Question 1: How can I convince my teen that wearing name brand designer fashions does not make him a more worthy or better person?
First of all, it is doubtful that this teenage son thinks the clothing will make him a better person. He most likely feels like the clothing will make his friends jealous and that cheerleader want to go out with him. Though futile, we can all relate to this feeling, especially when in High School.
A lot of the most amazing pieces in my closet are from the thrift store, from the limited edition Fantastic Four Nike Air Force 1s to a red trench coat that was in perfect condition. Taking your teenage to the thrift store to look for things does seem like a long shot, but try going to more high end thrift stores first, like Buffalo Exchange.
Finding rare pieces for cheap will make all of his friends jealous and will also encourage more bargain shopping in the future. Besides, these days thrifting is way cooler than going to the Mall thanks to Macklemore.
Question 2: What shoe color goes best with a black dress?
Wearing a little black dress is a classic statement that says: I'm single, I'm hot, and I have't washed this in years! Jokes aside, the plain but classy plain black gives you the freedom to have fun with your shoes. A black dress would look amazing with the brightest pair of heels in the closet, adding a pop of color to your look.
But don't discount those sneaks hiding away just yet because pairing something classy with something more sporty can be a statement that shows off your personality. If you do try the sneaker and dress trend, then try also pairing it with some jewelry and a bag so it doesn't look like you just threw on those sneaks because you ran out of ideas.
Question 3: What should I never buy at a Goodwill?
Coming back to thrift shopping, Goodwill is always a hit-or-miss. Although some have a very large selection, the lack of consistent organization can make it hard to find specific items. Also, has anyone else noticed that their prices are not that cheap? Maybe I have become Mr. Krabs after my many years of bargain hunting, but $15 for some jeans is the same price I could get outlet store Levi's for.
Complaints aside, the accessories are usually a safe bet at any thrift store, as most people barely wear those and then donate them. Shoes are in the middle ground but require major inspection for tears (especially in the sole) before purchasing to make sure they were not donated on their last run.
The items you should never buy from a thrift store include: underwear (obvious reasons), T-Shirts (they are mostly all worn to shreds already), and household trinkets (personally I have never used one of those "decoration" pieces I have purchased). Obviously there will be exceptions to these but if you are a beginner thrifter, these are good rules to live buy.
