the best thing is to keep an open mind, try to imagine things you pick up outside of the shop and how you'd style them and stuff. I also tend to just rummage through and look for certain fabrics and colours i like, so then i'm not just aimlessly looking through clothes!

posted Jan 19, 2012

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Be ready to browse! A lot of my favorite second hand thrift stores aren't always very organized, so you have to be willing to dig a little. (Of course, the ones that are organized are a blessing). And as Jodi said, keep an open mind :]

posted Jan 19, 2012

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Have a lot of patience, and return to a shop more than once. Sometimes you'll have excellent days where you find a lot of great clothing, and other days when you leave with absolutely nothing. You just have to try to keep at it and don't get too discouraged.

Try never to buy ripped or stained clothing. Even if the price is extremely low, it's usually not worth it unless it could be easily (and cheaply) mended. And make sure to check for deficiencies (try to try it on first if you can-- a lot of clothing was shrunk in the wash and that's why it ended up in the thrift store!), and also try on clothes that are not technically your size but look as if they might be. Sizes can be arbitrary if they're pre-worn. And of course check for armpit and collar staining, and missing buttons.

But otherwise, just go out and have fun! Try to ask the shopkeepers when they have sales, and/or when they have a huge influx of stuff. For example, a lot of places have an influx of items in the beginning of the new year (now!), because people are more likely to do closet purges, and at the ends of semesters if you're in a town with a college, etc. Good luck!

posted Jan 19, 2012

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Don't get discouraged! Thrifting can be very hit or miss. Go on a day that you'll have lots of spare time because depending on the shop's level of organization, it could take hours too look through everything.

Thrifting is a skill, so remember to be patient and start small :) Good luck!

posted Jan 19, 2012

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aside from looking in the usual areas (e.g., men's section if you're a guy) search in the other areas as well. thrift stores are often disorganized that items get mixed up. besides, a lot of things are unisex, like sweaters and coats. another often overlooked but awesome source of great finds is the kids' section (if you're on the small side).

like others have said, have an open mind. try to be creative and see an item's potential. an oversized 80's shirt with gigantic shoulder pads can be hideous and ill-fitting at first glance but with a few alterations it can look great.

if you're planning on looking for shoes, wear socks if you're icky about that sort of thing. good luck on thrifting!

posted Jan 19, 2012

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be patient but sift through clothes at speed as there is so much in these shops! Then the ones that catch your eye will appear :) I'd actually say don't go looking with something particular in mind as you can easily miss out on a really good vintage item :) good luck!

posted Jan 19, 2012

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Thrifting can be alot of fun, so try not to make it a chore - sortof like normal shopping really! Alot of patience is key, but it will ldefinitely pay off - especially when you find those gems dead cheap!
Always look everywhere, even the mens section! The mens shirts are great for tucking into high waist shorts in winter - you can never have too many :-)

Also another tip - if it doesnt look amazing 'on the hanger', think about how it would look in a certain outfit etc, so many things look dreadful but when you properly think about how to style it, they are SO much more appealing!

Happy thrifting hun! <33

posted Jan 19, 2012

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When I thrift shop, I try to keep an open mind and not look for anything in particular (say this sort of pants cut, or this shape of a top) as I'll just get frustrated. I get great stuff if I'm just open to anything, no expectations, and look thru the racks for something that'll catch my eye. Also it pays to do a quick styling visualization, if a certain pattern or cut catches my eye, I think about what stuff I already have I can pair it with so I don't end up with something I have to wash 3 times then wear once.

Yes, wear socks when thrifting for shoes (you can always disinfect 3x and send to a reputable shoe repair / cleaner anyway) and bring alcohol / hand sanitizer. And if you have allergies, don't spend too long in a store, you can just aggravate 'em.

posted Jan 24, 2012

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Whenever I go to a thrift store, I always pick 3 or 4 different sections I'm going to look in. The thrift stores I go to are big, so a few sections can take an hour to thoroughly look through. If I pick a few sections to go I can stay focused, because I hate shopping for too too long.

If something catches your eye put it in the cart immediately - even if it's just a colour, pattern, fabric, etc. It pays to try everything on and visual how you may style your items with other pieces you already have. After trying things on, decide what you REALLY want. It can be tempting to buy a lot of things because the price is so low, but if you're not going to wear them there's no point. :)

posted Feb 2, 2012

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Look through everything. Thrifting takes time and patience. It's good to know which charity shops tend to stock hidden gems too and they tend to be ones owned by less well known charities as bigger charities will sell off any vintage thing they find to other places.

For example in Dalston there is a little charity shop which s for a hospital I believe. It is always rammed full of stuff and we've gotten big name vintage designers in there for a fiver because they don't really know what they're selling.

Also remember to think outside of your tastes. If you find something you wouldn't normally wear or isn't your size, but is something like say for example a vintage denim vest for very cheap you can always buy it and sell it for double the price or give it as a gift for a friend.

posted Feb 4, 2012

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I agree with everyone else, small non chain thrift stores tend to house some more gems, keep an open mind (think about what you can make out of shirt, how you can cut it, embellish, etc.) and look through the accessories!!

posted Feb 4, 2012

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Some very good advice above. It's true, the best way to approach it is with an open mind! Don't focus solely on how an individual article of clothing looks, but think about it could look as part of a whole outfit. An oversized shirt may look gaudy and unflattering at first. Pair that with some high waisted skinny trousers and waistcoat for an instant and timeless outfit!

Don't be afraid to experiment. Bow ties are a fantastic accessory to an outfit; and look great on both guys and girls. Mix and match styles and pieces from different eras to create an individual and quirky ensemble. Think about what accessories you can team with an outfit. Vintage stores in particular tend to offer lots of wonderful retro hats, scarves, bags and belts.

And, as has been said above, do have a good rummage. Look in the guys and girls section. If you're unsure about an item, try to envision what you'd wear it with and try things on. Also, do look out for imperfections. Stains on vintage items may have been there for decades - and they probably aren't going to come out. But things can always be customised and altered. Even something as simple as cutting the sleeves of a denim jacket to create a rugged waistcoat.

Lastly, and most importantly, have fun! Thrift store shopping can be a very rewarding experience, so enjoy it.

posted Feb 4, 2012

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Be prepared to look through LOTS of clothes.

posted Feb 4, 2012

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