The Thrift Guide

The Thrift Guide

While thrift shopping is more time consuming than browsing a well designed department store wall display, it certainly yields some fantastic finds for next to nothing.  Find one or two thrift stores in your area and browse once every couple of weeks to catch new arrivals.

Price

The first thing that should catch your eye is the price. It doesn't matter how great the item is, if it's over-priced it should be overlooked. Years ago thrift stores practically gave you the clothes. With economic hardship elsewhere in the retail industry, more and more people are turning to thrift stores for wardrobe savings.  As a result, secondhand stores have increased their prices. It's important to remember that even discount stores can have overpriced items, so be sure to check price tags and consider the value of the item before you make a purchase.  Also consider the cost of tailoring and alterations when choosing secondhand items.  It's difficult to find a perfectly fitted jacket, so tailoring may be needed.  This can drastically alter the cost of a given item.

Condition

A thrift find can quickly turn into a disaster if two wears later it's falling apart and you're buying another. Holes, broken zippers, or tears can ruin clothes over time. If you find a tear or hole, you may need to pass over the item all together. However, in the event that you instantly love the item or it is very unique then it is worth remembering most items can be tailored. However, broken zippers pose a difficult problem. While they can be fixed, the item's price jumps and usually makes it not worth your money or trouble. Don't worry about missing buttons. Learn to sew on a button, find matching buttons or simply replace all the buttons.

Stains are often hard to spot but need to be thoroughly sought out before purchase. Typically stains are found on collars, cuffs, arm pits, or the center line near the buttons. If you find a stain and you're not in love with the item, or it's a very common item like dress shirts, than my advice is to skip it. There are tons of shirts and more often than not the price of cleaning the shirt isn't worth the purchase.

Fit

The price is great, the condition seems decent enough, so how does the item fit? It's rare to find a perfect match at a thrift store. The item should certainly fit well enough that a tailor can save it for you. You shouldn't need to spend more than $30 tailoring items, so add that to the price tag while you're trying it on. A cheap tailored suit looks more professional than an expensive store bought suit that doesn't fit, so how it fits on you is important.

A big mistake people make regarding fit is just completely overlooking the matter. You see a shirt for $3 and jump on the opportunity only to find out that you needed to spend $30-$40 tailoring it. A shirt that already fits you in the sleeves and neck is cheaper than tailoring it to fit. You can only read so much about how it should fit, how it shouldn't fit, etc. Just go try it on and find out. Fashion doesn't need to be your occupation to know if a shirt feels right on you.

Spend Less

So you've got the general guide to what a thrift store can provide and how to prepare for it. Spending less is actually more difficult than you think. One of the best ways to spend less is to make a list and a budget before you shop.  Remember that you don't have to sick to items that are in season.  Many people donate clothes to thrift stores after they've worn them for that season, meaning that the selection of summer clothes is usually best in the fall.

When I say making a list, I'm referring to looking through your wardrobe and finding what you're missing. If you notice that you need a jacket for an upcoming event then when you visit the thrift store, focus on finding a jacket first if you're under a budget. This should not stop you from buying shirts, shoes, or other items if you would like. Prioritize your list first, then shop second. Budgeting is key to shopping anywhere. It helps save money and you'll spend money on items you need more than want.

Conclusion

Thrift stores are great if you're sticking to a fashion budget or just looking for cheap clothes to complete a particular outfit. This guide is not for everyone but I hope it can help those who need it. Prices can vary even beyond the tags, fits and conditions are key, and don't forget to be mindful of your current wardrobe and buy only what you need to buy.