Where to Find Discount Christmas Clothing in Rhode Island & Pennsylvania

When you're looking for Christmas clothing, your first instinct might be to hop in your car and drive to the mall or your favorite department store, but I'd like to encourage you to try a different method this holiday season: shop at thrift stores. The proceeds from many thrift stores benefit charities, giving your Christmas clothing purchase extra meaning in these lean economic times. Most clothing in thrift stores has been only gently used, and you'd be surprised how often you can find clothing that's still brand-new with tags. Also, the people who work at the thrift stores are frequently part of a economic improvement program or unable to find work elsewhere, so by supporting thrift stores, you are supporting the less fortunate of your community. Not only that, you will be paying considerably lower prices for the same types of things you can buy at the mall. If you haven't been a thrift store shopper before this holiday season, give the thrift stores near you a try, and you may be surprised to find yourself a thrift store convert. Walk in the door with an open mind, and see what you find for your Christmas clothing needs. Look in a phone book to find thrift stores near you, but here are some suggestions for if you are in the Rhode Island area, or nearby:

Savers

Savers is the Wal-Mart of thrift stores. Chances are good that a Savers store exists somewhere near you, and you can use the website store locator to find out. With stores in Canada and Australia, as well as in the U.S., Savers has a massive selection shipped to the stores weekly. The prices are a little more expensive that some of the other thrift stores, but the quality is always excellent. Savers also does work with community non-profit alliances, which supports local organizations that need a boost. There are two Savers stores in Rhode Island: East Providence and Warwick.

Salvation Army

Okay, a thrift store run by a bunch of Christian avengers might not sound like a great place to visit, but the nice thing about Salvation Army stores is that the quality is often high, and the items are generally well organized by type as well as color. Your local Salvation Army is also a great source for fantastic prices on furniture, whether you are looking for a new desk for your office or a new kitchen table. There will be a section exclusively of fancy dresses and outfits which will be a great place for you to look for your Christmas outfit. In Rhode Island, check out the stores in East Side Providence and Woonsocket.

Goodwill

It's not too late for you to visit your local Goodwill on the last Saturday of the month where you will find all donated clothing items are half-price. Yes, the store will be packed full of thrift store shoppers, but if you can deal with the group, you have a great chance of finding a fantastic Christmas outfit as a discount price. Goodwill also sells a small selection of furniture, books at great prices, and vintage / collectible jewelry items. If you donate before you shop, get a coupon good for 10% of your order. Rhode Islanders will need to take a "rhode" trip to Mass to find a Goodwill, but it will be worth it.

St. Vincent De Paul

This is a small thrift store based in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and nearby, which has the best prices around. Frequently, you'll find a table in the back with free items up for grabs. Since the prices are so low, however, you'll have to double check the quality. Not the best store for the new thrift store shopper, but a treasure trove for a person who loves the hunt. Sorry, Rhode Island, you'll need to travel pretty far to visit this store.

YWCA Thrift Store

Lots of YWCA groups around the country have thrift shops where they sell, primarily, quality clothing and accessories for the business woman. Look in your phone book to find the closest one to you. If you have a YWCA Thrift Shop in your area, start here first when you are shopping for Christmas clothing. The quality is always excellent, and the prices more than fair. You might even find a pair of shoes, a scarf, and a lovely pair of earrings to complete the look.