5 Simple Tips for a Successful Thrift Shopping Trip

Tips for Thrifting

Thrifting is one of the most sustainable ways to shop for clothes. It gives unwanted garments a new life and prevents us from buying new pieces, which saves natural resources and reduces our environmental footprint.

However, thrifting, and especially finding good-quality pieces, can be challenging when we are not used to it. Sorting through racks of clothes of various styles and sizes is time-consuming, and we often need to do a lot of digging to find things that we love and that fit well.

We can also easily fall into the trap of overconsumption and end up with a ton of clothes we won’t wear.

To avoid that, here are five simple tips that will make your next trip to the thrift store easier and more successful!

Why Should You Thrift?

In the last 20 years, there has been a significant increase in clothing consumption, with humans now consuming 400% more clothing than before. This surge in consumption has led to the average American generating 82 pounds of textile waste each year. Despite buying more clothes than ever, people are wearing them less frequently. This trend can be attributed to the rapid expansion of the fast fashion industry over the past two decades.

There is more clothing than ever and according to the British Fashion Council, the current volume of clothing is enough to dress six generations of people! However, this abundance has resulted in a concerning disposal issue, with a substantial amount of donated clothing ending up in landfills. This has led to significant environmental and health problems for both individuals and ecosystems.

By avoiding purchasing something ‘new’, we can help combat these issues!

1. Shop with a list

Before going thrifting, make a list of the things you need and want to buy at the thrift store. Spend a few minutes looking at your wardrobe and identify missing pieces.

Try to be as specific as possible when writing everything down. What pieces would you like to get exactly? What styles? What colors? What fabrics?

Going to the thrift store with a list will make it easier for you to remember what you went there for and will prevent you from buying things you don’t need.

2. Visit your thrift store on specific days

Thrift stores typically have specific days when they are restocking. So the key to a successful thrift shopping trip is to visit them on those days.

It will usually be before or after the weekend, but it’s worth asking to be sure!

You’ll also be more likely to find great items if you go there in the morning.

3. Know where to look

Going through every single piece of clothing in a thrift store can be exhausting. If you are short on time or simply want to make things easier, first check the ends of the aisles.

Employees will often put “new” items there, so that’s where you should find more interesting pieces.

Also, have a look at the rolling racks. You’ll find things people have tried on but didn’t end up buying or pieces that haven’t been put out yet. You might find treasures on these!

If you like clothes with an oversized fit, don’t forget to go to the men’s section as well.

4. If you don’t absolutely love it, don’t buy it

If you don’t like something 100% or are unsure about the style or the fit, don’t buy it. You don’t want to get items that will end up sitting in your closet, unused.

So try things on and only buy what fits your current body. Think about different ways you can style them with pieces you already have in your wardrobe.

Make sure to also thoroughly inspect the clothes before buying them. Check that they’re not damaged and that they’re not pilly or stained.

5. Don’t be afraid of DIYs

If you find pieces that you absolutely love but for some reason, they’re not perfect or something is bothering you, consider DIYing them.

You can easily turn jeans into shorts, hem bottoms, crop a t-shirt, and replace or add buttons on jackets and shirts. If you don’t know how to do it, watch several tutorials on YouTube or ask a loved one who’s good at sewing. For some pieces, taking that extra step might be worth it!

But be realistic and commit to making the alterations in the coming days. Otherwise, you probably won’t wear the clothes, which is not what you want.

About the Author

Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle. She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.