For those you who appreciate the slightly irreverent charm of vintage clothing but don’t see the point in paying over-the-top prices for hand-selected used items, you may be sorely overlooking a place that most people have heard of, but few dare to venture inside of. It’s called Value World and, to be honest, it's the place where many “trendy” vintage clothing stores a find their merchandise, then mark up the price to go with their whole “downtown-chic” ambiance or whatever you want to call it. If you have a discerning eye for fashion, you can just cut out the middleman and save a bundle on your next clothing purchase. I have been buying second-hand (I couldn’t think of a good euphemism, so let’s just call it what it is) clothing for years now and, as a result, am able to afford many, many more pointless things that I could never accumulate if I stuck to buying only newly minted apparel. Personally, I think I tend to go a little overboard with the whole recreational thrifting thing, but even I was a little weary at first. I understand how one can be grossed out at the though of buying someone else’s previously owned and, in most cases, used things. However, the dubious provenance and faint odor of many of Value World’s items can be easily forgotten with a good machine-washing and, if you’re the crafty type, some slight alterations. If you are interested in buying second-hand but don’t know where to start, try stopping by to create an DIY Halloween costume. Trust me, the stuff here is way more interesting than some expensive, clichéd, mass produced stuff you would find at a typical costume store. You can still go slutty, retro, firefighter, etc. Whatever you want, with a little creativity, you can find here. They have pretty much everything you could think of. Even if you consider yourself “into fashion,” you are likely to come across some pretty good finds that translate well into the arena of contemporary style. Last winter, I found this 80s dress that instantly reminded me of Balmain’s Fall 09 collection for only $2.80. I’ve also found vintage items by Oscar de la Renta and Yves Saint Laurent at record-low prices. It’s actually kind of rewarding such great finds. However, don’t expect to simply stumble across such “gems” right away. To be a truly good second-hand shopper takes a lot of sifting through seemingly endless racks of what is mostly terrible clothing, (an activity which, if done the right way, can be rather amusing), multiple visits and, as they say, luck. If you're at all interested, the Value World closest to the University of Michigan is located at 345 N. Maple road in Ann Arbor.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Why Value World isn't that gross...
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2 comments:
This was a well written concise review. The author exudes a confidence that instantly grants them credibility with respect to fashion. I especially enjoyed the inclusion of the business address at the end, even if it makes the review seem a bit like a pitch. By citing an example of a previous purchase (and the price) the author has helped give me a general idea of what to expect. All in all, the simple effective tone of the review coupled with the authors perceived credibility makes this a review worth reading.
The end of the review really makes this review relevant to a college student in Ann Arbor. Giving the location is a great way to bring in readers. People in Ann Arbor looking to save a buck would be more likely to follow this after reading your review.
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