Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men

This time of year I join the masses in cleaning out my closet (I'm sorry mama) and shlepping everything I haven't worn in 2015 to the nearest Goodwill. 'Tis the season of tax incentives helping those less fortunate.

One day, however, I made my way into the Goodwill store in my upscale 'hood after being brainwashed with a hazy desire to pop some tags and spend that $20 in my pocket. I now acknowlege that experience as a major life event.

This was the day my snotty turned-up nose was replaced by my wolfhound bargain blood sniffing one. It started with a Marc Jacobs plain grey tee and then turned into a bi-weekly treasure hunt obsession.

The selfish side of me really wants to keep this hand close to the chest, but in a last ditch effort to tip the naughty vs. nice scale in my favor, here is my roster + some tips should you decide to join us schitzo second-hand gently-used vintage GW shoppers.

This week's score: (in case you need some convincing):

Equipment 100% silk button-down blouse- $4.99
Michael Stars long-sleeve v-neck tee- $3.99
Cole Haan black suede knee-high boots- $19.99
Daughters of the Liberation black velvet blazer- $6.99
Lush black flowy blouse- $4.99
 

Ok so I don't want to paint this experience to be all sunshine and tits.  My first expedition included some cold sweats, feeling overwhelmed, and in dire need of some alcohol. I've had some feedback from pals inspired by my experiences who have turned up empty-handed and blue-balled. Here are some tips I can offer that I've picked up along the way that will hopefully keep the frustrations minimal:

1. Don't go in looking for specifics
2. Don't go short on time. Go prepared to look through EVERY.THING. All the things. As in, start at the rack closest to you and work your way from there.
3. While perusing these racks, make it quicker by keeping your eye on the tags and your hand feeling the material/quality of the goods. I'm not saying everything you find there should be designer, but sometimes that sweater you might have overlooked ends up being 100% cashmere and as it turns out eggplant actually looks pretty effing awesome on you.
4. Try on! Just because you found a pair of Mothers jeans for $5.99 does NOT mean you should grab them for principal's sake. Make sure the duds actually fit or you'll be paying $5.99 to take up valuable closet space and then sending them back from wence they came from December 2016.
5. Consider a tailor/cobbler. On the flipside of that sizing coin, if it's just a matter of a little taking in or the heels just need a little TLC then by all means.
6. Don't forget the glass (locked) cases. Ask someone with a key to open sesame and pull up a chair as you inspect what's going on in there. Typically it's obvious 'name' brands (see tip #7) but usually everything is stacked on top of each other and not visible without getting in there. This week there were some Gucci sandals tucked away, but not my style so they're still posting up if there are any size 8 takers...
7. Goodwill is NOT staffed by fashion whores. Do not head straight to the glass cases and fool yourself into thinking you'll be able to bypass the racks. Yes, sometimes there's amazing shit in there and all the time there are brands like Coach, Michael Kors, and Sevens- not hating, just saying when the staff decides what goes into these cases they might not have the most discerning eye. Often you'll find price variances that make NO sense and much chicer crap out on the floor.
8. Consider the 'hood. Do I need to spell it out? If you go to the Goodwill down in the barrio you'll be getting the cast-offs from the local cholas.

So go while the gettin's good if we cross paths deep in the throws just know gloves are off.

Love, Jeanie