There are few things that make me happier than getting a compliment on something I’m wearing and being able to respond with, “Thanks, I got it at Goodwill!” I consider myself something of a thrifting connoisseur, but mastering my strategy (and finding pieces that really add value to my wardrobe) has taken quite a bit of trial and error.
My love of thrifting—and really, my love of anything vintage—began at a young age. I learned from the best; my dad and I consistently bonded over watching shows like American Pickers and Storage Wars and loved browsing antique stores and flea markets on Saturday afternoons. While my love of shopping vintage originated with secondhand furniture, it’s since transitioned into an obsession with finding one-of-a-kind pieces for my closet. When my friends ask me how I find such great clothing while thrifting, these are the tips I share with them.
The Thrifting Tips I Swear By
Step out of your comfort zone and keep an open mind
The golden rule: You don’t go thrifting looking for things, you let them find you. It’s really rare to go into thrifting with a specific piece in mind and actually find it. If it does happen, it’s an amazing treat, but I recommend keeping an open mind and letting the store speak to you. If you do have something in mind, keep it general, like “a maxi skirt” rather than “a green plaid maxi skirt.”
Step out of your comfort zone by checking out sections that you wouldn’t normally think to look in. (I’ve scored some of my best finds in the men’s section, for example.) Thrifting is a lot more fun when you’re excited about the gem you found, rather than sad about not finding a specific item you went in hoping for.
Tackle the store section by section
Sifting through racks on racks on racks can get overwhelming fast, especially when you’re looking at a million variations of the same shirt. You don’t have to hit every section at the thrift store, but stepping through the doors with categories in mind will make your trip easier than coming unprepared. Sticking to a few sections—like shirts, dresses, and shoes, rather than the entire store—will help prevent any thrifting overwhelm.
Pay attention to the fabric contents
This is arguably my most important thrift store tip. You can score some amazing deals if you pay attention to the fabric contents on a tag. I’m talking cashmere, wool, 100 percent cotton, and more for under $10. I used to shop a lot more broadly at the thrift stores, but now I pretty much stick to natural fibers—they’re just a better bang for your buck. With practice, you’ll be able to pass though the aisles and know what’s good with just a quick touch.
Understand an item’s worth
Some vintage stores mark up the prices on certain items or certain brands. When I find something I really like, I tell myself, “I love this, but I wouldn’t pay more than $X for it.” If you keep that mindset while shopping, you’ll be able to weed out what you’re really spending your money on. Remember: These items are used—you shouldn’t be paying full price for them.
Be cautious of overconsumption
On the other hand, just because something is cheap doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Ask yourself questions like:
- Will I actually wear this?
- How would I style this with pieces I already own?
- What are three occasions I could see myself wearing this item for?
While thrifting is an amazing way to purchase pieces on a budget, it can easily lead to an overconsumption mindset if you don’t give yourself enough space to shop intentionally and consciously.
Keep suggested care instructions in mind
If you’re someone who strictly follows care instructions on a tag, make sure to read them before making a purchase. You might feel like you need to wash something you buy at a thrift store immediately, so keep in mind whether you can do that at home or will need to take it a dry cleaner. (I’ve bought jackets at the thrift store that look brand new after a trip to the cleaners.) If you’re buying a material like leather or fur, keep in mind that you can’t really wash it. I find that a disinfectant spray is enough for me, but that’s up to your personal preference. Letting something sit out in the sun is also a great way to freshen it up.
Know that you might leave empty-handed
Some days, I leave the thrift store with a bag full of items I’m absolutely thrilled about; but others, I leave completely empty-handed. You have to go into thrifting knowing that you might not find what you hoped you would—or you might not find anything at all. I’ve been thrifting for so long that sometimes I walk into the store and do a once-over and immediately know it’s not my day. But I don’t think of the days I leave the thrift store without having purchased anything as a loss—I think of them as a day I spent sharpening my skills.
Things I Always Look for in a Thrift Store
There are certain items of clothing that I would argue are even better secondhand. As a curvier gal, I have a hard time with the fit of vintage jeans, so they’re not my bread and butter (but they are amazing for some). However, these are the things I almost exclusively buy secondhand:
- Knitwear: This is where you’ll score some of those amazing deals on wool and cashmere I mentioned earlier.
- Button-down shirts: I would literally never purchase one new, as there are hundreds in every thrift store. I prefer the men’s section!
- Denim shirts and jackets: There are so many amazing vintage styles, washes, and silhouettes to choose from.
- Skirts: I almost always do a little browse through the skirts when I’m thrifting. I’ve found such unique pieces that I get a million compliments on. And they’re so easy to shorten!
- Accessories: Some of my absolute favorite jewelry, sunglasses, bags, and belts are from thrift stores. This is an amazing, low-stakes way to get into thrifting. And it’s such a fun way to try out trends, like the brooch revival.
- Jackets and coats: Genuine leather for under $30, the most unique statement coats, capsule-worthy wool, and more.
- Brands to keep an eye out for: Ralph Lauren, Chaps, L.L. Bean, and Land’s End are all great brands that are often plentiful in the thrift store. They’re also usually made from natural fibers! I also always keep an eye out for vintage brands, and tags are a dead giveaway for that.
Jessica Welsh, Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor
Jessica oversees and edits all fashion and beauty content on The Everygirl. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, and more. She was previously the Commerce Editor for The Everymom, where she oversaw all shopping content on the site and social. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, DSW, and Kohl’s.
