First off, if you're reading this out there, let me begin by saying "Welcome!" and thanks for reading Fashion by Number. This is my first post, and I'm kicking things off with one heck of a review!
This morning, Saturday, November 13th, I attended Goodwill's 27th Annual Glitter Sale. It was my first time. And like so many recently-deflowered Glitter Sale virgins across the greater Seattle area, my head is still reeling, my ears still ringing, but my bank account is barely the worse for wear, so I call it a successful day.
"But, Elle," I hear you saying, "are you talking about Goodwill? As in, Goodwill? Used clothing?"
I can also hear your fingers inching toward the mouse as you begin to think I have discredited myself before I have truly begun, but stick with me. I promise not to disappoint. (How's that for setting the bar high, huh?)
Let me start at the beginning:
It was very cold this morning, and I was very, very sleepy when I woke up at five o'clock to blearily pull on the leggings, tank top and comfy, slouchy boots and sweater I had hastily picked out the night before (based on tips from the Glitter Sale Blog). But I made it out of the house on time, picked up my best shopping-buddy, and together we made the short trek to the Goodwill on Dearborn, in SODO.
This Goodwill is the Big Kahuna--the head cheese of Goodwill's. If you haven't been, and enjoy thrift-store shopping, I strongly suggest it on any given day. The first day the Glitter Sale, however, is not for beginners. It is not for those that are daunted by a crowd. Or for those who are looking for a leisurely, latte-sipping kind of shopping trip. This is for the line-waiting diehards who get out of bed at 5 A.M. on a Saturday for the fun of it, and because the siren call of genuine vintage clothing (and maybe even the random pair of Manolo Blahniks) stirs them from their otherwise restful slumber.
Which brings me back to this morning.
So there I am, me and my favorite shopping buddy, each perched on our collapsible camp stools, wrapped in a blanket. The sun hasn't yet risen and the faint glow of book lights casts the circles under our eyes into a warmer hue as we read our books in companionable silence. But around us, the excitement is growing. Donuts are bandied about, and from Top Pot no less! We take one to share, my friend and I. Back to reading. But then, as the minutes tick by, announcements are made by enthusiastic and spirited employees. The time is growing near. Just after 8 A.M. they come down the line, handing out tote bags. People begin to stand, stretching their legs after hours of sitting on whatever camp paraphernalia they brought with them. As some stand, more follow, nobody wanting to be left behind. I deliver our camp chairs back to the trunk of my car, and we stand. Soon, they pass out pink, numbered tickets--only a certain number of people will be given numbers to view the jewelery, and we're lucky enough to be two of them! Tickets in hand, the line becomes restless, but jovially so. There are no bad attitudes on Goodwill Glitter Sale day!
They open the doors and an orderly flood--so, maybe more like a churning river--of enthusiastic bargain hunters make their way through the store, to the back, where the magic is said to happen.
There are two apparent methods when you are among the first to flood into the Glitter Sale. Both involve planning: what are you looking for? Anything specific? Are shoes your weakness? Handbags? Looking for formal wear? Make a game plan--this is my first tip. Our plan went like this: shoes, handbags, dresses--and jewelery whenever our numbers get called. How you execute your plan is up to you, and this is where the methods come into play. The first method involves taking anything you think may be of interest to you and shoving it in your tote as quickly as you can manage. This technique generally involves more than one bag. The other technique--and the one that we chose to use--is a less harried approach. We had our plan, we followed our plan, but we were choosy. We didn't just shove any old thing into our bags, but were liberal with our choosiness--we didn't take too long looking at any one item, but did employ a certain level of consideration while leafing through the racks. Both techniques require a certain stage of more careful consideration, generally utilizing a spare bit of corner where you can methodically go through the items you have chosen with a critical eye.
My take was considerable: a 1950's vintage skirt; a black leather-and-knit, vintage jacket; a mini-skirt for summer; a very unique silver bracelet of undetermined origin, and some other, costume pieces. I plan to show examples of the pieces with explanations as to what made me gravitate toward them in a future post!
The final word: The Goodwill Glitter Sale is an advanced level budget shopping experience. It is not for the faint of heart. But every employee I encountered was friendly, knowledgeable and eager to help; every shopper was courteous, and I definitely came out of there with some amazing finds. In those ways, I wish every shopping experience could be like the 27th Annual Goodwill Glitter Sale.
How about you? Did you go to the Glitter Sale this weekend?
For tips from more experienced Glitter Sale veterens, visit their blog: http://glittersale.blogspot.com/
