"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.
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 midi skirt” rather than “a black midi skirt with a floral pattern.”
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.
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.
Pay attention to care instructions
I’m a firm believer in following the care instructions on a piece of clothing to a T, but when it comes to thrifted clothing, the thought of someone else wearing it throws those inhibitions away. I always wash and dry my thrifted purchases immediately (typically with warm or hot water to really dispose of any older germs or bacteria). This means that if an item is dry-clean only, I likely won’t buy it.
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 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.
Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor at The Everymom
As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content on The Everymom—including everything from mom fashion to product reviews. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Kohl’s, and was previously a regular contributor to The Everygirl. Jessica believes that fashion should be accessible to everyone, so she is very determined to scour the internet for the best looks for less and affordable finds.