Thrift Shopping: Where Ghosts Approve My Fashion Choices and I Save Big!

You know, I used to think thrift shopping was a little... spooky. Not because of the dusty shelves or the old clothes, but because I couldn’t help wondering, “Who was the previous owner of this blouse? What if I end up wearing something that belonged to a ghost? But hey, if the ghost says I look good in their clothes, who am I to argue? Hahaha! Well, initially, I used to have a weak preference towards buying things from thrift shops. I wasn't so fond of it. Before, I could neither imagine wearing someone else’s clothes, and the feeling just didn’t sit right with me. I didn't know who the original owner was, that’s why. But then, my friends started showing off their amazing thrift store finds: second-hand furniture, clothing, accessories that possessed so much more personality than any item that could be purchased from local department stores. They were always discussing what good deals they had gotten. And they were always talking about how they scored such great deals. I started to wonder if they were in on some secret world that I was missing out on. So, of course, I had to give it a shot.

As soon as I stepped my foot into the first thrift shop, I came to understand that it wasn’t just about saving money (though, let’s be real, that’s a huge win). It’s about finding treasures—clothes with character, for finding things that are different, and of quality. You get the feeling you are chasing after a genuine adventure where you end up hunting for a vintage jacket for $1 with much more delight than digging deeper for buried treasure and finding gold coins (and I know where I’d rather be). And as far as the ghost of the previous owner keeps on complimenting me on how well I fill their clothes, I believe I’m not guilty, hahaha. Just kidding.

Perhaps one of the best places to thrifty is Colon Street in Cebu City. To those who are not familiar with it, Colon Street is the oldest street in Cebu, and it’s lined with a bunch of thrift stores. I mean, it’s like the used clothing store capital here in Cebu. It has a shop on each corner offering many trendy, affordable items to buy. And the best part? The quality is amazing! These aren’t just items you’d throw away after one wash. These are things that are gently used and, as such, they were probably someone’s favorite items, which just need to be loved again. It's like saving puppies, but instead of puppies, it is clothes, bags, shoes, and all kinds of random but great items.

I remember my first thrift shopping trip to Colon Street. I was a little skeptical at first, but once I started poking around, I was hooked. All the clothes were quality and affordable, and I stumbled across some pieces that were a lot better than any fast fashion apparel. By the way, I was here again this time because I am looking for long sleeves I could wear in the office. When I slid it down my fingers, I could almost hear the previous owner whispering to me, “You wear it better than I did. Looks good on you, kid.” If that is not an indication that I was supposed to own it in the first place, then nothing is in my book.

Well, today I’m all about a little bargain hunting. It’s not just about saving money—though that’s still a major win. It’s about finding unique, high-quality items with a bit of history and character. Well, let’s admit it, the thrill of getting a fantastic deal feels like winning the fashion lottery. Now I’m starting to love going to thrift shops, and every time I buy a new piece which I really, really love, I always ask myself, well, is the owner looking down on me and giving me a thumbs up for taking it? Hahahaha. That's all a joke, but really, thrift shop products are great deals. You'll just have to pick the amazing ones.