It’s a Saturday afternoon, and you just got home from a long day of thrifting.You went to all the thrift stores in the area, but haven’t ended up with anything good. How can this be? You think to yourself. My friend went just yesterday and bought so many pieces. Am I just unlucky? Lucky for you, the answer is no. Although some days have a better selection than others, you’re bound to find good pieces if you take the right steps and mindset with you as you set off for a day of thrift shopping.
1. Dress for the Day
You never know if thrift stores will have changing rooms or if they’ll be full, and honestly, for most clothes, you don’t need them. Before you go shopping, dress in tight-fit clothes such as leggings, shorts, or tank tops. This way, whether you need to try on a skirt or pull over a crewneck, you can bypass the crammed fitting rooms. Many times, for coats or hoodies, a fitting room just isn’t necessary, and as long as you’re wearing tight clothing, you’ll be good to go.
2. Go In With An Open Mind
Although it is beneficial to go shopping with ideas for specific aesthetics in mind, it’s also important to not become too fixated on finding a certain piece. You aren’t going to a retail store, where you know you can find 20 of the same tank top. There is a surplus of unique clothing at thrift stores, but many times it can be difficult to find a very specific item of clothing, or a certain pattern. It’s advisable to go into your thrifting day with an aesthetic in mind, and to know your wardrobe well, but you may find yourself coming out of thrifting empty-handed if you are dead set on specific clothing items.
3. Think Before You Buy
Sometimes it’s easy to see a piece of clothing on the rack and immediately put it in your cart. However, stopping to really think about that piece can save you money, and help your wardrobe in the long run. Think, is this something that you will really wear? Just because it is cute or caught your eye does not mean you will wear it, nor does it mean you are obligated to buy it. Many times, I’ve found myself buying pieces that I thought were cute initially, but almost never wore after the fact. When thrifting, it can save you money and help you become a better thrifter if you take a moment to think about the clothes that you are buying, and why you want to buy it.
4. Check For Quality
It’s easy to fall for the allure of a stylish top, but just like any other time you go shopping, it’s important to check your piece for quality. Not only does that include making sure there are no rips, tears, or stains, but also looking and feeling the actual fabric the top is made of. Usually, tops from brands such as Forever 21 or SHEIN are made very cheap, and with short-lasting fabrics like nylon or spandex. Since you are already shopping for second hand items, it’s important to check that the fabric you are buying won’t break apart after one wash.
