Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Favorite Shoes Are Wearing Out - But Luckily My Local Oklahoma Goodwill Doesn't Always Recognize The Best Brands

 These Cole Haan's have been my favorite shoes for two years.  I wear them all the time - and, in fact, they are showing those first signs of wearing out.  Rats!  I'm not ready!  I have lots of outfits that are dependent on a pair of Teal Walking Flats.  So using the Bella Method, I set out for my local Goodwill to try and replace them.  I figured that this would be the first of many trips, but luck was with me and I found just what I wanted on the first trip.  And for less than $4 per pair.  Because the pricers at my Goodwill don't realize that a Cole Haan shoe shouldn't be priced less than a Target shoe (most of the Target shoes are $6).  And that beautiful Bronze Shoe is Cole Haan.  And that Turquoise shoe is a never wore pair of Arche, a French brand that somehow found it's way to Tulsa.  For less than $4.  And, did I mention that I don't even bother to look at anything that isn't my size anymore?  I know I have complained about the lack of certain retail establishments that I am fond of - no Nordstroms, IKEA's, Trader Joes, Cost Plus/World Market, Cole Haan, Brooks Brothers, etc - but the thrift shopping in Oklahoma more than makes up for that!

16 comments:

  1. You are so lucky! I'm becoming very disillusioned by my area thrift stores. They're becoming glorified Walmart clothing resellers - ack!

    Spashionista (Alicia)

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    1. Hi Alicia - I really have to pick through a lot of Walmart and worn out Target clothes to find the gems - that's not precisely true, I can tell at a glance and don't actually have to touch the Walmart stuff. Your style reminds me of the early Jones New York or Calvin Klein, before they started to sell to Costco (or Sam's Club in this area), if they had continued to make good quality clothes. So the Tulsa Goodwill would be good for you, if you're ever in the area.

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  2. Cole Haan for $4. Yess! I've noticed that some brands like Target get marked the same price in a thrift shop then you'd find on their clearance rack. I once found a Burberry trench for $2. A 200 buck coat! I love hitting the jackpot at the Goodwill. Congrats on your motherlode!

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    1. Hi Bella - You're so right about the Target thrift pricing. I remember it being even worse in Seattle, when I passed up things marked down to 75% off in the Target, only to find them at Value Village or Goodwill for half price. Funny thing about my favorite Tulsa Goodwill is that they recognize the Burberry name, but not the quality. They had the most terrible fake (unmatched plaids and cheapest buttons ever) that they priced at over $100. Neat to get a real trench for $2. I still use the one I bought before I had kids, and my daughters gets it when I'm done with it.

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  3. I'm so envious! I wear size 5-5.5 US which is something like 2.5-3.0 in the UK. I want shoes that are good for walking but don't look like I'm going mountain climbing. Then I want something pretty but not too cute. When you have baby feet like mine, these are surprisingly hard to find. I have bought shoes from eBay, but with only about a 30% success rate I can't be bothered. Anyhow, enjoy your shoes! And be glad you have a great Goodwill!

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    1. Hi Shelley - You wear the same size as John's mother did. She spent a fortune on her shoes and the shoe salesmen would call her the minute they had something chic in her size. Just lucky to be in the same city that Nordstrom's began in. I never think of Ebay for shoes - mainly just obscure kitchen stuff.

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  4. Amazing finds, you have great thrift shops there, and the shoes are very chic!

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    1. They are chic and very comfortable to wear. But the cheap part such a bonus!

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  5. Holy smokes, my trip to that GW only netted me a pair of mid price (Bandolino) navy pumps. They ended up being a smidge too big, so they will be re-donated. Guess I need to try again!
    -s

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    1. The old Bandolino's were so terrific. Italian made and great leather. What size do you wear? From your comments, I would guess 8.

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  6. Score! I'm having a little fit of envy here. Our thrift stores are full of crap. I guess it is good that it isn't in the landfill but I'm not buying any of it.

    And I want to try the Cole Haan shoes you suggested for walking.

    Darla

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    1. It's funny how bad the thrift's in the Bay Area are - and yet in San Francisco there are some terrific Goodwill stores. The nice thing about the Cole Haan with the Nike Air interiors is that they look nice and you could walk all day in them. That's what happened to my Teal pair - I wore them out, instead of saving them for "Special". I should have bought two pairs.

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  7. Wow! What finds at your Goodwill. No such luck here; same as others have mentioned above. If I ever find myself in Tulsa I'm going to check out your store!

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    1. If you end up in Tulsa, I take you to the best ones. They vary so much - the Goodwill in Seattle is horribly expensive, but has lots of nice things. The ones in Southern California don't often have any good things.

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  8. I haven't heard of any of those brands, but they look like a terrific bargain

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    1. That is so funny, because so often when I see your shoes. I wish I could find your brands in the US. (You have terrific shoes!)

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