Today we have a guest author, Bridget Sandorford, who is going to share #thriftingtips with you.
Thrift stores are great places to find unique, beautiful clothing for a fraction of the price of what you would find in a retail store. You can find vintage treasures and clothes that are one-of-a-kind and that have a unique style. However, thrift stores can also be overwhelming. Racks can be bursting with clothes, and you may not know how to find the good clothes or even where to begin.
You don't have to spend hours sorting through every item on the racks. Here are a few tips for how you can shop thrift stores and find the most stylish and beautiful clothes with ease:
Scout by Neighborhood
Not every thrift store is created equal. Some are located in more affluent neighborhoods, where the typical donations are going to be more high-quality clothes. In these neighborhoods, you are more likely to find brand-name items and pieces that have not been worn very often or that have been cared for very well.
Scout the thrift stores in your area to find out which ones carry the best merchandise overall, and then stick to shopping at those stores.
Learn the Merchandise Schedule
Every store puts out new merchandise on different days. Find out what day that new merchandise is put out at the store where you shop and then make that your shopping day. You are more likely to find the best pieces on those days before other shoppers have had a chance to snap them up.
If you can, find out the time that merchandise is put out, as well. Even an hour can make a difference for the hottest items.
Check Discard Racks
The popular items will get snapped up quickly, but they might not always fit properly or look the same once they are tried on. You can find these items by looking at the discard racks outside the dressing rooms. You are likely to find popular items here that had to be left behind because they just didn't fit properly. Someone else's loss can become your gain.
Shop Regularly
What you find at thrift stores is all a matter of chance. You can increase your chances of finding something great by shopping at the same store regularly. You will quickly become familiar with the layout of the store and the regular merchandise, and you will be able to scan racks efficiently for the best finds. Try to go at least once a week for the best results.
Shopping at thrift stores doesn't have to be overwhelming. You can use these strategies to quickly find the most beautiful and stylish clothes so you can stay fashionable on a budget all year round. Do you shop at thrift stores? Share your tips for how to find the best clothes in the comments!
Bridget Sandorford is a freelance writer and researcher for Culinaryschools.org, where recently she’s been researching culinary institutes. In her spare time, she enjoys biking, painting and working on her first cookbook.
source1 source2