Thrift-shopping is a great way to find unique clothes while saving money and reducing waste. But, it’s also a lot of fun; I’ve loved thrifting since I was in high school, and it’s one of my favorite ways to spend time with my mom and friends. Here are my strategies and tips for making the most out of your thrift shopping trip:
1. Look for the deals.
Many thrift stores run some sort of weekly sale. If you become a regular at a certain thrift store, figure out the sales they offer to save some money. For instance, Goodwill runs a “color of the week” sale on clothing items, which are all marked with colored tags. If the color of the week is red, then clothing items with a red tag are 50% off regular price. On Sundays, items tagged with the color of the week are only ninety-nine cents. Goodwill also offers a 25% off discount for students, teachers, the military, nurses and first responders on Tuesdays (you must present an ID). You can also follow stores on social media for sale announcements.
2. Bring your own bag.
Many thrift stores no longer offer plastic bags for purchased items at checkout. Bring a grocery or tote bag if you know you might need one for your purchases.
3. Have a routine.
This can vary depending on what you are shopping for. Generally when I thrift, I like to start with shirts because that is the largest section. Next I move to pants, then skirts and dresses. I try on my clothes if needed, and finish by browsing the accessories and trinkets. Some thrift stores, especially when busy, can be overwhelming, and I find it helpful to map out my shopping trip.
4. Have a purpose.
Before I thrift with my mom, we usually ask each other what we’re looking for. I love to openly browse and let clothes catch my attention, but I find that I have better shopping trips when I have in mind what I am looking for. Your ideas could be specific or pretty broad, and can also give you more control over what you might buy. Having a goal while thrifting makes my shopping more intentional, and thus more successful.
5. Consider clothing quality.
Check tags and labels, examine clothing and fabric quality. When I thrift clothes that are lower in quality (thin, sheer, worn in), I usually don’t enjoy wearing them. Sometimes a discounted price isn’t always worth it. Also, make sure that the fabric and feel of the clothing will not bother you–especially for sweaters and long-sleeved shirts.
6. Shop off-season.
This is a strategy that applies to all retail. Thrift stores supply all kinds of clothing year-round, so try to keep your mind open to finding off-season clothing while shopping. Browse the coat section in August.
7. Look for lurking items.
Thrift stores can get disorganized, and you never know where you might find a hidden gem. Unwanted clothing and accessories can often linger near cash registers, the end of aisles and near fitting rooms. Keep your eyes peeled throughout the store.
8. Try looking in different sections.
Clothing sizes, especially for women, can drastically vary among brands. The fun of thrifting is not knowing what you might find, so don’t limit yourself to your usual sizes and sections.
9. Know your style and closet.
Personal style is always evolving, but try to have an idea of what you like to wear. Be able to recognize what kind of fit and style of clothes you prefer. so you can recognize them in store. This will make you much more efficient while shopping. This is also important because not all thrift stores have fitting rooms available. Master the art of eyeballing.
10. If you’re unsure, try to create a vision.
It can be so easy to feel indecisive at the thrift store. If I am unsure about buying a shirt, I try to imagine one pair of pants I own that could go with it. If that fails, I usually, but not always, put the item back. Ultimately, consider how you’d wear what you find and go with your gut. There’s nothing wrong with taking risks.