After 7 years of shopping in thrift stores, I have summed up my knowledge to help any novice thrifters out there!
1. Take the time to touch every item
I will pick a section that looks promising (colors or styles catch my eye) and then I flip through everything on that rack. The real treasures can easily get passed over so take the time to at least touch every item on that rack.
2. Don't be afraid to look outside your size
Because thrift stores carry items from lots of stores and brands, the sizing is not always consistent. Also oversized clothes are soooo much easier to alter to fit your body.
3. Try on A LOT of items
I can’t stress this enough! I will often take 20 items into the dressing room (technically against the rules, but who cares) and try them all on. You are way more likely to find something that works than if you only try on 3 items. And if nothing works, you know what you need to change in the sizes you try on.
4. Block out a chunk of time for your shopping experience
I have NEVER had a “quick” thrift run. That might have something to do with how much I love being there, but really you have to allow yourself time to sort through the no’s to find a yes.
5. Go often
Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find anything. Try again in a few weeks. The merchandise is always changing and depending on the season of the year you might have more success finding what you want.
6. Try a new location
There are a lot of underappreciated thrift stores. Do a search for thrift stores in your area and support a small business! Also, visiting a thrift store in a new town means more opportunities for good finds!
7. Don't be afraid to make a bad purchase
This is a big one for me. The nice thing about thrift stores is that when you make a poor choice (and you probably will at some point) it is not an expensive purchase. I would much rather make a $3 mistake than a $50 mistake.
8. Explore sections that you wouldn't normally
I normally look at clothes, but every so often I take a good long stroll through the books and look for a hidden gem.
9. Home decor is one of the easiest things to find/ DIY from thrift stores
There is always a ton of glassware at any thrift store. These items can be painted, dyed, used as planters, or repurposed for something else. Look at my DIY décor for some ideas or search on Pinterest.
10. Thrift stores have sale days too
Why not take advantage of any opportunity to save money? See if your local thrift store has any sales. You might get as much as 50% off!
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