I visited the thrift store a few times when I was moving a few months ago to look for a dining table. While I was there I noticed that they had a vast amount of clothing, including underwear. I don't think I could wear someone's clothes because you never know what they could have done in them. Sometimes no matter how well your washer and dryer is, there may still be remains of sweat from the past user. I am a super frugal shopper anyways so I usually find new clothes for the same price as used clothes from the thrift store.
I personally wouldn't shop at thrift stores. Simply because stores like Walmart sell new products at very low prices. Eliminating the need for thrift stores. I find that thrift store prices are never really thrifty at all. They are actually very expensive.
I wish I could find some really good thrift shops here, but sadly there isn't. People sell things that already have been used and sometimes in bad condition, here thrift shops are for people who don't really have another choice to buy clothes. I would want to go to the Singapore someday for this reason, I've read a lot of blogs from Singaporean people and they always say how cheap clothes are in Singapore, you can find really good things for 2$ only. I would have to take an empty suit if I get the chance to go to Singapore.
There are always a lot of great things that are available at the thrift stores around here. In fact, my daughter, who is 11, has decided that is the only place that she wants to go shopping for clothes. She can always find great brands with an eclectic variety that fits her personality perfectly.
I will always love thrift shops! I honestly can't see myself paying full price, when you can get brand name things at a thrift store. I only buy things that can be washed though, because I get worried about bringing something unwanted into my home if you catch my drift! (There is a huge bed bug epidemic in the town over). I'm a huge fan of the Salvation Army, though. I don't like Goodwill here. They want ridiculous prices for everything. They go by brand names. One time, I found a pair of used Aeropostale shorts, and they wanted 7.99 for them, when you could buy them brand new online for 2 dollars less. Some of their prices have gone up outrageously, and their customer service isn't great either. I contacted corporate and got no response.
I come from a family of hardcore thrift store raiders. We'll even go to several stores in one day. This option came in handy when I was pregnant, while shopping for maternity clothing or baby items. We go to the common stores like Salvation Army, Savers, and Goodwill. We also hunt down smaller thrift shops, and consignment shops as well. Some churches have great sales where everything is way cheaper than if you bought it at Savers, for example. We have found many things that we need at second hand shops. I especially go there to shop for work clothes, blankets, curtains, and children's clothing. My son will normally find a toy that he likes. I find purses, scarves, and belts there. We buy books and movies too. I actually have to wear earplugs when I go into the stores, because the sound of the metal hangers screeching hurts my ears. I have also found great furniture items and trinkets. I recently purchased a computer chair that I love, for about 10 dollars, and it would have cost at least $100 if it was brand new. There are some things I won't buy from a thrift store, like shoes (although children's shoes are okay) and undergarments. I would not buy a couch, stuffed animal, or pillow due to concerns about bed bugs- you can never be too careful! I think buying second-hand items is good for the environment, and sometimes I can find good-quality items that wold have been out of my price-range if purchased brand new.
I do go every now and then and look through clothes, but not to wear. I use the used clothes to tear apart and make stuffed animals and cat toys, stuff like that out of. It's cheaper than buying fabric and I don't feel so bad if it turns out terrible. I like to find real wool sweaters to use to felt with. Real wool items are like the diamond to me in those stores. Buying wool is pricey but it used sweaters are very affordable.
