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We may go to a gorgeous school in the booming Silicon Valley, but we fall into the same bracket as all other college students: broke. From the essential (food and beer) to the less essential (textbooks and concert tickets), there never seems to be enough money to go around. We often end up spending more money than we need, either for the convenience or because we just don’t know better. Thrift stores are a fantastic resource that we can all use to help stretch our budget, while providing a fun edge to your style. As Macklemore says, “one man’s trash, that’s another man’s come-up.”
Santa Clara students’ style may not be incredibly varied, but there’s enough diversity to avoid looking like clones. Style is personal expression, an extension of our personal image. It would take an encyclopedia to write a guide for everyone’s personal style.
Here are a few rules you should follow when going thrifting. Follow these rules, and you won’t end up wasting your time and money at a store with a poor selection:
Rule #1: Find a good store. The standard thrift store relies on donations from people who live close by. The best spots for thrifting are in larger, more affluent neighborhoods. Wealthier people are less likely to wear clothes until they’re falling to pieces, so you can find high quality stuff that’s hardly been worn. The younger the neighborhood, the more likely the clothes will fit your style (i.e., a wealthy retirement community is going to have a lot of very nice, but very strange clothes). If you have a car, try to drive a little farther away from school. Chances are, there’s going to be a bunch of college students who’ve already picked the close ones clean. We recommend using Yelp or checking out our list below to find a few different options.
Rule #2: Make a commitment.  There’s no such thing as a free lunch.  You won’t be able to walk into a store whenever you want and pick out a fantastic dress. To save the money, you need to spend the time. Try to visit your favorite stores at least once a week.  You’ll have first pick if you get there right when they wheel out the new donations.
Rule #3: Don’t compromise.  Ever.  These stores go through an insane amount of clothing on a weekly basis. There’s an incredible amount of surplus clothing in America, so much that we’ve started burning it, or shipping it to Africa. With that much volume, the odds are very good that you will find something cute. Maybe not every day, but more often than not. Don’t settle for clothes that are too small/big/torn/stained/old. That smell will never, ever, ever come out no matter what you do to it, and I guarantee if you buy something without being completely in love with it, it’ll sit at the back of your closet until you give it back to the same thrift shop.
Rule #4: Check for out of season items. People are more likely to toss out an old winter coat in the middle of July and toss sandals in the winter. If you’re willing to plan long term, a thrift shop is a great place to stock up for the future.
Rule #5: Leave no stone unturned. With the volume they go through, most thrift stores don’t have the time to keep things organized. Shirts will be mixed with skirts, and good luck finding sizes in the right places. Don’t discount parts of the store just because they aren’t labeled for you.
Rule #6:  It’s not just for clothes! Thrift stores tend to contain clothes, plus all the random junk people want to get rid of. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure! We’re college students; we don’t need fancy utensils or even matching plates. Plates, bowls, and cups are usually around a dollar, and you can find sturdy, nearly indestructible dishes perfect for college apartments.
Thrift stores are an incredible resource for budget conscious college students. You can find anything, from clothes to shoes to books. When used properly, they’re a fantastic way to stretch your budget as far as it can go. We hope you can use this guide to make the most of your thrift shopping experience.Â
Happy hunting!
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Some good thrift stores in the area:
Black and Brown – 850 Alameda, San Jose
Crossroads Trading Co. – 1959 W San Carlos St, San Jose
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop – 39 E Main St, Los Gatos
Goodwill – 1579 Meridian Ave, San Jose