Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to look good.
It may take a little more time, but you can stock your wardrobe with stylish pieces by shopping at thrift stores instead of at the mall. Plus, the drastically lower prices will allow you to get a lot more for your money.
Here are five tips for shopping at thrift stores.
Take Your Time
There are always great items of clothing to be found at thrift stores. The problem is, they’re usually hiding deep within the racks, next to shapeless sweaters and tacky sequined vests.
If you want to find high-quality pieces, take your time and go through each rack one by one.
Thrift store shopping is very different from shopping at the mall; instead of just taking a quick look around the store, you’ll have to dig deep to find the hidden gems.
Try Everything On
If an item looks to be your size, it can be tempting to purchase without trying it on.
But washed and worn clothing can sometimes lose its shape, which may not be evident by just looking at it on the hanger.
Trying everything on will add time to your shopping trip, but it also allows you to check the fit and find possible holes, stains and discolorations, and fraying fabrics.
That way, you won’t have any annoying surprises when you get home.
Don’t Let the Price Sway You
The low prices at thrift stores make it easy to stock your wardrobe, but unfortunately, they also make it easy to go overboard.
Filling your cart with shirts you don’t need just because they’re cheap will only crowd your closet.
Try setting a budget for your shopping trip before you leave the house.
If you know you can only spend a certain amount, you’ll be more selective with your purchases and leave only with pieces you really love.
Know What You Need
Another way to ensure you don’t go overboard is to have a general idea of what you’re looking for.
Make a list of any staple pieces missing from your wardrobe and look specifically for these types of items.
For example, if you know you need a pair of dark blue jeans, you can quickly skip over light or colored jeans you come across on the racks.
Not only does this ensure that you’ll find items that fit your needs, it will also cut down on time spent in the store.
Wait for Sales
If you usually wait for sales to buy clothing at the mall, why not do the same with thrift stores?
Most thrift stores have storewide sales a few times a year that make their already low prices even better.
If you’re at all hesitant about buying used clothes, the ridiculously low pricing you’ll get when shopping the sales should tip the scales.
You’re sure to get your money’s worth before the clothes wear out completely.
Instead of updating your wardrobe by shopping at the mall, stop by your local thrift store to breathe new life into used items instead.
To find the best deals, take your time to carefully search the racks and to check the fit of each item.
Don’t go overboard though – set a budget or make a list of necessities before you shop to ensure you leave with items you’ll love to wear.
For the absolute best deals, wait for sales and stock your closet with deeply discounted items.
With these five thrift shopping tips, you’ll create a stylish clothing collection without hurting your wallet.
