Saturday Street Style: Goodwill

Where: Goodwill headquarters, store, and outlet 1010 Harrison St. Boston, MA

When: Saturday November 9, 2013

This past weekend I was able to attend a blogger event at Goodwill Boston. We met up with James at 10 AM in the atrium of Goodwill Headquarters. We were able to drink some coffee while we mingled and read over the information pamphlets. James and Bill talked to us about Goodwill and the Goodwill outlet we were going to shop in.

Here is the link to their website: http://www.goodwillmass.org/

Boston Goodwill was established in 1895. Rev. Helms conceived the idea of collecting unwanted household goods and employing impoverished immigrants to refurbish the goods for resale. The work provided local residents with jobs while the sale of goods provided low-cost items for the community and paid the workers’ wages.

Since its founding in 1895, Goodwill has been dedicated to the social justice mission of serving individuals, families, and communities with the greatest needs by helping people go to work to be able to support themselves and their families. Goodwill annually serves nearly 10,000 low-income, unemployed and underemployed adults in its job training and career services programs, and nearly 200 young people in its youth services programs. Goodwill makes high quality clothing and household goods available at low prices at its stores. Goodwill is a major employer of individuals with disabilities in the social enterprises it operates in retail, housekeeping and maintenance, food service, and light assembly.

I had never shopped in any Goodwill stores but some of the bloggers in attendance had found some great pieces at this Goodwill outlet location. This Goodwill location has a store and an outlet. The items at the outlet are a combination of items that didn’t sell at the stores as well as pieces that might be slightly damaged. There are several bins of clothing that shoppers literally dig through to find their treasures. This shopping experience is definitely similar to a treasure hunt.

Some of the bloggers were looking for do it yourself fix up projects. One blogger shopped at this location to create her Madeline Halloween costume. Goodwill outlets are perfect for Halloween shopping.

Ralphie bunny suit!

Amanda from http://www.primandpropah.com/ was searching for curtain material with her friend Erin (Erin is not a blogger but you should check out her Etsy page: www.petalandpink.etsy.com)

U-Meleni is a stylist and a performer who is a Goodwill shopping expert. Check out her website: http://urbanthriftologee.weebly.com/ Some pieces in her outfit came from Goodwill outlet shopping. I’m wearing a sweater from the Gap, Hudson jeans, and a top from American Eagle.

I enjoyed my Goodwill shopping experience and I walked away with an over-sized white shirt, a tie, a CD and my favorite piece a military style blazer all for $2.57. We were given a discount on top of the already low low prices!

Visiting Goodwill inspired me to start a closet clean up. I need to put away summer clothes and take some heavy sweaters out of storage. This is a perfect time to go through my closet and donate some clothes. My rule of thumb is if I can’t remember the last time I wore the article of clothing it is time to let it go. This can be a difficult process, I like to hold on to things because of a special memory associated with the piece or because it was a special find. These are not good reasons to hang on to clothing. If I need cleaning motivation I just watch an episode of Hoarders on A & E.

After bringing your donations to Goodwill, you might want to shop like Macklemore and not spend $50 on a t-shirt. If you are going to try this outlet shopping experience I recommend that you be prepared for the hunt and be sure to bring cash with you. If you are not up for the shopping challenge be sure to donate some clothes or money to Goodwill.