My daughter recently went shopping for clothes and spent $65 at Goodwill. We estimate the same clothes would have cost over $500 purchased new at full price. (She needed them for a new job, and didn’t have time to check out garage sales.) She’s also bought quite a few things that she took apart to make into something else - especially silks. The price is way lower than buying silk new.
I confess that I’ve gone to thrift stores to get something I need NOW. Random computer cords are a good example. And you can now get a $50 HDMI cable at thrift stores for in the $1 range.
Part of the charm of garage sales is the “treasure hunting” aspect. But If you need something NOW and want it cheap, the thrift store IS the answer. IMO.
The great thing about both is that you are starving the beast if you are in a sales tax state.
The plus-size section is especially good for that. Lots of yardage for the same price.