Ive got good news for anyone whose shy about shopping.
If it's in your area, visit the Goodwill Outlet store. This is where they send all the stuff they cant sell in the regular Goodwill.
Basically you pay for clothes BY THE POUND. The clerk does not even look at the clothes you just throw them on a scale. The clerk doesn't even bag the clothes!
ST. Vinny's near me has what they call a bag sale. Anything you can fit into a paper grocery bag for $5. That would also work if you can find such a thing in your area.
The various goodwill stores are a boon to budding crossdressers/ts persons. I've been in my local one several times and no one even looked at me as I was obviously rooting thru the womens wear and shoes. The cashier even commented "nice shoes" on some red heels I had chosen :D
Folks, I'm kinda in between on the " Looks scale " I mean I dress in slacks and flats and a woman's top on account of my job as a part time professional driver . The subject of Goodwill came up. Hey , I buy 87 % of my clothes from Goodwill ! I also recomend the Goodwill on Midlothian Pike or U S 60 in Richmond Virginia's South side . Now while the clothes are sold by the pound , you don't have the luxury of the dressing room and for me , uh it's kind of a gamble . See, Im not always a perfect 16-18 bottom and a 20 top. Still , I seldom get a second look when I try on a womans blazer from the bins .
Meanwhile if yer in town and wanna go shopping , look me up ! I'm always happy to go with someone to try and help determine sizes and styles apperoperate for someone ! Ellen Shaver
i got a great pair of seamed stockings for 1.99 at goodwill
OHHHHHH.......... I'm envious ! Ellen Shaver 8)
Most of my wardrobe came from the Salvation Army store.
Goodwill is apparently opening up a fw stores in towns close buy - I've not been to one but the SA store is the same basic concept.
Still, I have a lot of trouble finding the right sort of blouses that I want in my size.
I've bought 95% of my clothing from Goodwill or Salvation Army. Found some real gems too.
Gennee
:)
Hey Bethany,
Great suggestion about getting clothes from the goodwill outlet store.
For what it is worth, I have bought women's clothing from every store imaginable. From Express, Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, Macy's, Sears, WalMart. In all cases, no one ever even flinches or asks any questions. The cashiers simply ring up the clothes, bag them, and tell you the price. The only questions I have ever been asked is.. cash or charge? Or do you have a <store> card? You will save 20% on your current purchase.
Brenda
Quote from: bernii on August 20, 2009, 11:19:25 PM
Hey Bethany,
For what it is worth, I have bought women's clothing from every store imaginable. From Express, Victoria's Secret, Old Navy, Macy's, Sears, WalMart. In all cases, no one ever even flinches or asks any questions. The cashiers simply ring up the clothes, bag them, and tell you the price. The only questions I have ever been asked is.. cash or charge? Or do you have a <store> card? You will save 20% on your current purchase.
Brenda
Brenda - that's my experience too, all they really want to do is make the sale.
I have used thrift type stores alot, good for the budget, never got a word about my purchases
I also shop at goodwill, and the only time iv been dressed while shopping at goodwill, it was an experience like nothing else. I will have to tell you all more details later on. The store was filled with older lady's and was not talked to nor looked at any differently dressed as a girl.
Darn. I just looked up the Goodwill Outlet stores and it seems there are only 3 and they are in the Indianapolis area. I hope the concept spreads to other states. I'm sure much of the stuff is broken or poor quality, but does appeal to my bargain hunter instinct.
Lyric
Quote from: Lyric on September 30, 2009, 12:48:37 PM
Darn. I just looked up the Goodwill Outlet stores and it seems there are only 3 and they are in the Indianapolis area. I hope the concept spreads to other states. I'm sure much of the stuff is broken or poor quality, but does appeal to my bargain hunter instinct.
Lyric
No, they seem to weed out the broken stuff and junk before it makes it onto the floor.
You'll find used clothing in various conditions, used furniture, used dinner ware, and so on. Some of the clothes still have the tags on them, so they are brand new!
And the mix changes constantly, so you have to keep going back.
I guess it's no secret where I live anymore. lol
Love to shop at Goodwill. Right now wearing a south western style skirt I purchased last winter in Yuma AZ Regular Goodwill store
It's called the Bins here (or that is what it's referred to as). I just went on Friday, definitely the day to go. Last time I went on Monday and it was pretty picked over but the bins were heaping full of great finds on Friday. I love it because I wear a really small mens size which means the clothes don't weigh much so they are cheap. I have also gotten some great clothes for my kids. Some of the clothes were just over priced to begin with, some they just never sent over to a store, I think when they have too many clothes they just start dumping new stuff at the outlet.
If you live in a big town definitely check it out, makes the goodwill/salvation army seem over priced.
Cheers and happy shopping
Myles
I have done much of my shopping at Goodwill. I have found many good articles of femm clothing there at cheap prices. I have also, on occassion shopped at walmart where I bought some bras and panties and slips. Being retired military, I have the 'PX' to shop at on post near where I live and they have some nice dresses and skirts as well as lingerie items, so I do a lot of my shopping there. Ther is a thrift shop not far from where I live and on mondays they have all clothing .99cents. Its a pretty good size store. I plan on visiting again very soon. They have a nice selection of womens clothing and lingerie.
Hmm last time I went OP shopping (thrift stores) I was nervous as hell, like a moth I was drawn to the womens clothing, but as I came close I shied away quickly.. Though did pick up a nice black skirt at the 6th one when grew some balls... (scuse the ironic play of words)
Perhaps next time I should muster the courage to go in with a devil may care attitude and focus on the clothing, not the people around me.. :-\
I..
Iscanderia , I know what you're going through. I too years ago went through the same phase . I'm going to share something with ya and all the other folks here . I used to live in Houston. There wa s a fellow by the name of Eddie Chiles who used to do radio commercials there . You knew it was him cause he woould always start with, I'm Eddie Chiles an I'm mad . Hey, the guy usually made sense as he went off on Beaurucratic stuff like stink on Poop! Point is girl, crossdressing ain't what it was back in the dark dreary 1960's . I know , I'm old enough to remember . Get Mad , yeah , REAL MAD ! Go buy and shop till yer feet can't take it no mo !!!!!!!!! First ijit that looks at ya funny, lookem back - RIGHT IN THE FACE ! ellen :P
I'm not sure if I would buy by the pound. I like seeing what I buy. I have a rather extensive wardrobe and almost all from thrift stores. Some very nice items for merely $1.00
I haven't been there before, but from the description I've heard I thought it was just that you pay for your selections based on how much the bag weighed, and that you still get to pick out what you like.
Quote from: LordKAT on August 05, 2009, 10:31:58 PM
ST. Vinny's near me has what they call a bag sale. Anything you can fit into a paper grocery bag for $5. That would also work if you can find such a thing in your area.
Goodwill-Salvation Army& many other used & or charity stores are where I've bought about 80% of my wardrobe& Wife likes me to try them on before buying & never have I had any bad experiances at these places!
The more often you do it the more helpful the staff will be!
I have way more fem stuff than male clothing because it's so aforable!
Genivive , uh let me try and clearify my previous statements on Buying by the pound . When you're in a Goodwill- Outlet store , there are open bins , all lined up in a row . You go through and see whats avalible . Now , because here , Richmond Va , there aren't dressing rooms , you try on in an isle or beside the bins what you suposse will fit . Yes, I'm aware of not being able to say try on a skirt or something on that order . Hold it to you're waist with thumbs opposed . Now allow a couple of inches on either side . Generally, if the rest of you're hand can't touch the sides of the body, it's too small. Pants , hummmmm, I'm working on that one , see, I'm tall . ellen
Most of my best clothes are from Goodwill and Christian stores. ;D
Helpful for beginners. ;) And, ah, well... I'm kinda cheap... XD Considering my finances, I want to say "and rightfully so!", but that'd be sort of dickish. lol.
Dear Goodwill Outlet, please make your merry little way down to Alabama. ;D I'd be grateful, lol.
Buying by the pound... hm, how much per pound? Or does it vary.
I am lucky to live right beside one, literally I am less than a mile away from one. I really hope that after I get paid this Friday I can check it out, there are a few things I need, and I really think not too many people know about the place (that and there are 4 other Goodwill stores within 20min of me). I can't wait to see what is there this week.
i found some nice stuff at the goodwill by me.
im gonna go back on the 20th when i have more cash slowly building up my girl clothing in sizes that actually FIT and that i like rather than cast offs from others , nothing like finding out you cant wear that cute top because its 3 sizes too small!!! , and is it just me or does goodwill not carry underthings , it seems to make sense they wouldn't given the nature ..
Quote from: Centcomm01 on July 12, 2011, 05:38:32 PM
...nothing like finding out you cant wear that cute top because its 3 sizes too small!!! , and is it just me or does goodwill not carry underthings , it seems to make sense they wouldn't given the nature ..
Better to buy something too big if you can, it is way easier for me to alter something to fit right when I have extra fabric to work with rather than too little, however since I am pretty tall I rarely find too much cute that is too big sadly.
And yes, the ones near me don't carry undergarments, I don't think I or very many other people would buy them if they did though, the Rugged Warehouse however, sells lots of new underwear for very, very cheap prices though the selection there varies week to week as well, some cute clothes at rugged warehouse too, if there are locations near you.
Goodwill rocks. Bought 3 silk ties for $3 a few weeks ago. Love me some Goodwill.
Not a fan of Salvation Army, since they're reportedly not a fan of our community.
Somebody mentioned underwear...Goodwill won't sell them (or accept donated undies) unless they are new.
Sometimes they do get donations from companies who make or distribute them.
I got my favorite jacket from a Goodwill a few years back, a black corduroy short biker-style fitted jacket. It was, ironically, hanging up in the men's area. But I dont think men have flared hips or breasts. :P
I was shopping at my Goodwill monday and I found ten pair of full fashion stockings still in their sealed package. For fifty cents each. I shop there all the time. I find the items I want to try on and use the fitting rooms. No one says a word. These stores are great. PinkPenny
Forget fashion! I just read where a guy bought a painting at Goodwill for $3, that sold at auction for nearly $200,000.
http://www.wyff4.com/r/30611547/detail.html (http://www.wyff4.com/r/30611547/detail.html)
I'm hot for frames. I can get frames at those stores (usually, if not always with profoundly bad art in them) for 1/10 of the price I'd pay for them in an art store, the I redo them a bit and use them. It rocks.
Quote from: tekla on March 07, 2012, 06:19:32 AM
I'm hot for frames. I can get frames at those stores (usually, if not always with profoundly bad art in them) for 1/10 of the price I'd pay for them in an art store, the I redo them a bit and use them. It rocks.
If you're lucky, you'll get a 17th century Flemish School still life with one of your frames!