“How and when do you shop for clothes?”
I used to love thrifting. I was a Thrift Queen™ from my teens onward. But I am finding it hard now for so many reasons.
Obviously, post-childbirth, my body is a new shape and size. That makes it hard to shop — period. I don’t know what size to try on or what silhouettes might look right on me. But I’m finding it even harder to thrift.
The main reason, I think, is because there are many different brands in a thrift store so it’s harder to say, “OK, size X doesn’t fit me, let me try size Y,” and if size Y fits, I can try on a bunch of pants or shirts or dresses or whatever in that size and find something that works. In a thrift store, I’m just blindly pulling things off the rack in a spread of random sizes, hoping I hit the jackpot.
Another thing is I don’t have a ton of time. Today, for example, after my son went down for his nap, I wolfed down a sandwich and raced out to a thrift store 20 minutes away. My husband was home, but I didn’t want to be gone ages and ages and miss out on time with my kid, so I had a limited window to try on clothes. That’s not ideal for thrifting.
The other thing, of course, is the theme of this newsletter: I’m in the process of figuring out who I am now that I’m a mom. I’m not just a mom, but I’m also not the same as I was before. So I’m developing a new style that suits my new identity. This might be easier if I could identify a couple of stores that work for the “new me,” but I am not made of money! So I’m still thrifting. But girl, it ain’t what it used to be. Or I’m not. Or something. It’s rough out there.
Anyway! I tried to thrift today and had some luck. And I took pictures, because I wanted to take you on a shopping journey with me. So off we go!
I hit the Junior League thrift store in Ardmore, PA
My friend Emily from my book club recommended the Junior League thrift store that’s just outside Philly (where I live). I don’t know much about the Junior League, but Emily says they have a donation quota for their members (?!) so the store often has pretty cute stuff.
I was wearing one of my “uniforms” — ripped jeans, sweatshirt, ankle boots.
I was actually really impressed by the selection and organization in the store. Things were organized by size and item type on the racks, and there was nothing strewn about on the floor or elsewhere. I picked up about eight or nine items and headed to the fitting room. The pants were… a bust.
But then I moved on to shirts and dresses and found some winners!
A pocketed dress
This yellow dress looks kind of so-so-y in this photo but it made me feel so happy. Yellow is my favorite color, and it has pockets!
A spotted blouse
I am not usually a blouse person — I lean more towards sweatshirts, T-shirts, and button-downs — but sometimes I channel my best friend Ashley, a blouse-wearing pro, and find a professional top that makes me feel giddy.
I was almost ready to check out when I spotted a rack of jackets. And one thing that will probably never change about me: I love a jacket. I found two.
First up, this thing
Yes, this is a long sweater “jacket” with a faux-fur collar. I don’t know. Don’t ask. I just love it and can’t wait to wear it in my home office when I’m freezing.
And finally, whatever this is
I’m obsessed with this white jacket for a number of reasons.
It has shoulder pads.
The hip young person who bagged up my items (probably no older than age 18) said it was cool.
After I brought it home I discovered it was “crafted in an artisan way” in Old Quebec City. I am not from Quebec City, but as a Canadian, I’m obligated to always root for all things Canada. So here we are. Go Canada!
So there you have it. I thrifted, I scored, I’m very pleased.
Tell me the best thing you’ve bought lately?