style advice: top ten tips of thrift shopping

at my favorite local thrift store 

thrifted skirt + jewelry / vintage sunglasses / target  tank + shoes 

we have all been raised to covet the new, craving the ‘new-car-smell’ and feeling untouchable wearing that pair of skinny jeans before they have ever been washed.  living in a materialistic world leads us to put new on a pedestal.  now is the time to knock down that pedestal and find the value in the rebirth of clothing.  a thrift shop is a store that sells secondhand goods, such as clothes, at a reduced price. thrifting can provide you with one-of-a-kind fashion pieces, without leaving a dent in your pocket and is a new, exciting way to think about shopping. HERE ARE THE TOP TEN TIPS TO THRIFT SHOPPING.

1. GO WITH A PLAN- thrift stores can sometimes be very confusing and unorganized.  going in with a plan can not only help you find the items you want, but speed up the process.  look for specific sections or aisles that might host the item you are looking for.
2. HAVE TIME- thrift stores provide a hodgepodge of colors, fabrics and decades.  walking into a mosh pit of clothes can be intimidating, but with the right amount of time, you can begin to recognize order in the jumble and regain your sense of calm.  every item is unique, so make sure you saved yourself enough time to sift through every single rack.  be patient and you will eventually find an amazing item.
3. GO OFTEN- thrift stores restock repeatedly, providing you with a whole store of new items to find.  visit your local store often (check thethriftshopper.com for locations!) and find something unique every visit.  for college students, visit your college thrift store in the late spring.  this is when students are getting rid of old clothes or furniture they don’t want to bring home for the summer.
4. TRY THINGS ON / EXAMINE EVERYTHING- since you are usually unfamiliar with the brand, you don’t know how the sizing works.  TRY ON EVERYTHING to make sure it fits your body and examine the item for tears, stains, missing buttons or broken zippers. 
5. GO WITH CASH- leave the plastic at home and carry cash.  many thrift stores only take cash and you will be less inclined to overspend if you have a limited budget.
6. GO WITH FRIENDS- make thrifting fun by going with a group.  although there are a multitude of hidden gems in a thrift store, there are still plenty of duds.  bring a camera and take snapshots of you in that crazy 60’s neon jumpsuit or dare your friend to try on those tribal print harem pants.
7. GO GREEN- feel good that you are helping the green movement.  by reusing and recycling old clothing, you are reducing your carbon footprint, while still gaining a unique or vintage look.
8. REPURPOSE- look at the clothes with a creative eye.  some items may not be ideal, but with a nip, tuck or hemming, they can be amazing finds.  turn that gown into a cocktail dress or those pants into shorts with a simple hem.  (Hint:  Belts are a thrift store maven’s best friend.)
9. DIVERSIFY YOUR WARDROBE- with thrift stores, you not only find items with cut prices, but you find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.  dare to try that rising trend without wasting too much money.  with such low prices, you can explore your style risk-free.
10. BREAK THE PREJUDICE- don’t be afraid of used.  the clothes may not be the new you usually are striving for, but they will be rare, unrepeated and distinct at half the price.

using these thrift store tips, you can revamp your wardrobe on a budget while still having fun.  by being patient, visiting often and repurposing, you are guaranteed a truly great find in the rubble.  abandon your prejudice, throw out the new and explore your style.  find the bargain-hunting, sale-hungry fashionista inside of you and begin the journey of the thrift.