As a Self proclaimed pro thrifter, here’s Some tips on how you can become one too!
I thrift all the time; at least half of my wardrobe is thrifted. From clothes to jewelry to shoes, I have thrifted it all. But thrifting isn’t for the faint of heart, and it is easy to get discouraged if you don’t find anything good your first try. But these are some tips I have picked up from years of thrifting.
timing is everything
Some of the best times to hit the thrift stores is when the seasons shift. People do closet cleanouts to make room for new winter or summer clothes, so that is when all of the fresh donations pile in. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go other times of the year either. Also, if you check in frequently you can see what is new. But while strategy helps, luck comes in handy too.
Check different stores
For most people, when they think of thrift stores, they think of Goodwill or other chains. But sometimes random spots can be a goldmine. Some of my good finds have been from some of those random spots. Also, different locations offer different selections. Thrift stores reflect the wardrobe of those in the general vicinity so use that knowledge to your advantage to find the stuff you want.
Search the whole store
Check every section: women’s, men’s, children’s – check it all. You can find some gems and sometimes stuff isn’t quite where it belongs. I have found some cool sweatshirts in the men’s section and cool shirts in the children’s. But be sure to know your sizes in the different sections so you know what you’re looking for and don’t end up with something way too big or too small.
Come in with a plan
Know what you are looking for. Even if it’s just an idea of the vibe of clothes you want. If you are just blindly looking, you can end up with a cart full of stuff that you don’t really want or end up with nothing when there could’ve been something. I recommend using Pinterest to find ideas of clothes and aesthetics.
dress smart
A lot of thrift stores have closed their dressing rooms but there is still a way to try stuff on. By wearing something fitted you can try most stuff on over your clothes. I try to always thrift with a tank top on or something along those lines so I can try shirts on over top. It can save you the grief of buying something that doesn’t actually fit.
Shop SMart
It can be tempting to shop like crazy in a thrift store, which makes it easy to buy something that isn’t worth it. Say you find a pair of shoes that are only a few dollars marked down from market price. For something second hand, that isn’t worth it, in my opinion. Or something that is marked up like crazy just because it is “vintage” isn’t worth it either. But also, if you really like something then it is always worth it.
Have fun
All in all, thrifting is a more eco-conscious way to shop and it saves you money. I enjoy it because I manage to find more unique pieces than what I can normally find at stores and for a better price. Get out there and shop!