Tips for THRIFTING!!

Hey guys!

It's been a little while since I've had some time to post anything here but I am back today and I wanted to talk a little bit about THRIFTING.

So, as many of you already may know, I love to thrift shop...especially after weight loss surgery, it's really the most practical way to shop for new clothes when you're changing sizes frequently and don't know what size you're going to end up being long-term.
It's also the most budget friendly way to replace or supplement your wardrobe even if you're not fluctuating in size. Thrift shopping can be frustrating and overwhelming depending on the store, the location, what you're looking for, and how much time you have to find things, so today I wanted to share some of my tips with you for thrift shopping!

There are 2 main approaches to take when going thrifting...Either you're looking for something in particular or you just want to browse til you find things you want...(this second approach can be risky depending on your time management and budget but can definitely be worth it if you have time!) If you're the type of person to get overwhelmed easily, you should stick with the first approach til you're more comfortable.

1.) Give yourself plenty of TIME. I think the biggest mistake one can make when thrifting is to think you can walk in, find what you are looking for and get out like a regular retail store.
Thrifting takes time...you have to sort, search, narrow and make decisions, so don't go when you're pressed for time...make sure you have at least a good hour or more so to browse, edit and try things on.

2.) Have an idea of what you're looking for. Unless you're a seasoned thrifter, walking into a giant thrift store can be super overwhelming and can cause anxiety to any reasonable shopper, especially if the store you're at is large or disorganized (as many are). Having an idea of what you want to find in your mind will allow you to focus on a task and narrow your search area to a specific part of the store. If you go in knowing you want to find a summer dress and a nice pair of high waisted jeans, for example...even if the clothes are not organized by size, you can narrow your search to the dress section or the pants section. You may end up finding lots of things you weren't specifically looking for anyway, but at least you have a place to start.

3.) Go in with a budget in mind. Make sure you know what you're comfortable spending on any single item or in total. Even at thrift store prices, sometimes they can add up or even be priced higher than what you might pay for them elsewhere, and getting excited about saving money on individual pieces can lead you to buying more of them. Knowing what you're willing to pay for any specific item ahead of time can help you narrow down your search and reign in your spending. Pay attention to brands you're familiar with or scoping out seam lines, zippers, buttons, and designs on some pieces can clue you in to the quality of items and what they might actually be worth. I've found some items in thrift stores labeled for more than what I've seen them for brand new in a regular retail store, but I've also found some really amazing prices on designer labels and very well made items meant to last through lots of wear and tear.
Also pay attention to sales--many thrift stores have days where specific color tags or items are listed for $1 or a % discount.

4.) Don't limit yourself to looking in just one area. I know I mentioned that you can search for specific items easier if you know what you're looking for, but even when you know what you're looking for and maybe you know you're generally a Medium, or wear a size 12 dress, don't necessarily stick to looking in just that size section.
Often times, clothing items can fit differently depending on the style, fabric and brand, so allow yourself to browse in other sections...sometimes you might even find things that will work for you in the men's section or even the kids department! Not to mention that sometimes things are not even organized by size, so often there's no avoiding the need to literally sort through all the racks--hence tip #1.

5.) Wear thin layers under your clothes when you go shopping so you can easily try things on. If you're lucky, your local thrift shop will have fitting rooms...but lots of them don't, so in case it doesn't, you might consider wearing a fitted camisole and a pair of leggings or fitted shorts under your clothes so you can easily try pieces on in the store without having to strip down.
It's hard to get an idea of how something is going to look if you can't physically see it on your body. I've found some things I was super excited about on the racks but when I got them to the fitting room, they were definitely NOT working for me...you didn't go thrifting just to waste money on something you can't wear!

6.) Be open minded but know how to edit. What I mean here is basically, don't settle for a piece simply because it's inexpensive. If the style just isn't you or you're not crazy about the print or the color, there's not much you can do about it and it will just end up collecting dust in your closet...but also don't be so picky that you turn your nose up at something because it's missing a button or it might not be exactly the right size or fit. If you love it, sometimes there are simple fixes to make a piece work for you.
There are lots of things you can do to style an oversized shirt, for example, by tying it, belting it, tucking it in, or even something that might need to be tailored could be amazing if it's a quality piece and priced right...you still might be saving a lot of money if you're shopping smart!

7.) Think ahead and choose wisely. I realize this is a very general statement, and sort of related to the last one, but just because you're thrift shopping and prices might be right, doesn't mean you should just scoop up all the things and put them in your cart. I still think that the versatility of clothing in your wardrobe is important regardless of the price. Ask yourself if you can style it at least 3 ways. Do you have other pieces in your current wardrobe that you can mix/match it with? Can you wear it with layers or accessorize it in new ways to fit your needs? Is it something you can wear in different seasons? different occasions? Just make sure you're still being smart about your purchases, even if you're spending less...you're still looking for things that make you feel good and work with your lifestyle!

8.) Don't forget about accessories! this one is a big deal I think. many people don't even think about looking for belts, scarves, or jewelry at a thrift store. You may have a hangup about wearing someone else's previously worn shoes and that's a personal choice, but sometimes you can find really nice designer labels that are well maintained and maybe even broken in comfortably for a steal of a deal.
Especially costume jewelry, belts and handbags are usually in abundance at thrift shops and lots of people overlook them. I literally found a genuine Coach purse at Savers last week for $2.

of course clothing is not the only thing thrifting has to offer...furniture, toys, housewares, dishes, electronics, etc...these are all things that people get rid of daily that you might need or have use for, so if you're done shopping for clothes and need a new end table or set of plates, head to other sections.
I personally love finding things I can re-purpose or refinish, and sometimes they are in such great shape you don't need to do anything at all but clean them up.
I recommend doing a google search for your local area thrift stores, reading reviews online and seeing what others think about them, or even talking to people you know and see if they have any local places they really like. Some thrift stores have amazing prices, some are not great...you'll have to check them out to decide for yourself and keep an eye out for sale days.

I am considering doing a "thrift with me" video sometime in the near future and I'll make sure to update you all when I get that rolling. I have a few other ideas on short videos I want to make about styling pieces I've thrifted.  Let me know if there is anything else you're interested in seeing or hearing from me!

Til next time, happy shopping fashionista's!