Tips for Successful Thrifting
By: Ellie Krupp
Since our society has begun to stress the importance of being environmentally conscious, thrifting and second-hand shopping have become extremely popular. Not only is shopping second-hand an eco-friendly effort, but it is also an inexpensive way to buy clothes. However, thrifting does require more effort to find what you’re looking for compared to shopping online or in name brand stores. Still, there are ways to make the process easier and more efficient. This all depends on the store you choose and how you navigate it.
Choosing the store
The first step of a thrift endeavor is choosing the right store. Personally, I love Goodwill since you can always find an abundant selection of all kinds of clothing. The bigger the store, the better. However if a store like this seems too overwhelming, there is always the option of a more selective store. There are many curated thrift stores that display a more distinct clothing style.
Curated stores
I think one of the best thrifting areas is Brooklyn, New York since it contains Goodwills as well as curated thrift stores. Some of my favorite curated stores in this location are 10 ft. Single by Stella Dallas and L Train Vintage. Stores similar to these exist all over the world and can be found with just a little research. I like these stores because they are less ambiguous and often smaller, making them easier to navigate.
What are you looking for?
Next, it is important to identify the kinds of clothes you are looking for before embarking on this adventure. Of course, there is always the option of going in blindly and spending the whole day thrifting. But, if you do not have the time, which most of us don’t, knowing what you want is beneficial.
Tips for Goodwill shopping - Baby Tees
I have a few recommendations for shopping at Goodwill. First, baby tees continue to be a staple in many people’s wardrobes and thrifting is one of the best ways to find them! Whenever I shop at Goodwill, I immediately head over to the children’s section. This is the perfect place to find tighter t-shirts that make perfect baby tees. Here are some of my favorite baby tees that I’ve thrifted.
Jeans to Jean shorts
Also, Goodwill’s tend to have an abundance of jeans in all colors. However, it is difficult to find a pair that actually fit well, which is why I suggest that you always try on your thrift finds, if you feel comfortable to do so. Still, if you find a pair of jeans that are calling your name but do not look quite right, you can always turn them into cutoff shorts with a little bit of work.
Men’s clothes
Another tip for shopping at Goodwill is to utilize the men’s section for oversized clothing. Men’s button-down shirts and flannels are the perfect addition to any wardrobe and stores like Goodwill always have a plethora of them. Below is an outfit I created with my favorite flannel ever that I thrifted at L Train Vintage!
Again, it might be helpful to shop at a curated thrift store since the choices are more organized and easier to make sense of. It all depends on the kind of experience you are looking for. So get out there and start thrifting!
