 |
 |
|
|
Here's what here...back to top of page or the $40 or Less main page.
Where to shop How to plan ahead (important) How to match what you wear to where you want to work What the $40 doesn't cover back to top of page or the $40 or Less main page.
Where to shop
In a single word: THRIFTS.Pretty much every town or city has one or two thrift stores and they can be goldmines for excellent quality clothes at rock-bottom prices.
Where are they or who runs them?
Normally, thrift stores are run by charitable organizations (like Sally Ann, church or hospital auxiliaries, etc) or by commercial organizations (ie Value Village) although even the commercial organizations often earmark a percentage of profit for good causes or hire people thought of as disadvantaged workers.
Aren't these stores there so really poor people can get decent clothes cheaply?
That's what I used to think. So I asked. The person I asked said (and I quote) "heck no...we want your money more than we want the clothes. We have a steady supply of clothes coming in...we use the money we raise to support what we do! Please shop here--and tell your friends." So now I shop there--and I'm telling you.
Aren't all the clothes old and worn out?
Nope. Some of the clothes are worn--but lots are in essentially new condition. Sometimes it's just stuff that folks bought and never or seldom wore, sometimes it's stuff that folks were given but it didn't fit. There's lots of reasons excellent clothes (shape and quality) end up in the thrifts. You have to be a careful shopper (see Details) and learn how to choose carefully and learn what to look for, but--if you're patient--it's almost a certainty that pretty much exactly what you want will turn up. Stock turnover is slow but very steady at most thrifts so it pays to visit at least a couple of times a week till you find what you want.
How about women's clothes?
This is one place it certainly pays to be a guy. Women have known about the thrifts for a dog's age and more women than you'd ever expect already shop there. As a consequence, it's harder for women to find exactly what they want at a thrift than it is for men. Thrift shopping is nowhere near as common among men, so the stock is not picked over near as much.
How do I find the thrifts in my area? The Yellow pages is a good source, but you can also ask any of the local charitable organizations and/or churches if they have one or if they know of any. They'll be happy to tell you. (By the way, I make it a point to look for thrifts in other areas when I'm travelling. I find some great deals that way.)
What do I do if I see someone I know shopping at the thrift? Maybe cultivate them as a friend--they're smart. If they're about the same size as you--shop faster :-) and beat them to the good stuff!
back to top of page or the $40 or Less main page.
How to Plan Ahead
When money is short, it's more important than ever to get the most you can for your hard won dollars, so plan ahead. Take the time to figure out what you need and what you want it to look like before you get to the thrift. See Details for specific tips and hints on particular items (shoes, shirts, jackets, etc), but here's some general ideas that will help you get clothes that are appropriate, up-to-date and effective.Thrift shopping isn't about high fashion--but thrifts are an excellent source of quality, classic clothing--the stuff that always looks good and is always in style. But maybe it's been a while since you updated your wardrobe (ie. got a new suit or sports jacket) and you want to be sure you aren't wearing last decade's stuff, so...
Pay attention for a few days to what the folks on TV (newscasters, live show hosts, guests) are wearing, maybe paying special attention to folks in your general age group but also paying attention to the folks that have incomes like the one you want to have. You have to look the part to get the part--or at least it helps. Now...if it's Howard Stern interviewing Marilyn Manson, use some discretion... It'll be worthwhile to pay attention to details like collar/lapel width, colours, tie shapes, patterns and sizes and the general cut of clothing.
Maybe buy a copy of *Gentleman's Quarterly* or visit the magazine's website. There are great men's wear sites at Land's End, J Crew, Eddie Bauer, and J Peterman, too--and a slow and careful look around their sites can give you excellent ideas on putting together classic, good-looking outfits (colour, texture, style) for interviews--whether the company you are prospecting is casual, dressy or somewhere in between. Again, pay attention to details...
It should be noted that all of the above are fine companies and one way to thank them for the help you're getting now is to purchase from them when you can afford to.
Additionally, you can walk around the streets, noting what outfits impress you...who would you be positive about at first glance if they were coming to you for an interview? You get the idea. Once you know what you are looking for, go to the thrifts, search carefully and patiently and--when you find what you want--buy it :-)
back to top of page or the $40 or Less main page.
How to match what you wear to where you want to work
A good rule of thumb is to turn up for the interview ready to work, but even if the job is very physical manual labour, it pays to use the one step up rule: dress for the interview one step up from what folks at the workplace wear when they are working--and dress one step up from the position you want.If you are looking for an upper-managerial job at a construction or waste-water management firm, don't wear clothing one step up for a line worker. If you are applying for a line job and the usual gear is jeans and a t-shirt, maybe wear a clean sports shirt and spotlessly clean jeans.
This is an area where research can help. It isn't a bad idea (if you know you have an interview coming up) to discreetly hang around outside at quitting time, for instance, noting what folks wear. Companies often have a corporate culture and fitting that culture--at least apparently--can be a great boost to your chances of being hired.
Remember: it's easier to quickly dress down before an interview (take a tie off, loosen a collar) than it is to dress up. Err on the dressier side if you're not sure.
back to top of page or the $40 or Less main page.
What the $40 Doesn't Cover
You can decide differently, but I figure the items listed below are important because they are indicators to the interviewer that you care enough to present yourself the best way you can. Many an interview has been blown all to heck before a word was spoken simply because the interviewer decided the person they are just now seeing doesn't care enough and that all the words to come won't make up for the lack of simple action on the part of the prospective employee. Ignore the following at your own peril...
- a haircut
- shoe polish
- laundry or dry cleaning (this is a good idea when you buy a suit--and because of the tendency of sweaters to hold odours, a very good idea with used sweaters).
- The Secret Weapon