This is a shocker to everyone – when I was little, I did not like libraries at all! Maybe because back in the days Hong Kong’s libraries were inadequate or just simply libraries:population ratio was way too high, their collection was always wore out very badly, the books were often yellow and dirty.  I just hated the books in the libraries.  So even when I was very little, I already prefer bookstores than libraries.  I was used to have everything first handed and new.  Being the older brother made this preference even more dominant because I would never have hand-me-downs.  As you can guess then, second-hands was a big no no to me.  Fast forward to today, obviously my attitude toward libraries has changed, but second-hands, i am still very uncomfortable about them! (less so on books, mainly for clothes)

There are two famous second-hand clothing stores in Williamsburg – Beacon’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange.  Given the location, the selections are more young and hip than your average thrift stores or garage sales.  I know about them for as long as I lived in the neighborhood, but I rarely shop there because of my prejudice against second-hand clothes.  Lately though, ever since the local boutique Alter become my primary clothing supplier and that they sometimes offer vintage clothing, slowly I get a bit more comfortable with second-hand clothing.  Of course there’s some differences of what the boutique offers because they are most likely “old stocks” instead of previously worn, nevertheless i don’t mind shopping for second-hand clothes anymore, with certain rules:

Unique: The latest trend of my clothing need is to be unique.  The whole point of shopping in a boutique is because the brands they sold are less mainstream, the chance of seeing someone where the same thing as me is greatly reduced, I don’t want to shop in regular affordable brand stores like Express or Brooklyn Industries anymore.  Same as to choosing clothes in second-hand stores, the design has to be unique, otherwise, why would I shop here, I could have shop in a regular store!

Brand name:  I would look at the brand name, I’ll find the more expensive brand names instead of your regular H&M or Gap.  It will offer you more value because these are the one that I wouldn’t have bought if they were in their original stores.  This is the rare chance to own some brands that I don’t have before.

Foreign:  I would especially look for foreign import stuff that you normally wouldn’t find in your regular clothing stores here.  Obviously it would be much more unique! My favorite – Japanese clothing!

Season:  I would choose Fall/Winter clothes instead of Spring/Summer clothes, mostly for hygiene reason.  Unlike in a boutique, clothing in second-hand stores are previously worn, It’s still yucky for me to imagine wearing somebody’s previous worn short-sleeves tees! You know people sweat more in the summer!  Anyway, jackets are your safest bet, plus it’s also give you more value for your money, since jackets were usually more expensive in your regular first-hand stores.

I would also prefer accessories – that has less contact with skins, like ties and bags are perfect, I would never buy scarves and shoes for obvious reason.

Still with all these rules in place, I don’t really shop that many second-hand clothing.  I only have a handful of them, but it’s a start.  I do need to take advantage of these two really good neighborhood second-hand clothing stores given how tight the money are.

Related posts:

1. January winter coat shopping
2. Green…tee
3. Scarf mania
4. Another store coming soon
5. Bag Obsession

Tagged: clothes · Shopping