Ladies of a Certain Age ~ for those invisible powerful, dynamic, vital women

Well, now we are talking!  Regular retail shopping for many ladies-of-a-certain-age, including yours truly, is downright depressing and insulting:  The clothes are made for younger women and, obviously, they don’t want us anymore because we are not pictured in advertisements, web sites or even in their stores, even though we have bucks to spend.

Consignment and thrift shops love our bucks and provide a fun and even exhilarating shopping environment! Except for large thrift stores, such as Goodwill, they provide excellent, personal customer service, often from women like “us” or those approaching age 50. I love it when someone says to me something like this, “Elizabeth, great jeans and I love that purple top!”  I respond, “Oh, thank you.  I love it, too.  The jeans and top together cost $5 at Goodwill!”  (True story)

I compliment many of my friends who live in Colorado and other states and Canada.  Often, I hear, “Oh, thank you.  I love it too.  The XX and XX cost $$ small amount at XXX.” Most of these friends are retired and many of these friends have made big $$$ or have big $$$ from family.

I think it is easy to understand why consignment and thrift shopping is so popular with “us.”

Who doesn’t like a bargain?

• We “Suits” have retired the suits
• Tight waists, revealing necklines, high heels, tight pants are just not our thing anymore
• We don’t dress for the job anymore; we dress for fun times and comfort
• We are ignored and invisible in retail stores, like Ann Taylor, who used to cater to us. Why go where you are not valued, even if your bucks are as green as the next woman’s
• We know who we are.  Men are men, and we are who we are.

For sure, I still shop regular retail stores, particularly when I want specific things; however, often I go to one of my favorite consignment or thrift stores first to see if I can find them before heading “to the mall.”  Many times at these stores I find “treasures,” that are not on my list.  I love them, and often I buy them because they are so reasonable.  I rarely do this type of shopping at retail stores because they are big, the music is often intrusive, prices are high, and I just want to get what I came in for and get out!  (Also, I want to make sure I can find my car in the parking lot!)

I have found consignment and thrift stores excellent places to buy: jeans, casual pants, long- and short-sleeve t-shirts, casual jackets, coats, high-end purses and some shoes.  Over the years I have discovered that I often find bargains in the color brown, which I can wear; but, which I don’t find much joy in. I am aware of this now and don’t buy brown items.  Only one time did I purchase an item and only wear it once or twice before I donated it to my favorite charity. I would say consignment and thrift store items don’t wear as well as those I buy at retail stores; but, this is not true since I wear them more often.

When I shop – no matter what type of store – I always check out what I am buying for cleanliness and construction.

Below is the list of stores I shop most often and the grades I would give them. They are all located in Denver, but in different parts of the city.

Consignment Stores

A+ — Clotheshorse, (northwest Denver – Highlands) 4232 Tennyson St. Denver 80212

The absolute best thing is the honest customer service provided by the owner or one of her family members who work there.  They always help me find the best item for my style (tailored), coloring (winter season), and physical challenges (scoliosis).  These women know clothes, labels, and style.  Prices are right!

A —  Mercer Place, (south Denver) 1388 South Broadway, Denver, 80210

This is the first Denver consignment store I shopped.  They have been in business a long time at several locations.  It must be a good place to work because their knowledgeable sales staff has been there a long time.  The store itself is spacious – no cramped, close together racks.  I find more high-end clothes and shoes here than in any other store.

B- — Your Best Friend’s Closet (central Denver) 2910 East Sixth Avenue, Denver, 80206

A small jammed store, I enjoy shopping here just for the fun of it.  I have found them not to be as sophisticated or savvy as Mercer Place, Clotheshorse, or Goodwill’s Déjà Blu  Boutique. They are conveniently located and a quick shop.

Thrift Stores

B — Daja Blue Boutique – Goodwill, (Cherry Creek) 303 University Boulevard, 80206

Wow!  What can I say? Someone got a hold of Goodwill and made them a great place to shop, in Cherry Creek, no less.  Although the store staff is “hip,” I wish they were a little older than 20-something because they just don’t seem to relate to this grandma. It’s clean, neat and smells fine.

A- — Goodwill – (east central Denver) 5000 Leetsdale, 80246

Huge – just huge!  So many racks, such selection!  My biggest problem is finding items in my size because there are so many places to look. The dressing rooms are a hoot – people try to bring in grocery shopping carts so that other shoppers don’t take their treasures.  You can’t beat the bargains on ordinary days, and then there are 50% off days.  Good luck finding a parking place.  Customer service – forget it; but, the people who work there are so nice.  If you need an emotional “pick-er-upper, go there. For $5, happiness will return.