Who'd have imagined that Goodwill would start emerging as a boutique? We're talking online fashion shows, auctions, designer goods, even sale notices in the mail to repeat customers. The CEOs' wives have to do something with those castoffs from last season, and donating them fuels a sense of righteousness that carries them right into their next shopping expedition. The economy may be tanking, but Mrs. Gotrocks is still not going to be seen in the same outfit twice.
Goodwill's transformation is most noticeable in New York, of course, along with Palm Beach and San Francisco and Portland, OR. Proceeds from the stores are still used to train the disabled and disadvantaged.
My all-time favorite Goodwill is in Bartlesville, OK. When I fly there to visit my family I take a single carry-on bag with my laptop, and my purse. Then my sister and I shop the Goodwill for Mom and me. (Mom has a tendency now to stain her clothes and the nursing home laundry sets the stains with hot water.) We get our female bonding thing going, and when we present Mother with her new duds, it might as well be Christmas. Prices are usually in the $4 to $6 range, and there's always a half-price sale going on. I find J. Crew, LL Bean, Ann Taylor...brands that might normally fetch in excess of $40 new. Depending on how much I collect, I pick up either another small carry-on, or a suitcase I can check at the airport, in Goodwill's used luggage department.
Will the boutique movement hit Bartlesville's Goodwill? Considering the poverty level in Oklahoma, I have my doubts. Fine with me. New York and San Francisco can keep their Prada, Armani and Vera Wang.
And if Goodwill gets too chi-chi for me, there's always tianguis.
Photos: vintage sundress and matching hat from Paris, shown in Goodwill Look Book 2008
Mom, now 92, in her flamboyant new outfit from Goodwill. She can hide a lot of stains on the shirt, but the white pants will last, I'm thinking, through maybe one meal.
9 comments:
Portland Oregon???? Was that a test to see if we are paying attention? I know it is a pretty city, at least for 3 weeks in the summer, but it hardly belongs in the company of New York and San Francisco. Sorry ducks.
It is easy to see where you get your spirit.
What a very nice picture of your mom!
I too am an avid thrift shop treasure hunter - beginning many years ago out of necessity as a working single mom - now just for fun and smart shopping. It's a great mood lifter to find a fabulous find for a pittance - and saves money for more important things like Pedicures and Mexican Food :-)
LOVE the thrift stores, I love to take stuff to the resale shops too. I have found some really good stuff when I go pick up my check once a month.
Love the new picture of you. You look mavalous dahling.
Jonna - Yes, Portland. Check the NY Times article at the first link.
Mic - Good to see that you've got your spending priorities straight.
jomamma - No such thing as thrift or resale shops down here. But there are compensations.
Bliss, LOVE the photo! Very sensual. And the tianguis are my FAVORITE thing - after years of thrift shopping........actually all my life. Now my kids carry on that tradition.
Your Mom looks great! What beautiful skin she has - and that color looks great on her.
Funny how people are now learning frugality, isn't it?
Whooo-weeee!!! Your mom looks gorgeous!!Those are definitely her colors!
I went to Goodwill today, bought the green top from it. And your momma is beautiful, even at 92.
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