Do you love to shop but hate the impact that the fast fashion industry has on the environment? Thrift shopping just might be the answer. Whether you are shopping for yourself or for resale, there are some things to keep in mind. In this post, I am sharing my 5 Tips for those new to thrifting.
My thrift store shopping habit is probably half for me and my family and half for resale. It’s been a fun hobby/ side-hustle that I’ve learned more and about over the last couple of years. Enough of you have asked me for advice about where and how to shop that I thought I’d but together this little blog post….from my perspective.
1. Do a Touch Test
I stumbled upon this trick accidentally, before I read other pros post about it. Somtimes thrift stores can be intimidating. Sometimes? Most of the time. They are often big and messy and organization can vary a lot. When you’re looking for the proverbial needle-in-a-haystack item, the gem in the rough, etc. you may not always have time to sift through every single item in the store. This is especially true if you’re shopping in large bins, sidewalk sales or other mass piles.
When this is the case, you need to FEEL your way through the clothes. Even if you don’t necessarily know a lot about designer brands, you will often intuitively know if something is expensive by touching it. The fabric will feel softer, like in the case of a cashmere sweater. Or, it might feel sturdier, like a good pair of boots. I was once digging through the tables at a sidewalk sale and my hands came upon something very soft and very large. It turned out to be a very nice Saks Fifth Avenue men’s wool and cashmere coat. It’s available in my Poshmark closet if you’re interested. 🙂
2. Don’t Go With an Expectation
Part of the fun of thrifting is the surprise. Rarely have I gone in looking for a specific item and found it right away. It’s just too random to expect to find that just right item you want.
The inventory in thrift stores tends to turnover quickly but this can be a good thing. If you are a regular thrifter, returining week after week will enable you to find great gems that you never knew you wanted, but now cannot live without. I had a faux white leather jacket that I picked up in a thrift store a few years ago. It wasn’t the greatest quaility and after a while it started to fall apart. I was so sad because I loved that look of a white leather jacket! The other day, I was shopping a sidewalk sale. As I headed to the register, I looked up and saw a lovely white faux leather jacket on a mannequin. I ran over there and it was just my size!
If you do have something specific in mind and don’t have time to hit the stores on a regular basis, I suggest using online thrift and resale stores like ThreadUp or Poshmark. My daughter wants to get her Valentine’s dance dress at a thrift store, but she is looking for something specific (light pink) and her school has a dress code (shoulders must be covered) so I am hunting for it on Poshmark. I’ve already found several good contenders!
3. Pay Attention to Sale Days
When I first started shopping in thrift stores, I wasn’t really thinking about trying to get a bargain. If I’m at thrift store, the bargain is implied. But, thrift stores do have sales and specials because they need to move merchandise. And once I started reselling getting the lowest cost possible became really important.
I started to learn and keep track of the best days to shop. For example, Salvation Army stores tend to do something called “Wacky Wednesday” when all clothes and shoes are 50% off (with the exception of red tag items). Other stores like Goodwill will have Fan Fridays that offer a percentage off regular price. Smaller independent shops have their own sales too. For example, one of my favorites, The Collection at Casa Teresa does a sidewalk sale every Thursday when select items are just $2. A lot of stores also do “fill a bag” sales that allow you to pay a flat price for as many items you can fit in a bag.
4. Find the Rejects
I read this tip somewhere and I started trying it out. Basically, figure out where people dump their rejects or go-backs and look there. In some places this is just the racks near the fitting room. This is a prime spot to find good stuff that people have tried on but didn’t want to purchase. The end of racks is another great place to look. Some nicer thrift stores might have an actual go-back rack. When visiting a location that is new to you, take a moment and make note of where the rejects and go-backs are likely to be. If you are short on time this can save you trips through endless aisles because other savvy shoppers have already picked out a lot of the good stuff for you.
Speaking of rejects….if you’re in a gambling mood, you might try a Thredup Rescue Box. Check out my blog post to see what that’s all about.
5. Check the Zippers
Other thrifters will tell you to check your items carefully. This is good advice. You always need to be on the lookout for stains, tears or other defects. But, there is one thing I overlooked for the longest time….until I almost got burned – Zippers! Most specifically – jeans zippers. When you’re looking at a pair of pants or jeans on a hanger the zipper is somewhat hidden. If you’re trying it on you’ll probably notice a broken zipper. Often though, I’ll either be looking for something for my daughter or to re-sell. So, it didn’t always occur to me to check the zipper. One day, I found a cute pair of PacSun jeans that I thought my daughter would like. They looked like they might fit her. But, when I got them home, she said that she couldn’t get them past her hips. No problem, I thought. I’ll just list them on Poshmark. When I went to take the pictures, that is when I noticed something wrong with the zipper. Ugh! Luckily, a quick YouTube video later I was able to fix the zipper enough that they could be worn. I still listed them on Poshmark, disclosing the zipper problem. Luckily they sold quickly and they buyer was happy with them, even with the zipper work-around.
BONUS TIP: Shop Your Own Closet
If you’re trying to stick to a budget or want to cut back on buying clothes for any reason at all, a great way to still feel fashionable is to shop your own closet. I’ve put together a quick guide – 6 Ways To Shop Your Closet – with my personal strategy for shopping my own closet.
Drop me a comment below if you have questions or you have a thrifting tip or adventure to share. I learn a lot by hearing from others.
I definetly agree not going with expectation. A few timws I went because I was on the hunt for something I needed. In doing so I found a printer I needed and a pull out couch which is now my bed. I didnt want mu actual bed in the front room. I never expected to find a pull out for only $80. And in great condition. And the printer is technically expensive but I don’t recall how much I paid.
Ooh, thanks for sharing! I’ve done a lot of thrift shopping and absolutely love the thrill of getting something good at a cheaper price!