Jackson Free Press

I like clothes. I will admit it. I like everything about them. Long, short, thin, heavy, swirling, striped—you name it, I've probably worn it, the good, the bad and the ugly. My small dorm closet is overflowing with linens, laces, silks, worn cottons and maybe even a few polyesters. I like to think of it as an art, a hobby. Running my fingers over the sleeves of various colors, patterns, textures hanging along a row of racks is euphoric. But the shopping climate in Jackson can be hard on your pocketbook; not everyone can afford our hippest boutiques.

All hope is not lost, though. Shopping on a budget can be done. Thrift stores are no longer just for hipster high-schoolers and mothers trying to clothe their families. They are simply a cheaper and more unique alternative for anyone interested in style.

St. Luke's Thrift Store is in the heart of Fondren on Duling Avenue. It is great to browse through on your lunch break on Fridays or to adopt as your early Saturday morning ritual with friends or family. Only open on Friday and Saturday mornings, it is a simple, one room house addition to the St. Luke's United Methodist playground. Women from the church volunteer to work, and the tune of grandmother's exchanging stories and catching up with one another sets the scene for circling the small room of racks generally filled with mostly vintage intrigues. Dresses, suits, ties from the '60s and '70s, buckle-ridden pumps and boots, aged scarves and beads are frequent finds. A plastic bag full of pants, ties, blouses, a dress, shoes, a handbag or two usually doesn't break the $5 range.

Nuts on Millsaps Avenue, part of the Good Samaritan Center, is the best place for practical budget shopping. You will find functional clothing that is easier to comb through in the large clothing section of Nuts. Watch for the times when clothing is the sale of the day. Fifteen percent off of $3 or $5—I might even be tempted to call that a "sales event."

The Salvation Army and Goodwill are good for days when shopping is your priority and time isn't an issue. Combing through the arrays of pouffy sleeves and polyester pleats usually gets you at least one good find, if not more, to add to your now expanding wardrobe.

Finally, go to Hudson's Salvage Center on Highway 51. It is a great place to fill in the few gaps left in your wardrobe with chic brand named shoes and apparel starting at 50 percent off. It is the most expensive option but still less than most department or specialty-store finds.

Try the alternative thrift stores and salvation stores and discover that budget shopping is about finding an array of unique articles of clothing for the price of one ordinary item in mainstream stores.

Jessica Kinnison is a student at Loyola University in New Orleans and has been a JFP editorial intern (on and off) for three years.

Previous Commentsshow

I kind of hate to admit it, but I am a guy who like clothes. But at 6' 7" tall it's very hard to find(inexpensive) things that fit properly. I have the same height and build as Kobe Bryant, but our incomes aren't quite parallel. (talk about an understatement). What frustrates me most is to go into the BIG & TALL section and there is no tall. The stores that claim to specialize B&T don't quite tell the truth. They have big and tall clothing, but they don't separate the big from the tall. You must be both. J. Crew and Gap online aren't cheap, but they have my sizes.

El Canario

Apr 14 2005

I kind of hate to admit it, but I am a guy who like clothes. But at 6' 7" tall it's very hard to find inexpensive things that fit properly. I'd go to Wal Mart if it had clothes that fit. I have the same height and build as Kobe Bryant, but our incomes aren't quite parallel. (talk about an understatement). What frustrates me most is to go into the BIG & TALL section and there is no tall. The stores that claim to specialize B&T don't quite tell the truth. They have big and tall clothing, but the big isn't separated from the tall. You must be 6' 7" and weigh 400 pounds to find anything. J. Crew and Gap online aren't cheap, but they have my sizes.

El Canario

Apr 14 2005

I kind of hate to admit it, but I am a guy who like clothes. This is my favoriate post ever. Really. ;-D

DonnaLadd

Apr 14 2005

Maybe he has a vacuum cleaner :P

emilyb

Apr 14 2005

Ladd, I am happy that my pain amuses you. LOL I don't have a closet running over with things, but I do like conservative suit and shirt combinations. Well, perhaps it's the attention from the ladies that I like. ;-) No vacuum cleaner, but I do have a swiffer. It's right next to my stack of paper plates and plastic knives and spoons. Who needs dishes when there's Solo. And no I don't rinse the shower or put down the toilet seat. Drives my girlfriend crazy. But this is about clothes, so yes you can look great for pennies on the dollar.

El Canario

Apr 15 2005

It's not your pain, El, it was the way you delivered that line. LOVE it. ;-D This is good, too: so yes you can look great for pennies on the dollar. Chortle! You're so dry. Love it.

DonnaLadd

Apr 15 2005