Whether you want to be environmentally conscious when you are shopping or, in fact, you want to save a couple of pennies compared to buying things brand new, then you’ve come to the right place. Thrifting seems to be a very popular sport at the moment and I say sport because it really is. It requires patience, stamina and motivation to look through every single item and not get frustrated when the thrift gods don’t answer your prayers.
There are a couple of tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way to make those days dedicated to shopping for new clothes to add to the rotation that much easier. So let’s begin!
How To Master The Art Of Thrifting
So you might think there is not a lot to it, but there are things you should always keep in mind so you can walk away happy and without a broken bank and these are the things I learned the hard way and through my research.
Early Bird Catches The Worm
This saying works for everything, and thrift is one of them. While the saying raisin is more true depending on where and what kind of place you are going, for example, car boots are a prime example of early birds getting first picks and some of the best bits.
Not to mention if you haven’t thought about going to car boots for fashion finds, then please reconsider. It is full of new, vintage and wonderful pieces that you might not find anywhere else and at a fraction of the original retail price. Car boots are places where people want to get rid of their stuff as quickly as possible so you won’t find better bargains than here. Plus, it’s a good place for home decor, electronics and much more.
Wear a Skirt
When you go thrift shopping, whether it be a pop-up shop, a government-owned charity shop or a warehouse, either way, they don’t all come with fitting rooms. This can be a problem because you might either not be able to return or you don’t have the means to come back. So I’ve found the easiest solution for women and that is to wear a vest and a skirt. This way, when you try on a dress, jumper, trousers or a different skirt, you can simply do a switch around without exposing yourself.
This is a perfect hack so you can not only try before you buy but it just makes the whole process quicker and easier when filtering through the rails.
For men, I would suggest the same but not everyone wants to wear shorts so maybe try wearing an underlayer of summer shorts and a vest that wouldn’t affect the appearance for example, if you were trying on a men’s hoodie or full tracksuit.
Read: Fashion Is Truly Ageless: How To Keep Things Fashionable At Any Age
Minimise The Search
It’s not for everyone to shift through loads of rails or maybe you just love to online shop like myself. The only problem with online shipping on apps such as Depop or Vinted is that the choice is endless and can be overwhelming so the best solution is to refine.
Think about what pieces you actually want and try to search for detailed terms. For example, if you were after a mini skirt, get more detailed, like a brown pleated mini skirt with a zip. This might make it easier but you can also get creative with it and adust the price down, and when it is posted, this can help you find unique and affordable pieces quicker.
Learn Brand Names
Whether you are shopping for yourself or looking to be a reseller, a good tip is to learn about popular, iconic or generally good-quality brands. As thrifting can reintroduce you to brands from the past that are extremely rare, unique and just overall amazing pieces, to keep the searches even more refined both in person and online, I recommend you research and learn to find out what brands you love.
For example, I am really into my tailored and cute office girl finds at the moment and from research, I learned that both Jane Norman and Karen Millen have amazing vintage pieces that are affordable, amazing quality and just unique to what you’d find in the current market. This makes my shopping experience so much easier and more fun.
Learn To Alter
Another key part of thrifting that I learned the hard way is that you’ll find so many cute and unique pieces that just need a bit of tweaking or a bit of TLC. This means that having the gift of a sewing machine or just mastering a few stitching techniques will have your clothes looking snatched and basically brand new. It’s a good skill to learn and it can be even more cost-effective in the long run.
If you are completely new to the scene, try to get a beginner-friendly sewing machine and dedicate some time to practising on old clothes that are too worn to be donated. Before you know it, you’ll be the seamstress friend everyone needs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are shopping for a men’s hoodie sale, a milkmaid dress or a pair of gemstone tights, they are waiting for you at the thrift store. Just remember to keep these tips in mind and to visualise what you want. This is not only great for your bank but also amazing for the environment.
