No Pain, No Gain: Salvation Army
A lot of bargain hunters who find things at Salvation Army will tell you it’s not that bad. And they are lying. I’m not going to bullshit you: It’s a sketchy, icky, bizarre and often fruitless endeavor. There’s a layer of dust that encompasses every garment in sight, and the heinous-to-cute clothing ratio is around 7 to 1. There’s no dressing room, there’s the occasional crackhead to contend with, and everything smells a little off. It’s the last stop before the dumpster for discarded apparel everywhere. But if you’ve got the stomach for it, it’s still worth a shot. Because it. doesn’t. get. any. cheaper.
I know these things don’t look like much, but I can’t illuminate their full potential with outfits until after they’ve been sterilized (Read: Dry Cleaned. You can’t just launder Salvation Army stuff pre-wear - you don’t know where this shit’s been). So I’ll just give you the rundown of what I got and what I paid, and you can judge for yourself.
For two button-down shirts (H&M and GAP), a preppy hoodie (Polo), a crazy vest (no name, and possibly a mistake, but still worth the fiscal risk of $3.50), and a corduroy shirtdress (Banana Republic) - all told, four tops and a dress - I paid $23.45. TWENTY THREE DOLLARS AND CHANGE. This basically means that, on average, each item was less than five dollars. And that’s pretty effing sweet.
Stay tuned for the Salvation Army Series of Outfits if you’re somehow not impressed 
Tagged: Legal Theft • Salvation Army • Shopping
Kvelling and Kvetching
I’m very impressed. Especially with the shirtdress!
@ 2:52 pm on September 9th, 2008Where is the Salvo? I have a Goodwill by me on 79th street (manhattan) but I miss my Salvo (you are right about the…slightly crackheaded nature of the place)
@ 3:08 pm on September 9th, 2008i love salvo, they have amazing things!
@ 3:16 pm on September 9th, 2008VoA is great too (volunteers of america) tho tricky also.
best? goodwill. especially if you have time to really look around and try on, although some of their things, particularly the brand new factory surplus things from good brands, can get pricey, almost $10 each in some cases. tho $10 for something that’s usually over $50 is great.
oh, how i love thrifting!
I’m impressed at your patience. I walk in and 10 minutes later, I’m too frustrated to search any longer.
@ 10:50 pm on September 9th, 2008I prefer my vintage from the back of my mom’s closet. Props on finding fab items in SA!
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