Thrifting is the art of finding vintage items at a discounted price by shopping at thrift stores. By ‘thrifting’ you can find amazing pieces that are unique and one of a kind, while also saving money compared to shopping at retail stores like Gap or Old Navy.
Many people have caught on to the thrifting trend, making it harder to find truly great finds. But with some tips and tricks, you can still get the best vintage pieces at the best prices!
Blog posts like this one are designed to inform you on the best ways to thrift so that you can score the best vintage finds and totally make yourself look cool. Read on for all the tips!
The first tip for thrifting is to know what types of clothes fit you well and look good on you, then search for those items in your size at the thrift store. This way, you will not waste your money buying something that does not fit you or that does not look good on you.
Know your styles
Having a sense of style is important when thrifting. If you have no interest in fashion orStyleinspo, then thrifting may not be for you!
While thrifting, you will find a variety of fashion eras and styles. Some may be more popular than others when it comes to what people donate.
It is your job to filter out the styles that you do not like and love the ones that you do. By having a sense of style, you will waste less time sorting through donations and junk clothes.
Chances are, people donate clothes that they no longer wear or do not fit them anymore due to a change in style.
Know your brands
While thrifting for clothes, it can be fun to look for specific brands to find. For example, if you like Calvin Klein jeans, check the shelves for vintage Calvin Klein jeans!
Many stores have policies against carrying certain brands due to their high price. This makes it easier to find cheap versions of your favorite brands!
Some other good brand names to look for while thrifting are: Fitsnap, Isabel Marant, Chanel, Comme des Garcons, and Undercover.
Know your colors
Choosing your color palette is an important part of finding vintage pieces. Choosing the right colors can help you find pieces that are hard to come by now, like certain shade of pink dresses or red pants.
Many fashion designers have limited re-sale rights on their designs due to copyright laws. This makes it hard to find similar new designer pieces in other colors or sizes due to low stock.
By looking for red dresses, for example, you are making sure that you have a dress that no one else does! You can wear it anytime and keep it for years to come since it is unique.
Looking for classic shades like black, white, gray, and navy blue are also good tips.
Go to different places
It may seem silly to say this, but the best way to thrift shop is to actually go thrifting. It can be fun to do with a friend or your family, or even as a solo activity.
Thrift shops come in all kinds- vintage clothing shops, antique stores, resale stores, and even charity shops in your area. Check out some of them and see what treasures you find!
Many of them have sales at different times of the day or week, so check their advertisements to see if anything catches your eye. Some even have online listings or shops where you can look through their inventory before going to the store.
The best finds are hidden in the back rows and are not always on display, so be sure to check everywhere! Make sure to be polite when doing this, though- ask staff if you cannot find what you are looking for but they may be able to help you find it.
Check the labels
Thrifting is also a great way to find vegan leather jackets. Many people throw out the leather jackets of past generations, making the material scarce.
Since vintage fashion is coming back into style, now is the time to pick up a good deal on a nice vegan leather jacket. Look for ones that are not damaged or have faded colors- these are signs that it is old and of good quality.
Check the inside lining for tags that say whether it is leather or not, and check if it feels like real leather when you touch it. If it does, then congratulations, you just scored a vintage vegan leather jacket!
Thrifting is a low-cost way to get into the fashion world. Look out for quality pieces that fit you well and are your style to invest in.
Check the seams
While thrifting, you will come across many old garments. Some of these will be complete pieces of fashion history, like Chanel jackets or little black dresses.
If you are looking for vintage fashion pieces, then check the seams well. A good way to do this is to hold the piece up to the light and look for loose threads or spots where the fabric has worn out.
If the seam has frayed fibers or the fabric has worn thin, then it is not worth buying. It is hard to tell if a garment is fake or real based only on the texture of the fabric, so this tip is helpful for separating trash from treasure.
Buying items that are no longer in style may lower your spending budget, but it will help you find quality vintage finds that will last.
Check the buttons
While thrifting, it’s important to check the buttons to see if they are secure. If the button holes are stretched out, or the buttons look like they will come off, then do not buy the piece!
Buttons can be replaced, but it is a time-consuming task. So, if you find a nice vintage piece with beautiful fabric and stretched out buttons, consider keeping it because you can use it as a platform for new ones.
Chances are, you will run into more problems with replacing the buttons than re-buttoning the dress or suit itself. The trick is to find high-quality replacements that match the fabric.
Feel the fabric
When scouting for vintage items, make sure to feel the fabric of what you are looking at. If you are looking for clothes, feel how sturdy the fabric is and if it seems like it will last through time.
If searching for home decor, feel the texture of the piece and see if it is made well. For example, check to see if the edges are lined with a different material or sewn well to ensure longevity.
Check out our article on how to spot fake designer bags here!
By feeling the item or item’s material, you can gain a sense of its quality.
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