Comments on: Thrift Stores Don’t Want Your Cheap Clothes

By: a

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:58:50 +0000

It’s Kate Moss for Topshop.

By: Nia

Nia — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:33:30 +0000

Where is that dress from, I love it!

By: brendastarlet

brendastarlet — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:32:24 +0000

I completely understand why the London shops don’t want cheap fashions. A good portion of what all thrift shops receive is not resaleable.
That’s not because it’s out of fashion, but because the stuff was in terrible shape when it arrived. It not only gets sent to a warehouse, but is then sold by the warehouse to companies that buy garments by the pound and ship them abroad, or send them to be made into rags.
About the only thing you can count on when you donate is that it’s being taken off your hands, and you get a tax receipt. Hopefully some deserving person gets a nice garment to wear, but if it was wrecked when you donated it, you can bet it’s going to the warehouse.

By: a

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:04:35 +0000

I know it’s a rhetorical point, but the ending of this post makes no sense. The original article is about the UK (and about more low end stores like Primark, not Topshop) and people dumping their cheap clothes after one wear. Nobody is going to trek used Topshop or Primark stuff to the US to donate to thrift stores!

By: Cynthia C

Cynthia C — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:56:44 +0000

I love thrift shops, vintage shops and consignment sales (I’m actually going to one in Toronto this weekend. If anyone wants to check it out, the website for it is:http://www.trunkspaceconsignment.com ) My mom would have a fit, though, especially for vintage. She’s like “what if someone died in it?” I think it’s cultural (Mom is from Hong Kong.)

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 01:07:04 +0000

is that dress still on sale or is it sold out?

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 19:02:09 +0000

You think US girls would kill for TopShop anything? Please! I agree with Ana.

By: Nicole Bremner

Nicole Bremner — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 18:49:56 +0000

Thanks for flagging up Lisa’s article (oh I miss the Times now I live in NYC). I’ve been banging on about ethical shopping for a while and not just organic or manufacturing but the long lifespan of quality clothing. While old news now, it’s also important to consider where the clothes have been made, conditions for workers and the airmiles used to transport it. And of course you look and feel so much better when you’re clothing is a good cut and fabric.

By: DC Goodwill Fashionista

DC Goodwill Fashionista — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 16:38:57 +0000

As long as it’s free of tears, stains, holes, and smells, Goodwill stores will accept any clothing donations. I think it’s okay to have standards, but let’s not forget that many thrift stores are largely designed to provide affordable clothing and wares to lower-income folks. For those of us who can afford to shop elsewhere, but choose to go thrifting (in the true sense of the word, NOT at the City Opera “Thrift” Shop on E 23rd!), finding treasure as such great prices is part of the fun. And I’m willing to sift through cheap clothes from London anyday!

By: hmm

hmm — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 14:18:21 +0000

im sure the starving kids who need every penny couldnt give a hoot whether its high street or high end. seems like these days charities are becoming less and less credible

By: Ana

Ana — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 13:09:16 +0000

you guys glamourise topshop a bit too much

By: Alphi

Alphi — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:56:17 +0000

So true. I used to volunteer at the Housing Works Thrift Store on W 10th and we literally just had bags full of cheap clothes that we sent out to the warehouse because they simply don’t sell. We only kept the really cool vintage and designer stuff.

By: cindy

cindy — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 23:51:05 +0000

Thriftstores really are becoming fancy.. the other day i went to Savers and they wanted $69 for a pair of vintage Zodiac boots that i used to be able to get for $5!

By: Annmarie

Annmarie — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:06:33 +0000

It makes more sense if you read the sentence before it in the article.

By: olya

olya — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:45:03 +0000

is it me or is the first sentence in that quote not understandable?