08 Dec Salvation Army Coat Sale

This past weekend I had an exhilarating, awesome, yet exhausting experience at the Salvation Army. You already know I love the Salv {as evidenced in my hauls here and here} but this weekend was the mega Coat Sale. This was my first time attending and it certainly lived up to the hype.

Not familiar with the Salvation Army Coat sale? It’s held a few times a year and racks upon racks of coats {furs, trenches, bombers, shearlings, etc} are up for grabs. Prices range from $8-$50, depending on length and material.

{cart of coats}

After an hour and a half of shopping around, I had about 10 or 15 coats, which I eventually whittled down to five. My grand total was $93.94.

Click more to see what I scored and a few tips if you plan on buying a thrifted coat.

{i live for this LOFT coat. the faux fur collar adds a glam feel and it’s removable}

{super soft Sno-Minke by Hillmoor faux mink coat}

{my wardrobe is now complete with this wool camel coat from Moda International}

{Transmission leather jacket, perfect for spring}

{i love the vintage feel of this Banana Republic leather trench coat}

Though I was looking for some other colorful options, I can’t complain. I walked away with five coat for under $100. Score for Patrice!

A few tips if you plan on buying a second-hand coat:

• Pay close attention to sleeves and underarm area: Sleeves and the area below the underarm tend to be the first parts to show signs of wear and tear. Inspect these closely.
• Get a cart/bring your own: It may sound pretty simple but if you’re rummaging through tons of coats, which can be heavy, your arms are bound to get tired of holding them. If your store has limited carts {like the Salvation Army sale} you may want to bring your own foldable grocery cart.
• Wear bulky items: Normally I recommend wearing tight fitting clothes for thrifting, but when shopping for a winter coat {which most likely can’t be returned}, try it on with a sweater. You want to be sure you have enough room to move in it if you wear something bulky underneath.

I believe there’s another Salvation Army coat sale in January. Be sure to check your local shop for more information.