A closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, we’ve all been there before. Especially in college, the term “broke college student” reigns a little too familiar these days. If you’re anything like me, keeping up with the latest trends on a student budget can be nearly impossible, and sometimes those sales and student discounts just don’t help enough. But don’t worry, I’ve finally mastered the trick to affordable fashion, and I’m about to tell you all my secretes to a killer wardrobe that fits inside your budge.
When I was younger, my parents would often criticize me for asking them to buy me new clothing when my old ones fit just fine. My adolescent self couldn’t find the words to explain to them the way I longed to express myself through my apperance, and that meant updating my wardrobe every once in a while. When I got a little older, I understood where my parents were coming from, I neither could understand how a scrap of fabric the size of my hand could cost me nearly half a paycheck. Similarly, I quickly realized the ever-changing nature of fashion trends, futhering my inability to rationalize spending large sums of money on an item of clothing that has its own “expiration date”.
My sister works as a high-end stylist in New York City, and my mom is a fashion icon. For as long as I can remember, the three of us had traditionalized watching the red carpet of every award show to analyze the fashion. I remember my admiration for the intricacies of every gown and pantsuit that walked the red carpet. I dreamt of one day owning such a magnificent piece, yet still just couldn’t comprehend the millions of dollars that such items sold for. A part of me has always hoped to prove to the fashion icons of the world that fashion doesn’t have to be expensive, that fashion is subjective, and the clothing you wear is a expression of who you are, and a representation of your experiences. This being said, I still longed for the feeling you get when you wear a new outfit, that bad*ss mentality when you know you look so fabulous that nobody elses’ opinion could change your mind. This piqued my desire to find an affordable alternative to fashion, and marked the beginning of my thrifting journey.
When I began thrifting I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. I began to venture into local Goodwill and Salvation Army stores, curious to find out what the thrifting hype was all about. What started as a hobby and a way to pass time, ended up turning my world upside down. To my surprise, I discovered a community of people who believed that thrift stores were the glue of the fashion world, a place to hold, store, and sell hidden gems for incomprehensibly low prices. The beauty of thrifting is that rarely is there ever two items alike, so you never know what you’re going to find, and the opportunities are endless. Below are some tips to take into consideration before taking a trip to the thrift, but overall, have an open mind, and good luck!
Thrifting Tips 101:
- Be patient: plug in some earphones and take your time, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of items in the store, but just be patient.
- Locate your sizing group on the racks first: this is the best way to find items that will actually fit.
- Venture into every section: some of the best items can be found in the men’s and children’s sections, it is the easiest way to find tees and jeans! The entire store is your playground, take advantage of it.
- Scan items: it’s easy to get caught up searching each rack for a diamond in the rough, but try to move quickly while keeping an eye out for your favorite colors or silhouettes.
- Try it on: don’t assume an item is going to fit how you think, and trust me on this one, most of these pieces have been worn so their looks can be decieving, a trip to the fitting room has saved me countless impulse purchases.
- Don’t get discouraged: sometimes I walk into a thrift store and leave empty-handed, it happens just like in retail-stores, but don’t get discouraged. Try again in a few weeks or search for another store location!
- Bargin: you can sometimes negotiate prices if an item is stained, ripped, or damaged.
- Enjoy yourself: thrifting is an adventure, and you never know what you are going to find. Try and have some fun and enjoy your thrifting experience!