Shopping at thrift stores, or “thrifting,” has become very popular over the years. It’s no longer a last resort if you don’t have the money to dress yourself and your family (though saving money is a huge plus!). Finding cool clothes at second-hand stores like Savers, DI, and Goodwill has become a huge flex among young fashionistas. Nothing feels better than saying “Savers” when asked where you got your new jacket. But thrifting is not just a trendy thing to do. It is sustainable, and it keeps our business away from unethical fast-fashion industries! What more could you want?
Well, you probably want to look nice, too. There is definitely a learning curve when it comes to finding clothes that fit you and that you love to wear from second-hand sources. Here are some steps that I’ve found helpful over my years of thrifting.
1. Write a List of Your Favorite Brands
This cuts your shopping time in HALF and help you find clothes you know you will wear and love. If you love Levi’s, go to the section with your size and thumb through every pair of jeans until you find some Levi’s.
2. Know and Love Your Size
Most thrift stores have sections organized by type of clothing and size. I can’t tell you how many times I look in the wrong size, then am thoroughly disappointed when I realize the cute dress I was looking at won’t fit me. Spare yourself and just look in the sections that will fit you best.
3. Sewing Helps!
A lot of people get rid of great clothes because they need small repairs or don’t fit them anymore. Being able to hem clothes, take them in a bit, make small repairs goes a long way and opens up a lot of options when thrifting!
4. Decide if You’re Really Going to Repair It
Be honest with yourself. Are you really going to hem that skirt or remove that stain? If the answer is yes, SCORE! If not, don’t buy it. Save some time and money. Leave it for someone who will actually use it.
5. Shop Purposefully
It’s nice to have a general idea of what your closet needs when thrifting. Not only does it save time, but it keeps you from splurging on stuff you don’t need. The low price in these stores make it tempting to buy anything you find cute. Avoid this at all costs! You’re not really saving money thrifting you’re just spending it on stuff you don’t need.
6. Reselling is a Big No-No
There are tons of online shops or accounts on Instagram that buy cheap clothes from thrift stores, then resell them for a higher price. For instance, they’ll find a Nike sweatshirt at Savers for $6 knowing that it is worth more than that, so they resell it for $25. People will absolutely desolate thrift of anything that might get a profit. This creates a high demand for thrifted items, so thrift stores are forced to raise their prices! This is bad news because people who are truly in need of the cheap clothes at thrift stores can no longer afford them. Don’t resell clothes and don’t support accounts that do this.
7. Remember Who Needs Thrift Stores Most
Every piece of advice comes back to this point. Yes, everyone should shop at thrift stores. They are sustainable and just fun! But at the end of the day, they are extremely important to low-socioeconomic households. Don’t shop at thrift stores in poverty stricken areas that truly need the clothes, and don’t buy what you won’t use!
8. Give Back and Donate!
To make thrift stores a more consistent form of fashion, we all have to do our part! Donate clothes that you don’t use for someone to love more than you do!
Enjoy thrifting, friends!
<3 Mira
