What to Know Before You Go Thrift Shopping
Thrift shopping is great. You’re buying vintage at-cost, decreasing waste, and going on a treasure hunt to boot. But it’s un-treaded waters for the new thrift-er on the scene.
When I first began going thrift-shopping, I only knew that it was shopping for old clothes that were lightly used, a little older in style, and great for layering different times and styles. But I knew little about the experience of thrift-shopping when I first started so here’s what I wish I knew about thrift-shopping before I started doing it that would have made for a much more enjoyable experience:
1. Prepare for a lack of air conditioning.
2. Patience is key.
3. Different locations will have better or lesser items.
4. Bring a friend.
1. There is no air conditioning.
Stores like Salvation Army or local thrift shops either don’t have the money to put up the costs of maintaining any sort of comfortable environment for shoppers at a decent temperature.
So, if you’re thrifting in the summer, wear less clothing. Seriously. And even then, as you’re not so elegantly perusing the unorganized stacks of clothes, you’re going to leave within the hour because it will start to feel like a sauna, as evidenced by the sweat that has soaked through your shirt.
Even with a giant fan that is blowing the hot air around the store.
2. Patience is key.
The chance to land on a gem that you can bring home is an essential part of the thrift shopping experience. It’s like mining for diamonds. Because mulling through all the other over-washed, unstylish thrift items that you don’t want but need to get through to find something you actually want is a lot of work. And pushing all the clothing racks out of the way to take a peek at that top that looked cute but isn’t is going to help define your arms the muscle definition you’ve always wanted.
A particular rack might have that shoulderless top with the checkered pattern that you’ve always wanted but it’s probably 3 sizes removed from the one that actually fits you. And oh wait, everything in the thrift store is one of a kind! So, it’s time to put that shirt back or give it some TLC so that it fits you.
This will happen many, many more times until you find the right item that is the one you’re looking for, fits you, and only has been lightly used.
Or not.
3. Different locations will have better or lesser items.
Going thrifting in different areas and locales will give you better or lesser items of value, style, and brand names. Yes, I’ve heard of people going thrifting around Martha’s Vineyard and picking up a $20 Gucci belt. But go to an area that has lots of customers coming in and out and is not known for consumer-shopping and you might find a really cute name brand-less dress for the same amount of $20.
4. Bring a friend.
A thrift shop is like an endless sea of clothing, accessories, shoes, and potential gifts for loved ones at better prices and unstructured styles. If it had air conditioning and a proper organizational schema, I don’t think I’d ever leave.
So bring a friend or a companion. Someone who doesn’t mind shopping but wouldn’t mind if you both left an hour early to get some fries either. Give yourself adequate time to peruse for that gem that you’ll keep for a long time, but not long enough that you stay at the same store to search for that top you’ve had in your head the entire day.
