Thursday, March 18, 2004
American Castoff
While I would never dream of entering any sort of televised abuse-a-thon like "American Idol" or "America's Next Top Model," I did partake in something almost as awkward and humiliating: trying to sell my unwanted clothes at Los Angeles thrift stores.
Started off at Crossroads in West Hollywood. The one advantage to this place is that you can drop off your stuff and come back a day or two later to see how you fared. And since Abe had told me "they take everything," I decided to make it my first stop. I dropped off 5-6 grocery/shopping bags and one huge duffel bag full of clothes. But I knew I was in trouble when I saw how little stock the store had for sale, and much of it was designer label. My wardrobe is decidedly Prada-free.
Returned yesterday to see that they had picked out just enough clothing to barely fill one plastic drugstore bag. But besides having to haul all my stuff back to the car, I also walked away with$17 and two free shirts (in trade). Just what I need when I'm trying to get rid of everything: more stuff.
Next, I went to Buffalo Exchange on La Brea. It was actually worse at first because the manager buyer lady was training a new girl, so they were openly discussing my fashion faux pas as part of a hideous training process. "It's realllllllly hard for us to take khaki," said the new girl with a pained expression. "Well this is different," she exclaimed, holding up a bowling shirt that their own racks were undoubtedly crammed with. Then she and her boss got into actual 'hushed whisper' discussion about the shirt. At least on "American Idol" they stab you in the chest, not in the back.
Then they got to my duffel bags full of shirts and suddenly I was the superstar. "We realllllllly need men's stuff, especially button-ups," said Manager Girl. I started pointing out brands, arguing for a better price on certain pieces. "I know you're buying for spring, but that's a one-of-a-kind Fred Perry sweater-- I really shouldn't even be selling it to you." I am such a non-haggler but it felt good to stick up for my threads.
Buffalo Exchange just opened a store in Long Beach, so I might take some of the leftovers down there on my way to San Diego this weekend. Apparently my denim wasn't "awesome" enough for Buffalo Exchange L.A. And some t-shirts were "great, but starting to fade." Isn't that the whole point of a thrift store t-shirt?
Last but not least, there's always Goodwill.
Started off at Crossroads in West Hollywood. The one advantage to this place is that you can drop off your stuff and come back a day or two later to see how you fared. And since Abe had told me "they take everything," I decided to make it my first stop. I dropped off 5-6 grocery/shopping bags and one huge duffel bag full of clothes. But I knew I was in trouble when I saw how little stock the store had for sale, and much of it was designer label. My wardrobe is decidedly Prada-free.
Returned yesterday to see that they had picked out just enough clothing to barely fill one plastic drugstore bag. But besides having to haul all my stuff back to the car, I also walked away with$17 and two free shirts (in trade). Just what I need when I'm trying to get rid of everything: more stuff.
Next, I went to Buffalo Exchange on La Brea. It was actually worse at first because the manager buyer lady was training a new girl, so they were openly discussing my fashion faux pas as part of a hideous training process. "It's realllllllly hard for us to take khaki," said the new girl with a pained expression. "Well this is different," she exclaimed, holding up a bowling shirt that their own racks were undoubtedly crammed with. Then she and her boss got into actual 'hushed whisper' discussion about the shirt. At least on "American Idol" they stab you in the chest, not in the back.
Then they got to my duffel bags full of shirts and suddenly I was the superstar. "We realllllllly need men's stuff, especially button-ups," said Manager Girl. I started pointing out brands, arguing for a better price on certain pieces. "I know you're buying for spring, but that's a one-of-a-kind Fred Perry sweater-- I really shouldn't even be selling it to you." I am such a non-haggler but it felt good to stick up for my threads.
Buffalo Exchange just opened a store in Long Beach, so I might take some of the leftovers down there on my way to San Diego this weekend. Apparently my denim wasn't "awesome" enough for Buffalo Exchange L.A. And some t-shirts were "great, but starting to fade." Isn't that the whole point of a thrift store t-shirt?
Last but not least, there's always Goodwill.
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