What’s not to love about thrifting? When you master this art, you will find some of your favorite clothes for a steal. Thrifting not only saves you money but also allows you to be creative while keeping clothes out of landfills. It’s a win for you and a win for the environment! You can thrift at second-hand shops, vintage shops, car boot sales, and even online. I started thrift shopping when I was 13 years old in an effort to become more sustainable, as well as find cheaper alternatives for clothing. I would say that over half of my closet is now thrifted, whether it is from a thrift store or from a second-hand seller online. Thrifting is a great way to shop sustainably and give pre-loved clothes a new life— and I hope this blog post can convince you to love it as much as I do!
Shop with intention
I always walk into a thrift store with a good idea of what I am looking for. I suggest creating a mood board, Pinterest board, or saving items on Instagram or Depop fashion collection to give yourself inspiration. Having an awareness of the look you want to create means you’ll arrive at the thrift store with an intention, whether that be a color, style, or item. This can make a thrift store feel less overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-timer. If you’re thrifting online, planning ahead of time will help narrow down your search and locate exactly what you’re looking for. You can even search for second-hand items from a brand you love. Chances are you will find the same items for much lower prices!
Don’t always expect to have a good day
There will be times, pretty regularly too, that you just can’t find anything you like. I remember the first time I went thrifting: I came away utterly disappointed. I felt so overwhelmed by the variety of clothes there, and I had no idea how to even begin exploring the vast array of options. Frustrated, I decided to go home and try again next time. This is to be expected. Thrifting is not shopping on the high street where the best looking and cutest clothes are displayed in front of your eyes as you enter the store. You’re looking through racks of things other people deemed not good enough to keep. Thrifting is about finding a diamond in the rough, and sometimes all you find is rough. Though don’t be discouraged! Just try again a few days or a week later when the stock has been turned around, or just when you feel in the mood to thrift again. You will be surprised at how much easier it gets after just a few visits!
Know your prices
Anyone can thrift, but there is a lot to learn about second-hand fashion if you really want to understand it, which will make you more thrifty with your thrifting. Understanding fabrics from cheap to premium, being able to look at the seams of a garment, or checking for wear and tear are all ways of being more educated and aware of what an item is worth. You can haggle for a discount in most vintage shops where the money isn’t going to charity. It is a great feeling to negotiate down to a price that you can afford. From personal experience, it is so rewarding when this discount comes from your consideration and knowledge of what the item should be worth.
Be mindful
Don’t buy something you know you’d never wear just because it’s a good deal. Many charity shop items are priced extremely low. But just because you can afford it doesn’t mean you need to snatch it up. It’s much better, and much less wasteful, to save the items for someone who will actually use and appreciate them. I stand by Livia Firth’s 30 Wears Test:before buying an article of clothing, ask yourself, “Will I wear this a minimum of 30 times?” If the answer is “yes,” then you probably found a great find— and you’re saving both money and the environment in the process. Thrifting is a fantastic way to broaden your wardrobe and curate a look that truly represents your style. Finding an item you love feels so much more special when it’s not stacked on top of exact replicas of the same piece. Uniqueness is one of the best things about thrifting, but compared to the ease of fast fashion, it obviously comes with some added challenges.. However, with a mindful approach and an intention to find something specific, thrifting allows you to spend less money, have beautiful clothes, and help the planet too.
Here are my top three favorite thrifted outfits!
- Tara Jones vintage jacket from Depop
- Jeans from Depop and sunflower design handpainted by Burke Jaeger ‘23
- Fur trim denim jacket from My Sister’s Closet in La Jolla, CA
- Dress from Depop
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Alberto Makali Jacket from My Sister’s Closet in La Jolla, CA
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Tank top from The Salvation Army in San Diego, CA
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BDG pants from The Salvation Army in San Diego, CA