A Foolproof Guide to Making Your Next Thrifting Trip Successful
5 Tips to a Successful Thrifting Experience
*This is contributed content.
Sustainability is the new buzzword in the fashion world. However, successful sustainability can be difficult to attain when shopping from mainstream retailers. Especially those in the fast fashion sector. Not only do they lack in unique styles, but it is hard to discern brands that are truly sustainable from those that merely say they are.
This is where thrift shopping enters as the perfect way to shop sustainably without having to engage in extensive research about each brand. Simply buying second hand clothing is a sustainable shopping method. By purchasing preloved clothing, you keep garments from making their way into landfills. In addition to the environmental benefits, thrift shops offer a variety of unique pieces that will add to your individual personality and style.
Because I am an avid thrifter, I wanted to share with you some tips on how to make your next thrifting trip successful either online and in physical stores.
1. Know Your Measurements
If you have ever purchased clothing from more than one brand, then you are probably well aware of how much sizing can differ depending on manufacturer, designer, and individual garments. The same, of course, is true of thrifted clothing. The sizing can even differ within the same brand depending on what year it was produced. Women’s clothing sizes have changed drastically over the years as well so relying on a size tag is not always effective.
Before you start shopping, get the tape measure out and start measuring. Be thorough and take measurements of every part of your body even if you think you may not need them. It’s better to avoid a heartbreaking moment like spotting the vintage dress of your dreams and then taking your measurements only to discover it will never fit.
You can save your measurements in your cell phone for quick access while shopping. During these times when many fitting rooms are still closed, it is helpful to keep a small tape measure on hand while shopping in case you need to measure the garment for fit. When in doubt, size up, not down. It is much easier to take clothes in than it is to take them out.
2. Set a Budget
If vintage is your jam, it might be difficult to refrain from buying everything in a store or online shop that is filled with vintage wonders. To avoid buyer’s remorse from overindulging in vintage treasures, it is important to set a budget before you go shopping. If you are purchasing online, remember to budget the cost of your delivery as well. There is nothing that irritates me more than shipping costs taking me over budget. So it’s always good to keep a little extra cushion in your shopping budget to cover these costs.
If you are shopping for vintage items with higher prices, it can ease some buyer’s stress if you set a budget before shopping. This is particularly important if you are watching auction sites. The excitement of an auction can quickly lead you to purchasing something that you may not be able to afford.
3. Be Open Minded
Shopping second-hand often requires a good imagination. Remain open minded when it comes to clothing that might need a little TLC especially if you are skilled in minor repairs or alterations. You can quickly give new life to an over-loved garment. When shopping online, keep in mind that many sellers photograph their clothing in their homes without professional equipment or lighting for studio worthy photos. So don’t neglect those listings, there could be some real gems masked behind a poor photo. And never hesitate to ask the seller questions about their items.
If there is a second hand item that you really want, don’t hesitate for too long because once they are sold, the chances of finding the same thing again are very slim. Product availability changes by the minute in the world of thrifting.
4. Know Return and Exchange Policies
Regardless of where you shop, whether it is resale or retail, it is important to be aware of the return and exchange policies of vendors. With thrifting, it is an essential piece in the decision making process. Many thrift shops and second hand stores do not allow returns at all so you want to be sure that the items you purchase fit you and your lifestyle.
But regardless of how diligent you are in following these tips, sometimes you will still end up buying something does not work for you. In the interest of keeping it sustainable, I recommend either donating the item back to the store or reselling it yourself.
5. Have Fun
The most important thing about thrift shopping is the thrill of the hunt. So have fun while you are out there picking through all the wonderful discarded things. And remember that a sense of humor, a bit of patience, and some practice will take you from a novice to a master thrifter in a very short time. Happy thrifting!
Have you embraced the second hand experience yet?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
30 Comments
Sheila (of Ephemera)
I am MAD for shopping second hand, and always have been. I have done a few posts on Thrift Shopping that you might like – similar tips to yours:
– Thrifting in general (this is the post where I found a vintage Andres Courreges skirt!): https://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2012/11/nov-10th-outfit-10-casual-animal-and.html
– The logistics of thrifting (how to dress, what to look for) – ah, that’s when I bought my vintage leather trenchcoat for all of $18.50! https://sheilaephemera.blogspot.com/2014/01/come-shopping-with-me-thrifting-tips.html
You’re welcome to lift any of those tips/tricks, if you like. 🙂
Happy weekend, my dear!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oooh, Sheila, thanks so much for sharing these links! I will definitely go have a read! This post was contributed content so I didn’t get too involved in adding more tips other than what was sent to me. But I can certainly expand on these and add some new ones to my list! I hope you are having a lovely weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Kathrine Eldridge
These are great tips for thrifting! I need to take my measurements again so I have them ready when I do this.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Kathrine! I actually have to take new measurements myself. Ever since losing weight, I keep ordering things online that are too big! I am stuck in my old sizing habits. Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Thanks for the great tips.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks for reading, Patrick! Have a great weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
melissa williams
Do you think that being artistic and creative go hand-in-hand with being a successful thrifter? When we young and newly married w/ small children I was great at thrifting for the kids and for our household. I am not a creative person. I somehow BIRTHED and RAISED creative and artistic people……but it’s not something I feel confident in, myself. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Love this post.
~Melissa xx
https://freshairandfalselashes.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Melissa! First of all, I don’t understand how you can think you are not creative! You have a beautiful blog and your IG account is equally stunning! That being said, I think just having an open mind can make you a successful thrifter. I suppose being able to see potential in the discarded things of others is the trick. I don’t know if those are characteristics limited to just creative people. I also think that we all possess some form of creativity, at least we all have the ability to think creatively if we need to. Honestly, when I feel my creativity lacking a bit, I turn to yoga that focuses on the sacral chakra to reinvigorate my creative flow. And sometimes, I just fake it until I start to feel creative again. I don’t know if my response was at all helpful, but know that from my side of things, I think you possess an immense amount of creativity!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I am very thankful for Poshmark. Some of my favorite pieces hale from this second hand source. And yeah, that budget thing is a good idea…. Ahem. 😀
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Michelle! Many of my favorite wardrobe items are second hand, too. Right after I wrote this post, I spotted these amazing tie dye boots online that were within my budget of under $40. I was so mad when the shipping took the price to $42! Those damn shipping costs get me every time! And I am a terrible budgeter…even though it is a really good idea to have one when thrifting!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
Ooh! I can’t wait to see those tie-dye boots!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I can’t wait either!!!!
xoxo
Shelbee
Barbara
Whoa, your format has changed! I was a little bit ‘ who moved my cheese’ when i first opened your page, haha:)
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Ahhh, sorry to confuse you, Barbara! I am still playing around with it. I am not sure that I like it this way. I hope you are having a lovely weekend and a very happy Easter!
xoxo
Shelbee
Liz
Thrifting was such a big passion of mine. Unfortunately, after I moved to a different country, where thrifting is popular, I couldn’t continue shopping in second-hand stores. Thank you for the post!
Lots of love ♥ January Girl
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Liz! That is a bummer that second hand shops are not a thing where you live now. There is always online second hand shopping though! I hope you have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lovely
Amazing tips, Shelbee! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Lovely! I hope you have a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Wonderful tips. Also, I digging the new look for your blog.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Rena! I am still playing around with the theme. I am missing a lot of things that I had before, but maybe it’s okay this way. Have a great week, my friend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anita Ojeda
The two biggest reasons I don’t go thrift shopping are time and distance. We only have one thrift shop in our little community and I find it takes sooooo much longer to browse through racks of random clothing. I don’t have time right now (and I do most of my clothes shopping online). I try to be sustainable by purchasing quality classic garments that will last a really long time (I have dresses from high school, sweaters from college, and I usually wear shoes for 10 years or more (except for running shoes ;), those wear out too fast).
I love your new blog look :).
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Anita, thanks so much! I am still struggling with some admin things with this new blog format. I am missing all sorts of stuff that I can’t figure out how to get back! Haha. I hear you on how time consuming digging through thrift shops can be. And I don’t do it unless I have the time and patience! But there are lots of ways to shop more sustainably. Like you said, buying quality classic garments and keeping them forever is definitely one way! I keep most of my things for a really long time as well…mostly because I can’t let go of them and less due to being environmentally conscious. I hope your week is off to a great start!
xoxo
Shelbee
Joanne
First off I am loving the “new” blog! What a beautiful and striking redesign. The black background really draws my eye to all the pops of color in your photos. I used to do lots of thrifting before kids… in fact I worked my way through college by pricing out clothing in a consignment shop.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Joanne! I am still trying to figure out some admin stuff with this new blog theme. I have lost a bunch of stuff and I don’t know how to get it back! Ooh, I loved working at the consignment shop, too! It is a fun way to make some extra cash, for sure. I hope you are having a wonderful week!
xoxo
Shelbee
yolissa hair
What you said will give me some advice.
6×6 closure wig
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Yolissa! Have a great day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lucy Bertoldi
Oh Shelbee you know how much I love articles like this!! I’ve featured you for this Friday!! xx
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, thanks so much, Lucy! I am glad that you enjoyed it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Grace Donahue
I LOVE thrift shopping!! You blog post was very helpful in learning on how to do it better!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Grace! I have been an avid thrifter since I was a teenager so I have lots of experience with it. But I am still learning new little thrifty tricks as well! I am glad that you found my article helpful!
xoxo
Shelbee