5 Amazing Reasons to Start Thrift Shopping and 10 Tips for Success

Usually thrifting is done, but not limited to the following locations:

I have been thrifting for a long time. In fact, thrift shopping has existed for decades. It is more important now than ever to consider thrift shopping. Read on and you will see why. I would like to try to convince you to at least consider second-had shopping by explaining the reasons why people do it over and over again. Following the tips will increase the chance of you finding something awesome.

We all know people who are absolutely against it and will not step foot into a store that sells anything used. Once you get over the perceived stigma or reasons keeping you from trying it, you will see that it doesn’t hurt to give it a go. You might have to give it a second chance if you are not successful the first time!

The thrill of finding something unique, or something you’ve been looking for or something that just catches your fancy can be really exhilarating!

It is never too late to try!

Reasons for Thrift Shopping

price

Once you start thrift shopping, you will realize the prices are too good to be true. Occasionally, you will find an item that still has the original sales tag on it indicating the item was never used! How crazy is that! Different establishments have different ranges. Some stores, such as consignment stores, carry high value brand items so the prices will be a bit higher that stores that carry everything under the sun. You will note that they prices are still much lower than if you bought the items new.

selection

The selection can be huge on the day you decide to go or it may not. I haven’t figured how to determine which days are the best to go to the stores I frequent. Perhaps I will ask if there is a specific day they put out merchandise or if it is put out every day. Some days it feels like there isn’t one single interesting item and other days, I struggle to pick out of the multiple gems I found. That part seems to be dumb luck.

Some stores only sell clothes and some sell lots of different things such as books, kitchenware, shoes, purses and household goods. Here is a list of US cities that are great for thrifting. And here are some thrift shops in Canada!

sustainability

You might have read that the global fashion industry accounts for almost 10 percent of global carbon emissions, pollutes and dries up all sizes of bodies of water. With concerns about carbon emissions and the health of the planet, lots of people are trying out alternative ways purchase things.

Here is a great article to start you on a journey to learn more about fashion and the environment.

You may wish to consider the following to reduce your environmental impact:

• Simply buy less. We have lived in an era of abundance in the West and just have too much of everything. Think twice before making any purchase and re-think the concept of retail therapy.
• Buy second-hand items.
• Consider swaps with friends, neighbour, colleagues etc. It can be fun and some great stuff can be had.
• Consider renting if possible.
• Buy from known sustainable brands. More and more fashion brands are becoming available.
• Buy better quality things to avoid buying more often than you need.
• Don’t throw out items until you are sure charities, family or friends would not want them. Let’s keep usable things out of landfills.
• Rent clothes. You read right! You can now rent clothes. Having access to new clothes, renting for temporary occasions such at pregnancies or just renting something nice for a special occasion can be a great thing!

charity

A lot of stores give a portion of proceeds to charities. If that’s not a great reason to try thrifting, I don’t know what is!

thrill of the find

Finding that one unique piece of clothing or furniture or accessory or whatever is absolutely thrilling and I daresay addictive! You will know what I mean when you first find that special item. Those of you who may have started thrifting and have found a gem know what I am talking about!

Tips for Thrift Shopping

Your first time stepping into a thrift shop can be overwhelming especially if it’s a large location. Here’s what you should know before you face the endless super-filled racks of clothes or other items at your local second-hand store

go often

You might have to go often to benefit from the frequent re-stocking of items. Especially if you are on the hunt for something specific. The good items get snatched up very quickly so you need to be nimble!

check all the sections

Even though you may be looking for something specific such as a purse, it is always a good idea to at least quickly have a look at other sections of the store. You never know when you will find that special thing!

a white t-shirt is essential and will pair with almost anything

Look for things that will pair easily with other items in your wardrobe and get the biggest bang for your buck.

stay away from centre-town locations

The centre town locations are busy places with a lot of people going through the racks and the good stuff gets scooped up quickly. When not try suburb locations if they exist?

scanning doesn’t work

You have to look at every hanger on the racks. That’s just the way it is. You can’t judge a piece of clothing by just looking at the collar and sleeve!

take your time!

It takes time to go through everything on the racks. For this to work, you need to make sure you don’t get hungry. You also need to make sure you have gone to the washroom and basically, are not expected anywhere any time soon. Let’s face it, some of us can’t stay in one location for hours without having to use the restroom. Be prepared!

If spending hours in a store just isn’t your thing, why not visit an on-line thrift clothing vendor on Etsy or Instagram?

It takes some effort but can be well worth your time!

start with accessories

An easy way to get started without getting overwhelmed is to look at the accessories. Shoes, belts, scarves, hats and purses can be less costly than clothes, and it’s easier to peruse those sections because they are not as crowed.

check the measurements

This one is very important. Not all brands are sized alike so check a couple of different sizes and wander around. Concentrate on measurements rather than the size on the tag.

Note that during the pandemic, may stores closed their changing rooms. It might seem silly, but measuring one or two of your favourite pieces at home is a good idea. Bring a measuring tape to make sure the piece of clothing you are interested in will fit you or not. To be extra diligent, measure different parts of the garment.

check for damage

Make sure to confirm that zippers work and button holes have not gotten too big. You might also want to check the seams.

Be ready to repair if the item is worth it!

thrift store smell

Sometimes, clothes in second hand stores have an unwanted smell. Washing items with vinegar or baking soda can help. You can hang items that shouldn’t be washed outside in the sun. Clothes with stains can be soaked in hot water and hand washed with powdered cleaner such as Oxiclean. Most clothes can be soaked for up to two weeks.

If you can’t repair visible damage, visit a tailor. They can usually take care of most repairs or alterations that might be needed. If you don’t want to pay a tailor, perhaps that item is not for you.

All the best and happy shopping!