibly spoiled, but... I have never been a fan of buying clothes from these kinds of places. The town I grew up in didn't have these kinds of stores, and my family never wanted to drive over into Mesa to find them. We donated all the time to goodwill though, but we never really bought anything there. Even now that I'm older and in transition I'm not exactly made of money I still stick to the department stores, and online shopping. Though some of the graphic tees I buy you would never find at a thrift store anyways.

For the record I grew up as basically and only child so I never had hand me downs, the idea of wearing possibly pre-worn clothes really grosses me out so that is probably why.

Hugs,

Sarah

You are so spoiled. Like totes.

Lol maybe a little.

Sarah

[Guest Bellexia]

It's ok, I am too, I always get my way :3

[Guest Caliana]

In our area, goodwill has a half off clothing day the first Saturday of the month. Wow!

[Guest LauraJen]

Regretfully I tend to stay away from charity stores because it seems as though you have to physically buy things rather than do it online, which in all honesty I cannot bring myself to do yet. I hate how that is stopping me from supporting a good cause with the added bonus of benefitting myself at the same time, but maybe there will come a time when it will no longer be an issue. I hope so, at least.

[Guest Caren_J]

Another great place is Burlington Coat Factory, I went there today in semi girl mode and bought a cute blouse, and a white Lacey skirt for $40

[Guest sarah_uk]

I love charity shops,

When i first started cross dressing, thats where I bought all my clothing, oddly at the time I seemed to find it relatively easy to do so, now though im finding it

more embarassing and harder to do.

I think thats just down to my depression, it lifts sometimes, and things are easy sometimes, harder other times.

Been using ebay recently, and now my other half knows about my secret, its going to be much easier to buy clothes either in a shop or online as I dont have to hide what I am doing from her.

[Guest ErinMc]

Goodwill/Thrift stores are the way to go. Great bargains with the added bonus of knowing you are helping someone in need(there are too many)

[Guest CassieX]

I donate to Goodwill on a regular basis but have yet to find anything there that I like that fits me. I have been very lucky shopping at outlet stores and finding things on sale for very reasonable prices. Last weekend for example I bought a new, very cute brand name graphic tee for $1.80 at Kohls before discount, so don't really see Thrift stores as a cheaper option. Part of the fun for me in going shopping is hitting the discount racks at my favorite stores and seeing what treasures I can uncover.

Cassie

[Guest meganstar]

My wife and I hit up Goodwills a lot. I of course would love to go through the womens department with her but alas...

This may sound a bit snobbish as well but one of the things we've found is to go the goodwills that border or are in the more... uh... well off... parts of town. You wouldn't believe the deals you can find. I've purchased more linen shirts than I can think of and all of them are Banna Republic or GAP or whatever... and they're all less the $5. Silk too. I know my wife can find some of the cutest things for really cheap as well... I'm so jealous. :-)

On another note with Goodwills... anyone who does craft work can find a lot of potential materials in a thriftstore. Especially if you work with leather. The giant pile of purses usually holds at least two or three real leather bags and for only like $6 or so. I once found an ankle length black leather coat from GAP... for $8! Since I was using it for craftwork I got a ton of leather out of it... nice garment-grade leather too. Would rather have worn it but eh... what can a girl do? :-)

[Guest Sarah21]

I like them, even if it's just for a quick browse.

There are so many these days, but it's easy to tell which ones are worth visitiing again by the appearance of the shop, the staff and obviously the clothes.

Unlike going to a department store, you never know what you're going to see and every item is unique.

Of course that's the downside as well, if I'm looking for something specific I always go to a department strore.

As someone said, it's donating to charity and getting a cute purchase in retun is a win win situation.

[mara13]

I don't know if this is the same for all Goodwills, but ours sells by weight for most items, and cloth doesn't weigh much. But searching through the bins can be a hastle. Some times even dangerous, if there is broken glass in the bin.

[gennee]

About 95% of my clothing comes from thrift shops.

[Guest Sarah21]

Wasn't sure where to post this so apologies if it's in the wrong section, but I had two horrible experiences in the same shop in the last six months and it just happened to be a charity shop.

I love to shop and I go to all the regular shops, I always shop in drab mode and never have any problems.
As I mentioned in an earlier post I like going to charity shops as well as I can pick up something that might be a once off, plus given that I don't try the clothes on, it's a cheap mistake if it doesn't fit.
The main plus is that the money is going to Charity so it's a win win.

Right, so on to my rant.

About six months ago I was shopping on a Saturday and I had bought a lovely purple bracelet and matching ring earlier in the day and decided to wear them when shopping as they were subtle and I was wearing long sleeves so you couldn't see the bracelet.
I went into a charity which I had been in a few times before.

I was browsing the dresses rail when I heard a bell ring,
I didn't think anything of it until a few minutes later I heard some laughter behind me coming from the cashiers desk.
When i went in to the shop there was one woman behind the cashier desk and now there was three, she had obviously rang the bell to call the other two women out of the back room to look at me.

I thought I was paranoid at first until one woman (the one who rang the bell) referred to me using a derogatory name when talking to the other two women.
I just left. I don't like to cause a fuss and I felt very self conscious.

I went back in there today, as they have lovely things in there, wearing no jewelry this time and had put the first episode down to a bad experience with an ignorant person.
I was in the shop 5 minutes when the same woman appeared standing behind me with a young girl who was working there as well.
She was actually crowding me and told the young girl to watch and learn from this and that she wouldn't learn this from any book in how to deal with me (she used another derogatory term .

I just felt so angry and embarrassed, wondering what I should say back to her when the tears started to flow and I and ran out of the shop.
I heard her say "I told you you" to the young girl as I left.

This can't be right. How can a woman like that work in Charity shop. Anything I would have bought would have gone to Charity.
Why was she so mean?
I know I should have said something but I hate confrontation.
Sorry for the long rant.

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Sarah21,

I am very sorry to hear about the way you were treated in the charity shops.

I am sure that there are more charity shops that you can shop in and WILL be treated with Respect.

Ranting is Good because you feel better letting out your pain.

I hope that your future shopping in charity shops will be much more pleasant.

I wish you Success and Happiness on your Journey.

Stay Happy and Healthy.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest Sarah21]

Thanks Carla.

I do feel better after ranting.

It wouldn't bother me if I ever went it to that shop again but I'm concerned how other people in a similar position will be treated.

[Charlize]

Sarah, that is a nasty story. I'm sorry you have had that experience. I don't think that is unique to thrift stores. Ugly, mean people can be anywhere. If you want to go back i might consider talking to the management and asking them to mussel the offending clerk.

Hugs,

Charlie

[Ravin]

I love Goodwill. I clothe my kids and myself from there, as well as find materials for re-making/crafting. My personal favorite items are ties, which I can find in excellent condition for $2/ea., in designer brands that would be pricey new. I get my dress shirts and pants there too. When I dressed like a girl I also found things to suit my quirky sense of style and desire to hide my body, at the same time--not an easy feat.

[Guest]

Miss Jody is sweetness and light, but if treated this way I would return with two or three of my genetic girl friends. We could each load up a sizable purchase to your Miss Bigot's cash register. Politely ask for the management and then explain to the person my hurt feeling at the deplorable treatment. Then walk out leaving the less than friendly cashier to ring the purchases back out and put them away. Managers understand money lost. Just the sweet B that I can be. Giggle. Hug. Our money is valuable too. JodyAnn