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View Full Version : Are most Dresses sold at Thrift stores going to Women or Cds



Robbiegirl
12-20-2017, 11:27 AM
I love all the pretty dresses you find at thrift stores but have never heard of a GG I know buying a dress other than a costume from a thrift store.

Are we competing with GG or other Cds for the cute size 10 dresses and up ?

Are CDs important to the thrift industry ?

I tried a thrift store only once and felt that everyone was staring at me in the womens section. In a department store I can just say I am dress shopping for my wife but no one would believe that at a thrift store ! LOL

Kate Simmons
12-20-2017, 11:45 AM
It's hard to be sure but I don't the places selling really care as long as they make money.:battingeyelashes::)

Robertacd
12-20-2017, 11:53 AM
They are going to more women than us. All it takes is spending a little time in a thrift store to see how many more women are shopping for woman's clothes than men.

Emma S
12-20-2017, 11:57 AM
I have a thrift store within walking distance of my place. I have a feeling that I'm going to start taking more advantage of that place soon, you never know what you can find! But I'm sure a lot of CDs shop at thrift stores, especially the ones who are on a tighter budget. Can't blame them for being thrifty

Taylor186
12-20-2017, 12:02 PM
When I hunt thrift store bargains in my town I'm the only male in the women's section along with many women.

Meghan4now
12-20-2017, 12:12 PM
Based purely on speculation, and the relatively low incindence of male crossdressers vs 51% of the general population, my guess would be No, not even close.

Tracii G
12-20-2017, 12:17 PM
I see mostly women at thrift stores and I have made friends with a few just because we go on the same days usually.
Monday is the best day to find stuff because they stock new incoming items on Sunday night.
I have been right in the gaggle of women fighting over stuff and its a blast.
Don't let homophobia stop you from getting great deals on clothing items.

RachelB.
12-20-2017, 12:19 PM
Women definitely, Just don't grab a dress that a GG has her eye on. I almost lost a hand that way! LOL My wife finds a surprisingly high number of articles of clothing at thrifts in our area that are new. Still have tags on them or the extra buttons still attached. She bought a designer dress with a $110.00 dollar tag on it for $20.00 last Saturday.

Leslie Langford
12-20-2017, 12:27 PM
I would venture to say that it is the exact opposite...GG's are clearing out their closets and donating their dresses, skirts, and high heels in droves as all they want to wear these days are the ubiquitous jeans, jogging pants, yoga gear, leggings, and jeggings etc. that they seem to favor instead.

Personally, I'm O.K. with that...leaves more "girly" stuff to go around for us crossdressers to buy... ;)

char GG
12-20-2017, 12:29 PM
I buy most of my clothes at Goodwill. Many women from work also buy at thrift shops.

DIANEF
12-20-2017, 12:43 PM
I've bought several items at charity shops, always well outnumbered by women when I go.

Sidney
12-20-2017, 12:48 PM
I see a whole lot more women in the women's section than men. So I'd say they buy more than us. A tip my daughter taught me. Go to Goodwill stores in higher income areas. They tend to have name brand and better quality
Clothing.

SabrinaEmily
12-20-2017, 12:49 PM
If you'd do the math instead of wishful thinking based on fetishes, you'd realize that women outnumber crossdressers (etc.) by a factor of at least 20, so there's just no way.

Also, the people you know aren't a representative sample of anything (and this goes for everyone), but it would also be very surprising if the women who are most into thrift shopping, say the top couple percent, weren't buying at least as many dresses as the top couple percent of men in that. (As I've said before, this is a forum that selects for men who are most interested in feminine clothing, but doesn't select for that among the women who join. Your life in general probably doesn't select for the latter either. Thrift store shopping, on the other hand, might.)

Jaylyn
12-20-2017, 01:01 PM
I've never been in a thrift store as we donate all of our clothing to a place in our very small town to one place and they take care of it. Give us a receipt for what they appraise the value at for taxes and then we usually don't go inside. They have several workers there that volunteer, they wash n dry every thing hang it, and even mend any tears. You must be on welfare with a card, or on food stamps to get in to help with their family needs.
The reason it is like this was because several merchants down town were coming in buying at very big discounted prices and then reselling the merchandise at their shops.
When someone in town dies many times the relatives go thru the deadly belongings and get what keepsakes they want and tell the mission to come get what's left. They store calls themselves a mission but usually do charge a small price for an item. That then pays for electricity and lease only as work there is on a volunteer basis.
I really don't think many CDs go there, I suppose the thrift stores are different and make a bigger profit.

docrobbysherry
12-20-2017, 01:31 PM
From personal experience I can say conclusively u r competing with GG's. :battingeyelashes:

I've shopped in a zillion different thrift stores over the last 20 years. Can't recall ever seeing another man or CD picking thru the women's things!:daydreaming:

Kayliedaskope
12-20-2017, 01:44 PM
I've been shopping in Goodwill and Savers a few times, usually in drab mode, and I've gotten the stink-eye from a few women in there before. I just calmly stare back at them until they look away, then go back to what I was doing. Yes, it was mainly women (GG's) cruising the store, with a few guys checking out tools, toys, electronics, etc.

Got some good deals on some women's jeans - less than ten bucks for some Gloria Vanderbilt and Old Navy. Dresses? No, I decided to pass, but there was this one LBD I was looking at for a while .....

Teresa
12-20-2017, 01:53 PM
Robbie,
It's an interesting question, I have been elbowed out of the racks in charity shops and have had clothes snatched before I could reach them, I do admit I personally haven't seen a man buying from the female racks but I'm told it does happen .

OK the skirt and blouse in my avatar are from a charity shop , the SA was very envious that I could slip into the size 10 skirt , the whole outfit was about £15.00 , I will continue to use in these shops , I don't have a problem , yes people do look but I've long got over that .

Rebecca60
12-20-2017, 02:17 PM
At times I'll swing by a thrift store. But most of my shopping is done at Kohl's or Sears.. Target usually has a good selection too. I do get looks but once the payment is made the looks stop.. I do shop with the Mrs before hand so the stores don't question my purchases.

Anne K
12-20-2017, 02:18 PM
My wife and her friends are ferocious thrift store shoppers. In our area North of Naples, FL the bargains are insane! My wife bought a pair of brand new Georgio Armani heels for $5. We looked online and they sell for $750.

Personally, I rarely find size 16-18 anything at a thrift store. So, I buy on eBay, Amazon, and Full Beauty online. 75% of my wardrobe is eBay.

Alice B
12-20-2017, 03:14 PM
I see lotsof woman shopping for dresses at thrift stores, but most re from Mexico. Nota big supprise since Tijuana is only 16 miles away. I also see more Mexican woman shopping at stores like Macy's

Stephanie47
12-20-2017, 05:07 PM
I go to thrift stores a lot looking for books or accompanying my wife who does not drive. Practicing to be an Uber driver. I never see men perusing the women's clothing. Realistically, you have to consider the percentage of cross dressers in the male adult population and whether those men are going to attempt to buy dresses at all. Ebay may be a different situation when it comes to buying plus size undergarments and outerwear. Just look at the insane bidding on colorful full slips or plain black or white when it comes to sizes 42, 44 and 46. A woman would not make those outrageous bids. Similar slips in sizes 32, 34, 36 and even 38 go for a lot less money than those larger sizes. And, many times I see bids for currently available slips at retail which have outrageous bids. A woman or confident cross dresser would order them on line from a known retailer.

Jodie_Lynn
12-20-2017, 09:30 PM
For all those that have said they never see a male looking through the women's racks in a thrift store: you've never been in the store I am in.....

As to the OP, the majority of women's clothing is bought by....................

>DRUM ROLL<


..... women.

Surprise, surprise. Not.

Dana44
12-20-2017, 09:49 PM
Yes there are far more women and they have helped me find stuff. I just bought a nice coat at the thrift store and my SO got one also.

alwayshave
12-20-2017, 10:19 PM
No one is buying dresses at my local Goodwill in NE DC. It is awful. However, I have been across the bridge to the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Goodwill in Arlington is fantastic. I don't believe we are forcing women out of charity shops though.

Jaymees22
12-20-2017, 10:35 PM
I have shopped in thrift stores, the people there said I hope your wife likes it. I said she would. In one thrift store they had quite a few size 11 shoes in brand new condition, I wondered if they were the result of a purge.

lingerieLiz
12-20-2017, 10:35 PM
A fellow shopper sent this link to me. It is about "Too Cheap Blondes" Several other cities have women doing the same thing. They claimed they bought $2000 worth of clothes for about $50. They also found glass ware.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwjsiOOnkprYAhXB4CYKHY2FDwgQFggvMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.khou.com%2Fnews%2Fbloggers-help-shoppers-find-high-end-gifts-for-cheap%2F499823220&usg=AOvVaw1jHQadcFGRThLMKB6oLY7h

I've purchased clothes at thrift stores. Bought a slip (new) and I was checking out the SA said most men wouldn't buy a slip. I told her I had several. We talked for a few minutes no problems, I have found that you can find equally good things for sale for less at retail stores if you do sales. I purchased some tops that were 17.99 that I purchased for 3.79. Which is cheaper than Good Will offered theirs.

Tracy Irving
12-21-2017, 12:22 AM
As a frequent thrift store shopper I find almost all women in the women's section. There have been times that women outnumbered men in the men's section!

Stacy Darling
12-21-2017, 08:07 AM
Other CDs and I are definitely competing with GGs in 4 out of 5 of my local stores daily for size 12-14AU but are well outnumbered.
We are also just as important to the industry as all others, and are most likely better mannered than some!!!

I will also add that I have even just recently been going through a sportswear rack with a pleasant younger gay couple, luckily I was a smaller size. So we are competing with more than GGs.

Then there was the time when I was looking at the purses when this hot chick wanted to look at the same one in a locked glass cabinet, Oooh!

Stacy!

stephenie3756
12-21-2017, 06:42 PM
I have my set of thrift stores that I always go and visit. Especially when I am out of town on business. I begin looking on the Internet for the nearest thrift stores to my hotel before I leave. Since I am out of town, I am not very concern with other seeing a man looking through women's dresses or heels. Especially when I am out in San Francisco area, I shop the thrift stores AND Forever 21, Charlotte Russe in drab. My suitcase ends up being filled to the brim with all my latest finds. I always get a thrill with finding a sexy LBD or bridesmaid gown that I know cost hundreds of dollars for $5.00. Even better when the price tag color is the color for 50% off. Glad there are women donating their dresses and heels for me to give them a second life.

Gwen M
12-21-2017, 08:57 PM
Six yards ago I purged everything to a thrift store. 50 pair of heels and boots ,countless dresses, skirts, tops, belts purses etc I’m sure one of you girls felt they had hit the motherload. ( I wear a size 13 shoe. ) if only I could turn back time. The replacement is costly but fun. So keep on shopping you will never know what you might find.

Jenny123
12-21-2017, 10:13 PM
I buy almost all of my clothes at thrift stores. I have seen other CDs there buying stuff, but it's almost all women in the women's clothing section.

ToniG
12-21-2017, 10:23 PM
My current wardrobe is mostly from 3 nearby thrift stores. Have only one issue shopping at one store. But have found occasional Bargains. I do watch for rude shoppers, and wait for them to move from the rack that I'm after. One of my fav pairs of Italian pumps came from GW. Came home today with a Susan Graver Sweater-coat that doesent have any issues/unworn look to it. Prob a $100 or more item on the shopping channel where it came from . Having purged expensive items over the yrs--building my wardrobe for less this time. Wish I still had some of the items that I donated..Costs to replace them. Toni G..

Kiwi Primrose
12-21-2017, 10:28 PM
We have two charity shops in our small town, Salvation Army and Vinnie's (presumably St Vincent's). Both have a good range of skirts and blouses and welcome anyone. I buy most of my outer garments here, especially skirts, and they treat me as a customer without any comment. I found that the teen girl's section is a good place to look for short skirts for summer or wearing with tights.

Robbiegirl
12-22-2017, 01:40 PM
Six yards ago I purged everything to a thrift store. 50 pair of heels and boots ,countless dresses, skirts, tops, belts purses etc I’m sure one of you girls felt they had hit the motherload. ( I wear a size 13 shoe. ) if only I could turn back time. The replacement is costly but fun. So keep on shopping you will never know what you might find.

For fun Can you tell us what town you purged in ?

rockerreds
12-22-2017, 01:52 PM
I am the only male I see in our local thrift store. But I have found some great stuff there!

Shely
12-22-2017, 03:05 PM
I buy all my dresses at GW. I can't spend real money on dresses, when i can get them for $1. But I see a lot of women looking at dresses while i am also looking at dresses. I pay them no attention and they do the same for me. I don't kn ow what i'd do without thrift stores. I recall once looking at the dress rack while another guy was sampling them. I didn't asked him his intentions.

Gwen M
12-22-2017, 05:30 PM
Don’t know if I’m allowed to give a location of my purge but let’s say it is the home of the Steelers

Jodie_Lynn
12-22-2017, 06:26 PM
@ Shely: "sampling them"???? What does that mean? (she asks with much trepidation)

Krisi
12-23-2017, 09:42 AM
I love all the pretty dresses you find at thrift stores but have never heard of a GG I know buying a dress other than a costume from a thrift store. ..........

That's because you and your friends are relatively well off. The women (and men) shopping at thrift stores are people who can't afford to waltz into Macys and buy two or three outfits every week or two. The next time you go to the thrift store (think about the name "thrift store"), stop and look around at the customers. Look at how they are dressed. Look at their shoes and jewelry.

As far as shopping for a dress for your wife, nobody is believing that and if they don't ask, you won't have a chance to tell them anyway. If you're buying dresses, you need to own it.

Julia1984
12-23-2017, 10:11 AM
Not all who shop in thrift stores are low earners. Why pay £70 or more for a new pair of jeans when you can get them already worn in for a fraction of that in a charity shop? I buy most of my casual clothes that way. So do my wife and children. I'm not going to mention figures but our income is comfortably above average. And it helps with the whole re-use, recycle thing.
Julia

Robin777
12-23-2017, 08:55 PM
I shop at thrift stores all the time with my wife and have to compete with GG's in the dress racks all the time. We were in the VOA store in the university district last weekend and there were college age GG's shopping for dresses. So I would say we are not the majority buyer of dresses in the thrift stores.

lingerieLiz
12-23-2017, 11:08 PM
Let me assure you that many of the shoppers at thrift stores are not destitute. Some are professional shoppers buying furniture or whatever. Nor are all the thrift stores necessarily the cheapest to buy things at. I've bought tops at department stores on sale cheaper than GW had them for sale. My mother used to do it for fun after she retired. I'd do it more often but being retired has kept me so busy that I don't have the time.