“I’m gonna pop some tags
Only got twenty dollars in my pocket
I – I – I’m hunting, looking for a come-up
This is freaking awesome”
-MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS FEAT. WANZ “THRIFT SHOP”
If you did not instantly start singing along to these lyrics, then maybe you have been living under a rock! Macklemore has made shopping at thrift stores more popular in our culture, but thrifting had its own following long before this song became a hit. Fashion gurus from YouTube have been posting videos of thrift hauls, thrifting tips, and even their own thrifting adventures. Even before them, thrift shops have been around for decades, serving a role for the needy and adventurous. It is definitely not a bad thing that thrifting has become popularized, especially since it gives us an moment of insight to what a thrift store is and what one could possible find at one. I would highly recommend that you drop by your local thrift store and see what all the buzz is about!
Pre-thrifting adventure:
Since we live in the twenty-first century, technology and the internet are your most vital resources. You can quickly Google to find local thrift stores and also read reviews to see if it’s worth your time to go. Each thrift store is different, so a little research will help you avoid more pricey or “dirty” places. However, don’t let the appearance of a thrift store discourage you. I believe you should just give it a chance, you never know what you will find! One more pre-thrifting tip, before you go to the store, give them a call to see if they have any special sales coming up and plan to go on those days so the clothes are even cheaper!!
What time is it?!! Thrifting Time!
There are a few tips to keep in mind when you are thrifting.
>First off, have an open mind because you never know what a thrift store has to offer. You can plan a list of things you want to find but there’s a chance you might not find those items. However, you can find yourself discovering other amazing items you never thought of.
>Also, if you want to find good pieces you should plan to go early on a sale day and also prepare to stay at a store for a while. So plan accordingly and make sure your day is free to thrift. You should look through all the racks and even check out the other departments such as men and boys sections. The men section usually has cool printed sweaters.
>And for stains and holes, it depends on your preference to what may be deemed as acceptable. Usually if a clothing item is stained it will probably not wash out, no matter how hard you try.
>Always try on the clothes you pick out! You might like something on the rack but realize it either does not fit or is just not what you expected once put on.
>Some thrift stores do not have a changing room, but don’t worry there is an option for you. You should plan on wearing clothes that are more fitted such as a cami with legging so you have the option of trying on the clothes over your own.
>You can always alter clothes so keep that in mind. If you find some high-waisted jeans and you are not sure if the leg fits right, there is always the option of cutting them into shorts. And there you go, now you have a pair of trendy shorts that cost a fraction of the price of retail stores. If you find a blouse you really like but the shirt is too big, there are two options that might work for you. One is to tuck the blouse into your bottoms, which would make the blouse look more polished. Another option is to make the blouse into a tie-front top. There is always ways to make clothes work for you, but be realistic if the alteration is simple to be accomplished.
> Thrift stores are not just a great place to find clothes but also décor for your home. Most thrift stores have a section dedicated to house goods such as frames and mugs. They also might have sections for electrics and even some really awesome books.
> The more the merrier! If you have a friend that is interested in thrifting, bring them along for the adventure. You guys can split up the work by dividing the store in half so you do not need to go through all the racks alone. Your friend can find things you might like and vice versa.
> After a while, you will formula your own techniques that work best for you. You will also be more comfortable and eventually thrifting will become second nature.
Thrifted items:
- forest green dress shirt with geographic prints
- high waisted, light washed demin shorts
- cream leather cross-body purse with tan leather accent
Thrift stores to check out:
– Goodwill, Savers, and Salvation Army are a few stores to start off with. Goodwill and Savers are similar where the stores are usually big and clean. Salvation Army tends to be messier and not as clean. However, Salvation Army tends to have lower prices compared to Goodwill and Savers. The clothes range in style and age, some are modern and some retro. All the clothes and items are donated so they are probably a bit more used and older.
– Buffalo Exchange, Plato’s Closet, or Crossroads are “high end” thrift stores. This means their prices are higher than thrift stores like Goodwill or Savers, but the clothes they have are more modern and on trend. These types of stores select clothing they would want to resell, so they try to pick clothes that are in season. You can expect to find clothes and shoes that were originally from Forever 21, Urban Outfitters or even Nike. They also carry name brands such as Bebe, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren.
– You can also find local thrift stores by Googling or asking around. They tend to have more sale days and prices are usually lower compared to chain thrift stores.
Good luck and happy thrifting!