My Goodwill shoes...

Now, I know what you're thinking. Some of you, I dare say, shudder at the idea of buying shoes secondhand. Especially at Goodwill, right? I mean, Goodwill isn't the most, um, upscale place. Sometimes it smells. I get it. That is the exact reaction I had the first time my mother presented me with a pair of fabulous shoes she had found at Goodwill. Suuuure, they were gorgeous. Sure, they were expensive, but, they had come from Goodwill. And I was all sullen college student and, very unsure of why I would want to wear shoes from Goodwill! 

Well friends, I still have those shoes. Because, see, good shoes last. And cheap shoes end up in the trash. And, you can buy good shoes at a department store or online or anywhere else - and pay alot for them. OR, you can do what I do - you can be thrifty, and when you see a really great, quality pair at an unbelievable price, you snatch them up! 

I've never quite understood how really expensive shoes end up at Goodwill. Sometimes really expensive NEW shoes. Like these. 

 

I found these brand new Stuart Weitzman shoes at the Goodwill right up the street from my house recently.  And when I say brand new, I mean, the price tag was still on the bottom - the $298 price tag. So, I figured I'd shell out the $4 for them. Ha! Now, I DID have to polish the buckles, as they were a little tarnished. But, with about 10 minutes of work, using Wright's Silver Cream (which, if you don't have some at home, you should get some - it is good for EVERYTHING!), they looked as good as new. Below you can see my sophisticated technique for not damaging the suede...

Regardless of why beautiful shoes end up at Goodwill, I consider it my duty to give them a great second life. No matter how neglected or unloved they were by their previous owner (hag!), I promise to love them and treasure them. I have found some great shoes at Goodwill - ones I will continue to share with you in the future, hopefully to inspire you to get out there and search for great bargain finds of your own! But, if you still have some reservations about secondhand shoes, just remember, you are not alone. Just remember, we always have our dear friends Lysol and Febreeze - and that is generally enough to bridge the worry divide between you and that $300 pair of "used" kicks.