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Ryn Gargulinski

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savers tucson

Odd Pueblo: Snappy or crappy?

This fun Odd Pueblo feature asks the audience to rate a trend, topic or sighting of something around town: is it snappy or crappy?

The last snappy or crappy, rude and crude bumper stickers, did not go over well. That means there is still hope for society. Sixty percent voted all-out crappy while another 8 percent said such stickers should be illegal.

Perhaps the latest snappy or crappy will fare more fairly: Thug outerwear

You, too, can be a thug if you wear this sweatshirt/Ryn Gargulinski
You, too, can be a thug if you wear this sweatshirt/Ryn Gargulinski
Details on back, in case folks missed you coming/Ryn Gargulinski
Details on back, in case folks missed you coming/Ryn Gargulinski

It’s no longer enough to follow prison fashion, which dictates removing your shoelaces and having baggy pants that hang down below your underwear – since authorities also took away your belt – but now it’s essential to advertise you are a thug.

Not cool enough to be a thug? You will be with this sweatshirt.

This particular shirt was spotted at the Fort Lowell Savers, my favorite second-hand store. I did not leave wondering why someone wanted to get rid of this beauty. It did not look worn, either, indicating someone maybe got it as a gift from Aunt Mabel who thought she was being hip.

Thug outerwear is crap-ola for sure.

What do you think?
Please vote and leave comments below.

[tnipoll]

Filed Under: blogski, gross stuff, life, odd pueblo, snappy or crappy, stupidity Tagged With: baggy pants prison, danger, gross, odd pueblo, prison fashion tucson, prison fashions, prison garb, savers tucson, snappy or crappy, snappy or crappy tucson, thrift stores tucson, thug fashions, thug fashions tucson, thug outerwear, tucson, tucson crime, tucson fashion, twisted

Don’t buy used underwear and other thrift shop tips

Tucson’s yard sales may often be mediocre and its garbage picking slim, but we have tons of fun stuff hanging out at thrift shops.

BeautyBoy was a glorious find at Desert Dust on South Alvernon Way/Ryn Gargulinski
BeautyBoy was a glorious find at Desert Dust on South Alvernon Way/Ryn Gargulinski

Cheap prices are just one of the thrills of frequenting these places. Others include unique items, vintage finds and a lamp we now call BeautyBoy.

This ornate and garishly delightful gold cupid lamp stands about 5 feet tall atop a heavy gold stand and features a 2-foot gold lampshade.

It has become the centerpiece of my living room and I can no longer imagine the room without it. BeautyBoy was also a special gift from a special person, making it even more enchanting.

Thrift store tips:

Don’t buy:

* Used underwear, used socks or dentures
* Things that have non-working zippers – c’mon, no matter how well meaning you are, you know you’re never going to get it fixed.
* Stuff that doesn’t fit – a case in point was a pair of size 4 antique buckle shoes, which were technically purchased at a mondo garage sale in Michigan, that I tried to wear on my size 8 feet. Never again.

Look for:

* Daily deals many shops offer where a certain color tag will be discounted 50 percent
* Really cheap sheets, pillowcases and tablecloths for fabric crafts, outdoor furniture and creating Lucky Voodoo Dolls
* Items no one else would dare wear
* Jeans and leather jackets that come already broken in
* Underarm stains

My fave Tucson thrift shops:

Savers – various locations around town
Why it rocks: One of the biggest and constantly updated selection of clothes you can find – beats out any department store by a gazillion.
Any warnings:
So much stuff you are going to spend, spend, spend.
Best buy: So many – this is my favorite clothing shop, for sure.

Goodwill – various locations around town
Why it rocks: Biggest variety of items, from clothing to shelves, belts to a brand-new sheepskin rug I nabbed for a mere $60.
Any warnings: Employees get to put dibs on items as soon as they come in, but have to wait a day or two until they are allowed to purchase them. If you pick an item everyone wants, like the sheepskin rug, you’re going to piss off a lot of employees. Sorry!
Best buy: Toss up between embellished hippie-type blouse I wore to Woodstock tribute concert and molded dinosaur head I painted pink and stuck in the gravel of my backyard, as if he’s emerging from the depths of hell to feast on someone.

Desert Dust – 1475 S. Alvernon Way
Why it rocks: That’s where BeautyBoy came from. Best tchotchke shop in the West for those seeking kitschy, creepy and very unusual décor.
Any warnings: Not your clothing shop, although I did score a pair of low-waist, flare bottom suede pants that appear they were worn by someone in the Manson Family.
Best buy: In addition to BeautyBoy, this place always has an expansive owl collection to fuel my own menagerie of them.

Buffalo Exchange – various locations around town
Why it rocks: This place can be a bit pricey, but it’s also a goldmine for vintage and crazy finds. Good shopping on the clearance racks.
Any warnings:
They buy back clothing but rarely pick anything I bring them, making me feel like I have a closet full of very unfashionable clothing (which I probably do).
Best buy: Velvet vampire shirt with bell sleeves as wide as Alaska; awesome find for less than $10 on the Halloween clearance rack although I intend to wear it for daily use.

wb-logolil7

Goodwill dinosaur head/Ryn Gargulinski
Goodwill dinosaur head/Ryn Gargulinski

What’s your favorite Tucson thrift shop and why?

Do you ever think you’ll get lice from the hats?

Does it freak you out that the clothing could have come from dead people?

What’s your best and worst thrift store find?

Filed Under: art blogski, blogski, danger, gross stuff, life Tagged With: art, beautyboy, buffalo exchange, buffalo exchange tucson, cool, desert dust, desert dust alvernon, desert dust tucson, funky, goodwill, goodwill tucson, manson pants, savers, savers tucson, tucson shopping, tucson thrift shops, tucson thrift stores, tucson used clothing, tucson vintage, twisted, wacky art, weird, whimsical

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