And accessorize with gold. Cufflinks, nose ring, studs, etc.
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I’ve found some pretty nice items at an Arlington, VA thrift store not too far from the site of the Scarpa vase. But out here on the west coast, I frequent one of two thrift shops on my commute home from work, probably 3 times a week for 10 minutes per visit. I’ve remarked previously that if I jogged instead, I’d be thin.
I have a routine: I check the cookbooks, the glass case, the rolling bins with newly arrived items that haven’t been put out on shelves yet, and then the kitchen stuff.
I try to leave without buying anything, in order to discourage myself from accumulating good quality items that I already have or don’t need. This way if I buy something, it’s more likely to be both a good find and also put into use.
I am definitely ashamed of thrifting. I’ve never bumped into a friend at the thrift store, which makes me think people in my income demographic don’t thrift as often as I do. This gives me the self perception of being pathologically parsimonious.
I freely share items I buy thrifting on HO, but I’d be embarrassed to admit it to friends.
So why do I thrift?
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To find high quality kitchen tools at reduced prices so I can try them with a low upfront investment, and freely re-donate if I don’t use them often enough to justify the kitchen space.
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Getting nice kitchen tools at a low price adds to the joy of using them for me. Paying a premium often inspires me to be cautious of an item or even to not use it and preserve its newness. There must be a name for this perverse psychology.
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They just don’t make things like they used to. I value top of the line vintage kitchen devices.
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The treasure hunting aspect of unpredictable timing of reward has me addicted. The next big score could be at the next thrifting experience!
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Reduced carbon footprint.
But, if I ever bump into a friend at the thrift shop I would sure feel ashamed. Especially if I was caught buying casual clothing, which is a personal affect and relatively affordable new. But I do a fair bit of that from time to time, too.
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That is interesting. I’m pretty close to you in Alexandria and I frequent a few thrift stores for many of the same reasons, especially reduced carbon footprint and unexpected treasures. No shame at all here - IMO what is shameful is buying box loads of cheap clothing from SHEIN, Temu, and the like
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I agree with part of this. I don’t feel any shame about it (your enumerated reasons for thrifting make perfect sense to me, plus the other rationale in my paragraph below). But yes, it is very rare that I see anyone in my demo thrifting (guessing from casual appearance, clothing etc.). Most are either immigrant families or (again, just a guess from appearance) lower middle class folks. But hey, I grew up somewhere between dirt poor and lower middle class.
The rare one I do see who appears to be in a similar demo is the mom with young adult daughter in tow, trying to outfit a college apartment. Which is kind of why your other thread inspired me to start going, as I have 4 kids in 4 apartments. But most of your enumerated reasons apply here, too. They don’t know yet what kinds of things they’ll enjoy using, don’t have to worry about scratching a “new” item, etc.
So I mostly kitchen thrift. I started skimming the male shirt row, though, when a daughter pulled for me what appeared to be a completely new Tommy Bahama short sleeve, button down shirt. Since then I’ve found a second new Tommy Bahama shirt. Two new TB shirts for $10.
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Most thrift stores I’ve visited benefit institutions like hospitals or places of worship, or support organizations like Goodwill or the Salvation Army. So buying from them provides assistance to people less well-off than you. There’s no shame in that.
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Funny - we make it an outing and go together 
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I once donated to the Salvation Army 6 ramekins when clearing out my sister’s apartment after she passed. The next day I regretted donating them as they were a unique design, so I went back and bought them, all 6 for the princely sum of $1.50!
I have a few suits and jackets that I will never again wear as I dropped about 25% of my top (ideal) weight through illness. They’re good quality and in good repair. I’m considering selling them online, and was wondering what the best site would be. Any ideas?
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Poshmark, ebay.
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Are there any consignment shops in your area?? I used to frequent one called “Well Suited Man”. I got some fairly nice deals there and the clothing was all consignment.
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I’ve been thrifting for kitchen treasures in the local thrift shops, perhaps some of the same. It has been a while, though. Perhaps I’m pathologically parsimonious as well (For the rest of HO crowd, we’ve met before and saw part of his legendary copper collection. And I can’t imagine his neighbors sorting through the thrift shops at the same rate).
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True story: in high school I used to go to the Salvation Army to buy back clothes my mom donated that I wasn’t done wearing! 
. She had this rule that if you are generally still buying clothes, and you haven’t worn something in a year or so, donate or gift or otherwise remove from your wardrobe because you likely won’t wear it again or need it any longer.
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Me too. I have a couple of friends who are like fricking bloodhounds in thrift stores and always find treasures. I tend to flit about from section to section. So I try to shop with them when possible. Fortunately, we have different focus areas and different clothing sizes. Win win
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What an eye opening thread. I had no idea folks were ashamed to be seen at thrift stores and junk shops.
Not exactly like being seen coming out of the porn emporium but maybe too close for comfort.
Lessons learned!
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I confess, it took me a while to get over my ‘but that’s for poor people’ mentality and check out Grocery Outlet. Now I love it.
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My local GO has even upped their produce quality game to regular grocery levels. I shop there first now, unless I know they won’t have something (Meat still sucks).
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I, too, seriously cannot believe this is a thing.
This, too.
I am truly astounded. And not exactly sure how I feel about it,.
I am actually proud to shop and be seen at thrift shops. Does that make me poor, or just tone deaf to my own status in life? 
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I can’t imagine being ashamed for shopping when it lets you keep more in your pocket. I’m grateful for the perspective of growing up with parents who came out of the Depression and taught me frugality. My husband also, from the same background. We had good educations, lucrative professions, saved and invested well but don’t need logos on our stuff. Why pay more when it’s not necessary? Often times there is value in spending more, but I don’t feel good when I buy something just for the sake of “look what I have”.
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i’m ashamed to buy anything new. for me, adding anything into the world that doesn’t need to exist is a moral failing.
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