I get a lot of people asking me how I score so many things at thrift stores so I think it’s about time I made a post about this. Here are a few tips which I swear by when it comes to finding the perfect items:
1. Practice patience
This is definitely my number one tip which can be tedious at first but once you’re used to it it becomes second nature. If you’re really impatient, this definitely isn’t for you. I’d also suggest shopping alone unless the other person is willing to spend just as much time as you! I can literally spend hours at a single store shifting through all the racks thoroughly to find what I want. I actually found a vintage Sonia Rykiel military-esque jacket at a Goodwill once but it was hidden between a bunch of these other hideous black blazers. If you’re squeamish about touching all the clothes, bring some hand sanitizer along! Trust me, it will pay off. Don’t despair if you don’t find anything, though. There have been times when I’ve had to come home emptyhanded :(
2. Don’t feel compelled to buy everything
I know I’m definitely guilty of this. Sometimes I’ll pick something up thinking I would come up with a way to incorporate it into an outfit someday but it’ll just end up wasting closet space. If you can’t think of an outfit on the spot, don’t buy it! Buy only what you really like, even if you only end up purchasing one thing.
3. Try things on
This goes along with the previous tip. Make sure you try things on before you purchase them to make sure they fit! Vintage clothes size in particular are very unpredictable so your best bet would be to see what it looks like on your body. Again, if you’re not completely convinced by the fit, don’t feel like you have to purchase it. Or…
4. A little DIY wouldn’t hurt
If you’re skilled with your hands you can always try reconstructing vintage clothing a la Urban Renewal! Or if you’re like me and only have basic sewing skills, you can turn a frumpy long dress into a cute mini by chopping off a few inches and sewing the hem yourself like I did in this post. This way, you won’t feel limited when you’re browsing! Just make sure you know you actually have the time and patience to complete this or the project will just end up sitting in your closet without being worn.
5. Check every piece for imperfections
Make sure you inspect your clothes for any stains or rips they may have before you take it out of the store. Most of the time if vintage items have stains they’re most likely permanent since the previous owner probably couldn’t get rid of them. Or you can cross your fingers and hope you can fix it!
6. Check out the men’s and children’s clothing
Straying away from the women’s clothing aisles can also prove to be fruitful if you have the time to look thoroughly in these other sections. When you’re in the men’s section, keep an eye out for oversized plaid shirts or sweaters which are perfect with skinny jeans on lazy days. In the children’s section you’ll find things like little boy’s blazers which have a nice snug fit that adds to any outfit.
I hate ending this with a number that isn’t a multiple of 5 but I can’t think of anything else to write! If you guys have any more questions message me at my personal account and I’ll try to get back to you!
Part two of this will be posted tomorrow after I take a trip to my favorite Thrift Town and show you guys how to mix thrifted pieces with modern ones. Stay tuned!
xoxo,
annabel
i'm obsessed with thrift stores!