Thrift store shopping tips
I mentioned the other day that my eco-friendliness has led me to embrace thrift store shopping. Buying at a thrift store or even a consignment shop is environmentally friendly because it gives a second life to something that might otherwise be thrown in the trash and it keeps down the amount of new things that need to be created from raw materials.
I’m not a seasoned thrift store shopper, but I do have some tips for those of you who are just starting out and are looking to buy clothes.
- Try it on. Thrift store purchases usually can’t be returned. There’s one thrift store in my area that doesn’t have any dressing rooms. I won’t shop there.
- Bring cash. Most thrift stores don’t take credit cards or checks.
- Be prepared to spend some time. It varies from store to store, but many stores don’t have the time or resources to sort clothing. Often the boys and girls clothing are on the same racks, and things are rarely sorted by size. It can take a lot of hunting to find something you like that is in your size.
- When you’re looking for something specific, check everywhere. My youngest son needed a costume for a local theater production that he was playing a pirate in. I was looking for a vest and some sort of shirt for him. After finding nothing in the children’s section, I went to the women’s section and looked through the size smalls. I ended up finding a perfect shirt and a black woman’s sleeveless button up blouse. We cut the collar off the sleeveless blouse and it made a great vest.
- Clean everything before it gets worn. Most things can be thrown in the washing machine, but some things will need to be dry cleaned. If an item needs to be dry cleaned, factor in that cost before you consider it a bargain. After I bought a black wool coat for $6.99, I spent an additional $14 to have it cleaned. That was definitely still a bargain.
- Take you own shopping bags.
- You don’t ever have to tell anyone you bought something at a thrift store if you don’t want to.
Those are my beginner thrift store shopping tips. Got anything to add?
Image: ilovememphis
Great tips!
The closest thrift store to me has no dressing rooms, and I make sure to wear a dress that’s at least knee length when I go there. Trying on pants under a dress isn’t the most ladylike, but it beats not getting to try them on! Everything else I just try on over my clothes. This store does have full length mirrors at the ends of every other aisle, though. If it had no mirrors, this scheme wouldn’t work so well.
Here! Here! Thrift is green and more people need to hear it and partake and donate to the emerging reuse market!
More tips? I’ve practically written a chapter found in a series of posts titled “How to Thrift” on the left column of our blog, The Thrifty Chicks. We also present a photo slide show of over 250 items that have been purchased thrift. Shopping thrift involves a different mindset over conventional retail. Once converted, you’re a lifer and better for it.
Godspeed to all thrifters!
Ms Shopping Golightly
When I was little, my mom would make use wear our leggings and leotards to the thrift store that didn’t have dressing rooms. We could try things on right in the aisles. Now, our closest thrift store has a dressing room, but a limit of three items at a time, so there is always a long line. I have worn a tunic and leggings, or a fitted tank top depending on what I want to try on.
@Shopping Golightly
Your website is great. Thanks for pointing me there. Makes me want to run out to the nearest Thrift Store.
@Diana
Okay, between you and Becky above, maybe I need to get a little bolder about trying things on in the middle of the aisle. Or maybe not….
Great thrift store story: I looked everywhere for a dress to wear to my dad’s wedding. I wanted something simple but elegant. It wasn’t a fancy wedding, but these were city people and I am a country bumbkin- so our standards are different. I finally went in the little thrift store down the road where most of the clothes are way to old lady like for me.. and there it was, one elegant black dress that I never would have tried on anywhere else,but I was desperate. It cost $10.00. Best deal ever. I looked like one good looking backyard mama (with some very rough hands!)
Thanks for the tips Robin. I used to thrift store shop a lot when the kids were little – for them, not for me. After I moved to Kansas though I didn’t find a store I really liked. I changed over to garage sale shopping. Then the kids reached an age where I was never finding clothes the right size for them at garage sales. I think it really helps if you are an “average size”.
For the moment I just wear everything I buy until it falls apart – it’s that Scottish frugality. It works! My oldest piece of clothing I’ve had since I knitted it at about age 14yrs – longer ago than I care to calculate. And I have boots which are 20 years old and still great (I had them resoled a few months ago).
If you are ever up in my neck of the woods, there is a fantastic consignment shop in Lambertville (ones in Princeton, and Philly, too.) I shop there for most of my clothes, shoes, bags. http://www.greenestreetconsignment.com/
Great place to sell your old/well-kept clothes, too.