I have recently gotten into thrifting. I love the hunt and the excitement of finding something unique that can’t be bought in-store. My good friend Megan of Diary of This Girl is a champ at finding the best thrift store fashion items. If you haven’t been to her blog, I encourage you to check it out.
My style is super girly and classic, so when I found this cardigan at Classic Consignment I was in hog heaven. I love the color (I’m a big fan of neutrals), and if you know me, I couldn’t resist the ruffles.
Whenever I go thrifting, I primarily buy whatever catches my eye. I know that this strategy doesn’t work for everyone, so I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of thrift store fashion tips.
Thrift Store Fashion – A Beginner’s Guide
Prep Tips
- Location location location If you shop in a nice area you can expect to find better things then if you shop elsewhere. Do your research and utilize Yelp, Google, and The Thrift Shopper to find cool stores in your city.
- Create a wishlist Just because you are getting a good deal doesn’t mean that you want to have buyer’s remorse. To keep things in perspective, I suggest doing a closet assessment to identify any gaps and make a note of other fun items that you hope to find.
- Carry a reusable shopping bag or two You’re already helping the environment when you thrift, so keep the momentum going and bring your reusable shopping bags. They can be easily stored in your purse.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes Thrifting can be an all day event, so you’ll want to wear your most comfortable pair of shoes. There is nothing worse than getting your shop on and having your feet hurt. Be sure to also wear comfortable clothes. This is not the time to wear a bunch of layers and lace up shoes. After your second round in the dressing room, you will regret not wearing something simpler.
- Brings snacks Shopping is exhausting and sometimes emotionally draining, even when you’re having fun. Be sure to stay hydrated and well-fueled during your shopping extravaganza. Definitely bring water, fruit, almonds, and anything else you think you might need.
General Tips
- Shop at the start of the season People tend to clean out their homes at the end of a season. January is another good time to shop.
- Talk to the employees Find out the best days to shop and when new shipments are delivered.
- Don’t just buy something because it’s a good deal Keep things in perspective and refer back to your wishlist that you created prior to your trip. If you’re on the fence about a purchase think about how useful the item is and how much wear you’ll get from it. If you can only wear it for one occasion (unless you’re shopping for an event), or only 25 % of the time, you should probably hold off.
- You can always repair it If a piece you find is damaged or not the perfect fit, you can always have it repaired or altered depending on the condition. Keep an open mind.
- Shop Often Thrifting is like any other type of shopping; sometimes you have good days and other times you don’t. Be sure to visit your favorite hunts often to find the best deals. Just like regular retail, the good stuff moves quick.
Thrifting Benefits
There are a lot of benefits to thrifting, but most importantly thrifting creates jobs and reduces our carbon footprint. Donating your items keeps them out of the landfill. Bigger organizations have large recycling programs and fund charitable organizations through the donations that they receive.
Places to Shop Online
Thrift often and have fun! If you have additional tips please share them in the comments.
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