Clothes shopping differences

**pammy** · 11-10-2011, 06:22 AM

Few weeks back I let my sis take me to the spa. We were celebrating my hubby's good 'cancer free' news with facials and getting our toes done. Extra nice since she felt the need to pay for it all. It was a treat.

She then tortured me after with dragging me to the mall. Let me just say now, I HATE shopping. But it was a day out with the sis. She went there particully to go to one place for a particular brand of jeans. Okay, I can handle that. Get in, get it, get out.

But.... ugh... She bought a total of 5 pairs of jeans. Spent over $500 total for them.

And took an hour to try them all on and get sizing right and such. Torture! I stood around looking at overpriced clothes that, quite frankly, didn't look so great. Ick, one shirt was almost $50 that was see-through that you had to buy another shirt to layer it with, I don't get it! Anyways....

Fast forward to yesterday: The hubby and I decided to hit the Goodwill thrift shop to look for some cold weather clothing as we are heading north to scout some homes for our upcoming move. Time in: about 30 mins. Loot: 2 jeans, 1 capri pants, 6 sweaters/jackets. He didn't find anything for him, but he already has warm clothes as he works up there. I had a cart full and he asked if I wanted to try anything on. Nope, I can usually eye if something will fit, don't like wasting time trying on clothes. If it don't fit I donate it back and they get a little profit. Money spent: $35. Oh... and everything fit. I didn't find a coat (one of the main reasons for going in), so I will just borrow one of the hubby's extras.

To each their own, but it's just a little funny. I know some people really love shopping, malls, and spending hours looking for things in big department stores. Heck, all 3 of my sisters are like that. How did I end up the black sheep? lol

**OOwl** · 11-10-2011, 08:03 AM

Totally hear you! My sister refuses to shop anywhere but expensive places where stuff ON SALE is higher than I've EVER paid for new. I like quality stuff, and I can tell that they really usually are better made and last longer, but I can always find that stuff at my local Goodwill or Ross. Like you, I LOATHE the mall and haven't been near the place in years. Sounds like you had a great haul at Goodwill. Kudos to you! P.S. I LOVE getting pedicures, too! When people want to give me gifts, that's always what I ask for, pedicure coupons!

**valerian** · 11-10-2011, 09:25 AM

I haven't shopped in a major mall in years! I hate to pay full price for anything and can't believe that I used to do just that! Stupid!

**nuisance26** · 11-10-2011, 09:41 AM

~I'm always stunned by the lack of style in new clothes. It used to be that there was a dominant theme or trend in the styles by season. Now everything looks the same to me. And if it all looks the same season to season, year to year, what is the motivation to buy this year's new stuff?
I went to a public school yesterday and the kids were dressed in nice casual. You could have taken a picture and compared it to one taken 6 or 7 years ago and never know which was which.
And only the extremely brainwashed mallrats can tell if you're wearing high end, current clothing without seeing tags. I'm not wasting a ton of money just to impress a select few experts. The vast majority of people can only tell if you look presentable or not.
I figure good style is good style and that's timeless. The amount of items considered timeless basics now is so large that it's a piece of cake looking good in thrift.
When I was younger I had to sift through racks of 95% bad 70's style stuff to find anything wearable in the 90's. Not anymore. At least 50% of the stuff on the racks now is currently in style because we don't see such dominant fashion trends anymore.
It is weird to me that many people still consider the brand and manufacture date as more important than classic styles and affordability. But different strokes I guess. And since they'll have to buy next year's jeans to be current, this year's jeans will go to thrift where I will promptly purchase them for 90% off original retail.~

**lisaflex** · 11-10-2011, 10:12 AM

all depends on ones mindset imo...while i LOVE to shop at GW and SA, i only wear premium denim that i buy at nordstrom or specialty shops as they wear soooo much better (imo) and do not have to be washed often as they dont loose their shape or stretch out...some things (again, imo) are worth the $$$$....

**kitkat0649** · 11-10-2011, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by lisaflex

all depends on ones mindset imo...while i LOVE to shop at GW and SA, i only wear premium denim that i buy at nordstrom or specialty shops as they wear soooo much better (imo) and do not have to be washed often as they dont loose their shape or stretch out...some things (again, imo) are worth the $$$$....

This exactly! Though I did recently buy two pairs of 7 for all Mankind jeans at GW for $10 each

**shoiji** · 11-10-2011, 11:30 AM

Usually when I purchase something at the mall it is because it is on clearance and there is an additional amount off. Other than that going to the mall is just to look around.

**Telephus44** · 11-10-2011, 11:50 AM

I haven't had good luck at SA or GW in years. I'm a popular size, and they don't have a whole lot of selection. I am picky about what I wear and how it fits. I don't care about having the latest fashion, but I'd rather pay $100 for a pair of jeans that fits perfectly and last 4-5 years than get 10 pairs of ones that are "just ok" for $10 at Goodwill. And I *ALWAYS* try stuff on. I used to work for a clothing company and know more about the manufacturing process - so if you actually care if stuff fits well (as opposed to just "fits"), by all means, TRY EVERYTHING ON.

At least around here, a lot of thrift stores have items that are stained or torn. By the time I weed out the stuff I won't wear, I've already spent over an hour. And the prices are sometimes more than I can find on the clearance rack.

I do realize a lot of it is regional/situational. The SA near where we lived in CO was awesome, and that was my pre-baby body so I was a totally different size.

**ecgsmama** · 11-10-2011, 11:59 AM

I LOVE that my sister buys fancy, well-made clothes!!

Guess who gets them when she's bored with them????

**savvy_sniper** · 11-10-2011, 12:14 PM

I TOTALLY understand! My husband says I am a hunter; NOT a shopper. I get in and get out; no dilly dallying.

I haven't been in a department store of ANY kind in ages. My step-daughter got married a few weeks ago. I scoured my closet and chest of drawers and came up with shoes and pants. BUT didn't feel anything I had was "wedding" appropriate. I ride a Harley, work from home for myself, and have lost 36 lbs in the last 9 months.

SO after checking the thrift stores hubby and I went to Kohls (with a coupon). I ended up with a FABULOUS blouse that looked great on me, was on sale, and with the coupon discount and tax included for a total of $15.

THAT was my big splurge - LOL!

**Ramona** · 11-10-2011, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by pammy

Few weeks back I let my sis take me to the spa. We were celebrating my hubby's good 'cancer free' news with facials and getting our toes done. Extra nice since she felt the need to pay for it all. It was a treat.

She then tortured me after with dragging me to the mall. Let me just say now, I HATE shopping. But it was a day out with the sis. She went there particully to go to one place for a particular brand of jeans. Okay, I can handle that. Get in, get it, get out.

But.... ugh... She bought a total of 5 pairs of jeans. Spent over $500 total for them.

And took an hour to try them all on and get sizing right and such. Torture! I stood around looking at overpriced clothes that, quite frankly, didn't look so great. Ick, one shirt was almost $50 that was see-through that you had to buy another shirt to layer it with, I don't get it! Anyways....

Fast forward to yesterday: The hubby and I decided to hit the Goodwill thrift shop to look for some cold weather clothing as we are heading north to scout some homes for our upcoming move. Time in: about 30 mins. Loot: 2 jeans, 1 capri pants, 6 sweaters/jackets. He didn't find anything for him, but he already has warm clothes as he works up there. I had a cart full and he asked if I wanted to try anything on. Nope, I can usually eye if something will fit, don't like wasting time trying on clothes. If it don't fit I donate it back and they get a little profit. Money spent: $35. Oh... and everything fit. I didn't find a coat (one of the main reasons for going in), so I will just borrow one of the hubby's extras.

To each their own, but it's just a little funny. I know some people really love shopping, malls, and spending hours looking for things in big department stores. Heck, all 3 of my sisters are like that. How did I end up the black sheep? lol

You're not the black sheep, you're the green sheep

**Spirit Deer** · 11-10-2011, 03:50 PM

The only time we go into a mall is if we need to look at appliances at Sears.

**grneyegrl** · 11-10-2011, 08:22 PM

i love to shop but im a bargin hunter..i get stuff on sale with coupon or from the clearence rack with coupon..i have had luck at my local good will and a store call unique(thrift store)..even found a swim suit with the plastic strip still attached..

**Palooka** · 11-10-2011, 09:27 PM

I would never spend that much on jeans and I have to have name brand. WTG on your finds.

**Momto5RN** · 11-10-2011, 09:47 PM

i love the mall and i can probably shop at a mall for the same price i can at good will . and they have a petite section at the mall they dont have at the goodwill .

people paying 100 a pair of jeans dont do it because they are at a mall they do it because they want to spend that much usually for a certain name .