Being the avid second-hand
shopper that I am, over the years I have accumulated some nifty tips and tricks
on how to thrift shop successfully. These tips will optimize your time at the
thrift store, keep you safe and sanitary, and ensure you walk away with some
bomb-ass outfits that will rejuvenate your sense of style and closet!. Enjoy!
Before you go
- Wear a tank top and snug fitting bottoms, like
leggings or shorts. This way you can try on some articles of clothing without
going into the change room
- Bring socks to try on shoes with, and wear
minimal jewelry so nothing gets caught on you
- Go in the morning before crowds, and give
yourself a good chunk of time- thrifting takes longer than regular shopping
- Consider getting a membership and go on sale
days for even better deals
When you get there
- Prioritize what you need and where to search.
Thrift stores are often huge and overwhelming, so narrowing in on specific
sections helps you zero in on what you’re looking for
- While browsing, look for good quality fabrics
and materials/colours that you’re attracted to. It’s impossible to look at
everything, so this way you only focus on what is genuine quality and will be
worth your dollar
- Grab liberally, filter later
- Grab anything that you like or catches your eye
and give it a chance! Often times things look better on than on the hanger
- Keep your eyes open for DIY opportunities
- Remember that thrifting is the perfect
opportunity to take risks and try trends/styles that are outside of your
comfort zone or what you normally wear. You are not spending much money on
these items, so there is no buyers regret if you don’t end up wearing these
items as much as you would’ve liked to
- Try on as much stuff on outside of the change
rooms as possible (sweaters, jumpers, jackets, skirts even). It saves time with
the lines, and also makes your time in the change room faster and more
efficient
- Always check items for stains, broken zippers,
missing buttons, rips, loose threads, or funky smells
- Personally, I would avoid hats that cannot be
washed, as well as any undergarments or swimwear
When you get home
- Before you do anything else, throw everything
you can into the dryer for one hour. This includes soft hats, fabric bags,
scarves, etc.
- Once they are done in the dryer, I then feel
comfortable putting them in my laundry hamper or waiting to be washed properly
in my room
- Wash the clothes you were wearing while
thrifting (might seem over the top but bed bugs scare the hell out of me)
- Consider dry-cleaning if an article of clothing
is delicate or un-washable
- With shoes, consider getting an antibacterial
foot spray- the kind they use in bowling alleys and rock climbing gyms. The spray
kills 99% of bacteria
- With accessories such as glasses or jewelry, you
can consider cleaning them with a disinfectant wipe or rubbing alcohol
And voila! You just saved yourself a good chunk of change, and helped
reduce waste and emissions too! Hope this helps, and happy thrifting!
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