Clothing--who buys what?

**Cricket1** · 05-18-2007, 03:24 PM

Do you buy cheap, but new clothes; cheap and used clothes; or brand name clothes at not so frugal prices? Just wondering if anyone can recommend women's clothing that truly lasts--wears and washes well. Also, do you think it is worth it to buy more expensive clothes that last? If you do, do you get sick of them?

LOTS of questions!!! I tend to buy cheap, but new clothes because I get sick of the same styles. I'm probably spending too much money doing this, though. I don't think I want to wear the same clothes year after year.

Your thoughts?

**Ceashels** · 05-18-2007, 03:59 PM

It depends on what I need.

I run to the Hanes outlet and get my "irregular" thigh highs.
I find skirts and the occasional pair of shorts or pants at the local Goodwill.
I get my teeshirts from ACMoore with a 40% off coupon and sweat pants at Target.
If I need a dressy outfit I will go to the mall and find something nice, but affordable or splurge and get some great fabric and make my "usual" pattern.
My hope is to improve my sewing skills so I can make more of my own.. though that isn't always cheaper these days.

**JustJoy** · 05-18-2007, 04:13 PM

For the past couple of years I've been buying about 90% of mine & DH's clothing at Goodwill. For me I like everything to look brand new or close to it, so I'm usually hunting around for hours there....lol! Almost all of the things I buy there are name brand. DKNY, BeBe, Express, Limited, Banana Republic, Gap, Old Navy, Levi's, etc.... I've also bought coats, jackets, purses and belts. When it comes to underwear, bras, socks, shoes and the like....those I buy brand new.

**guest56464** · 05-18-2007, 04:14 PM

I shop at thrift stores. Not so much here as in Hawaii (amazing high quality brand name things for under $10. each), but when I can'r find what I need/want/like at a thrift store then I search the retail stores but only if I have a coupon or discount of some kind.

**FrugalMomof3** · 05-18-2007, 04:26 PM

For underwear I usually get them free from Victoria's Secret, one per month but if I need some I run to Marshalls where they are cheap.

Clothes such as shirts or pants I go to the Thrift shop but always look for the top namebrands which to me are Abercrombie, Hollister, American Eagle.

Same thing for jackets or coats too!

**McD** · 05-18-2007, 04:40 PM

I buy my panties/bras/thigh highs from Victoria's Secret. They last me years so I consider the investment to be worth it---especially if you hit the semiannual sale.

I buy my work pants at the Limited--expensive but last forever, fit me well, which is hard when you are short.

Most of my shirts etc. are clearance from Younkers Kohl's etc.

What is recommended to do if you are one to easily get sick of your clothes is buy timeless clothes that last, i.e. black suit, and then buy less expensive shirts to swap out with them.

**Emerald_Mommy** · 05-18-2007, 05:31 PM

I buy most of our things at a local thrift store, the GAP outlet, or Target. We will occasionally buy something at a department store if we have coupons or gift cards - preferably both.

I like classic clothes and have never been either a trend setter or big follower. I also don't really enjoy shopping so sometimes I actually have to make myself buy something I need.

**Libby** · 05-18-2007, 06:14 PM

I usually buy at the Zellers/Walmart kind of stores for the basics - tee's, socks and undies etc but bra's I buy at the department stores (im a hard fit so I need it to last once it does fit!) I used to only buy undies at Vic's but they upped their prices from 5 for $20 to 5 for $25 - sorry but her secrets TOO good for my tushie! LOL If you were to buy one pair solo it's about $8.50 I think? But I havent purchased from there in 3 years *pats herself on the back* But their quality is good enough to last! But then again I have TOO MANY cotton panties from them.

Work clothes I buy at a chain store but at their outlet location. Lately I've been taking my time wandering through Value Village and finding a piece or two of clothes at a time...all casual though. A lot of the good name brand stuff is hard to find - at least near me.

Fancy clothes, I tend not to attend those affairs to avoid this

but when its unavoidable, I pay good money for good quality clothes. It will be worth it in the long run and I always pick something somewhat neutral so I can wear it again for another special event.

My clothes are very 'classic style' though - plain, no pattern/logo's if I can help it and not this seasons trend. But this is how I am able to wear my clothes for so long.

My suggestion is that if you get sick of your clothes after a season - buy a few basics or classics that will last and then buy thrift store clothes for the season or cheaper quality items at Walmart etc - just dont buy as many as you normally would b/c you know you're going to be tossing them.

**Katybird** · 05-18-2007, 06:34 PM

I try to purchase good quality at thrift stores. I like classic looks and tend not to follow trends and styles so I try to find classic styles in name brands that I can get for a reasonable price and they have to be in new or almost new shape. I also watch yard sales and rummage sales for like new clothing. I will not purchase undergarments or socks secondhand but I will purchase second hand shoes if they are in great shape and I can sanitize them adequately.

**Dancing Lotus** · 05-18-2007, 06:40 PM

I buy cheap shirts at walmart. I prefer to buy better quality pants becuase they will last longer. My favorit places to haunt for quality things are T J Maxx and Ross. I do like to hunt at thrift stores but I spend hours looking for near new name brand stuff. I dont buy walmart brands used becuase Im not really saving much on that. It all depends on the purpose of the clothes.
I dont not buy cheap shoes at all unless they are for the beach or something like that.

**Michelle68** · 05-18-2007, 06:43 PM

I shop at thrift stores or garage sales for my clothes (except underwear) and look for name brand clothes in good condition. Like Katy, I will also occasionally buy shoes at a thrift store if they're in great shape, but I'm not a big shoe person anyway.

--Michelle

**Libby** · 05-18-2007, 06:51 PM

Originally Posted by Katybird

I try to purchase good quality at thrift stores. I like classic looks and tend not to follow trends and styles so I try to find classic styles in name brands that I can get for a reasonable price and they have to be in new or almost new shape. I also watch yard sales and rummage sales for like new clothing. I will not purchase undergarments or socks secondhand but I will purchase second hand shoes if they are in great shape and I can sanitize them adequately.

Um...out of curiosity, how do you 'sanitize' them?

**Neeley** · 05-19-2007, 12:08 AM

My mom still insists on buying the vast majority of my clothes. Karen Kane is one of my favorite designers. She also tends to shop at Talbots, Chico's and Coldwater Creek. She will spend a bit more to get a better quality item that will usually last me forever.

DS is very picky about what brands he wears, much more so than DD. He and DD like Abercrombie, American Eagle, Hollister, some Gap (but not too much) and NorthFace. I do look for them at thrift stores and second hand clothing shops first. DD loves Hot Topic but she buys most of her stuff from there with her own money since I hate going in there.

In no way, shape, or form are we buying used undies, bras or socks. These are always bought new.

The kids have two wardrobes, one they wear out in public (everything hanging in their closets)and one that they are only allowed to wear at the house(everything in their dresser drawers). This way they are well aware what are their "play" clothes and what clothes are acceptable to wear out in public.

**justpeachy92** · 05-19-2007, 12:24 AM

I buy socks and undergarments and some clothes for my 2 yr old at Target. For the rest of the family I buy at Ross's, Kohls, Catos and clearance shop seasonally at the mall. We buy tennis shoes at shoe show/shoe dept., and other shoes at payless.

**i.m.cheap** · 05-19-2007, 12:36 AM

I buy more than 50% of our clothing at thrift stores. I get DH's jeans at Target (Wranglers), but most of his dress pants and shirts at the Goodwill or DAV. I look for good brands that I know will last, like Dockers, Lands End, Polo, Tommy Hilfiger. I buy dd many jeans, dresses, and skirts at the thrift stores. I buy her some new shirts, pajamas and undies at Target or Kohl's.

I buy underwear, socks, swimwear, and most shoes new. I have picked up a pair of shoes on occasion at the thrift store, if they are only very slightly worn and are a good brand. I buy myself a few shirts and jeans at Wal-mart or JC Penney (during one of their very good sales), but try to find as many items as I can second hand.

Shoes we try to find a good sale or clearance on very good shoes. I don't like to wear shoes from Wal-Mart or other discount stores. We like Skechers, New Balance, Dansko, Ecco, and other similar quality shoes.