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After reading about the bargains some of you girls have picked up shopping in thrift stores and the like I've been intending to try the same myself. I'd been hoping to get my wife to go shopping with me on Saturday but we'll have visitors for the weekend and won't be able to ... drat!

Today I was going into town on a few errands so thought I'd be brave, be confident, and go clothes shopping in the local charity shops. Ok, maybe I'm not that brave - off comes the nail polish, on go the drabs, a quick 'lucky' check in the mirror (oops - off comes the eyeliner and mascarra!) and with a smile on my face and butterlies in the tummy off I stroll into town.

For some reason I hate going into my bank, so I get that out of the way first then off to Superdrug to pick up a few essentials - nail polish and remover, Micropore medical tape. Ok it's time for the big event and it's off to the charity shops for some bargain hunting ...

Clothes shopping. On my own. It's lunchtime. Town is busy. Everyone will stare. Everyone will know! I'm walking in the wrong direction! I just can't do it! I'm heading to my local for a pub lunch instead.

Then I hear a sweet little voice in my head telling me not to worry, please don't 'bottle it', you need some long sleeved tops for these chilly autumn evenings, it'll be cool, for the price of a pub lunch you should be able to get a nice top or maybe two. You can do it!

Ok, big deep breath, turn around and I'm heading to the street where most of the local charity shops are. (I can do this). Salvation Army shop first. How nervous am I?! My heart's going about 8 zillion bpm, I'm really hot - wish I hadn't worn this jacket - oh no, I'm starting to sweat.

"Just chill!. Look, the clothing section is way down the back of the shop, there's books and videos just here, have a look through them and get yourself together". There's nothing in the book or video sections I fancy (well Red Dwarf series 4 on video, but I've already got that). I'm much calmer now and have a look at the bracelets and necklaces. Only fancy one necklace but there's no way it'll fit me. On to the clothes section, still a little nervous but not too bad. Ok ... mens jackets, mens trousers, a few womens jackets ... that's it?? WTF? Charity shops always have more womens clothes tha mens. It's tradition, or an old charter, or something I just had to chuckle, all that worrying and there's nothing here to even look at!

Next charity shop please ... nothing is stopping me now! I'm a little nervous as there's two women already at the racks for my size ... but they're paying little or no attention to me, just checking out the clothes. "Just be confident, it's nothing unusual, you belong here". Soon I'm smiling and humming a little tune to myself as I pull out likely looking items from the racks. Occasionally I let slip a quiet "that's nice", a "oh no, wrong size" or a "she'll like that". Or was it an "I like that"? Whatever, I don't care. Picked out a nice knee-length black skirt and a long sleeved leopard spot and gold thread top, had a nice little chat with two women staff while paying for them.

Next shop, lots of customers (mainly women), a bright and cheerful "good morning" to the lady at the counter and I'm straight over to the womens clothing section ... ooh, there's a gorgeous soft long-sleeved cream top ... feel how soft it is! ... that woman's heading towards it ... oh no you don't honey, I was here first - that's mine! What was I worried about? This shopping lark is easy peasy! And fun (my top, it's my top!). Smiles and another chat while paying at the counter too. Edit - picked up a burgundy 21" skirt here too.

Ah well, I guess that's enough shopping for today and I'm heading home when suddenly my LBDD (little black dress detector) is going berserk. I'm outside yet another charity shop and I can see the cutest LBD in the window. No, make that two ... three ... gangway, shopaholic coming through! Sadly none of the LBDs were my size. Never mind eh? Better luck next time.

Two skirts, two tops = £18 (about $30). Good quality too! And the shopping trip was quite a buzz!

Time for this happy little girl to head for the "What are you wearing today?" thread


Mandy
(feeling very pleased with myself, as you may have guessed!)

PS - Was that sweet little voice in my head one of you girls? I like to think so!

Hiya Mandy

Sounds cool, I think they'll be no stopping you now I guess the first time is always the harest, I don't have the bottle to do it yet but you give me hope!

Well done Ya'll have to get some new pics I always walk past the 2nd hand shops up the road and they have some stunning outfits on display in the window, if only I could go in and buy them like you have!

*hugs*

Sophie xx

Has anyone else noticed that the number of charity shops selling 'intimate items' has dropped significantly over the years?

I don't know if it's for hygeine reasons or because they don't want dirty old men (for that read 'innocent CDs') lurking around the ladies' lingerie.

I remember my first femme purchase. I had originally bought it for my wife, then girlfriend, but liked it so much I ended keeping it for myself. But the first time I went alone and bought something for myself, I was freaking out. Strange how context like that can make a difference. From then on I alway put myself in the mind set that if anyone asks, it is for my wife. What they don't know does not hurt them.

SophieLawson wrote:Ya'll have to get some new pics

Just posted a pic of Tuesday's outfit plus a pic of today's outfit in the photo gallery. (Under my original username of Red Amanda).

Looking good, girl!!

Welcome to what I am sure will be just one of many wonderful shopping excursions!!

Well i know how you feel
I just went shopping just for me today it was realy fun even do the weather was horrible i enjoyed myself
got some nice things for myself
So i bet you gonna do it more to just like me hahaha
geuss were hooked now haha

enjoy your new thing

hug Mellissa

Way to go Mandy!!!!
Shopping is such fun , but also can be a let down to some degree
! I have come across some absolutely beautiful blouses, silk and very expensive and and soooo sad - not my size!! But keep looking and remember, "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping!"
Love ya,
Virginia

Hi all,

Wise shopping at the thrift or charity stores can certainly get you more for your money.

Mandy,

Congratulations! You found some nice things - I like the pictures.


Sophie,

You have really been expanding your horizons and I would think that eventually you will be posting both your shopping adventures and pictures of you wearing your finds.


Ginny,

I have noticed that the thrift stores I shop at don't have much intimate clothing. My wife has hygiene issues with used underwear previously worn by unknown people and I'm going to agree with her. I wasn't impressed with what little they did have.


Calina,

I can fit into all of my wifes things except shoes, so I say that it's for my wife.


Mellissa,

I didn't read your thread yet, but I'm sure you will agree that thrift shops can be great.


Keep on shopping,
Jadeanne

Calina_Leigh wrote:Strange how context like that can make a difference. From then on I alway put myself in the mind set that if anyone asks, it is for my wife. What they don't know does not hurt them.

I can relate to that with stuff like makeup, I brought my Mum a load of Makeup one Christmas and didn't think nothing of it. I couldn't go buy makeup for me now, but if I went in thinking it was for Mum or someone else then it would be so easier.

It's all psycological isn't it, everything is, what stops us going out, telling people etc etc it's all in the mind! Cool Calina, I think us first timers should try this

Sophie xx

Interestingly, after I'd been on my shopping trip Cathy(SO) said she felt a little 'left out' of things and she'd prefer to go with me when I went clothes shopping. To be honest although shopping on me own was quite a buzz I enjoyed my shopping trip with Cathy much more. Especially our mid-shopping break at the coffee shop!

Mellissa - UK coffee shops are nowhere near as much fun as the coffee shops in Holland If you haven't been shopping with your wife yet, and she's willing, I thoroughly recommend you go asap - it's great!

I went shopping with my Mum again today, wasn't gonna buy anything but ended up buying 2 bracelets, 2 skirts, 2 halterneck dresses and a really nice little black dress

My Mum said she's gonna borrow that black dress, so Im gonna take it over to her next week I think I'd prefer going shopping with someone rather than on my own, just for advice

Sophie xx

thanks for posting your story stories like that give me strength and confidence when Calina goes out by herself. I am trying to encoursge her to go out more. I am still al little skiddish about going out with Calina, but I hope that remedy's itself soon.

Bubbles (SO) wrote: I am still al little skiddish about going out with Calina, but I hope that remedy's itself soon.

I would never want to push into something that bothers you. I am very patience and truly appreciate all that you have done for me

Mandy, i ahve been shopping for 3 decades and i still get the willys when i first go in, It is so fun to shop, especialy when you get a good deal. It does get easier as you go, but that intial walkin is always a trip. Glad to know you are having fun and shopping. Keep up the image. .....kristen