Over the years, thrifting has significantly risen in popularity. Not only is it now considered trendy, but it also has a huge range of other benefits such as being better for the environment and cheaper for your wallet. For me, about 80 percent of my closet is thrifted! From up-cycling old clothing items to just looking for a basic top, knowing a few helpful tricks before visiting the thrift store will make the biggest difference between a successful haul and a disappointing outcome.
However, thrift stores can be intimidating and sometimes disappointing upon first glance. Most stores aren’t “aesthetic” and can be massive and difficult to navigate. That is why in this post, I’m going to share the three main tips that I keep in mind while thrifting, to ensure that I get a successful haul each time!
Tip #1: Don’t Downsize
This may be an obvious one, but don’t purchase any clothing items that don’t fit comfortably! Have a blouse that gets tight when you lift your arms up? Find the cutest pair of jeans but they’re just one size too small? If you find the perfect item but it’s just a little too small on you, it’s better left behind.
I have made this mistake one too many times and know for a fact that once you purchase that top, you won’t reach for it enough in your closet to make it worth it! Since thrifted items are inexpensive, it’s easy to buy a lot of them just for the sake of doing so, hence why so many people reach for clothes that are just “ok” or that they will only wear once. Instead, focus on looking for clothes that are cute AND comfortable! You’ll get so much more use out of them and your closet space will thank you!
Tip #2: Know Your Way Around a Pair of Scissors
When it comes to thrifting, being comfortable with a pair of fabric shears will make all the difference. For instance, if you find a top that’s in your colour but its just not the right fit, a simple cut down the middle can easily turn it into a tie front shirt! Similarly, if you find a dress in a stunning pattern but wearing dresses is just not your thing, you can cut it into a body suit!
Now when I need a body suit, I don’t just look for body suits but also look for long tees and tight dresses that can be turned into one. A quick Pinterest search will lead you down a hole of never ending ways to up-cycle outdated clothing with just a pair of scissors. Knowing some ways to do this will open your eyes to a whole new level of clothing and help you easily customize clothing to what you’re looking for!
Tip #3: Make a Shopping List
This last tip is probably the most important tip out of the three. If you want to make your trip to the thrift store that much more successful, brainstorm a list of things you want to look for before you get to the store. Sure, just browsing can be fun. However, browsing through a massive Value Village can be tiring and pin pointing items that you want or items to up-cycle can be difficult once you’re surrounded by a sea of (often disorganized) second hand clothing.
This also prevents you from purchasing too many items that will just sit in your closet and never be worn. Being equipped with a list will help you be more precise with your search and end up filling your beloved closet space with items that you love, not random garments that you’ll never reach for.
Bonus Tip
Knowing your way around your style, aesthetic and overall personality is also super beneficial to your thrift store searches. It allows you to pin point clothing that reflects who you are and opens you up to the more alternative and more different clothing finds that a thrift store often has. Making a Pinterest mood board can help significantly with this! Also knowing what colours flatter your skin tone will ensure that you don’t pick up any clothing that isn’t flattering on you.
Lastly, don’t be discouraged when a thrift store doesn’t have what you’re looking for or good inventory. Thrift stores get their items by donation, so it’s key to keep checking back until that perfect item shows up! The area a thrift store is in also influences what items are donated there as well, so it also helps to keep in mind the community and the catchment around the store. Also don’t be afraid to shop small, because often times the smaller thrift stores are better!
Be willing to explore new places and keep an open mind and a clear idea of what you want. Being prepared for your thrifty outings makes the thrifting experience significantly more effective, successful and enjoyable!
PS: check out my How to Thrift YouTube video where I expand on all of the tips I just mentioned above!
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