Sporting a loose, abstract, purple sweater, Elizabeth Goldsmith ’11 arrived at the Andover Thrift Store, for the Look of the Week interview. Having paired the sweater with a floral-print scarf and slate grey leggings, Goldsmith remained comfortable while still looking very fashionable. Goldsmith maintains a girly, low-key style that always incorporates comfort. She adores flower-print dresses and loves to mix in menswear-inspired pieces, but comfort is a factor that she can never forget. In describing her favorite items to shop for, Goldsmith admitted that “comfort is important for me…I do wear a lot of loose sweaters,” but also that she is sure to “look for nice colors and fabrics.” As Goldsmith sorted through the racks at the thrift store, it was clear that she found comfort in the rack of sweaters. Pushing through red plaid sweaters and beige cable-knits, Goldsmith noted the reason she shops at thrift stores. Although these clothes have all been previously owned, Goldsmith shared her perspective on their history. “I prefer to think that the clothes came from somewhere [where there] weren’t any little babies making my clothes [such as a sweatshop]. Besides, I can find cuter, more varied stuff. No one’s going to have the same thing as me. [The clothes have] a story. It sounds cheesy, but it’s true…I also seem to have higher expectations about newer stores.” Goldsmith often finds difficulty shopping at stores with brand new pieces since it is easier for her to find pieces that have prefers a little more originality. “There are plenty of clothes already in the world. I don’t need to go out and buy something brand new,” she said. Though enthusiastic about secondhand stores, Goldsmith acknowledged the difficulty of finding items she needs. “Bottoms are hard to find,” she said and agreed that items such as socks, shoes and undergarments are better purchased first-hand. Still, there are great benefits of shopping at second hand stores. “Some people feel grossed out [about shopping at a thrift store] but for me, it’s not a big deal. I just wash my clothes after I buy them…I know they’re not [perfect],” said Goldsmith. “People shop [in thrift stores] for prices, but also to make a statement,” she said. Goldsmith makes a point of useing the resources we have and trying not to create excess. She is an advocate of living green, a cause she deeply cares about as a dorm pilot in the ‘green’ Alumni House. Lucky to have enough of a stable financial background, buying items at the thrift store is not just about the prices. She finds that there is “no need to go and buy something more expensive and new when I can get it at a reasonable price and there are no obvious problems [with the garment].” “Whenever I leave [the thrift store] with nothing, I feel unaccomplished, not finished. I keep wanting to go back in and look for more.” Goldsmith concluded that there are many hidden treasures in second-hand stores, and one can get hooked after only one great find. Goldsmith said, “I come here at least once a month.”
