Many people know about the magic of thrift shopping, a sustainable and budget friendly way to revamp your wardrobe, home decor, bookshelf, and more. Over the past few years I have become an expert thrift shopper (if I say so myself). My current wardrobe is more thrifted than not, and now with online stores like ThredUp, buying a ton of old, cheap, yet still good quality clothes is easier than ever. However, when there are so many options, it can be hard to find the best items. Here are some tips to becoming an thrifting pro:
- Focus on your size. Most stores group clothing by size, making the whole experience a lot easier.
- Pay attention to fabrics. Be selective and decide which fabrics you like to wear, and others you tend to avoid.
- Shop online! ThredUp is an online thrift store that I’ve had a lot of success with, but there are many others.
- Be open-minded. Although focusing on what you know you like makes the process a lot less overwhelming, don’t be afraid to try something outside of your comfort zone.
- Find new stores. I love shopping at huge thrift stores like Goodwill, but going to smaller consignment stores is also really fun. The clothes are usually a bit more expensive but it’s totally worth it.
- Bring your own bag. That way you can buy as many items as will fit inside it, and you’ll avoid using a disposable bag. Some stores even give discounts for customers who have their own bags. I usually bring an entire backpack.
Go forth and thrift!
Written by Isabel Lieberman, Class of 2021.