I love shopping in used clothing stores—not just for the positive environmental impact buying second-hand items has, but also for the fun of the chase: that moment when you find a piece of clothing that you LOVE for super cheap. I love the feeling of exhilaration while flipping through the aisles, trying to find that one AMAZING piece of clothing that makes your wardrobe so much better. Shopping used clothing gives you the opportunity to get unique items that make your wardrobe stand out that much more. Here are some tips to get that new feature piece for your wardrobe the next time you shop used.
- Grab anything that catches your eye:
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If you see a pair of pants covered in flamingo feathers and love it, then grab it. So what if you don’t have anything at home that will match it—at least give it a shot! If it looks great on, then you can find something else to go with it. Furthermore, grabbing a lot of stuff will give you the opportunity to be surprised by some items and maybe find a new style that you love. 90% of my favourite used clothing store buys were complete surprises that I grabbed just cause I kinda liked them.
- Make sure to grab items a couple sizes below and above your size:
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Women’s clothing sizes are known for being completely useless, and they often vary when shopping between stores. As a result, thrift stores will likely carry varying sizes. Grabbing a wide range of sizes will give you more opportunities to find something that fits you perfectly.
- Focus on items that people tend to take good care of:
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More often than not, you’re not going to find stunning barely worn pieces of clothing in the shirts or jeans section. Often shirts are worn again and again until they’re too worn out when they’re donated. It’s a similar case with jeans—those jeans that were loved but have become too small are often too worn out to last a long time after buying. I myself have bought a pair of jeans only to have them explode within the first week of owning them. That’s not to say that you’re not going to find good clothing in those sections, just that they may be harder to find.
- Check for stains, rips, and general wear and tear on any piece of clothing you’re considering buying:
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While you can find high quality new and gently used clothing at used clothing stores, it is important to make sure that that IS what you are buying. Looking for signs of wear and tear can ensure that any purchase you make will be of the highest quality possible despite being used. Furthermore, more often than not, the pieces of clothing with the least amount of wear tend to be those that are the most striking. You’ll find exquisite skirts and dresses barely worn simply because they’re unusual. These make the best feature pieces in a wardrobe and can showcase your personality better than any piece of clothing from a big box clothing store.
- Learn to sew:
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Being able to customize sizes for clothing that you love but are just slightly too big is a must for used clothing shopping. Not only does it broaden the possibilities of what you can buy, but it gives you the skills necessary to repair any rips or damage on clothing that you just can’t walk away from. I’ve bought several items that I’ve had to readjust in order for them to fit me, but each and every one of them was worth it because they made amazing additions to my wardrobe.