Maybe it’s the thrill of hunting for bargain priced treasures . . . maybe it’s the utilitarian value of meeting the needs of your family on a strict budget. . . maybe it’s just a love of the unique, of the quirky, of the special, funky, one-of-a-kind things you can’t find in a department store or a big-box retailer—whatever the reason, we love thrift stores and chances are, if you’re reading this, so do you.
Tell us why you love thrift store shopping? And while you’re at it… we’d love to hear your favorite thrift tip!
If you missed our interview with September judge, Pat Crummer, be sure to read it here. In the interview, Pat shares some of her thrifting secrets.
What’s not to love about thrift shopping? My favorite part is finding a fabulous item at a great price! My thrift tip would be to try on clothing before you buy. Please visit my blog http://www.gotitatgoodwill.com and follow my thrifting adventures!
I’ve been thrifting since I started college. I hate spending money, I hate wasting material, I hate looking like everyone else. I love luxury, I love recycling, I love individuality and stories. So thrifting is really the only option.
My best thrift tip: learn to distinguish fabrics by touch.
My first winter I didn’t know that wool would keep me warm and acrylic would leave me cold. By taking an item I knew was wool/silk/whatever and comparing the textures and smells to other items, guessing their content, and then checking the tags to see if I was right, I gradually learned to feel out the highest quality items, many of which no longer have tags. I can even tell when something has been mislabeled by the manufacturer because it feels “off.”
Sometimes the differences are obvious, but there’s some decent imitations out there that you won’t notice until you’ve been wearing the garment for a while and you’re wondering why you just don’t like it as much as you thought you did; taking the time to get to know quality fabrics at a touch is well worth it in the long run.
Go early and go often! You have to be patient and keep looking. A lot of people do not like thrifting because some days you find nothing. You have to keep searching and you will eventually find that gem!
I would definitely agree with Tap Records that patience is the key. I have spent hours at a time in a thrift store. It is so worth it though to have a one of a kind look for an amazing price. I also tell friends to go in with an open mind. You never know what you may find and sometimes you have to find the beauty in an item.
Look at high end magazines and preview the next season’s designer fashion shows. You can spot what the new trends will be and start shopping now for the “it” color or style. This spring its realistic florals and motorcycle jackets. So no need to look dated cause your on a budget. Instead YOU will look like a trendsetter.