I felt like I had found the mecca of thrift stores when I stepped into my first Goodwill store in college. All items were given flat prices according to category, regardless of material or quality. No more checking tags, an embarrassing habit I had quickly learned shopping at department stores. Even now, price continues to be a major determinant in my shopping. Buying clothes secondhand was the only way to vary my closet options with a very limited budget, all throughout my adolescence into my twenties. And yet, I would feel extremely self-conscious to say I bought something at a thrift store. I imagined others thinking that I was so poor to be happy with “old stuff”, “rejects” or “leftovers.” For a long time, if anyone asked me where I got something, I said it was “vintage” without even knowing what that meant. I would try to identify the original source of the item to say instead. When buying cheap actually reflected how much I had, I felt particularly vulnerable. As I’ve gotten older and more comfortable accepting the things that are fundamental to identity, including coming from a low-income household, I’ve started to feel less ashamed about finding needles in thrift store haystacks.
Your means do not equate your worth and I wish I had known that.
Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoy thrifting and have gotten very good at it. I’m sharing a few pointers that I’ve had to clandestinely learn, things that make thrifting meaningful, and that continue to be important for me when I shop secondhand.
1. Stick to your shopping principles
Don’t be tempted by price. Continue to ask yourself, as you would shopping at any other place, “would I really wear this?” and “in what occasions?” It’s easy to purchase things you don’t need because you can afford to, but bring home items that only make you feel good, and that you can see getting quality use. For example, I don’t like buying things that require dry cleaning in general (Iaundry is my least favorite chore...), and so I will still avoid these at the thrift store.
2. Shop with an open mind but set appropriate expectations
Depending on the establishment, you can expect a certain type of inventory. Plato’s Closet is geared toward teens/young adults, so you can expect a lot of clothes from Forever21, H&M, Francesca’s, etc. Goodwill and Salvation Army have been around longer and collect donations from all sorts of people, so you will find older, more mature pieces mixed in with trendier items.
Thrifting does require a certain mindset and energy to go through racks and racks to find the right gems for you. One of the reasons why I enjoy thrifting so much, especially with likeminded friends, is because you can try out so many different looks, even if it’s just for fun. It really allows you to expand fashion horizons because you really never know what you’ll find.
Sometimes, though, you don’t find anything at all. Don’t be discouraged and come back another time when you’re feeling creative.
3. Quality control
Remember that most of these clothes have been donated, and for a reason. Look for stains and missing buttons, and test zippers to ensure they are working properly. Some stains, like under the arm, are removable with a good soak, but others can be more stubborn. Unless you’ve really fallen in love with something, avoid buying items that require extensive fixing or alterations. You’ll find yourself only shoving the item to the back of your closet procrastinating the hassle of fixing it. Part of the satisfaction of shopping is to be able to buy something that you can enjoy relatively soon, otherwise it’ll just lead to needless items lying around. I've definitely learned this the hard way.
4. Pay attention to materials
Continue to be careful with fast fashion brands because of their materials’ shorter life span. Related to the previous point, because you are buying pre-loved items, look for items that have durable materials, like wool and cotton. While sometimes I get excited that I’m able to find 100% silk shirts at such affordable prices, it’s important to be extra vigilant with the quality control because finer threads that haven’t been cared for properly might not last as long.
5. Consider buying items other than clothes
Many thrift stores collect items that people donate when they relocate. You’ll find so many great household items so hold off going to Target for a new cake pan or a basket for your fruit. As long as you don’t mind, two things you will always find in abundance at Goodwill is baskets and mason jars. Often I find these jars in brand new condition. Of course, there are items that people don’t want to buy secondhand and that is okay! You are entitled to your shopping principles.
Bonus tip during COVID times: wear tights or form fitting clothes. Some establishments don’t have fitting rooms or have closed them for COVID precautions. It’s nice to be able to slip something on quickly to gauge fit so that you don’t have to buy blindly.
Fashion trends circle through every decade or so, so you can really find timeless pieces if you are lucky. I still have some of my earliest pieces because I was able to bring home higher quality items.
I wish I could tell a younger version of me that I shouldn’t feel ashamed for wanting more than I could afford and making do with what I had. I’m telling whoever needs to hear it now that there is extreme value in that. Rather than focusing on what you don’t or can’t have though, it’s important to celebrate the creativity that you’ve opened yourself up to because of those limitations.
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