Thrifting Tips: How to Get The Most Out of Second-Hand
As broke college students, thrifting is a trend for which we find ourselves extremely grateful. Why bother spending top dollar for clothes that you can find them for 1/4th of the price? There’s also nothing more unique than thrift clothes because half of the time they really are one-of-a-kind. For those new to thrifting, walking into a giant second-hand store that often has little to no organization can be an overwhelming experience, but the affordable treasures you find are worth the effort required to hunt them down. We’ve compiled a list of our best tips to get you started in the wide world of second-hand shopping!
Go section by section
Thrift stores, while exciting, usually have little to no organization. Some stores like Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet have a more selective process where they only accept clothing that is on trend or a designer brand, but others like Goodwill, Park Avenue Thrift, etc. have no screening process. These are the ones that can be a little overwhelming. In my experience, the best way to sort through this hodgepodge of clothing- more than half of which are likely heavily embellished grandmother vests and 80’s-style blazers with shoulder pads- is to move section by section. This probably goes without saying, but if you know for a fact that you’re looking for a great new pair of mom jeans, then start in the jeans section. It might help to have a general idea of what pieces you’re looking for, such as pants, shirts, dresses, etc. The real issue occurs in stores like Park Avenue Thrift, particularly on their 25 cent days where everything is tossed on the racks without rhyme or reason. In that case, it helps to start on one end of the store and rifle through to the other side, working mechanically throughout. If you’re more pressed for time, walking row by row and skimming the racks to see if anything jumps out at you works well too, but the best thrifting is done when you have ample time to peruse.
Have an open mind
As has been said, thrifting can be entirely overwhelming because it is a space that isn’t always necessarily curated in the way that a vintage shop might be. Because of this, sometimes it is easier to come in with particular items in mind. On the other hand, if you are open to anything the store has to offer, you may surprise yourself by going for pieces you would not have originally chosen if in a regular store. Though you may have specific pieces you have been missing in your wardrobe, if you focus only on finding that “perfect jean jacket” you may overlook all of the other amazing pieces you pass that don’t match up to the specific item. Some of the things you would have originally looked over could even be perfect complements to that item you have been wanting.
Don’t pay too much attention to sizing
In second-hand stores there are so many different brands, and the clothes may be stretched out enough that the sizes are never accurate. You may be a size 6 in American Eagle jeans, but when you find a size 6 at Goodwill, they may not fit in the slightest. In general, try everything on because there’s nothing worse than spending money on a non-returnable item and not being able to wear it. Not only that, but buying oversized or ill-fitting items offers plenty of room for upcycling, reconstruction, and layering, even if it’s as simple as cropping an oversized t-shirt. Having an imagination and an open-mind can be the most defining characteristic of a good thrifter. Of course, there’s only so far that an imagination can take you. Numerous times I’ve convinced myself that something I really like fits me in the store, then I end up never using it because it’s way too small to wear comfortably and I can’t figure out how to resize it.
Cheap doesn’t mean necessary
The easiest trap to fall into while thrifting is the price tag. “This shirt is only $5! That’s less than a Chick-Fil-A meal.” Or, “Everything is 25 cents, so I might as well buy it all!” First of all, a bunch of $5 shirts eventually adds up, and the receipt may end up a good deal higher than you anticipated. Second of all, there’s no point in spending money on something you’ll never wear, even if it was only a quarter. If you’re not careful, one day you could turn around and find your closet full of clothes you never wear and purchased just because they were cheap. If you don’t think it’s something you’ll be comfortable in, or can’t imagine you’ll wear it more than once, maybe skip over it. I’ve bought clothes from thrift stores that I wore once, then donated again a few months later, too many times to count.
Shop the whole store!
Don’t feel limited to your typical “gendered” section. While those sections may be where you have the most success, the kids, men’s, etc. may prove fruitful in ways that would be unexpected and along with trends. For example, baby tees/crops are super in right now and usually one would skip the kids section because of size but that section is a goldmine for that trend. Or are you in with the dad jeans/sneakers/sweater vibe? So many of these high trend items can be found in the men’s section with a translated size. While you may or may not find something that is appealing to you in these unconventional sections, you shouldn’t feel confined to what section society says you should shop in! By expanding your “section” to the whole store, you are opening yourself up to so many more discoveries. There is no limit with thrifting!
Don’t skip the accessories!
When you think of ‘thrifting’ are clothes the only thing that comes to mind? Thrift stores often have a great selection of anything from purses, belts, jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, and fabric! For those who sew or upcycle a lot, the drapery/sheet section provides a great source of scrap fabric good for creating mockups or even full pieces. Not only that, but in some thrift stores like Goodwill and Savers, they have bags of scrap fabric, yarn, and other miscellaneous crafting materials. Thrift stores also have a great source of belts. If they are too big and don’t have enough loops, then you can always poke an extra hole in the correct spot or if the material is thin enough, use a hole puncher. If you buy shoes or hats, try to find ones that look newer/unused, and make sure to clean them thoroughly! For shoes, try to find ones that can be washed or sprayed with cleaner if you feel comfortable doing so. Also, don’t forget about the pajama/lingerie section. You’d be surprised by the great finds that can be styled or upcycled into everyday wear, especially the lacy lingerie tops which work great when layering.
Check brands
I know plenty of people that make good money by reselling clothes on websites like Poshmark and Mercari. If you want to make a bit of side money, thrifting high end brands that are still in good shape can be a great business. If that’s what you’re doing, look for popular brands and clothes/purses/shoes that look to be new or gently used.
Wash everything!
This is a simple rule, but important. Wash everything before wearing it! Most thrift stores don’t wash their clothes before selling them, so that job falls on your shoulders. Not to mention second-hand stores sometimes carry a residual smell that can easily be removed by a few washes.
Enjoy the hunt!
There’s no doubt that slowly picking your way through essentially a warehouse of unique pieces is time consuming. However, it is all about perspective and determination in this case. While it may seem overwhelming and tempting to rush through and only look at things that jump out to you, treat it like a scavenger hunt. Part of the fun for a lot of thrifters, is the chase. Every item is entirely unique which gives you the opportunity to see so much content. If you rush through and only pull things you usually go for, you will shut yourself off to any sort of reinvention of your style. Make a day of it and really take the time to open yourself to what the racks have to offer. Happy thrifting!