The Secondhand Wardrobe is an introductory guide to chasing down the best used clothing deals. The book is a short (67 page) carry-along manual that explains why new and barely worn clothes end up in thrift stores and teaches how to tell the real treasures from the items that should be left on the rack. Read it and learn where you are likely to get the best bargains and why used clothing is the most environmentally friendly way to shop. Get pointers on how to organize your hunt for maximum efficiency and also get a fresh perspective on why many people feel uncomfortable buying and wearing used clothing. Learn to care for your garments, including how to ignore most "dry clean only" labels. In fact, wash just a few dry clean only garments at home by following the instructions in The Secondhand Wardrobe and you will recoup the cover price of this book.
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Cheryl Gorn's passion for fabric and clothing began at the age of four when she taught herself how to sew. She spent the early part of her working life as a trained museum professional who researched, cared for, and developed exhibits about historic clothing. She currently creates textile art pieces and also teaches special programs that combine fabric art and social studies. Cheryl began shopping secondhand in 1977 and is the founder of Secondhand Wardrobe Week.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Peanuts1958
Format:Paperback
Whether you shop second-hand because it's fun, economical, or eco-friendly, this guide is full of great advice. Written with practical humor, Cheryl Gorn's style is very down to earth. This very timely book will help anyone looking for a new job on a tight budget - an all too common American story these days. The Secondhand Wardrobe: Have Fun Finding Stylish, Earth-Friendly Used Clothing Deals or Save Your Money and Go Green, One Chic Thrift Store Bargain at a Time
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is excellent. Just the tips on dry cleaning have saved me $100 in one month. I don't plan to ever pay retail again, except for underwear.
Format:Paperback
I was privileged to be receive a copy of The Secondhand Wardrobe for review at Titus2Homemaker.com, and I found it to have an amazingly broad scope. The book begins with a chapter about the advantages of shopping secondhand, from finance to fashion. It addresses some common concerns.
For those who have decided that they are willing to go this route, the author then discusses the various secondhand options. The remainder of the book focuses on thrift stores.
Before we get to the actual shopping, though, we need to make a plan. A whole section is devoted to explaining, step-by-step, how to plan a wardrobe. Knowing what you do need can help you avoid wasting resources on pieces you don't need!
Finally, about the second half of the book is devoted to time in the store itself. The tips for making the most of your time when it's limited are helpful. There are also tips for recognizing pieces that aren't really any good and are best left behind. How to check for fit is explained, as well as how to launder your finds (and whether you really need to be as cautious in laundering as the label claims).
Overall, I found this to be a very good "how-to-dress-well" book from a secondhand shopper's perspective. It also has a somewhat "green" or eco-friendly slant. The book itself is small so you can carry it with you to the store. It's pretty basic, but it's thorough.
It would make a great coming-of-age gift for a young lady, as it addresses both fashion and frugality and it isn't an overwhelming read. Of course it is also helpful for grown-up "girls" new to secondhand shopping, which is the original target audience.
For those who have decided that they are willing to go this route, the author then discusses the various secondhand options. The remainder of the book focuses on thrift stores.
Before we get to the actual shopping, though, we need to make a plan. A whole section is devoted to explaining, step-by-step, how to plan a wardrobe. Knowing what you do need can help you avoid wasting resources on pieces you don't need!
Finally, about the second half of the book is devoted to time in the store itself. The tips for making the most of your time when it's limited are helpful. There are also tips for recognizing pieces that aren't really any good and are best left behind. How to check for fit is explained, as well as how to launder your finds (and whether you really need to be as cautious in laundering as the label claims).
Overall, I found this to be a very good "how-to-dress-well" book from a secondhand shopper's perspective. It also has a somewhat "green" or eco-friendly slant. The book itself is small so you can carry it with you to the store. It's pretty basic, but it's thorough.
It would make a great coming-of-age gift for a young lady, as it addresses both fashion and frugality and it isn't an overwhelming read. Of course it is also helpful for grown-up "girls" new to secondhand shopping, which is the original target audience.
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