Come on, admit it- there have been times that you have dropped tons of dollars at a thrift store without trying a damn thing on. Or you bought something because hey, it was only a dollar! While thrift store shopping can be an awesome experience, it can also be a total dud that makes you wish you had just stayed home once you start going through the crap you just bought. Here are the dos and definite don’ts of thrift store shopping when you are searching for a cheap wardrobe.
Just because it’s a dollar, doesn’t make it a bargain. This means, try it on- so those name-brand jeans are only $4?! Well, that is truly awesome, until you try them on and the rise is too weird, or you see the bleach stain on the butt, or they just aren’t your style. Too often, something super nice will be at the right price (like the angora sweater I just bought for $6 but is way too long on me and itchy) but if you aren’t going to wear it, then why buy it? You’re better off spending a few more dollars on something you will wear than save on something you can’t or won’t ever wear.
Just because it’s used, doesn’t make it junk. Again, try it on. So that beaded T-shirt looks so out of date you could puke? Well, once you get it on your body you just may change your mind. Happened to me today- I passed by a beaded Tee because I thought it would be too matronly, then tried the $1 shirt on for kicks. And I love it! That’s the beauty of thrift stores- a whole lotta different styles that you can get without breaking the bank. You never know- you just may love that frilled bright pink leather jacket from the 80s.
note: to tell how used something really is, check out the clothing tag- the less used it looks, the newer usually the item of clothing! Tags reveal how many times a shirt or jeans have been laundered, and therefore, tells the ‘age’ of the item in question.
Got an armload of stuff? Start narrowing it down. My biggest downfall in shopping for clothes at a thrift store is I don’t know when to stop shopping, already. I will walk around with a whole armload of jeans and shirts until I’m panting and sweating from the weight. Every 15 minutes or so while shopping, narrow down your options. That sweater that was so cool 5 minutes ago? Well, you kinda replaced it with a cooler sweater at another rack. Do you need ‘em both? Narrow down your options before you hit the dressing room, too- place unwanted stuff right on that reject rack- and don’t look back.
Make a budget so you don’t go broke. I always give myself a $20 limit in thrift stores when shopping for clothes (or just shopping in general)- this way, I don’t overshop or get tempted too much into those $1 or $2 bargains. When you give yourself a budget, it helps you stay on track for the things you really want as opposed to the clothes you are buying just because they are cheap. When you have a budget to stick to, you’ll choose one black shirt over another to open up more money allowance for something else.
Don’t be afraid to bargain. If you think that paying $10 for a pair of used jeans sounds too extreme, particularly when similar jeans are going for $6 or less, don’t be afraid to bargain a bit. Be nice about it, and be fair as well- odds are, you can get a few bucks off. This is especially true if you find a stained or torn item you still want but not at the price it’s set at. Don’t ever ask to just have something for free (I’ve seen it happen- no, it won’t work).
Don’t forget your accessories. Shoes, jewelry, purses, sunglasses, hats, belts- Oh my! You can get your accessories for a steal, too- and get some super cool and trendy retro stuff that is really one-of-a-kind. I got a super awesome pair of 60s mules originally from a local shoe store that closed 40 years ago at a thrift store for $3, and I have a pair of platforms from the 70s. I have all the belts I need, and a few I admittedly don’t- but hey, when they’re only $.50, it’s hard to say no!
Source:
personal thrift store shopping (including my major don’t today)