Wondering about previous owners

[ReychelleC]

I buy most of my clothes and shoes at thrift stores, so most of it is used. If you do the same, do you ever wonder what the previous owner looked like, how she looked in the clothes, and how she came to part with it? I have some beautiful dresses and skirts and can't imagine wanting to part with them.

[Tracy Irving]

Never thought about it once. Never thought to think about it. This trigger might make it happen in the future though.

[kayegirl]

Thrift shops, or to give them the UK name, Charity shops, can be an excellent source for some good quality items. There's a town near to where I live, where the ladies have a certain reputation for keeping up with the latest fashions, and also for purchasing top brands or labels. So while I do wonder how they could part with some of the clothes, I never think about them as individuals, except that is, Why there are so few that are my size?

[anna kate]

When I see a woman dressed nicely, I think, I'd love to have an outfit like that. So, when I find a nice outfit at a thrift store, I thank the lady for trading it in, so I get a chance with it.

[Stephanie47]

I think to women clothes are clothes. Maybe the wedding dress is boxed up in a closet or some other dress has sentimental value. Probably the biggest purge for women is weight going up and down. My wife goes through that and it is maddening. Buy the clothes. Don't fit. Donated. Buy almost the same thing again. Same with styles. Over the last two years my wife donated a ton of nightgowns from the early years of our marriage. Once she was petite. Now not some much. Sigh! It pained me more than her to see them go. Sometimes on eBay the seller is modeling her own clothes for sale. I've bought many dresses at JCPenny.Com. The models definitely look a lot better than I. My wife does buy her jeans when possible at thrift stores. I've never had an inkling she wonders who wore them.

[Becky Blue]

Reychelle, I found a really gorgeous expensive branded dress (I cannot remember the brand) the dress looked brand new and retailed for $400 and was still available in the shops, I too wondered who had bought the dress and how it landed up at a charity shop on sale for $25... I wore it out for dinner one night.

[audreyinalbany]

LOL the only time I ever think about it is when I wonder if I'm wearing something that someone died in

[DIANEF]

I've bought many items at charity shops but I don't really give too much thought to the previous owners. I'm more concerned at the condition of the item and if it will suit (and fit) me. I have found out that shops in more well to do areas usually have better quality stuff.

[CONSUELO]

Like Reychelle I do wonder about the previous owners to. I wonder what they were like and if they liked the item of clothing. They probably don't even think about what might have happened to the clothing they have donated. I certainly don't. Is there an idea for a story here?

[Tracii G]

Never gave it any thought.
I did trade clothes with a GG I used to know and she was beautiful and had a very sexy body.
She was the first GG I came out to and my very first GG shopping buddy.
Now when I tried her stuff on I did get a sense of connection to her which was nice.

[Dana44]

I buy at thrifts stores. Can't say I never that about the owners.

[Alice B]

Interesting question. I almost never go to thrift stores to shop. Simply because I am too lazy and do not have the patience required to sort through all the racks/

[Becky Blue]

LOL the only time I ever think about it is when I wonder if I'm wearing something that someone died in

Oh how I wish i had not read your answer Audrey, everytime I see anything in a thrift store now I won't be able to get your post out of my mind arghhh :)

[Asew]

Interesting question. I almost never go to thrift stores to shop. Simply because I am too lazy and do not have the patience required to sort through all the racks/
Some thrift shops are easier to shop in since they sort by size so you only need to look in a few spots for the things that will fit you. Granted the selection is totally random. And I really hate thrift shops that sort by color, I don't ever go to those ones anymore.


Oh how I wish i had not read your answer Audrey, everytime I see anything in a thrift store now I won't be able to get your post out of my mind arghhh :)
Yup, definitely going to be in the back of my mind now too.

I have shopped at thrift stores ever since a teenager for my male clothes. I definitely have less clothing regret at the thrift store since you know if it washes well and holds up well already (and if it doesn't less money lost). I definitely notice better quality clothes in the women's section (I could list some stereotypes why this might be the case).

[Tracii G]

Alice most thrift shops and Goodwill separate things by size and have for many years so I assume its been a long time since you have been shopped in one.
Lots of great deals in thrift stores you just have to be willing to look for the bargains.

[Sami Brown]

I thought about the previous owner the first time I bought a skirt, but I never think about it now. The first was about five years ago.

Sami

[Judy-Somthing]

The wedding dress I bought that I'm wearing in my Avatar made me think, "If the bride only knew who ended up wearing it"!
The sales lady said "it's nice to see this dress getting a new home" I don't know if she figured it was for me but she's has seen me buy at least ten dresses SZ 18!

[alwayshave]

I have bought clothes at thrift stores and never considered it until you brought it up.

[Glenda58]

YOU MIGHT HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING THAT I GAVE UP PURGING. The last time I purge I donated to Goodwill. That was years ago. A lot us purge but don't toss things out just donate them.

[Traci H]

I have wondered about the previous owner on occasion. I’ve had a few items that have remnants of perfume and it certainly makes one aware of a previous owner.

Presently I have been looking for a new purse and am amazed at the variety and like new condition of so many. Women turn these things over like crazy.

Regarding the sorting of clothing by size. Most thrift stores sort by size and then color within that size. Very convenient. One exception I found was a Salvation Army store. They had all their sizes all mixed up and virtually impossible to shop. I will not go back there.

[Elizabeth G]

I have wondered about this. My favorite place to shop is a nearby consignment store and I have become good friends with the owner. During our conversations she has mentioned small things about the previous owners of some items I have bought (nothing confidential or revealing). I asked her once what she thought some of the women would think of they knew and in at least one instance she said the previous owner would have liked the idea.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Reychelle :hugs:, There is the possibility that it was a Crossdresser purging, It happens.>Orchid...:daydreaming:...

[Tamsin Secret]

Reychelle, I have often thought this too and Orchid I was just gonna say the same.....

I've purged a few times and believe what I've purged may end up on a charity wrack somewhere haha some of the things I'd actually buy back :battingeyelashes:

[Krisi]

That (previous owner) has never crossed my mind. It's pretty common for women to buy new clothes either to follow the styles or because they have gained weight. Giving the old clothes to shops where they are sold to people who can't afford new clothes gives people some satisfaction of helping others.

The last time I was in line at a thrift store, there was a man in line asking his friend which of two shirts should he buy (for $3) to wear to a job interview. That hit me pretty hard.

[deebra]

I go to thrift store occasionally and when I pick out several pairs of women's jeans and go in the changing room and try them on I do wonder how the jeans looked and fit her feminine body. And I have wondered what her reaction would be to a guy wearing her jeans. I also am aware the SA's know I am trying on women's jeans and buying them. Probially he just is on the fem. side and likes wearing girl clothes, no big deal; different strokes for different folks. Do they wonder, is he's wearing panties??

[IleneD]

Reychellle,

[First,.... love your name. So exotic and soft sounding that rolls off the tongue.]

What an intriguing thought. I never once considered the previous owner of my many thrift shop items. I should though. Interesting.
I usually launder a new thrift store purchase (first thing) for sanitary reasons. I don't take time to sniff them for scents or hints of other humans. But I can see where clothes may carry an animating spirit within them; or as you say, what was the previous owner all about.

BTW.... The Thrift Store is your best friend. I find the most amazing, sometimes fashionably old-fashioned, and sometimes unique dresses and outfits there; all for pennies on the dollar. I bought a great Calvin Klein blouse that I know was probably $80 new retail for $7.
I have a dressing day today. I may go to The Veterans Store. Thanks.

[StevieTV]

I believe when I wear the newly purchased clothes or shoes that I'm channelling the former female owner. I have a pair of 3" red heels that just speak lusty thoughts.

[Teresa]

Reychelle,
I often think about the previous owner , sometimes the item has a faint smell of their perfume , often I think it's nice and wonder what it is .

I rarely buy male clothes the thought of wearing another guy's clothes I find quite repulsive , OK perhaps I'm a little strange , I just love GGs and their clothes !!

[stephenie3756]

becky Blue - I have found lots of expensive dresses at thrift stores and wonder how someone could give up such an expensive dress that I am now getting for $3.00? Some of the dresses are just down right sexy as hell. I do imagine the woman that was wearing this to a club or wedding and how she felt wearing such a beautiful dress.

[Drew GB]

I do sometimes wonder about previous owners. But the thoughts can quickly get disturbing so I start to hum a little tune and distract myself. Thanks to this thread I now wonder what will happen to the clothes I donate in the future. I could just imagine the big grin on my face seeing a GG walking down the street looking fab in a skirt I had donated.

[Beverley Sims]

Not really,
By the time I wash and iron the clothes they start anew for me.

[Cassidy]

Hey all,

If anyone is interested there is a book titled 'The Secret Life of Dresses' by Erin Mc Kean. It's the story of a thrift store owner that wrote fictional stories about dresses she sold.

Cassidy

[MarinaTwelve200]

It does not bother ME any, as I started in my mother's clothing. They become MINE after I buy and wash them anyways. If anything, knowing that a GG once had worn them is a bit more "exiting" than wearing something NEW. Also, I do not worry about "dead Peoples" clothing----As if someone died in it.---The clothing in which someone died in would be discarded anyway, for various reasons. ;)

[Lindabrown]

Thrift stores in Hollywood have women shoes and clothes that fit large crossdressers.
I found size 12,13,14,17 high heels in thrift stores in Hollywood. I found boots in size 14 and 15.
I gotten winter dress coats that fit me.

I often see women with the same outfits I have and its a turn on for me. I like to see if they have a nice silhouette and figure in them.
Never think much about previous owners except that wow they must have a nice figure and are really tall for a women with small waist.

[jacques]

hello Reychelle,
why are you assuming that the previous owner was a woman?
(it might have been me!)
luv J

[Lindabrown]

that's funny LOL!

[ShirleyN]

I buy most of my clothes and shoes at thrift stores, so most of it is used. If you do the same, do you ever wonder what the previous owner looked like, how she looked in the clothes, and how she came to part with it? I have some beautiful dresses and skirts and can't imagine wanting to part with them.

Yes i do indeed. I've been wondering exactly the same thing for years. We used to have a cupboard full of womens' clothes in our bathroom and I did occasionally wonder "Who was the last person to wear this?"
As to why anyone would ever part with such beautiful clothes, one could possibly assume that maybe the women who originally wore them grew too big for them. That would be my guess.

[Robin777]

Reychelle,


I rarely buy male clothes the thought of wearing another guy's clothes I find quite repulsive , OK perhaps I'm a little strange , I just love GGs and their clothes !!

Teresa, I am the same way I won't buy men's clothes in a thrift store. I don't have any problem buying women's clothing though.

I seldom think about the previous owner. The only time I think of them is when I find something with an expensive price tag from the store on the item. Then I think "must be nice to be able to spend that much and not wear it", just to donate it so I can get it for a few bucks.

[lingerieLiz]

You can relax about someone dying in the clothes. The odds on the clothes being suitable for resale is nil and none. In emergency situations the clothes are usually cut off. If the person passes in hospice care they are usually in hospital gowns. In any case because of bodily fluids and rigor mortis there really isn't a chance. A lot of times the person who died family will donate clothes to charity.

[Maria 60]

I'm a slip lover and you just can't find them anymore like before, so I will go into thrift stores and try to find classic slips. When I get home I wash them before I wear them, but can't help smelling them and usally they have the smell of perfume.
I will ask my wife who is more experienced with women's perfume if she could tell me anything about the person who previously wore the slip, like age or culture. She could usally tell me a age margin, I find it interesting, my wife knows for my it's more about the texture and it's such a femine piece of clothing, but does insist they part with them because they are a article of the past and doesn't know anyone who wears one anymore except maybe older women.
Well I know something about the last person who owned the last slip I bought, It was owned by a heavy smoker because I had to wash it three times to get the smell out.

[CarlaWestin]

There's always some interesting finds in Las Vegas thrift stores. I've found expensive custom corsets, large and sexy bras and parts and pieces of *ehem* stripper outfits.
Wife and I were in a store that had quite the assortment of high end Jimmy Choo and Vera Wang shoes along with custom made items.
This sign caught my attention. Sort of creepy and reassuring all at the same time.

289444

[Mickitv]

Never really paid much attention to the previous owners. I just love it when I can find something that looks great on me and I can call my own.

[Leslie Langford]

The only thought that crosses my mind in those instances is how wonderful it would be to be married to a GG like the previous owner who is the same size I am, and how much fun it would be to potentially be able to freely swap clothes with her.

[Barbara Black]

I think about it all the time, but I doubt that the quality here is the same as in LV.

[susan54]

I sometimes buy in charity shops but always wash or dry clean the purchases before wearing - I do not try them on in the shop and anything that doesn't fit I just donate back. There was one dress I rather liked that was too small so I got a dressmaker to turn it into a skirt. However charity shop dresses are no longer cheap - prices of £20 or more are becoming common, and you can buy very high quality new dresses for only slightly more than this in department store and boutique sales. I just bought four Issa dresses. Three of them were priced in the £30-£40 bracket and if you look on eBay they are well into three figures for used Issa dresses. I think women keep more than their wedding dresses for sentimental reasons but not much - the dress they were wearing when x happened. High end or middle retail sales can provide massive bargains. I don't want to put people off buying from charity shops though and the ones in smart areas are potential goldmines. I got a designer skirt suit form £25 in a charity shop in Edinburgh that was definitely a bargain and they sometimes have things from upmarket stores that still have tickets and there is a range of sizes so they have obviously been donated by the stores. I have a woman friend who only buys high end stuff so that when she is getting rid of it she uses a dress agency (which I assume to be what Americans call a consignment shop) and gets something for it. Unfortunately she is way smaller than me!