Thrifting 101

March 1, 2021

Thrifting is a fun way to shop for unique pieces that not many other people have. It may take multiple trips, but it’s all worth it when you find that one vintage item for $5 that you know will get you tons of compliments.

Thrifting is not for the faint of heart.  It’s not made for convenience or a quick find. There are no mannequins or models showcasing the items being sold, which leaves you on your own to dig through the racks to find those hidden pieces of treasure. However, that’s the part that I love the most about thrifting. Thrifting makes you work for what you want, which only adds to the excitement and pride you feel when finding those special items. When you walk into any thrift store or consignment shop, you have full reign and freedom without the pressure from aggressive sales associates.

Shopping second hand is a great way for you to shop ethically and sustainably. Some of the best Thrifting 101 rules are to find inspiration, keep an open mind, and be realistic with each find. The hope is that this post will help you on your thrifting journey, whether you are just starting out or a veteran thrifter looking to find a new method.

Thrifting, despite the trend it’s become, plays a much deeper role. In a recent study in the UK conducted by The Guardian states, “One in three young women, the biggest segment of consumers, consider garments worn once or twice to be old” (The Guardian, 2019). The dangerous cycle of fast fashion conditions consumers into following trends despite the short duration a style may be popular. This causes buyers to get tired of their purchases, and ready to buy the latest trends at convenient low prices.

The thrifting trend, however, was jump started as the popularity of individuality began to rise. Many young adults found themselves low on cash, convicted by the dangers of fast fashion, yet wanting to express themselves. This led them to two main choices, indulging in fast fashion, or embarking on the journey of shopping secondhand.

Fast fashion, while keeping up with the trends in a cost-efficient way, comes with many side effects. While shopping at many department stores like Forever 21 and H&M is convenient, many of these companies source their items from labor factories overseas. These factories often utilize unsafe working conditions that take advantage of their workers. For more information on fighting fast fashion, check out this article from Farmdrop.

Once you embark on the anti-fast fashion pursuit, it is easy to be overwhelmed or confused. Shopping from sustainable and ethical brands can be expensive, but not knowing what to do when you walk into a Goodwill or consignment shop can be even more daunting.

For me, the journey to a sustainable fashion lifestyle has been a long process. I started off spending way too much at thrift stores. I would come home with anything that looked interesting, ending up with way too many clothes that I wasn’t excited to wear. I quickly realized my new habit was not efficient. I needed to find key pieces that fit my style that could be worn in multiple outfits. While it is so easy to want to take home that one of a kind, bedazzled, lavender grandma sweater, how many times are you actually going to reach for it when you’re getting ready in the morning?

Here are the top three tips that have helped me the most when hunting for the perfect find:

Before I even enter the store, I start by doing research and compiling a bunch of photos for inspiration. Pinterest has become my best friend for collecting all the outfits I want to recreate, while also helping me stay up to date with any new trends. Preparing to yourself to thrift with inspiration puts yourself in a good mindset to look for certain items to match those pictures.

One thing I have learned from thrifting is the art of scanning through the racks. It is best to keep in mind certain colors and textures that you like best. This will save you an immense amount of time and help you not feel too overwhelmed by the large amounts of clothes.

My second tip is to keep an open mind. This is the perfect place for you to find something out of your comfort zone since the prices are so low. Using your Pinterest inspiration, find things you’ve never tried before!  Every store is different so don’t be discouraged when you visit one and it isn’t anything like you expected. Each place may have a few gems, but they may also be drowning in large amounts of old raggedy t-shirts and stained jackets.

If you see anything with the smallest amount of potential, pick it up and try it on. You don’t ever want to miss out on a good find by closing off your options and being narrow-minded. You also will never find golden pieces every visit. There may be several times where you walk out empty handed, and that is totally okay.

Lastly, be realistic with yourself. Stay open-minded but ask yourself, “am I really going to wear this or put it to use?” You need to be brutally honest. If there is no way you can fix it up to make it look good on you, then leave it for someone else to find. A key point is to be sure you’re sticking to your size range. You may start trying to convince yourself you’ll just get those Levi’s 501s that are three sizes too big altered, but we all know they’ll sit in your closet for weeks before you even remember you bought them.

It is pointless for you to shop second hand, but then waste it by never using those purchases. Use your inspiration to help gauge whether that item will execute the vision you have in your head. You will know when something strikes your eye and is worth purchasing. A key tip is to see if you can style a piece you like in 3 different outfits from your own closet. A closet full of niche items is no closet at all.

Overall, thrifting is great for any person balling on a budget. It may be time consuming, but it is so fun and rewarding. You’ll quickly learn you don’t need a lot of money to make your visions come to life. Now, go off and start searching for those gems at your local thrift stores. You got this!

Bonus tip! Don’t feel like trying pants on in the store? Holding the waistline around your neck helps gauge how they’ll fit on your waist.

References:

https://www.farmdrop.com/blog/how-to-fight-fast-fashion/

https://pebblemag.com/magazine/living/whats-wrong-with-fast-fashion#:~:text=A%20byproduct%20from%20textile%20factories,be%20dumped%20directly%20into%20rivers.

https://goodonyou.eco/fast-fashion-facts/

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