The Ultimate Thrift Guide
If you are not thrifting your summer wardrobe what are you doing? Aside from it being more environmentally friendly and cheaper, items you find second hand have more personality than something straight from the sales floor. Thrifting can be an overwhelming process. In a store that has quite literally everything, where do you even begin? There are many things thrifters do prior to a shopping trip.
Having a game plan is the first step. Creating a list of items that you want to add to your closet is the perfect place to start. Not only does this help you figure out what section of the store to start in, but it also helps you know what items to keep an eye out for. Taking the time to find outfit inspiration with these pieces also helps you realize if these are items you truly want. It is important to know that you will not find exactly what you are looking for. There will be many different variations of that item, so have an open mind when it comes to looking.
With having a shopping list, now all you need to do is find a place to shop! There are many different types of second-hand shops. There are places such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army which take donations from anybody. These stores also have glassware, and furniture, making it great places to find home decor and accessories on a budget. Then, there are places such as Plato’s Closet, local boutiques and vintage shops that offer more curated pieces. These stores typically only have clothing and accessories, and it tends to be a bit pricer to the previously listed stores. Curated stores make it harder to find specific items that you may be looking for, but these are the places that offer many unique, standout items.
When actually shopping in the store, there are many things you can do to make the experience easier. First of all, if there is a cart available to use, take advantage of that. There have been numerous times where I have found more items than I expected, and have had to go back to get a cart. On your hunt to find the items you want, there will be many other cute things you come across. Another important thing to do is wear basic clothes that make it easy to try things on, over your outfit. Not all thrift stores offer fitting rooms, so having an easy way to see if items fit is good to help rule out what you should and shouldn't get.
Your mindset while shopping is also important. Be open to trying new items, and styles of clothing. There are many different things you may come across that may confuse you, but there is a high chance that they are super cool. Moreover, be open to looking in both the men’s and the women's sections. There are many cool graphic t-shirts, sports jerseys, and jackets hidden in a section for a different gender. Taking the time to go through all of it can lead to some cool finds.
Thrifting is a fun hobby to partake in. There are many different approaches that allow for many different outcomes! Having a game plan allows for a stress free shopping trip, which all of us need from time to time.
