Thrifting tips and tricks to upgrade your wardrobe

Going shopping at a thrift store has become a thing thanks to the rising popularity of thrift stores which offer gently used items at amazingly discounted prices. Thrifted items are those things that have been previously used by the owner, albeit are in good shape and therefore can be a good buy. But knowing how to go shopping at a thrift store is not as simple as it may sound – it takes a fair deal of know-how to make the thrifting experience worth your while. Here are some great tips to ensure you’re successful at thrifting and able to update your wardrobe seamlessly. Let’s delve.

Research 

This should be the first step. Decide what all places you want to hop to ahead of your thrifting trip. Make a list of all the stores you want to hit and then keep coming back to the list for the best thrift shops (after you cancel out those which you didn’t like of course) for future reference.

Pro tip – Remember, usually thrift stores are clustered together – knowing this will help you to not miss out on multiple thrifting opportunities in your area. It will also help you to shop efficiently and make the most of limited time. 

Browse through your wardrobe first

This is a great starting point if you are not sure what items to buy – it will assist you in determining what you need to update your wardrobe. It will also give you ideas on which items will gel well with what you already possess. 

Pro tip – 

You might find it useful to take photographs on your mobile of the clothes you’re aiming to match something with so that it helps you to thrift better and update your wardrobe.

Look and Feel 

Now, if you want to update your wardrobe, the first thing you’ll want is to raise (or maintain) the level of the clothes’ look and feel. You want your wardrobe additions to be made of comfortable, long-lasting materials. And the more you go thrift shopping, the better you get at getting your hands on good quality fabric be it silk, polyester, wool, or cotton.

Bonus tip – 

In the excitement of finding a 20,000$ coat at 20$ don’t forget to check the material for wear and tear or any other damage. 

Insider tip-

To zero in on a thrift store offering good-quality merchandise, this trick may work - find one that’s situated close to an affluent or an up-and-coming neighbourhood. Don’t take it as a surefire way of determining the credibility of the thrift store; always check the material thoroughly before making a purchase.

So that thrifting doesn’t become drifting

Shopping at thrift stores can get overwhelming. But, if you have a clear picture in your mind – like a t-shirt - you will know where to begin. On the other hand, if you don’t, you may find yourself drifting around aimlessly and involuntarily and eventually stepping out with nothing. Focus is important. So, if you want to buy coats to update your wardrobe then focus on the coat section, get a good deal and then jump on to other things on your list.