I want to buy some androgynous clothing but I am on a budget, will i be able to find what i am looking for at thrift stores or discount stores?
I recommend thrift stores for any trans person. Its great to build the beginning of your wardrobe FAST with spending way less money.
At my local thrift everything is usually a dollar and some days 75 cents.
You just have to be very patient when thrifting, go through every rack, don't be afraid and think people are gonna think you're crazy.
its practically free good quality clothes.
oh and that's another thing(I'm sure its obvious tho), its to check EVERYWHERE on the item you pick from a rack before putting it in your cart. check for tears, stains, anything that is not suppose to be there that you couldn't fix on your own. most stains will usually come out when you bring them home and wash them, but there are the very stubborn ones and then it will be up to you to decide if it would be a problem for you.
I started shopping at thrifts as a kid with my mom because she was a super bargain hunter, got in the habit and continue as an adult even though I can afford to shop at new goods store just as well. Thrift stores offer certain advantages over new goods stores, I find. There's greater variety and lots of surprises. Everything is prewashed and preshrunken. And, of course, there's the prices.
There are certain types of clothing I prefer to buy at thrifts and certain things I buy only new. I love to buy woven shirts/tops, jackets and, sometimes, jeans at thrift shops. I rarely buy knitted clothes at thrifts, though. I would never buy underwear or shoes at a thrift shop, though they sell them.
Some thrift store shopping tips: 1) Go often. Good items go fast at thrifts, so you need to make the rounds frequently to scored goodies. If you can find out the days/times they add new stock that can help. You may make 3-4 dry trips before finding something good that fits. 2) I've had the best luck with Goodwill stores. While I've found some good things at Salvation Army, this is rare and prices there can vary wildly. Little independent thrifts can have anything, so it's always good to look (I bought an unopened copy of 1 yr old MS Office Pro for $15 at one once). 3) If possible, wash clothing items warm with disinfectant when you get home, as a precaution.
~ Lyric ~
Garage/yard sales to Goodwill to high end used clothing stores and of course new stuff off the discount racks.
I rarely will buy if I can't get a deal.
I run into Trans* people at the Goodwill a lot of times.
I haven't been any good there at getting shoes or boots my size.
The larger sizes go fast. But there is a kinda high end used store that usually have my size.
My favorite place is just a couple blocks from my therapist. It's a high end woman's used clothing store.
The ladies there treat me right and don't mind me using their dressing rooms.
There is one gal there that is really good at helping me find a good fit. That makes for a nice shopping trip.
I'm not the only Trans* that shops there, just like at any store.
So I don't worry about whether someone likes it or not. I just assume they are jealous anyways. ;)
Ativan
I've shopped at thrift stores for years! There's a really nice high end consignment store in my town, the owner often suggests items for me and offers advice of what might go with something. There's also a really nice church thrift shop in town, I just found a great dress and skirt there on Sat. The volunteer salespeople are getting used to me ;D
Z
Dont forget about Ebay
This is what I bought last month
Got all 5 Torrid Skirts for 99 cents (no Shipping fees)..New with Tags (they sell for 190 dollars on Torrid right now...I got them for 99 cents)
Dress with white white shrug 5 dollars (no Shipping fees)...New with Tags (At TheLoft this dress sells for 65 dollars...Shrug sells for 30 dollars)
2 new Sweaters for 10 dollars (3.00 dollars Shipping) New with Tags (Kohls...these sell for 35 a piece...got both for 10)
I have found that ebay (for me) was much cheaper than Salvation Army where I live (where each article of clothing is 5 to 6 dollars).
I need to explore shopping on line. Problem is, I'm a "toucher" I like to feel things. But with prices like that I could afford to make a mistake in a purchase once in a while and still come out way ahead.
My first places to go for retail therapy are thrift shops. The prices are hard to beat. Depending on where you are, the selection can really suck.
Androgenous is in the eye of the beholder. But yes, womens stuff is not all girlie-girlie. Plenty of jeans and tees as well as sweaters and jackets