Thrifting Tips

As a lover of used clothing and housewares, I like to consider myself pretty savvy when it comes to thrifting (both online and in a store). Through the process of lots of trial and error and many odd pieces of clothing that fit nothing like they looked in the store, I’ve deduced a solid guide to how I thrift.

Thrifting via online:

I pretty much only use depop for my online thrift finds (@iwasntborninaugust) and I’ve found some really great items. Depop is also great for curating personal style, rather than buying things. My main tip is to watch out for dropshipping, which is where a seller lists an item from aliexpress or shein or any other discounted clothing site and then hikes up the price on a cheap piece of clothing. On the plus, depop is great for finding homemade and customized clothes and jewelry from small businesses. The only takeaway is that since it’s a reselling site, the prices can be higher than one’s budget allows. I like to think the increase in price equates to having a super easy interface and experience (filtering of sizes, specific search bars, etc) With that being said, I highly recommend depop for finding a personal style and unique pieces.

Thrifting in a physical store:

Since the pandemic, I haven’t been able to thrift in a store as much, but lately I’ve been easing back in it. For general COVID safety, I recommend having lots of hand sanitizer on your person and a pair of disposable gloves when going through clothing. My thrifting routine usually goes as such; I first always make sure to eat before and wear comfortable clothes to the store, and I also carry a small bag with my wallet, gloves, mask, and any other necessities. Upon entering the store, I always grab a cart because it is so much easier than having to schlep a bunch of stuff through the store. I typically work my way through the entire store over the course of an hour. During this time, I go to pretty much every section and sift through the racks. Even if I’m not looking for an item in the section I’m in, I still look through the racks because there are often hidden “gems” scattered around. By this time, my cart is usually overflowing so I come to my favorite part. I find a seating area (usually in the used couches) and go through the clothes I picked. I ask myself a few questions as well; “Where can I wear this, what will I wear with this, and is it worth it to spend my money on this?” I also check the clothing for any stains of holes I missed. By the end of my sorting, I’ve greatly reduced my pile and I’m ready to check out after another successful thrifting trip!

Quick tips:

• Measure your waist, hips, inseam, and any other measurements and keep them in your phone.

• Bring a friend! I always thrift with Adia and it makes the process super fun and we can not only look at clothes, but also chat as well.

• Keep a list of specific items to look for to keep from getting overwhelmed.

• If shopping alone, listen to music as you browse to have a “main character” moment.

• Look at the books!

• Check out the stores policies to determine when they restock and have lower price days.

• Ignore sizes and go by measurements instead. Most brands have totally different size charts.

• Vintage clothing tends to run very small.

• Take risks with clothing, since the items are much cheaper than a regular clothing store.