thrifting tips - share your knowledge!

hanna

i know lots of people have expressed interest in shopping thrift and consignment - or on getting started - and shiny asked me about this in another thread, so i thought it'd be fun to pool the knowledge of experienced thrifters in one thread. (i hope that made sense, i'm typing really fast!)

here are my own tips from that discussion:

- shop thrift in an upmarket area - you wouldn't believe some of the things the wealthy throw out

- i know lots of people like consignment stores, but i love the thrill of hunting in my musty local salvation army or goodwill thrift store, hehe. maybe i'm just weird. but the sense of accomplishment at finding a gem - and scoring it for so much less! - is amazing.

- wear layers. makes it easier to try everything on. my local salvation army has no changing rooms, but there are mirrors positioned throughout the store. wear a cami as your base layer so you can try tops over it, and wear skinnies or leggings so you can shimmy skirts and dresses over them to see if they fit. if you're really worried about fit, go armed with your own measurements and a measuring tape!

- shop with an eye out for simple alterations. you obviously shouldn't buy something stained (ewww) or ripped beyond repair, but rips at seams might be fixable, dowdy skirts can look fab if taken up a couple of inches, missing buttons can be replaced with funky vintage ones, etc. so don't just look at thrifted items as-is.

- thrifting online is just as much fun as thrifting in stores - i believe i've mentioned in a previous thread how much i LOVE etsy.com to source for vintage goodies.

- don't just buy things because they're bargains! though i suppose that's good advice no matter where you shop - i find that the SUPER low prices you get when thrifting really make you lose your focus. that's when i'm tempted to buy vintage pieces in trends i would never be able to integrate into my wardrobe. be careful

now share yours! i can't wait - good new tips always come in handy.

17 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Kellee

Anonymous

You have a great list! I'd add:
Go with a list of what you need in your wardrobe and keep in mind your best colors. This helps you focus.

Ignore sizes. Don't pass something up if it's marked a size M and you wear a small or large. Try it on if it's something you like. It may work or just need simple alterations. Remember a M junior may fit a S misses.

You can pretty much ignore knitwear layering pieces at the thrift store as being too worn to bother with especially if your time is limited. There are exceptions, of course. Sweaters are another matter. I've found cashmere AT for $3-4.

Great buys can especially be found if you are looking for a little jacket or pencil skirt or black pants. Be sure to check the blouses too. You'll usually do best when looking for dressy items.

Be sure to check out the accessories, including footwear and jewelry.

Go often. It's hit or miss.

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

This is great - thanks Hanna!

I am lucky to live in an upmarket area, and you are absolutely right, I have been amazed at what I can find, especially lately. I have a hunch a lot of people are going consignment because they need the extra $. The things I'm seeing are barely worn, and last season - not vintage. (Although there is some of that too).

The consignment shop I go to in general will not take major chain goods (like BR, AT, Gap). The best thing about it is that it's organized by size, which makes it a lot easier to sort through. And for every week an item goes unsold, they start discounting. You can also have them call you when an item you're looking for comes in. They offered to call me when any petite clothes arrive. I didn't take them up on that offer, but maybe I should.

I saw a cream quilted Chanel bag for $685. I debated about this bag, it is a classic and it was in good condition. But ultimately I decided against it because it's not really my look. I don't care if it's a classic.... the style just never really appealed to me.

How do you feel about thrifted hats and shoes? I usually skip those. With hats, I worry about lice; with shoes, there is just this ewww factor for me!

My DD16 loves to shop at goodwill and thrift shops; she takes old clothing and deconstructs it and sews up new clothes. Very creative, she is. I make sure everything gets washed in hot water when she brings it home. Some of the places she shops are pretty nasty.... like this one place with "$1 a lb" clothing.... the clothing just gets dumped on the floor and you go wading in it! But a $1 a lb... for the seamstress... is a dream.

17 years ago

Chris

Active Member

Great tips! I also think you have to have enough time to really comb through racks and consider choices. Thrift stores are not set up like dept stores and usually most finds won't jump out at you.

With shoes I find it depends on shops. I have a great local consignment shop and have purchased barely worn designer label shoes with no issues (Sigerson Morrison and Burberry). If I was at Goodwill then I probably wouldn't even look at the shoes.

I love how your daughter "makes over" her finds. Hope she keeps at it.

17 years ago

hanna

(website)

Active Member

awesome tips! shiny, i love how your daughter deconstructs old clothing! if i knew how, i would totally do that myself. unfortunately i'm sewing retarded. hats i would definitely hesitate to buy secondhand, but i've actually had some good luck with shoes...

i don't know about others, but i definitely have to be in the mood to thrift - as chris says, you really need to dig through the racks and take your time to look things over.

the one thing i wanted to add that i forgot to put on my original list was to figure out what day they restock and hit them up as soon as they do. that way nobody else gets their hands on that perfect little number!

17 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Thrifting is a great way to try out clothing styles that you're not sure will work for you but that you're interested in. For example, I thrifted a vintage tie-neck black secretary blouse for $3. I ultimately decided the look is not for me, but I was only out $3 instead of $30 or more. Think you might like cowboy boots, but you're not sure? Thrift a pair for $20 instead of paying over $200 for a new pair. If you're new to scarves, grab a thrifted silk one for $0.50 and experiment. Like the look of clutches, but worried you won't like carrying one around all night? It'd be easy to thrift a beaded vintage one for under $10. This is how I learned to wear leggings, blazers, and various other looks. I thrifted them first and then once I knew I liked the look on me, I invested in better quality items if necessary (sometimes the thrifted items were already perfect!).

I do suggest having a plan of attack. Otherwise it's easy to get sidetracked, overwhelmed, and exhausted, and run out of steam before you even get to the section of the store that has the items you're really looking for in it, especially in large stores like Value Village (Saves in the US).

First of all, it's a good idea to allow yourself at least an hour, preferably more, at each store. Grab a shopping cart, if they're available, and be willing to try on lots and lots of items. If you know your measurements, bring a measuring tape to cut down on the amount of time you spend in a waiting room. Dress as simply as possible for rapid changing. I usually wear jeans, easy-off shoes, NO jewelry (so it doesn't catch on clothes and possibly fall out without my noticing), a non-button-front top, and a cami. I've never been to a thrift store without a changing room, so I don't have any tips on coping with that situation.

I'd suggest making a list, and then starting with shoes, belts and accessories, as these are usually the easiest items to sort through. I do thrift shoes and have had very good luck doing that. Always, always check the belts, scarves, and bags (almost all my belts and scarves are thrifted). Then move on to the clothing, starting with the areas that are on your list. I agree that knitwear is usually a waste of time; I find jeans exceptionally difficult to thrift, too. Skirts, jackets, blouses, and wovens ternd to be abundant, with dresses and coats a bit less abundant but always worth checking out. Sweaters are worth looking through--most will be terrible, but there are often gems hidden away. Don't forget to glance through the jewelry, too. And--get this--I regularly thrift hose that's still new in its package. Finally, go through the rest of the store. Shop with a list, but don't get frustrated if you don't find everything or even anything that's on it. Thrifting takes patience, time, and a sense of humour. Also, always be open to trying new things. That's the joy of thrifting!

It's always worth checking out smaller, independant thrift shops, even ones that seem like they'd be catering to little old ladies. Sometimes these places have the best treasures and the lowest prices.

Finally, carry a bottle of water with you, as well as some wet wipes or hand sanitizer. That way if you want to grab a coffee and croissant on the way from one thrift store to another, you can de-grime yourself (because you will feel grimy after sorting through all kinds of thrifted goods!).

It really can be worth it, though--some of my recent thrift finds include a perfect Zara puffer, my favourite metallic dress heels, a pair of amazing black ankle-wrap wedge sandals, THE Gap denim jacket, and two sleeveless silk blouses (Jacob & Mac & Jac).

17 years ago

Becky

Veteran

Here's a previous blog post on thrifting by Allie at Wardrobe Oxygen:

http://www.wardrobeoxygen.com/.....iftin.html

17 years ago

Mattie

Active Member

Smell it. Remember the Seinfeld episode with the car that smelled like BO?
Smell everything.

17 years ago

hanna

(website)

Active Member

(just snorted with laughter and shot 7up up my nose - thanks mattie :P)

17 years ago

Ariadne

Veteran

Mattie, that is SO SO SO true! And check every item SCRUPULOUSLY for rips, stains, rugs, pilling, etc., inside AND out.

17 years ago

greenglove

(website)

Veteran

Hi everyone, as I have mentioned on previous threads, i have been thrifting for ages.
Great tips from everyone, I will add a few:

Do not bother with weekends, everything is picked over and new stuff does not get put out.
Go often, I go at least once a week.
Best day is Friday afternoon.
Be picky, know quality, brands and what is current.
I used to sometimes pick for vintage stores and learned quickly what was unique and what anyone could find.
I think this blog has help me know what is current more than I did before, I also read fashion magazines.
Look over everything for any damage.
Urban areas are great for finding upscale stuff although some stores get shipments from all over, making the more obscure areas better because there is less competition in shopping.
Men's stuff is amazing because there are never too many men looking for clothing, I find tons of JCrew barely worn shirts and jackets. I found my husband a great pair of Harley Davidson moto boots.
I got my doc boots (barely worn) from a thrift store for 15.00.
I am really diligent which is why I find things. You have to love it aand be patient and thorough and not all people care or are able to take the time. I also shop for housewears, have found great dishes, bowls and really unique things that I do not see anywhere else.
I also make sure that I know what is selling in department stores. Sometimes sales are just as good as prices at a thrift store. I love thrifting and will be doing it forever!!

17 years ago

Kellee

Active Member

Mattie...too funny.
and hanna ,great visual. I am still laughing,
There is nothing like a good fizzle in the nose.

Greenglove choosing what day of the week to go is a great idea!

My best thrift shop is a haul for me to get to, but when I do go it is usually worth the trip. I just found out that they only take clothing on Wed-Friday, so I think I will try to head up there at the end of the week from now on. I usually bring a load of things to sell when I go. Kind of like I am creating my own discount coupon
I bought a beautiful taupe leather ottoman there this past fall. It was just what I had visualized for the center of my dressing room. I could not believe it when I saw it. I would never have bought a new one.

Another source for me and probably my best, has been buying clothing samples. These are what vendors bring each season to the buyers. So they are new. And current styles.
A jobber that has a chain of stores here in MA. has sample sales throughout the year. Some stores have sample departments. You have to dig of course, but in the past I have scored some great items.
I have found that my discount sources have the best finds in a down market.
One plus for the state of our economy!

Thank you for all of your sage advice.

17 years ago

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