NastyWoman
Senior Associate
Joined: Dec 24, 2010 20:50:37 GMT -5
Posts: 14,370
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Post by NastyWoman on May 3, 2023 15:57:25 GMT -5
Just thought of something as Opti mentioned her mom darning socks. I learned to darn socks and have done so a lot when I was still quite young. Everyone darned socks at the time. That custom may have been a holdover from wartime shortages, I don't know, it's just something people did but I have not done that in decades.
The good thing about learning to repair clothes is that I am now "Super Oma" who can fix any stuffed favorite toy, sweater, etc. Whenever I get to Germany there are things waiting to be fixed. DDIL tells the kids that they have to give oma a little time to get over that long flight but, as with all siblings (from the beginning of time?) they have to hurry to get in first so that doesn't last long LOL. Soon they will outgrow this stage but I am determined to enjoy my "super" status for as long as I can
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weltschmerz
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Joined: Jul 25, 2011 13:37:39 GMT -5
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Post by weltschmerz on May 4, 2023 14:43:21 GMT -5
My parents didn't live through the Depression, but the Holodomor, which was worse, as they watched their family members die of starvation. When my parents died, I discovered enough home-canned food in the attic to feed all of Ethiopia for a year.
I wore a lot of hand me downs when I was growing up, much of which was hideous or didn't fit. We were very poor. Now I can afford new clothes, but don't buy them, because Fast Fashion is very harmful to the environment. I buy most of my clothes at the Salvation Army. Found some beautiful and well-made stuff that won't go out of 'style'.
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Deleted
Joined: May 3, 2024 6:19:48 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2023 14:58:41 GMT -5
I love thrift stores because I will spend on things I don't necessarily need but will enjoy wearing for a bit, and some a bit longer. About 5 years ago I went "thrifting" with a gal pal and we hit up every thrift store in town. We both can spot designer labels at 100 yards so I came home with an incredible pair of boots in mint condition for $40 (retail price $300), a leather tote for $30 (original tag still on $179) and more stuff like that. Way back in the late 60's I found a unique necklace at a store for $1 which was a lot of money for someone making under $12,000 a year. A lot of elbow grease revealed it to be .925 sterling silver, handmade in Mexico, and I treasure and wear it still. I also have sterling and garnet drop earrings that cost me all of $2.50 with their matching bracelet.
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Opti
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Post by Opti on May 4, 2023 14:59:54 GMT -5
My parents didn't live through the Depression, but the Holodomor, which was worse, as they watched their family members die of starvation. When my parents died, I discovered enough home-canned food in the attic to feed all of Ethiopia for a year. I wore a lot of hand me downs when I was growing up, much of which was hideous or didn't fit. We were very poor. Now I can afford new clothes, but don't buy them, because Fast Fashion is very harmful to the environment. I buy most of my clothes at the Salvation Army. Found some beautiful and well-made stuff that won't go out of 'style'. I am so sorry they were afraid to use the canned food in the attic or whatever happened. My dad's adoptive mom had so much in her basement/root cellar. We discovered the extent of it after she could no longer live alone. Fast fashion definitely is an issue. I do go to a thrift store connected to the clinic I sometimes go to for medical care. Since I am in the suburbs, I need a car to get to most of the thrift stores. The really good consignment places are out in rich neighborhoods or towns. I rarely get there. It would be a several mile walk to get to the closest Salvation Army and not all that safe. There is another store about a 4 mile walk but I think its mostly jewelry and accessories. Useful for work, but not if you desperately need something for your job, whether its pants, skirts or a top.
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NomoreDramaQ1015
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Joined: Dec 20, 2010 14:26:32 GMT -5
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Post by NomoreDramaQ1015 on May 5, 2023 8:53:36 GMT -5
I love thrifting and I hunt for a lot of vintage pieces too. I've found a lot of unique stuff that way. I also enjoy upcycling and making my own pieces. I try to be conscientious with my projects because I know there are people who don't have any options but to thrift. I am aware that Tik Tok made it super popular which drives up prices and then people can't find things they need because the stores have been cleaned out. If I am going to cut something up I choose things that are more worn out or damaged because I don't care about those things if I am going to be taking it apart anyhow. I stick to my size as much as possible because there is a ton of it. I won't take business attire, especially women's suit jackets. I do buy some fast fashion. My tank tops are all cheap ones from Walmart or other stores. Surprisingly they've held up pretty good I got two I bought at Gordman's shortly after Gwen was born for $5 a piece and they are still going.
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