Just like any other lifestyle change, thrifting takes
practice. My first couple of times out I didn’t have a lot of luck: Thrifting
can be overwhelming. Unlike shopping retail, you’ve got a huge variety of
sizes, brands and styles to peruse.
But that’s what makes it so much fun — thrifting is a
grown-up treasure hunt. (And who doesn’t love getting a good deal?)
Tips for Thrifters
Go often — Inventory changes quickly at thrift and
consignment stores. (Bless the people who buy new wardrobes every season — they
make it possible for me to continue my habit!) Ideally, I would thrift every
week on a day other than Saturday, but once or twice a month is usually
sufficient to get a good pick.
Size doesn’t matter — It’s good to have a general idea of
what size you wear, but it doesn’t always apply with second-hand clothes. I’m
usually a size 12, but I’ve gone a couple sizes bigger and a couple smaller. It
just depends on the brand. So it’s a good idea to browse all sizes, which leads
me to …
Take your time — Patience is key with thrifting. It takes
time to look through everything. Every store’s organization system is different
(or nonexistent) and you never know what you’re going to stumble across.
Think ahead — It’s getting into fall now so of course I’m
looking for sweaters and jeans. But at the end of the summer season, a lot of
consignment stores will clearance out their warm-weather inventory. I’ve gotten
lots of T-shirts and camisoles for layering for $1 or less. Plus, if you find
an amazing deal, it’s worth it to save it for the next season.
Wash everything — I’ve gotten over the issue of wearing
clothes other people have worn. Maybe it’s because I shared clothes with my
sisters for so many years, maybe it’s because even in retail stores, clothes
have been tried on before. Either way, there’s no ick factor involved. But I
make sure to wash everything before I wear it. Shoes get a wipe-down with Lysol
and Febreze.
Be picky — It’s tempting to go overboard when you’re
thrifting. Trust me, I’ve been there. So I started being really selective about
the clothes I buy. For instance, I love Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft and
Eddie Bauer, but I can’t possibly afford to shop there. Most of my clothes,
however, are from those lines. It doesn’t bother me if they’re last season’s
fashions; I know my own style and tastes.
One in, one out — This ties in closely with #6. The problem
with thrifting is you can overload your closet way too quickly. So for every
new thing I bring in, I try to cull one old item. If it’s in good shape, I
donate it back to Goodwill or a local consignment store. If it’s not, then it
gets cut into rags.
Don’t be discouraged — I’ve had good luck thrifting for
myself, but for others in my household, it’s not as easy. When I’ve looked for the
Captain, I’ve discovered men’s clothing selection is usually much more limited.
(That’s probably because guys don’t go through clothes as quickly.) But I have
been able to find him some nice polos for teaching and he found himself some blazers
(think Matt Smith as Doctor Who!) for 99 cents. Not every trip is going to
yield treasures … but the next one might.
Happy hunting!
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