8 Tips for Navigating the Thrift Store

Since the dawn of the 90s revival in the early 2010s, thrift stores have gained increased popularity across the world—despite having been around since the late 19th century. Most notably popular amongst young women, thrift stores have fast fashion and a love of nostalgia to thank for their comeback. Fast fashion makes trends come and go in the blink of an eye. Rather than having trends that last 6 months, these fashion cycles have been decreased to weeks or a little over a month. However, nostalgic pieces are always a staple in this fast fashion lifestyle. From furry bucket hats to sheer tights as pants, it’s very hard to keep up. And with the state of the environment at the hands of the fast fashion epidemic, we shouldn’t have to break our banks for the pieces that won’t last past the insta pics. This is why thrifting is one of the best ways to fill your closet cheaply and consciously.

The endless aisles of thrift stores can be a bit overwhelming even for the most experienced fashionistas. Read along for the best ways to make the most out of your thrifting journey:

Own a Pair of Fabric Scissors

Owning a pair of fabric scissors is the most essential part of making your thrifted pieces truly your own. Everything in a thrift store is one of a kind so there may be times you find a piece you love but can’t quite flatter your body. Dress too long? Chop a few inches off the bottom as I did pictured below. Love the print of a loose top? Slice it down the middle and tie it across your chest for a flattering cropped wear. You can get as creative as you’d like with your scissors and you don’t need to be the next great designer to do so. Don’t be afraid to take a risk.

Explore Alternative Sections

If you’ve been used to shopping exclusively in the women’s section, the thrift store can feel very discouraging. Let’s be honest, girls are the last to part with their clothes so the women’s section of a thrift store can often be bare. Don’t be scared to venture off into the men’s department for great flannels, oversized tees, and some of the rarest, most fly sweaters you’ll ever find. Men are also more likely to offer up old designerwear so you’ll have a closet full of Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Michael Kors before you know it. The Children’s section is a great place for the baby tees that are always on-trend. You’ll find great nostalgic Hello Kitty tops and frilly tanks reminiscent of a Delia’s catalog sure to feed your inner child. Learning your sizing in men’s or children’s sections can be very beneficial—especially for bottoms. (The men’s jeans section is literally vintage heaven!)

Banana Republic Men's Trousers

Go for Basics

One of the biggest worries of people who don't thrift is having clothes that look "thrifted" but there's no such thing. When a lot of people think thrift they think bright bombers and crazy printed pants. These are great looks, but not always sustainable pieces to build multifaceted looks with. Remember, we’re trying to sustain our dying earth not just find more one-wear pieces for a trendy insta post. Instead of thinking "thrifted" vibes, think about what your closet truly needs while thrift shopping. Have a million variations of the same black top? Look for light-colored basic blouses. Have 30 pairs of skinny jeans that clash with the boots you’ve been dying to wear? Look for mom fit or bootcut jeans while thrifting. I needed a good black bodysuit and I've been in love with the DKNY one below. Trust me, anything you have in mind is waiting for you at the thrift store--not just funky sweaters and windbreakers.

DKNY bodysuit

Upper-class Neighborhoods

Luxury minivans, groomed dogs walked on bedazzled leashes, houses the size of small elementary schools. Whatever snooty suburb comes to mind when you think of these things is where you should be thrifting. The local housewives in these areas are always looking to get rid of last seasons Anne Klein, Gap, Tory Burch, and much more. And the only thing better than quality pieces is vintage quality pieces. While in Columbus, I tend to go to Dublin's Goodwill. When I'm at school in Kent, I opt for the Hudson Goodwill. People see the countless designer pieces in my closet and think I'm loaded but I have the wives of lawyers and doctors to thank for that. The gems are endless in these areas at the beginning of Winter and Spring--people are always looking to clear house at the start of a new season.

Chloe Blazer

Be Multi-purposeful

Another essential aspect of thrifting is to think outside the box of your pieces. These pieces are often very outdated and could use a bit of a revamped look. Don't pass up on a piece whose fabric you've fallen in love with but hate the article of clothing itself. I spent months trying to figure out what to do with a circa 2004 mom blouse with a beautiful print I'd found in a GoodwillI for an upcoming trip. I was stumped until I realized the fabric was perfect but used for the wrong item: it needed to be a beach skirt! So next time you're in a thrift store take some time to think, is it really a skirt or could it look better as a tube top? Is it really an ugly blouse or could it be a beach mini?

Avoid Smelly and Damaged Items

The most important technical tip is to avoid smelly, damaged items. No matter how cute that '97 Calvin Klien dress is, it's not worth it if it smells like it's been in a gym locker since '97. This is a short tip because the consequences are pretty straightforward. If the clothes are smelly, the previous owner probably had a hygiene issue that can lead to breakouts or harsh germs on sensitive areas of your body, which should be avoided at all costs.

Free People blouse

Go for the Accessories

Every good fashionista knows the best part of the thrift store is the accessories, but oftentimes they go overlooked. (My local Goodwill has had the same purses on the shelves for months as if they're glued in place.). Going for the accessories is one of the best ways for a skeptical newbie to ease into thrift shopping as it is a lower commitment than wearing full secondhand pieces. The great thing about thrifted sunnies, purses, belts, is that they are so eccentric and unforgettable. A good thrifter always recognizes when you've gotten your purse from the thrift store because that's just how eye-catching they can be. Thrifted accessories always make for the perfect completion of any look.

Tommy Hilfiger jeans

Try it on

It may go without saying, but one of the most simple rules of thumb for thrifters is to try the looks on. This is a rule many people overlook and are often left with post-thrifters regret. I can't tell you how many times I've heard someone say they can never find things that fit from the thrift store but never tried anything on. They fill up their carts and get home with bags full and unwearable pieces because they didn't quite fit like how they pictured they would. This is because many items in the thrift store were made years or even decades ago with different fabric and stitching patterns than most clothing used today which makes for a different fit. A lot of the clothes may have been stretched or shrunken by previous owners. This can make for a frustrating experience for a lot of first-time thrifters, but with many visits, you may be able to eyeball your next great wear with one look.