Are you a thrift lover? A newcomer looking to learn the ropes? There’s room for everyone at thrift shops across the country. For those of you who are newer to the world of thrift, there are some things you want to know before you embark on your first trips. From preparation to examination, we’ve got your go-to thrift checklist.
When you choose to thrift shop, you’re often supporting a non-profit’s mission. Here are Goodwill, over 80 cents of each dollar goes towards helping those with barriers find gainful employment. So whether you thrift to find low-cost goods, are part of the movement to slow down fast fashion, or shop to support a mission, thrift shops are glad to have your support.
Prepare for Shopping
Before you leave for your local thrift store, take a few minutes to review this checklist. Sure, you can simply show up, but your experience will be much more fruitful if you arrive prepared.
Take Inventory of Your Home Before Leaving
How many plain white tees do you already own? We know they can be oh so tempting to buy, but don’t want to rack up your closet with items you already have. This will help you gear your search towards the missing pieces in your collection.
Create a List
Just as you wouldn’t go to the grocery store without a list, we don’t recommend thrifting without one either! It can get overwhelming to browse racks and racks and aisles of items with no clarity on what to purchase. This is why we recommend taking inventory of the items you already own and what you want to perfect a room or finish an outfit.
Dress for the Occasion
It can be a pain to shed layers of items just to try on a dress. Prepare for your thrift outing with a perfectly planned outfit. Try items that are easy to layer such as a tank with a cardigan and leggings. This allows you to easily slip on a new sweatshirt or dress without too much work. You’ll also want to ensure you wear (or at least bring) socks in order to try on any shoes or booties that catch your eye.
Clear Your Closet (& Your Car)
You never know what you’re going to find when thrifting. You may end up with bags of new clothing or a large piece of furniture to haul back. Ensure you have room both at home and in your vehicle to haul back your finds!
What to Buy
Off-Season Clothing
Is it time to retire your old winter coat? The best time to browse for a replacement is the summer! When you search for off-season items, you’re ensuring you have less competition for the items – even if they’re designer brands or NWT! Take inventory of items you know you’ll need throughout the year for you or your family. Items may include new hats and gloves, snow boots and coats, school backpacks, cleats for sports, and more!
Vintage Clothing
Buying vintage clothing can almost ensure you’ll walk out with one of a kind pieces that you won’t see when you walk down the street. From ‘50s Peter Pan collars to ‘70s bell bottoms, you’ll quickly learn which decade of fashion you feel in tune with. Learn more about any vintage items you come across with this free resource from Vintage Fashion Guild.
Items You Can Repurpose or Upcycle
Items like artwork, older mirrors, and select clothing can easily be transformed into a refreshed look. From painting a frame to tie-dying a shirt, simple fixes can upgrade a $2 find to a $20 value! In order to find items that will work to repurpose, try searching for some Pinterest projects before your next visit. It will help you look beyond a scratched up frame and see the potential that awaits it.
Wardrobe Staples
Classic wardrobe staples are a must when thrifting. You can often find high quality items for a fraction of their normal retail price. Think denim jeans, a leather jacket, and a little black dress. We’re not talking about a Forever21 black summer dress, but instead a vintage silky dress that can be worn for all formal occasions.
High Quality Items
To purchase high quality items, (no, we don’t just mean designer purses) you must understand what makes an item higher quality. High quality items can be identified first and foremost by natural materials, such as hardwood, wool, and cashmere. Little details like lining within a blazer and a woven tag can also indicate the value of an item.
All of the Accessories
From scarves to jewelry to belts, you can score trendy accessories at a fraction of retail prices, while supporting a good cause! Playing up your accessories is a great way to switch up a minimalist wardrobe and affordable strategy to keep up with current trends without overhauling your closet.
Extra Tips
Shop the Fitting Room Racks
The fitting room racks, both inside and outside of them, often contain noteworthy items. The clothing within them have already been hand-picked by another thrift lover and likely passed on just because the items didn’t fit right. Be sure to browse these hidden racks at some point during your thrift trip.
If You Like an Item, Put it in Your Cart
Unlike department stores that have inventory of each item available, thrift stores offer unique pieces. That means if you pass up on the sweater you’re unsure about, it could be gone by the time you wander back to it. We recommend placing any item you’re interested into your cart, trying them on, and then deciding how you’d like to proceed. If you decide you’re not interested in it, you’ll be giving someone else a chance to purchase it. But if you do want to buy it, you saved yourself from potential heartbreak from missing out!
Examine Each Piece
Staff members do their best to look over each garment for stains/tearing, but can miss a few when going through hundreds of items each day. Before you check out, ensure that you’ve reviewed each piece for stains, tearing, or unwanted fading.
If you notice that an item has a stain on it or is ripped, consider handing it over to your nearest staff member. They will thank you for it!
No matter your reason for thrifting, you can feel good at the end of the day about your purchase at Goodwill. You’re supporting a great cause, giving some extra love to the earth by reusing, and providing for yourself with great deals. We can’t wait to see you at a store soon!
