I was walking back home from work the other evening when I noticed a small shop on Lexington Avenue I had never seen before. I stepped in and discovered a thrift store, selling good quality clothes, accessories and home décor at unbeatable prices. I started the hunt.
I first went through the tops, skirts and pants (organized by color, love the idea), then the shoes and jewelry. Part of me was like “really, do I want to wear other people’s clothes…gross?”, but the other part of me was like “I am tired of spending a fortune on average quality clothing that always looks the same.”
I carefully checked the items, all in excellent condition. They are laundered and/or pressed before being put on display. Not a stain, not a wrinkle. Most of them look like they have never been worn. Most of them are foreign brands, from Austria, Thailand, France…
That day, I picked a few items and tried them on. Lucky me, they all fit, so I must be an average size for the city. I left with a bracelet, a pair of boots and three skirts for $100.
But mostly I left with a sense of satisfaction. Affordable prices, eco-friendly approach, the money collected by this particular store goes to victims of AIDS and the homeless. So, what else do I need? To go back, of course, since they have new arrivals every day. And I have been back a few times already…
Have you had similar experiences, in NY or elsewhere? Do you have recommendations or tips? And if not, if you have second-hand shops near you, why not give them a try?
Happy shopping,
Evelyne
Evelyne Fallows Author 