Thrifting has undergone a transformation in recent years. Something that was once viewed as a hobby for old ladies and as a bargain for people who needed assistance, has now become trendy. Bubbly high school girls are rolling up to the doors of Goodwill in droves, searching for the perfect pair of Mom Jeans and oversized Ralph Lauren polo that they can turn into a crop top. Popular stores like Urban Outfitters have been selling “redone” articles of clothing on their site for quite some time, and at a hefty price tag. These up-cycled pieces have become trendy, and once outdated styles are now back in vogue. A quick search of “thrift haul” on YouTube will produce thousands of hits. Thrifting has become the new outlet mall. Aside from keeping up with the latest shopping trend, thrift shopping produces a slew of benefits. Shopping secondhand is not only great for your wallet, but also for the environment. I recently watched the documentary The True Cost on Netflix; this documentary opened my eyes to staggering statistics about the global fashion industry, and its impact on the environment.
Thrifting is not a solution to this global issue, but if more individuals began consuming fashion more consciously, and holding manufacturers to a higher standard, the environmental impact of the garment industry could be reduced. When I thrift, I know that I’m not giving money to companies who do not take human life or environmental impact seriously. I know that I am saving money, and in many cases, the thrift store that I am shopping in is using the money I’ve given them for the community or job training. I also know that the pieces in my wardrobe are unique, and that makes them feel special. If you have never thrifted before, the challenge of it can feel daunting. In most cases the stores are not organized very well, there can be a bizarre smell of moth balls, mold, and body odor, and finding a piece worth buying can seem like finding a needle in a haystack. In most cases, you’re not going to find that perfect pair of mom jeans, or a designer handbag, but if you’re patient, you can walk away with some wardrobe staples and trendy pieces that you didn’t have to break the bank on. Here are my top tips for thrifting: 1. Do Not Go in With Any Expectations The disappointment that comes when you drive all the way downtown to the local secondhand shop, rummage through rack upon rack of dirty clothing, spend hours searching, and still walk away without the perfect pair of high-waited jeans is real. Sure, there are gems hidden among the racks, but you can never walk into a store and expect to find exactly what you’re looking for. You can’t thrift the same way you shop at Target. Secondhand shops are essentially a giant game of Where’s Waldo. 2. Do Keep a Running List of Items You Would Like to Find While you never know what each trip to the thrift store will bring, I’ve found that it is extremely helpful to have a list of items that I try to keep an eye out for while shopping. I have a board on Pinterest labeled “Thrift Wish List” that I update all the time. It’s so helpful to refer to this list when in the store. These stores can easily become a sensory overload and keeping a mental note of things you truly need or want, helps you stay focused while shopping. This also helps you stay on budget if you’re trying to save money. 3. Pay Attention to Labels If you’re trying to build a sustainable and functional wardrobe, paying attention to labels is a must. Naturally you’re getting a bargain by thrifting in the first place but getting a polyester shirt for $5 isn’t as impressive as snagging a cashmere sweater for the same price. While I’m shopping, I’m looking for designers that I know make higher end pieces, I’m feeling the fabric and reading the labels. You can tell if an item is good quality or not just from the way it feels it in most cases. I look for cotton, wool, cashmere, leather, silk, linen, these materials hold up better than their synthetic counterparts, and your wardrobe is naturally going to look more polished when you wear these fabrics. 4. Look at Pattern, Color & Cut Before I even read a tag to establish if the material is of quality or not, I do a quick scan of the rack. I know what colors and patterns I like to see in my wardrobe, and I only reach for these things. I know that I like a neutral color scheme with minimal patterns, so I naturally gravitate towards items that fit these criteria. Most of the items that get donated to thrift shops are things that have been crammed in the back of someone’s closet since 2006. You’re going to find a lot of past season items from chain stores, weirdly embroidered pockets, and flare leg jeans. I try to find pieces that have a classic silhouette; this keeps my wardrobe looking modern and clean. 5. Allow Yourself to Take Fashion Risks One of the biggest benefits to bargain shopping is that you can take risks on pieces that you would not normally buy. Fashion trends change abruptly, and fashionable pieces will cost you, even at “cheap” stores like Forever21. Fanny packs (or bum bags as the fashionistas call them) are having a moment right now. You could spend thousands of dollars on a designer one, or $20 bucks at the mall, but I would rather spend $2 on a real vintage fanny pack. I can play around with this trend, but if it doesn’t suit me, or it inevitably goes out of fashion, I haven’t invested a lot of money in this piece. 6. Set Time & Spending Limits I have fallen victim to spending hours in a thrift store, because I didn’t want to accidentally miss a big score. I’ve also gotten really caught up in how much money I was saving by thrifting, that I found myself purchasing a lot of items that I didn’t need or really love. I was overspending and wasting a lot of my free time – kind of defeats the point of secondhand shopping altogether. Before you leave the house for your thrift adventure, set a time limit and budget for yourself. The thrift stores are not going anywhere, and the racks get updated frequently, if you missed a bargain today, there will be a new one tomorrow. I promise. 7. Wear Practical Clothing Some thrift stores don’t even have changing rooms – it’s a nightmare, I know. The lighting is always atrocious if a fitting room does exist, there is weird smell lingering in the corner, nothing glamorous ever happens in a thrift changing room. My go-to thrifting outfit involves shoes that can easily be slipped on and off, leggings that again can be taken off easily, or clothing items can be tried on over top of. A button up shirt with a fitted undershirt. I wear as few layers as possible and choose items that are comfortable and easily to slip things on and off. The less time you must spend in the fitting room, the better. 8. Have Fun Don’t let the process of thrifting overwhelm you. It can feel hopeless, because finding the nice pieces among all of the extraneous stuff is rare. Don’t let a strange smell, or tiny stain throw you off. Everything can be washed or dry cleaned. Be optimistic when you go into the store, but also realistic. Bring a friend, or partner, it can be fun to comb through all the crazy items, and bonus points if you try on the purple sequined hammer pants. To me, fashion is all about having fun and expressing yourself. Thrifting allows me to update my wardrobe in a more ethical way, and curate a personal style that is unique to me. Do you have any thrifting tips or funny stories? Please share them in the comments!
Stay Happy and Caffeinated,
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Lindsey. 26. Writer. Pun Maker. Stargazer.
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