7 Practical Thrifting Tips

At this point, nearly everything I actively wear in my closet is from a thrift store. I have a few pieces that are not thrifted, but honestly — I find myself holding onto them because I remember paying $100 for them, not because I genuinely love them (but that’s a topic for another time). The point is: I love thrifting a whole lot.

I’ve had some highly successful thrifting trips before (I’m talking 20+ amazing finds) and some not-so-successful trips, where I’ve decided the one shirt I found was not worth waiting in a long line for 20 minutes. And throughout my thrifting journey, I’ve learned quite a lot. I’ve also had a few people say, “I never find anything at the thrift store! How do you always find stuff?”

So here it is: some tricks of the trade if you’re starting to get into the thrifting world. As you probably know, thrifting has many benefits, from the obvious budget-friendly reasons to a newer discussion around sustainability. Whether you’re hoping to save money or save the planet, here are some tips for a successful thrifting experience:

1. Carve out enough time.

Thrifting takes time (see tip #7!). It’s best if you plan to be at the thrift store for several hours, if time allows. My favorite thrift store adventures had no time limit — I was simply there as long as I needed to be and didn’t have anything lined up after. Not to mention, leaving my husband at home (ha!) removed that unspoken time pressure.

2. Go with a friend.

Some of my favorite thrifting trips have been with a friend or two, for several reasons. It’s helpful to get a second opinion if you’re not quite sure about something. Not to mention, you increase your chances of finding more gems, since you have multiple people looking — especially if you have different styles or sizes. And of course, being with someone else just makes the experience that much more fun.

3. Start with the section(s) you are most excited about.

You may experience thrifting fatigue as time goes on, so it’s wise to start with the sections you’re most excited about — like the sweaters, dresses or long-sleeved shirts. That way, you’re not completely over it by the time you get around to them!

4. Don’t just shop for the season you’re in.

It’s tempting to only stick with sweaters and pants in the winter and shorts and tank tops in the summer, but doing the opposite may bring you more luck. In fact, the in-season sections have a tendency to be more picked-through than the off-season ones. (Side Note: One of my favorite things about thrift stores is that they carry clothing for every season all year long. They don’t fall into the trap of 52 clothing seasons most retail stores abide by.)

5. Don’t just buy it because it’s inexpensive.

I have to remind myself of this one a lot. When you’re on a fence about an item, it’s tempting to err on the side of…”just go for it” because it’s inexpensive, whether or not you have room in your closet for it. I’ve found myself with a lot of questionable purchases and the only reasoning I had was: “it was a green tag and those were 50% off that day.” It’s important to use the same filter you use everywhere else, whether that’s Marie Kondo’s “does this bring me joy?” or The Minimalists’ “does this add value to my life?” Just because it’s $5.99, it may end up costing you more (in terms of mental stress) down the road.

6. Try several different thrift stores.

Just because you struck out at a certain thrift store doesn’t mean you should quit thrifting altogether. Try out different ones to discover the one (or several) you like the most. Some thrift shops lean more towards vintage and consignment (which usually means higher price points but more unique, high-quality items), while others are your everyday, everything-is-the-same-price kind. I lean more towards the latter, personally. There’s a Goodwill in Nashville (the Rivergate one, if you’re wondering!) that I return to again and again because I’ve struck gold there several times. It has a massive selection and nearly every single item is $5.99 — and on the first Saturday of each month, everything is 50% off!

7. Be patient.

Above all, thrifting requires an ample amount of patience. Like I mentioned, I’ve had some thrifting adventures that end with great success (in which I’ve found multiple pairs of Levi’s, vintage blazers, wool sweaters, designer dresses, etc.), while other times, I’ve left disappointed. And it’s nearly impossible to go into it with a specific goal in mind. You usually have to let the thrift store speak to you, and you may walk away with something completely unexpected — but special, nonetheless. Return to a thrift store again and again, and over time, you’ll accumulate a collection of unique pieces for your closet or your home.

Happy Thrifting!

What thrifty tips do you have? Comment below with your advice for aspiring thrifters!