Thrifty Edmonton
I'll be checking out the stores listed here really soon!
8.24.2010
The Thrifting Secret Society. I want in!
Wow. I've been on some of my favourite blogs of late, and do these women ever find gorgeous stuff! Maybe I live in a place that just has too high a concentration of thrifters, or more likely, too high a concentration of buyers for vintage stores. (How does one get a job as a buyer for a vintage store, anyway? I want that job!) I think perhaps I just need to devote more time, and perhaps set aside a part of my budget each month (it wouldn't be much, this is thrifting, let's recall.) A little dedication will get you a long way. Maybe it's a case of shop early, shop often. Or maybe there are secret repositories of awesome vintage clothes (in my size) that I just have no idea exist?!
Anyone out there in cyberspace have some tips?
Anyone out there in cyberspace have some tips?
8.18.2010
Quick Review of the Salvation Army in Cote-des-Neiges
The Salvation Army in Cote-des-Neiges is like a lot of thrift shops: a little musty. But, like other thrift shops, it's also got some hidden gems. The stock is mostly post 1990 castoffs, some in better condition than others. I am perpetually annoyed that sweaters and tshirts that probably came into a thrift shop's donation bin in fine condition are stretched out beyond recognition on wire hangers as the hang there for months or years. That being said, I have found a sweater or two at the CdN Sally Ann that was in excellent condition, probably due to the fact that it had a round neck, preventing it from slipping around too much on the hanger.
The skirt and dress sections of the CdN Sally Ann are pretty plush with good stuff, especially if you are plus size. The dresses are mostly late 90s, but I recently saw a totally gorgeous emerald green silk dress that probably dates from the 60s there. There is also a wide selection of trench coats. The shoes were pretty abysmal all three times I've been in. The accessories were pretty fantastic, I scooped up a couple of pairs of vintage stockings for 50 cents a pair, and the purses are usually very cute. One of the best things about the Salvation Army is the prices. I scooped up two skirts, a sweater and some stockings for 14 dollars total! Eco-friendly and wallet-friendly, what more can you ask for?
Like a lot of thrift stores, I would give yourself a solid hour at least to poke around, because you're going to have to sift through racks of stuff to get to the treasure. But I'm pretty confident a trip to the Salvation Army in Cote-des-Neiges will yield good results. I never walk out empty handed.
Salvation Army
6180 Ch de la Cote des Neiges
The skirt and dress sections of the CdN Sally Ann are pretty plush with good stuff, especially if you are plus size. The dresses are mostly late 90s, but I recently saw a totally gorgeous emerald green silk dress that probably dates from the 60s there. There is also a wide selection of trench coats. The shoes were pretty abysmal all three times I've been in. The accessories were pretty fantastic, I scooped up a couple of pairs of vintage stockings for 50 cents a pair, and the purses are usually very cute. One of the best things about the Salvation Army is the prices. I scooped up two skirts, a sweater and some stockings for 14 dollars total! Eco-friendly and wallet-friendly, what more can you ask for?
Like a lot of thrift stores, I would give yourself a solid hour at least to poke around, because you're going to have to sift through racks of stuff to get to the treasure. But I'm pretty confident a trip to the Salvation Army in Cote-des-Neiges will yield good results. I never walk out empty handed.
Salvation Army
6180 Ch de la Cote des Neiges
6.21.2010
Less and More
Less owning, more giving
Less spending, more saving
Less waste, more use
Less wandering, more finding
Less selfishness, more love
Less emptiness, more growth
Less isolation, more community
Less internet, more books
Less sitting, more dancing
Less sugar, more food
Less store-bought, more home-made
Less indulgence, more restraint
Less to-do, more done
Less distracted, more attentive
Less lazy, more active
Less dirty, more clean
Less meat, more veggies
Less me, more us
Less spending, more saving
Less waste, more use
Less wandering, more finding
Less selfishness, more love
Less emptiness, more growth
Less isolation, more community
Less internet, more books
Less sitting, more dancing
Less sugar, more food
Less store-bought, more home-made
Less indulgence, more restraint
Less to-do, more done
Less distracted, more attentive
Less lazy, more active
Less dirty, more clean
Less meat, more veggies
Less me, more us
Conscious consumption (?)
I have been thinking a lot lately about the concept of 'conscious consumerism', and whether or not I can reasonably consider that to be anything but a contradiction in terms. I think there is a possibility that one could 'consciously consume' but consumerism and consumption are fundamentally different, aren't they?
We must all consume to live. Water, food, air, clothing, shelter and tools. The basic needs of the human person require outside material to be sourced, and in some way transformed into useful stuff.I think we can all agree that human life is also greatly enhanced by electricity, indoor plumbing and mechanized transport, and the resources necessary to build a culture and identity. So already we have the human person consuming in order to live at all, and hopefully live well.
Consumerism takes this idea of consumption and runs with it way past any reasonable limit. According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, consumerism is "Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods or services in ever greater amounts. " Ever greater amounts? Really? When I read that, I think it seems a little ridiculous. But then I think of the mall at Christmastime (or before "Back to School" a consumerist holy time if there ever was one)
What are we there for? Certainly not to fill our basic needs, at least not most of the time. I don't think I've been in a mall to fill a genuine need since I was still growing out of clothes every six months. In fact, recently, I seem to go shopping more and more for entertainment, or because there is something I want. More than want, really, I feel an overwhelming desire for new things.I WANT things. I make lists of things to do with my money, I fritter it away on random tubes of lipstick and magazines at the drugstore. I wander the drugstore all the time, just looking for some small thing to purchase. Its starting to freak me out, actually. Its starting to freak me out because I know that I don't need any of it, and once it's bought, I only use about two-thirds of the stuff before I want another. And another. And another. This is how I end up with a small plastic bag of "lip products" when getting on the airplane, how I end up with too many vintage nightgowns and slips and negligees to fit in a drawer, how I have three huge stacks of glossy magazines.
There is stuff all over my room, some of it which barely ever gets used. And I know I'm not the only one. Some tidbits of food for thought:
In 1955, economist Victor Lebow stated:
"Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction and our ego satisfaction in consumption. We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced and discarded at an ever-increasing rate."
"Consumers today spend proportionately less on basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and shelter, than they did 25, 35, or even 50 years ago. But they spend more and more money on discretionary purchases that are motivated by emotion and desire," explains Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of Why People Buy Things They Don't Need. She advocates that marketers and retailers should move beyond the rationally oriented features and benefits of products and services, and instead focus on the emotional satisfactions that drive consumer spending. "Brands with life and vibrancy that really speak to the consumer do so on an emotional plane. By uncovering the interior emotional life of the consumer, you can devise marketing strategies, competitively position products, and craft persuasive advertising messages. In essence, the `why people buy' defines the brand."
The meaning of my life
Buying and owning things
then throwing them away
(David Loy)
We must all consume to live. Water, food, air, clothing, shelter and tools. The basic needs of the human person require outside material to be sourced, and in some way transformed into useful stuff.I think we can all agree that human life is also greatly enhanced by electricity, indoor plumbing and mechanized transport, and the resources necessary to build a culture and identity. So already we have the human person consuming in order to live at all, and hopefully live well.
Consumerism takes this idea of consumption and runs with it way past any reasonable limit. According to the all-knowing Wikipedia, consumerism is "Consumerism is a social and economic order that is based on the systematic creation and fostering of a desire to purchase goods or services in ever greater amounts. " Ever greater amounts? Really? When I read that, I think it seems a little ridiculous. But then I think of the mall at Christmastime (or before "Back to School" a consumerist holy time if there ever was one)
What are we there for? Certainly not to fill our basic needs, at least not most of the time. I don't think I've been in a mall to fill a genuine need since I was still growing out of clothes every six months. In fact, recently, I seem to go shopping more and more for entertainment, or because there is something I want. More than want, really, I feel an overwhelming desire for new things.I WANT things. I make lists of things to do with my money, I fritter it away on random tubes of lipstick and magazines at the drugstore. I wander the drugstore all the time, just looking for some small thing to purchase. Its starting to freak me out, actually. Its starting to freak me out because I know that I don't need any of it, and once it's bought, I only use about two-thirds of the stuff before I want another. And another. And another. This is how I end up with a small plastic bag of "lip products" when getting on the airplane, how I end up with too many vintage nightgowns and slips and negligees to fit in a drawer, how I have three huge stacks of glossy magazines.
There is stuff all over my room, some of it which barely ever gets used. And I know I'm not the only one. Some tidbits of food for thought:
In 1955, economist Victor Lebow stated:
"Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction and our ego satisfaction in consumption. We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced and discarded at an ever-increasing rate."
"Consumers today spend proportionately less on basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and shelter, than they did 25, 35, or even 50 years ago. But they spend more and more money on discretionary purchases that are motivated by emotion and desire," explains Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing and author of Why People Buy Things They Don't Need. She advocates that marketers and retailers should move beyond the rationally oriented features and benefits of products and services, and instead focus on the emotional satisfactions that drive consumer spending. "Brands with life and vibrancy that really speak to the consumer do so on an emotional plane. By uncovering the interior emotional life of the consumer, you can devise marketing strategies, competitively position products, and craft persuasive advertising messages. In essence, the `why people buy' defines the brand."
The meaning of my life
Buying and owning things
then throwing them away
(David Loy)
5.22.2010
how to handwash your clothes, aka SQUEEZE
I, being the queen of cardigans and a lover of all things knitted in general, am a handwashing fiend. This habit of mine arose out of a lack of funds for dry-cleaning, and a desire to preserve my precious sweaters from the beating they could take in a dormitory laundromat. It's very important to me to take care of my clothes, so I can wear them for a good, long time. And carefully handwashing is the best way to do that. Sometimes it's even safer for knits than drycleaning! Plus you get to avoid all those nasty chemicals, another pet peeve of mine.
SO, how to handwash?
I start by sorting all my knits into piles by colour. (that's right I have enough knits for piles. Let's not talk about it too much.)
Then I fill the sink with the coldest water I can stand to put my hands into. Temperature is important, because hot water is a fast track to shrunken clothes.
I add to the water a miniscule amount of my hyper-concentrated, no chemicals, only the happy tears of vegans detergent. I've never had a problem using my regular detergent (as opposed to one specifically for delicates), because it's already very gentle and free from harsh soaps. In addition, I really only use a very few mililiters. My clothes always come out clean.
I put one or two of the lightest coloured garments into the water. Make sure they are completely submerged. Let them soak for five or ten minutes.
Carefully squeeze the soapy water through the garments. Carefully. Like the sweaters will break if you squeeze too hard.
I then put the garments in another container (I have a big mixing bowl) until I am done washing all the same garments in the same water. I like saving water.
When you have soaked and squeezed all your knits in order from lightest to darkest, drain the sink and fill it with plain, cold water. Dump the garments into it. If some are bleeding colour (which they shouldn't, if you're using super cold water) don't put them in together.
Squeeze the clean water through the knits.
Drain the sink and let the water seep out of the sweaters.
Gently squeeze the remaining water out. When you can't possibly squeeze any more water out, lay the knit flat on a clean towel. Roll up the towel and squeeze it gently. Yes, there is a lot of squeezing. I'm pretty sure I have muscles in my forearms entirely from handwashing.
Then lay your knit flat to dry.
TA-DA!
It seems time-consuming, and it is, if you do all your sweaters at once (and you have as many as I do.) I just do a few at a time, and it works out fine.
Here are a few links about handwashing that might also be useful:
The
Laundress
eco-friendly detergent ideas
SO, how to handwash?
I start by sorting all my knits into piles by colour. (that's right I have enough knits for piles. Let's not talk about it too much.)
Then I fill the sink with the coldest water I can stand to put my hands into. Temperature is important, because hot water is a fast track to shrunken clothes.
I add to the water a miniscule amount of my hyper-concentrated, no chemicals, only the happy tears of vegans detergent. I've never had a problem using my regular detergent (as opposed to one specifically for delicates), because it's already very gentle and free from harsh soaps. In addition, I really only use a very few mililiters. My clothes always come out clean.
I put one or two of the lightest coloured garments into the water. Make sure they are completely submerged. Let them soak for five or ten minutes.
Carefully squeeze the soapy water through the garments. Carefully. Like the sweaters will break if you squeeze too hard.
I then put the garments in another container (I have a big mixing bowl) until I am done washing all the same garments in the same water. I like saving water.
When you have soaked and squeezed all your knits in order from lightest to darkest, drain the sink and fill it with plain, cold water. Dump the garments into it. If some are bleeding colour (which they shouldn't, if you're using super cold water) don't put them in together.
Squeeze the clean water through the knits.
Drain the sink and let the water seep out of the sweaters.
Gently squeeze the remaining water out. When you can't possibly squeeze any more water out, lay the knit flat on a clean towel. Roll up the towel and squeeze it gently. Yes, there is a lot of squeezing. I'm pretty sure I have muscles in my forearms entirely from handwashing.
Then lay your knit flat to dry.
TA-DA!
It seems time-consuming, and it is, if you do all your sweaters at once (and you have as many as I do.) I just do a few at a time, and it works out fine.
Here are a few links about handwashing that might also be useful:
The
Laundress
eco-friendly detergent ideas
5.07.2010
E.R.A. Vintage Wear
So, last month I wandered down to St.Henri to look around at the vintage at E.R.A. The reviews online were very positive, stating that E.R.A. carefully selects all their clothes, so you don't have to fish through the dross to get to the good stuff. I actually happen to like fishing through dross, which explains my habit of popping into H&M to look around. But, sometimes I wish I could find a vintage/thrift store that was edited to my taste and budget, so I could just walk in and fetch something the way I (used to) walk into Bedo.
Well, the collection at E.R.A. is very well selected. Everything is sorted by colour, and there's quite a selection of shoes lined up in neat rows around the bottoms of the racks of clothes. They carry a wide selection of decades, from the 50s to the 90s. The clothes are all impeccably cleaned. Positive, very positive.
I spent a blissful twenty minutes pawing through the racks, lusting after a heavily beaded black skirt in particular. But I left without trying anything on. The problem? Price. The skirt was well over $200. Almost everything was well out of my reach, price wise. While I am happy to drop contemporary money for vintage items (especially such exquisite, squeaky clean items), I'm not prepared to do it all the time. In fact, I have a few vintage Holy Grail items that I would like to buy first, before I go throwing around the big bucks on stuff I may never wear ( a heavily beaded skirt would just end up with wine on it, I'm not going to lie.) The prices at E.R.A. also reflect the stock they carry. For the most part, these are semi-formal and formal items. Cocktail dresses, skirt suits. I'm much more about knits like my beloved cardigans; maybe a little shirt-dress or sun dress might be in order. So, next time you have a big event to attend, this may be just the place to check out for a one of a kind number. But if you are looking for bell-bottom jeans, this is probably not your shop.
E.R.A. Vintage Wear 1800 Notre-Dame O. Montreal QC
Metro Lionel-Groulx
5.01.2010
An informative article
The Independent
It's a few years old, but it's a very interesting article about textile production and China's dominance because of the enormous workforce.
It's a few years old, but it's a very interesting article about textile production and China's dominance because of the enormous workforce.
I have an insatiable desire for beautiful clothes
Like a lot of women, I love getting dressed. I love leggings and huge sweaters. I love miniskirts and lacy underthings. Shift dresses are a weakness. I've never met a cream sweater I didn't like. I absolutely adore an afternoon of shopping, especially when I'm spending someone else's money.
The problem is, my frivolous desire for cute cardigans is perpetuating a system that oppresses people, keeping them in poverty. That'll kill any buzz I get from a new pair of shoes, and fast. I feel overwhelmingly sad that when I think "this is so cheap! 2 camis for $15?! heck yes!" I forget that someone made those camisoles, and they probably did it in unsafe conditions, in a factory that has no union for threat of violence, while working overtime. And this woman or man (or child, in an alarming number of cases) probably isn't taking home a wage at the end of the day that is going to begin to meet his or her family's needs.
So, what to do?
Well, I could become a sour person who boycotts the entire clothing industry and demands that her family and friends do the same. Alternately, I could explain that "any job is a good job to those people" and scoop up armloads of camisoles and run on my merry way.
I'm sure you can tell what I think of those options, both of which I have attempted to exercise in the past, to little benefit.The former effort failed almost before it started because I hate being unpleasant and I am acutely attuned to deprivation, no matter how small. The latter failed because the evidence is not in favour of that position, if you ask me.
So, I am attempting to adopt a third way. This third way is a multi-faceted approach. In some cases, I am contemplating a full boycott of certain brands and even countries. I am committing myself to buying locally whenever possible. I am buying second-hand and vintage clothes more and more. And I am trying to simply buy less. I am a student, so my budget already provides many constraints. However, with the plethora of cheap clothes available, and all of the sales lately, I have been tempted to buy a lot of things that I cannot account for the origins of.
This is to be the chronicle of my wee adventure. I hope it will provide useful information about secondhand and vintage shopping in Montreal, tips for caring for clothes, and information about the textile industry and what can be done to improve the lives of people who work in it.
The problem is, my frivolous desire for cute cardigans is perpetuating a system that oppresses people, keeping them in poverty. That'll kill any buzz I get from a new pair of shoes, and fast. I feel overwhelmingly sad that when I think "this is so cheap! 2 camis for $15?! heck yes!" I forget that someone made those camisoles, and they probably did it in unsafe conditions, in a factory that has no union for threat of violence, while working overtime. And this woman or man (or child, in an alarming number of cases) probably isn't taking home a wage at the end of the day that is going to begin to meet his or her family's needs.
So, what to do?
Well, I could become a sour person who boycotts the entire clothing industry and demands that her family and friends do the same. Alternately, I could explain that "any job is a good job to those people" and scoop up armloads of camisoles and run on my merry way.
I'm sure you can tell what I think of those options, both of which I have attempted to exercise in the past, to little benefit.The former effort failed almost before it started because I hate being unpleasant and I am acutely attuned to deprivation, no matter how small. The latter failed because the evidence is not in favour of that position, if you ask me.
So, I am attempting to adopt a third way. This third way is a multi-faceted approach. In some cases, I am contemplating a full boycott of certain brands and even countries. I am committing myself to buying locally whenever possible. I am buying second-hand and vintage clothes more and more. And I am trying to simply buy less. I am a student, so my budget already provides many constraints. However, with the plethora of cheap clothes available, and all of the sales lately, I have been tempted to buy a lot of things that I cannot account for the origins of.
This is to be the chronicle of my wee adventure. I hope it will provide useful information about secondhand and vintage shopping in Montreal, tips for caring for clothes, and information about the textile industry and what can be done to improve the lives of people who work in it.
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