Thrift shopping is a great way to find gems for a very affordable price. If you’re new to thrift shopping and don’t know how to go about it, there are a couple of things that will help you be more prepared. Thrift shopping can be tricky, but with a good amount of know-how, you’ll be more successful in your treasure hunt. I will share with you 7 tips that will give you clarity, make it easier for you to spot high-quality fashion pieces, and ultimately make the experience more enjoyable for you. Are you ready to thrift shop like a pro?
1. Set a goal
Before going to a thrift shop, give yourself a clear objective. Make a list of the items you need; you can also pin pictures you find on Pinterest of fashion items you want to get. Creating a wish list on your phone will allow you to organize your shopping expedition. If you go thrifting without a clear goal, you might end up buying things on impulse and regret it later. A trip to the thrift store can be intense and overwhelming if you don’t know what you are looking for or what you need to get. A goal gives your shopping trip a clear direction. If you’re searching for specific items, such as a winter coat or a vintage dress, having a goal allows you to focus on those particular sections of the store, saving time and energy.
2. Research specialty stores
Look up specialty stores in advance to know what the store carries and make the shopping experience smoother. Before visiting any store, make sure the specific items you’re looking for are available. You can also look for pictures of the shop to get familiar with the floor plan and be more comfortable when you go to the store. Some specialty stores carry high-end items that come with a higher price tag. Researching in advance allows you to plan your budget accordingly and avoid any surprises when it comes to pricing.
3. Focus on quality
Learning how to discern quality can lead you to limitless possibilities and opportunities. Thrift stores can have vintage items, designer brands, and high-end pieces at cheap prices. Focus on the fabrics, natural materials usually have a longer life expectancy and are known to be of better quality than synthetic fabrics. You should look for clothes made of linen, cotton, silk, or a blend instead of cheaper fabrics such as polyester. When it comes to outerwear such as blazers and coats, they are more expensive than other fashion garments because of wool blends and linings.
Signs to look for high-quality items
There are several signs to look for that indicate the quality of clothes. Knowing the signs will come in handy when you come across an item with a brand name you don’t know, find an item without the brand label, or only want to buy top-quality items.
Sewn seams: Seams should be sewn nicely and tightly with matching color thread. Good quality items have neatly sewn seams and you won’t see any roughly cut edges at seamlines.
Linings: High-quality garments have linings, unlike other fashion items which usually have a single layer.
Patterns: If the item has a pattern on it, the patterns should match at the seams. Stripes and plaid are perfectly aligned, despite having been sewn together.
Buttons: Buttons and buttonholes should fit well together. Buttonholes are well-sewn without any fraying to or around the area.
Bending: Try bending the shoes and try them on to make sure they haven’t been timeworn and are still in good shape.
Soles: Do the soles look clean? Has the treading come off? These are signs of wear and you should look for newer shoes that won’t fall apart after one or two wear.
4. Have the eye
Being knowledgeable about certain brands and materials can help you find valuable items that are super expensive or vintage. When you understand fashion and develop an eye for specific things, you increase your chances of finding something of high value. As mentioned above, natural fabrics such as cotton, wool, cashmere, and silk are of higher quality than synthetic fibers. High-quality materials and craftsmanship are indicators of durable and long-lasting pieces. The more you familiarize yourself with different brands, styles, and fashion eras, the quicker you’ll be able to identify quality items and recognize valuable pieces.
5. Shop off-season
When it comes to thrift shopping for clothes or seasonal decor, shopping off-season will increase your chances of finding hidden gems. Check out the winter coats during the summer and the Christmas decorations in spring. Thrift stores may have more stock or lower prices for clearance. Just like with retail stores, it’s better to buy seasonal garments off-season when the demand is still low. Plus, there’s generally less competition for these items since many people shop based on current seasons. Shopping off-season is also an excellent way to find affordable gifts for friends and family. You can stock up on presents throughout the year and take advantage of sales and discounts.
6. Dress appropriately
In the busiest of thrift stores, dressing rooms could be crowded, dirty, too far away, or have an item or time limit. Some thrift stores don’t have fitting rooms, so you might need to layer items over your existing clothes to assess how they look. Wear something you can easily slip secondhand clothing over to try on. Thrift shopping can be time-consuming, and spending time trying on multiple items may not be practical. By wearing easily removable clothing, you can quickly assess the fit and style of potential purchases without having to spend too much time in the dressing room. Many secondhand stores don’t offer refunds, so you want to make sure your clothing fits before you buy it.
7. Beware of counterfeit items
When a brand becomes popular, counterfeiters take advantage of the hype to make a profit. It’s not only luxury brands that are targeted, but brands like Longchamp, Supreme, Guess, and Lululemon are also victims of counterfeiting. To avoid counterfeit items while thrifting, it’s essential to educate yourself on the brands you are interested in, carefully inspect items for quality and authenticity, and be aware of common signs of counterfeit products. Additionally, if you suspect that a thrift store is unknowingly selling counterfeit items, consider bringing it to the attention of the store management so they can take appropriate action.
Make sure to examine labels, tags, and holograms carefully. Genuine products typically have correctly spelled information, proper alignment, and consistent fonts. Counterfeit items may have errors in text, font discrepancies, or uneven printing.
Signs to look for counterfeit items
Printing: Counterfeiters often struggle to replicate intricate or complex patterns accurately. Look for inconsistencies in the alignment and placement of patterns across seams and throughout the garment. Prints might lack the fine details found in genuine items, vary in color, have blurry, fuzzy, or pixelated patterns, and have incorrect sizing and scaling of patterns. If the garment features a logo or brand name as part of the print, check for inconsistencies in logo placement.
Stitching: Authentic clothing items usually have high-quality stitching and well-attached labels. Counterfeit clothing may have uneven stitching, loose threads, or poorly attached labels.
Weight and feel: Genuine products often have a certain weight and feel that comes from quality materials. Counterfeit items may feel lighter, flimsier, or different from the genuine product.
Misspelled Branding or Logos: As crazy as it may sound, counterfeiters make mistakes sometimes in the spelling of brand names, logos, or product labels. Pay close attention to the details and compare them with authentic branding.
By incorporating these tips and refining your observation skills over time, you’ll become more adept at spotting valuable and stylish items while thrift shopping. Developing a discerning eye is an ongoing process, so don’t be afraid to experiment and refine your preferences as you gain experience. Remember that thrifting is an adventure where you might come across unexpected finds.