I remember a time when visiting a thrift store was taboo. Now, people are much more accepting of the idea. One might even venture to say thriftiness is an art.
People do not simply thrift. A whole thought process goes into it. Deciding what you are trying to get out of your trip is a good place to start. Some people go thrifting with one particular type of item in mind. For instance, someone might be looking for a leather jacket. Buying a leather jacket secondhand, as opposed to brand new, could save hundreds of dollars. The only downfall is that there will be a lot of tedious sifting through clothing racks before you find what you’re looking for.
On the other hand, there are many people who go thrifting with an open mind and buy whatever strikes their fancy. This method is always fun. However, buyers beware. You may spend more than anticipated.
Upon deciding the goal of the thrifting excursion, you can choose which stores to visit. The choice of stores will vary depending on your sense of style, patience, willingness to travel, budget and overall shopping experience.
Let’s start with the Holy Grail of all things thrifty: Goodwill. We all know Goodwill, with the linoleum floors and fluorescent lighting, doesn’t exactly make for the most glamorous shopping experience. But if you’re looking for no-nonsense and dirt cheap prices, Goodwill is the way to go. Everything is organized, so you can always find what you’re looking for. If you develop your skills and practice patience, you may be able to find some chic or designer clothing at unbelievable prices.
My all-time favorite secondhand store is Plato’s Closet. Some things can get a little pricey, but fear not, the $1 clearance bin and the $10 grab bag events are great ways to rack up on some awesome threads on the cheap.
An alternative to Plato’s Closet is Meta Exchange. It carries designer brands such as J. Crew, Michael Kors and BCBG at amazing prices. The best thing about these stores is that they are targeted at the college student age group, so it’s easier to find trendy clothing.
Once at the store, you are faced with the decision of what to buy. Resist the urge to buy everything you see because it’s so affordable. The majority of those clothes will just collect dust in your closet. Instead, take advantage of the fitting rooms and try the clothes on. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve thought something looked cute on the hanger, but it was a completely different story upon trying it on, and vice versa.
Stay away from clothing that doesn’t fit properly. If you have a good tailor, consider having some pieces hemmed. If the item is a good price, it may be worth the investment.
The best part of thrifting is being able to boast about the money you saved on the chic clothes you’ve bought. If you haven’t tried thrifting yet, go for it. Buying unique clothes at great prices is a no-brainer.
