Thread: Any luck with thrift stores?

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This year I've decided to be a Victorian era Vampire. I really don't want to pay $200 for a replica dress. I've already checked out the costume shops, but of course if you're not 5'7 and 125 lbs, the costumes aren't going to look good on you. So, I decided tomorrow I'm going to thrift stores to try and find an old dress with a fuller skirt. I want to find a dress and then put my corset over it and add makeup, etc. My question is, is it worth it? Has anyone really scored on old dresses and accessories and been able to turn them into awesome costumes?

If you happen to be in the suburbs of Chicago and had a great find, I would love to know. I will keep you posted on my finds.

Yes, many do this. CHeck out Spookilicious Mama and her posts.

I've seen several old school prom dresses...but they've all been size 8 or smaller...and that just won't work for me! LoL I'm gonna have to bite the bullet and order a replica dress...try eBay!

Its really hit or miss by us, and varies widely by the area you shop in - for instance, I find more "current" ballgowns in the richer suburbs. Our goodwill system has finally caught on to some pricing stuff and now charges 3-4X what they used to for crinolines and formals, but you can still find good deals if you're lucky.

The problem shopping thrift stores is kind of the same problem you have even at retail: when you need one special or specific item, you just can't find it!

That's why you have to get out there and shop frequently, and keep your eyes open to possibilities. (That's what I tell my husband anyway!)

My biggest challenge is size. I'm a plus size, and I don't have a lot of success finding things that I can use. But when I do, I snap it up and save it.
Though I think everyone has this same frustration about shopping, no matter your size or height!

This year I decided to upgrade my basic tot greeting outfit from the past few years. To save myself some time I purchased a ready made dress on-line to form the base for my witch outfit.
I tried out a site I'd never used before called Holy Clothing (not sure what's with that name!)

Here's what I chose:
http://stores.channeladvisor.com/Hol...20Dress%20Gown


I'm really happy with the dress; love the sleeves and the lacing up front. It fits perfectly and has good construction. I should get years of use from it. I'm adding a black and silver cape I already had, black and silver striped socks with some new "witchy "shoes, and changed out the lacing to a more dramatic black and silver cord. About all that's left to do is upgrade my hat with a bit more trim.

I'm not sure what kind of basic dress you're looking for, but you might want to look around this site a little. I paid about $45, which is more than I often spend, but thought it was worth it to get the style of dress I wanted. Check out the "Deals" area - you can really score some great close-outs. I'm keeping my eyes open - I'd like to get a deal on something in green for next year!!

I agree with everybody else pretty much. I prefer to buy clothes from thrift shops for costumes when I can. I am very lucky and have a relatively easy body to dress, as well as live in the burbs of minneapolis so there are a lot of nice options. The plus with making costumes out of things you can find at a thrift store is you can pretty much guarantee that nobody else will have the exact same costume as you.

The last two years I've made costumes from dresses from the goodwill. This year I'm going as a demented rag doll, so I might just find a couple of different dresses/shirts/skirts and sew them together.

Good luck with your search!

It depends on the day and time you go, lol. Every now and then, some thrift shops have old costumes for good prices, other times they have some cool dresses and outfits that you almost never find anywhere else. Check your local thrift shop often. Worst case scenario, buy a dress that's close enough and bust out a needle/thread and tweak it! xP