By Elizabeth Flatley
If you have never heard of thrifting, it is simply going to a thrift store such as Goodwill to find used clothes for a cheaper price than you normally would at a name brand store. You can also go to garage sales, flea markets, and other second hand stores. Thrifting, a fun activity to do with your friends, can often be overwhelming at first because you might not know what to look for and where to look for it! Luckily for you, I’ll be giving you tips and tricks to find the best clothing items that are currently trending in today’s fashion.
- Know Your Location
Thrift stores in richer neighborhoods tend to have better quality clothing. . If your closest thrift store is in a more moderate area, that’s perfectly fine as well. Personally, I’ve noticed that since my neighborhood Goodwill is located in a more suburban area, that the closer I go to bigger cities, even downtown San Jose, the better type of clothes I find.
- Know What Sections To Look In
I personally like to go through every section to make sure I don’t miss anything. However, the best sections for finding the trendiest items are usually sleepwear, men’s, accessories, decor, and jewelry. Oftentimes the women’s section is looked at a lot by thrifters so the best finds can be snatched up quickly.
- Try To Shop Only With Cash
It’s easy to go over a limit while thrifting because of a mentality that everything is cheap. I know, because I’ve been there. Only bringing a certain amount of money limits spending, and teaches you how to conserve your money while having financial freedom. Be sure to look for the discounts and sales the shops offer to better calculate your total price!
- Dress For The Occasion
A lot of the time, thrift stores do not have changing rooms, or because of the pandemic they’re closed. It helps to wear leggings and a tank top; leggings make it easier to try on jeans, and tank tops are great because they’re not baggy! For guys thrifting, I’d recommend a tank top and shorts.