The best thing you could do for your wallet in these last few weeks of the semester is to avoid spending money at all costs. But, you would make your closet very happy if you bought some new clothes, as the weather is finally rediscovering degrees above 60. Not to fear! There is a way to satisfy both needs! And, as an avid listener of Macklemore since 2010, I’m going to, of course, quote one of his songs.
“I’m digging. I’m digging. Searching right through that luggage. One man’s trash is another mans come up.”
Hooray! It’s thrift shopping, fellow collegiettes! Back home, I never really went thrift shopping because I never knew where to go or what one could consider a “deal” or not. But, after doing some research, I have honed my thrift shopping skills. And, although I don’t get to it often, I really love it and am hoping to make more time for it in my schedule. So, here are a few quick tips if you are planning to go on your first thrift shopping adventure!
1) Bring some snacks and some coffee!
Wait, what? I know this may seem like an odd first tip. But, it is insanely important. I hate shopping when I am hungry or tired. I always get cranky and never have a fun experience, even if I’m in my favorite store. So, it’s especially important to have some refreshments with you because shopping at a consignment store takes a little more work. Your favorite fashions won’t be arranged right in front of you. Instead, you have to sift through clothes that you may love as well as clothes that you would never wear. It’s super fun when you are upbeat, perky, and replenished. But, it’s torture if you are so tired that you can barely stand.
2) Set up a spending policy and be serious about it!
You aren’t leaving with a bargain if you ring up all your things and are still shelling out a good portion of your wallet at each store. Don’t think that just because you are in a thrift store that you’ll automatically be saving money! Thrift stores only help save money if you are disciplined with your Benjamins! First off, decide how much you are going to spend within the store before you leave for the shop. Secondly, decide on a section or sections of clothes that you want to ocus on. It’s easy to get financially sidetracked if you walk in with no spending limit and no focus!
A good way to choose sections efficiently is to really dig through your closet and see what you are in need of. Another good way to choose the sections that you want to focus on is to write down a piece of clothing that you need as soon as you are met with a situation where you were bummed out that you didn’t have it. Also, keep this list on your phone or something you always take with you. If you end of in a thrift shop by chance, you’ll know exactly what to focus on!
3) Have a critical eye and be real with yourself!
Of course, not all the clothes within your local thrift shop are going to be perfect. They had a previously owner that may have or may have not been so nice the shorts that you are looking at. The first thing that you should do when you find something that you love is to do an all around inspection of the garment. Does it have any stains? If so, how bad is it? Could it just be treated with some Shout? Are there any holes? How large? Even though you are paying less than retail price, you are still spending your hard earned money. So, make sure your purchase is worth every penny!
The next step is to be real with yourself. Are you really going to wear this? If so, where? What will you wear it with? The fastest and most efficient way to do this is to take all the clothes you have picked up and pull them out one by one.
That’s all for my quick tips! What other tips do you use when going thrifting?
Until then, happy shopping!