S/O How do people buy clothes?

We have a local thrift store where all the clothes are $5-$7 (can't remember exactly) or Goodwill which ours does not have bargain prices, you could probably find a better deal new at Target...

I don't usually have the patience to sort through stuff at either and I have to try on pants (I'm short but not skinny) so those I buy in person at Penney's or Kohl's.

I too have a difficult time shopping thrift stores. I too don't have the patience to sift through the gazillion items of clothing. AND it helps if you are at least average size.
I use to go to find my son shirts in a 2x or 3x size and zilch. I had a SiL that was probably a size 8 and she was always dressed nice and she would say, I got this at x thrift store for $.75.

I buy pretty much everything online. I prefer trying things on in my own home and returns are pretty easy.

I did just order a pair of booties to be delivered to DSW so if they don't fit, I can find another pair right there.

Ha, you made me giggle again

I mostly buy online from retailers that have been reliable for me (talk to me some time about my sadness concerning the freefall of LL Bean’s quality). Right now when I need something I am usually ordering it from Quince; the pieces I have from there fit well, hold up to washing, and are IMV a reasonable price for what they are. My workout clothes are all from Lululemon because they, too, have been reliable for me, and while the pricepoint is high, I get more use out of what I buy.

I don’t have any thrift shops near me. I just don’t have the desire to drive 45 min to a place where I may or may not find something. I am also at an age where I need to try on things to make sure the proportions are right so I can like an item but may not buy it due to clinging in the wrong places etc. For the same reason I always buy in store. My attempts at online buying have either resulted in lots of returns or keeping items that I just don’t love.

I've been getting ads on IG for Quince for eons, but never knew anyone who had heard of them, so I've avoided clicking in, but still, they persist. Anything about their fit you'd like to share (short girl here) and or styles/fabrics you've not had luck with? Thanks!

Oh, Quince is pretty mainstream; no worries. I’ve ordered cashmere sweaters, silk blouses and bias-cut skirts, a dupe Jenny Kayne ($$$$) oversized wool sweater, linen dresses. I just ordered cotton and linen sheets from them. You won’t get the order super fast like US-based retailers but they come within a time that feels reasonable to me—say a week rather than 2-3 days. Because it’s an Asian company, I’ve never had issues with lengths (I’m short too) but they only go up to XL (they may have extended sizes in some things—not sure) and the fit is definitely less roomy than Gap or J. Crew.

I really like StitchFix. I ordered the first time, based upon a Pea recommendation. Everything fits perfectly and I'm a hard fit. They choose things that I would never have thought to purchase.

For the last 5 years or so I shop mostly online and return what I don't want to stores. When/if I return something, I will take a look around and might do a little in person shopping.

I buy petite sizes which are limited in stores and sometimes only available online.

Same.  If it’s made it to the thrift stores here, it’s one step away from the landfill.

I did not want to say so on that post but I'll say it here, I 100% believe that most people have way more clothes and shoes than they can even regularly wear. I think people pat themselves on the back for cheap and deals and don't see the larger issue in that they are directly contributing to exploitation of the people making the clothes. They aren't considering at all the impact on the environment.

So I have three rules for clothing consumption 1) buy things when I genuinely need them, 2) buy ethically and sustainably made as much as possible no matter the cost (which isn't nearly a big deal when you don't overbuy to begin with), and 3) thrift for anything you can.

I am a messy eater. I know this about myself. There is nothing I like more than a crisp, white shirt whether it be a tee or a button down. When I need a new one, I head straight to the thrift store. I haven't bought a brand new pair of shorts in over 5 years. They are all over the place at the thrift store. Any dressy blouse I need for work with black pants, they come from the thrift store. My blazers come from the thrift store. If I can find decent dress pants, even if they need some hemming/tailoring I buy from the thrift store.

I am committed to a philosophy of environmental sustainability and ethical manufacturing. This is why I do what I do. Has absolutely nothing to do with the price. Because I think nothing of buying a $70 t shirt or $140 casual dress from Wool&. I also tend to buy any cashmere I can find at TheRealReal. And secondhand cashmere tends to run $100-$200 a sweater. But it's sustainable and second hand. I also buy *one* purse from there. A good one. When I get sick of it, I sell it back and buy another second hand purse.

You just don't need more than a week's worth of casual clothing.