A beginner's guide to thrifting
Thrifting can be very daunting. And to be honest, the best places to thrift are the ones with mountains of shoes and a sea of racks. I have perfected efficient thrifting. I can make my way through a Goodwill in half an hour and come out with the best pieces no one else would have found. This is a comprehensive guide to find the best pieces and not get overwhelmed.
First, pick your place. I know it’s tempting to go somewhere that is pre-curated and full of cute stuff. But I promise you going to a good old-fashioned Goodwill or Savers will be much cheaper and you might even find better or more unique stuff. It's so fulfilling to find a unique piece at an affordable price.
Sales are important! Become a member at Savers and watch out for half-off days, and look for color-coded sales at Goodwill. If there is a sale, make sure you get there early. This has saved me so much money. I think it’s best to walk in with no expectations for what you're going to find. If you are looking for a specific piece, it’s probably best to go somewhere else.
I usually start in the tops section. This is going to be the most time consuming section because you really have to look at every piece. Make sure you only choose pieces that you will actually wear. I try to envision what I would wear with a piece that’s already in my closet. If I can’t picture how I would wear it, I probably won't buy it. Also watch out for pieces you know you don’t like. I am not a big fan of quarter sleeves, so if I find a top I absolutely love that has quarter sleeves, I won’t buy it. Also pay attention to proportions. If you like to wear low-waisted pants, you might want to buy longer tops. I generally look at my size and up since I like oversized tops.
Next, I like to look in the lingerie section. I have found the most beautiful dresses that I wouldn't consider lingerie in this section. Then, I look through bottoms while keeping in mind my size. There’s no point in buying pants that are too big or too small because you probably won’t wear them (unless you can sew).
Make sure to keep an open mind and look for pieces you might not usually grab, and imagine how you could make them work. Pay attention to quality. I have a rule that I only buy pieces that are good quality. If something is of bad quality or has a texture that you don’t like, you won’t wear it. If something is too expensive, you can always switch the tags, but you didn’t hear that from me.
Next, I always hit the shoe section. Usually, they are really mixed up so it’s best to look in every aisle and check the size. Always wear socks or bring them with you so you can try them on. Don’t be afraid to buy shoes that are a brand you don’t know.
Lastly, it’s important to be mindful of not taking away from communities who need them. The influx of younger people thrifting in the past decade has jacked up the prices so much. Thrift stores are also meant to limit over-consumption. So only buy things that you will really wear and HAVE FUN.
Lydia Watts is a blog writer for Revolution. This article was edited by Meliha Ural.
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