Let’s thrift! Thrift shops are the place to go for all things secondhand. I LOVE walking around aisle after aisle of cast offs looking for my next big find. When my kid was younger I hit up some of the local thrift stores to stock up on shorts and shirts for his summer camp.
Since he barely comes back with any of his own clothes, I wasn’t going to spend a lot of money on new clothes that would last three weeks max. Sadly the cost of clothing at thrift shops has gone up so much that I can buy new clothes for about the same price. These days you have to know your stuff to play the thrift game.
There are several tips when getting started thrifting as well as the types of places one can go.
How to Thrift A Step by Step Guide to Success
1. Shop weekdays whenever you can. There is less chaos, shoppers compete for that velour jumpsuit you just eyed! You can take your time and enjoy the experience too!
2. If you’re looking for designer brands but have no idea about those old labels, there are apps you can use to identify vintage gear. Try Label Resource or use your smartphone for the label resource at the vintage fashion guild, to help you get your thrift label game going. Reverse image searches can work as well and are good for labels in foreign languages.
Funny story about vintage labels: The Hallmark store near my house had a contest to see who had the oldest Vera Bradley bag. My mom entered an old bag that used to be my grandmothers (of blessed memory). The store told her it was not a VB bag. She argued with them that it was an original.
The store told her it was not a VB bag. She argued with them that it was an original. You see, my aunt is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. Which is where Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller (who created Vera Bradely) is from.
I THINK my aunt also knew the creators personally, but don’t quote me on that. This bag was indeed one of their FIRST bags from the early 80s. The store had to dig deep to find the info on that vintage label. Guess who won the contest? Yep, My momma!
Bring a Friend With You and “Treat Yourself”
3. Bring a friend. Make a day of it. “Treat Yourself” (Parks and Rec reference) They can give you honest feedback about an item, help you determine if that hole can be sewn, the zipper repaired or if that stain will come out once you get it home.
4. Eat before you thrift and bring snacks and hydration. Thrifting can be a whole day affair and it’s important to bring your A game. Being well fed and hydrated helps your mind and your body stay sharp.
5. Know a good tailor. Knowing that you have someone in your pocket who can let out a seam or repair something is critical. The last thing you want is something you bought to rot in your closet because you can’t find someone to make a repair or an alteration.
*Also, knowing what to look for BEFORE you buy something in terms of repairs or alterations will save you money and heartache too.
6. Thrift shop for winter clothes in the summer or vice versa. Shop off-season. Consignment shops are a hot place for this! You might also check out those church/synagogue wide “parking lot garage sales” too.
7. Keep a list of things you are “thrifting” for. Something that is your unicorn find (special thing you NEVER see or can’t seem to find but want really badly).
8. Sometimes the best finds are in the small, off the beaten path mom and pop shops, estate sales and other diamonds in the rough places. Save some money by going to some of those smaller spots. They are more likely to bargain or negotiate with you!
*Larger stores that have set prices can’t do that as much. Some stores also have deals on different days. One Goodwill near Bellaire, Texas does a deal on Tuesdays. Some have discounts for seniors, veterans etc.. too! Try typing “thrift stores” + “your zip code” to find some good spots to thrift.
You Can Thrift for a Good Cause or Just for You!
9. There are specific thrift shops that support different causes. For example, in Houston we have so many thrift shops for a cause.
- Pennywise(supports victims of domestic violence)
- Goodwill(supports rehabilitation of those with job insecurities and other needs)
- Salvation Army(supports rehabilitation of those impacted by drugs and alcohol)
- Habitat for Humanity(supports people workings towards homeownership – donations focus more on household goods and building materials you can buy on discount) These are just a few in my neck of the woods you can check out.
10. If you’re looking for something specific in the clothing department, bring a pair of heels when looking for something nice. If you’re shopping for desks or tables, wear sneakers for comfort.
11. Keep small amounts of cash in different pockets. When negotiating with small vendors, don’t pull out your wad of cash and then try to get them down to $4. Don’t act over excited about a piece or they will know you really want it and may pay more for it.
12. Be aware of market costs. When I started noticing that at a store that sounds like, “Haul Mart” was selling kids shorts for $4 and the local thrift store was doing the same, I decided to buy brand new. You should know the average costs of things before you spend. My mom can tell you market value for fruits and vegetables like she has her own farmers market. It pays to know the cost and value of things otherwise you’re spending $8 on an out of season watermelon. (thanks mom for all that training)
13. Come prepared. If you’re looking for furniture, bring a big enough vehicle to haul the stuff home! Even if you’re not looking but have a proclivity for impulse furniture buying, bring the big vehicle anyways.
14. Pre purge some stuff. If you’ve got extra stuff laying around SELL IT and pocket the money for your next thrift day. You are making some room in your home for your new stuff and you made some cash from it too!
I cannot speak for those auctions where you buy a storage unit that has been abandoned, but it seems fun on tv. (if you don’t count the spending of money and heavy lifting that is involved) I have watched those tv shows where they haul out total crap but also scored some super expensive and valuable stuff.
Clearly thrifting is in my blood and it can be in yours too! Give me a call anytime you’re looking for a thrift buddy if you’re in or around Houston. Otherwise go have fun, get your thrift on and enjoy!