07.12.2011
When the going gets tough, the tough gets going. And for us, tough times equal smarter shopping.
Since there was absolutely no way we would let little things like falling stock prices, sovereign defaults and rising inflation get in the way of our wardrobe, over the last couple of years we have been rethinking our shopping strategy to get more value for money without compromising on taste and quality. We became more resourceful and creative in finding ways to stretch our hard-earned the Ringgit further.
Then we discovered shopping pre-owned at trusted and reputable sources. It was like a lightbulb moment for us and there was just no turning back since. Eureka!
Call us what you may – recessionistas, frugalistas, bargain hunters, thrifting junkies etc (a rose by any other name would smell as sweet!) but we have found that shopping pre-loved/pre-owned/secondhand/used/vintage items is just as exciting and satisfying, if not more, than conventional retail shopping. We wear, like a badge of pride, the success of homing in on unique and fashionable pre-owned designer togs at a fraction of the regular price, minus the guilt. Getting complimented for it afterwards is just icing on the cake ;)
Credit crunch or no credit crunch, we have since taken a more philosophical perspective about money and consumables. Just because you have money, doesn't mean you have to spend it all, right? Being frugal is by no means letting style standards drop. Then again, one must realise that except for haute couture; clothes lose value the second they leave the store. Don’t get us wrong, we still shop retail, but it has become less frequent, less spontaneous and subject to much more scrutiny now!
Also, for us, the appeal goes beyond the thrill of the (bargain) hunt. "Do good, look good, spend little" has become our shopping mantra nowadays. We like the idea of social responsibility that comes with the territory – it’s an eco-friendly way to shop for “new” stuff, extending the lifespan of perfectly usable goods and keeping them out of landfills and incinerators. We’re not just contributing to the GDP, we are also doing our bit for the environment, feeling AND looking good while at it. Earning brownie points for multiple good deeds while engaging in our favourite pastime, how cool is that? Truth be told, TaiTaiTwins was actually conceived out of our increased eco-consciousness :)
There’s still a lot of stigma to thrifting, it's not for everybody, but hey, nobody’s asking anybody to buy broken, unusable junk 'cause that would TOTALLY defeat the purpose. Full price or firesale, duds will always be duds y'all!
People who feel they are ‘above’ buying used should note that A-listers and tastemakers such as Nicole Richie, the Olsen twins, Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie, to name but a few, are big on vintage and often give their hot-off-the-runway ensembles a twist with awesome thrift store finds. It just goes to show that thrifty+fabulous is a workable formula, and that it’s not always about where you buy, the label or price tag; rather, it’s more about personal style, confidence and how you make a look all your own!
So there you have it. We've said it before and we'll say it again, there's no shame in used, ladies!! Besides, nobody really needs to know ;)
