5 Tips On Thrift Store Shopping
March 25, 2009 by Dexie Wharton
Filed under A Little Bit Of Help, Bargain Stores, SIL Bag Of Tricks, Style It Less Advices
Due to how the economy is doing, Thrift Store Shopping is now the ‘It” thing to do when it comes to shopping. While I’m glad it is, I can’t help but smirk and say. “I Told You So” at the same time. Seriously, most of us in the world are budget conscious people. Sure we love designer items but we also know it’s not always practical to buy a $1200 bag, or shoes, or dress for that matter.
Here are some 5 Thrift Store Shopping Tips you might be able to use to help you out just in case it’s your first time to venture inside a Goodwill, Thrift Stores, or Flea Markets.
Thrift Store Shopping
SMELL — Make sure an item smells like it has actually been washed. You don’t want to buy something that smells like a body odor perfumed was sprayed all over it. The same thing goes with shoes. The last thing you need is sliding your feet into a pair of shoes that smells like a dead rat has lived in it. Not that Thrifty Stores sell them but you never know.
DAMAGES — Be meticulous. Check out the stitching on each parts. The armpits, hems, collars, and crotches. If there are missing buttons on a blouse, dress, or skirt, it’s up to you if you want to take time replacing the buttons yourself. You could easily do that yourself if you like mending clothes to make them look new. Make sure the straps on a handbag are actually attached or locks on an accessory actually closes tight.
STAINS — Check every part of the fabric to make sure there are no stains. I don’t think you want to walk around with a wine, or food, or worse, Blood stains on your clothes.
FIT — Just because an item is $3, if it doesn’t fit then there’s no point in buying it. But you can’t try things on at some Thrift Stores? I’m assuming you’ve been shopping all your life. I think by now you know what size fits your body or feet. If you plan on taking a bigger size to a tailor to get it fixed then that’s fine but more often than not, that’s not the case. You’re not going to fit your size 8 feet onto a pair of size 7 shoes. I don’t care if that Nine West Black Pumps is $5. Step away from it.
PRICE — Think smart. Some thrift stores don’t actually have thrift prices. If you think a price is too high for a second-hand item then it probably is. If you think you can buy a brand name item in new condition at an even or lesser price from another store like TJMaxx, Ross, or Marshall’s, then by all means do the most practical thing to do. Thrift stores finds are great and all but there are certain items that are tagged higher than they should be.
There you go. I hope you find something unique and relevant at a very awesome price on your first or next trip to a Thrift Store. If any of you have any other tips and tricks on thrift store shopping, please feel free to share them with us through the comment box.
(Image : Newscom)
Just because we’ve been shopping our whole life does NOT mean that we “know” what size fits! I have everything in my wardrobe from a 6 to a 16 depending on who makes it! Size is not even close to being standardized and if it’s S-M-L it’s even worse.
Kristy, really? I’m surprised to hear that. I mean depending on a fabric, I know I’m either M or L and a certain # size (sorry, not telling..LOl). And in shoes, it’s always 8 1/2.
PRICE is so true!
I recently went thrift shopping in my city (new york)… i found a place (angel street thrift shop) that was asking $50 for a neon yellow windbreaker! With a neon green collar and red pockets – the works!
It seemed they ran their “thrift” store more like boutique… things you SHOULD be getting for $5 were at least ten times that. Yikes!
Also even if a thrift store doesn’t let you try things on, there are always tricks! Like hold a shirt at the seams under the arms and try to match it up with the seams on the shirt you’re wearing… it if matches, there’s a really good chance the size will fit.
Or, the much weirder neck-to-waist trick with pants, where you hold the pants by the side seams and wrap it around your neck… if the seams touch (but don’t overlap) the pants will most likely fit you! (If they overlap, they’re too big, if they don’t meet they’re too small.)
Of course no guarantees with either one… but it’s better then taking a stab in the dark!
Thanks for that helpful tip Cait. And yes, some thrift stores think they’re running a boutique. I think they need to research online to find out original prizes and such before they attach their own prices.