My sister, Emma, and I started thrifting together when I got my drivers license in high school. There are several shops in our town that stay open until 9PM, so that is what we would do for fun several times a week. With absolutely no knowledge of vintage we collected dresses and accessories from the decades that we loved, the 1950s-1970s. We also collected little boys cartoon t-shirts from the 1980s and a pretty sweet collection of "hope chest" items like fondue pots and retro coffee mugs. We started thrifting because it was a way to be unique (something very important to our high-school-selves) and a way to stretch the small budget we had for clothing.
Fast forward ten years and we still love thrifting. We might not collect polyester jumpsuits anymore, but we still love fashion from the mid-century and we still get a thrill out of finding a great treasure for $2! Here are a few tips that I've picked up along the way...
Thrifting can be overwhelming when you start out. There are racks and racks of clothing to sort through! I have found it helpful to keep a list in my purse of things I am in the market for. That way, if I'm short on time, I can go straight to the dresses, blouses or scarves. Keeping an organized focus never hurts!
This next tip can be a little tricky. On any given thrift trip, I will find maybe 10 things I like and 2 things that I absolutely love! I've learned that it's best to only leave with the things I love. When you thrift often it's easy to amass a collection of b-list vintage... focus on only purchasing pieces that you are super excited about!
The nature of thrifting is that you choose pieces you love from the most random assortment. Charity thrift shops run on donations, so you have to keep in mind that you never know when an AMAZING estate is going to be donated. Sorting through racks of clothing from the 2000s to find these vintage gems is part of the fun! Always keep an open mind when thrifting. It's ok to buy things that are out of season or out of style if you love them. I try to rely on my instincts more than anything.
Sometimes you'll find a piece that could maybe work, but you aren't sure. I find myself asking Emma, "What do you think?" or "Where would you wear this?" a lot. If you aren't sure about a piece, just skip it. As I said above, it's easy to collect too much. If you aren't obsessed over it, you probably don't need it! Think of it as saving room in your closet for the things you REALLY want.
Emma and I try to thrift every week. It's always best to go in the middle of the week because the shops are freshly stocked. On the weekends things tend to get picked through. We know when our favorite shops are open, when they run sales and when they put out new stock. If you keep a consistent schedule, you'll always find better treasures!
A couple years ago I had to have a HUGE garage sale and simplify my home because I had just collected too many things. Most of the things I had collected were "future D.I.Y. projects" that never happened. After this experience I learned to be more selective about what I bought. Now I only actively collect a few things... vintage luggage, dresses, jewelry and records. Choose what you want to collect and focus on those things. This will help keep you safe from ending up on an episode of Hoarders!
Many thrifts are "cash only" or run weekly sales. Keep a list of this kind of information so you can always be prepared. Depending on where you live, garage sales might be a good option too. Since they are almost always "cash only" it's always good to keep an envelope of cash handy for a quick trip!
I always check the racks for purses, belts, fabric (including vintage sheets and drapary) and jewelry. Don't forget to look for these little things. Most thrift shops have a glass case for jewelry at the checkout counter. If you're looking for something special, don't be afraid to ask.
When you find a piece of clothing you love, ask yourself the following questions.... Does it fit and flatter my body? Where would I wear this? Is it my style? If you are happy with your answers to all of those questions then you should definitely purchase the piece!
Sometimes people buy things just because they want to find a treasure that day. It's totally ok to walk out empty handed if nothing strikes you! I love vintage thermos', but I already have about twenty in my kitchen. As much as I want to buy every single one, I don't. It's ok not to buy every cool piece of vintage you find. Save your money (and space) for the pieces that are most special to you!
I hope these tips have been helpful! Thrifting is one of my favorite hobbies and I hope you have fun on your next adventure! xo. elsie
You both are so adorable. I love this post! My wife and I plan on starting a thrifting/garage sale adventure this Autumn. If we go thrifting, it'll be my FIRST time! :O EEEE!!!
Thank you, again!
Posted by: Angie Bailey | September 20, 2011 at 12:57 PM
Your posts are so great! This one is excellent b/c many people that are beginning thrifters have a hard time with to buy or not to buy. I totally agree with ONLY buying what you love! Unless you're specifically scouting to re-sell buy what makes you happy and what you want to surround yourself with!
Awesome as always Elsie!
PS - I purchased your BlogLove E-course! I tore through it last night I couldn't stop reading! Now time to read and soak! :-)
<3
Posted by: Lindsey @ arkadian belle woods | September 20, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Great tips, Elsie (of course)! Being selective is so important - I've recently institute a "don't buy unless you LOVE" rule, and find that I'm much happier with my shopping because of it.
Posted by: Alli (One Pearl Button) | September 20, 2011 at 01:06 PM
Thanks for this, very useful tips to try to remember! So jealous of the giant thrift shops you have in the US!
Posted by: Charlotte | September 20, 2011 at 01:09 PM
this is an AWESOME post! Thanks Elsie!
-meesch
http://www.aperfectkindofday.com
Posted by: meesch | September 20, 2011 at 01:16 PM
Brilliant tips! I began to thrift about 13 years ago because I was a skinny teenager living in a country in Africa where women are curvaceous and clothes really too big for me. The thrift shops were the only ones who had clothes from Europe and US at the right size!! So I began to have a different style... and very happy to be kind of unique!
Excellent thing to say buy only what you LOVE, I have a tendency to buy too many craps (you know when you think "maybe..." "one day" "so cheap, why not?" and vlam! Crap!)
Posted by: weriem | September 20, 2011 at 01:18 PM
These are so great! I often find that the thing I love about thrifting (unique finds) is what can also get me into trouble. I always think to myself "What if I say no, and then later wish I had bought it?" Since it's not like Target, where you can just go back the next day and it will be there almost for sure, I'm always wondering if I should go ahead and get something just in case. Only a few times have I said no and regretted it, though.
Posted by: DTDorrin | September 20, 2011 at 01:28 PM
Great tips! I have been thriftin' my whole life (inherited from my mother) and some of my BEST memories are thrift trips with my mom, sister, and aunt. I, too, have learned that it's best to not buy unless you love an item.
http://positiveponderings.blogspot.com/2011/09/necklace-giveaway.html
Posted by: Jaclyn T | September 20, 2011 at 01:31 PM
I like to dart over to the kid's section for little vintage Star Wars T-shirts and Members Only jackets that actually fit me!
Posted by: Victoria@Victory Paper | September 20, 2011 at 02:05 PM
even though you collected too much & had to have a home sale, i bet that was fun ;]
Posted by: Gussy Sews | September 20, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Cool list of dos and don'ts! I'm amazed by how many thrift stores there are here in America. I still have to learn about thrifting, so this was useful ;).
Hope you're having a fab day!
Miki.
Posted by: Miki | September 20, 2011 at 02:20 PM
loved this post.
Posted by: ACompton | September 20, 2011 at 02:33 PM
Great great tips! Definitely somethings I'll keep in mind next time I make a thrifting trip, thanks!!!
xo
http://kittysnooks.blogspot.com
Posted by: Katia | September 20, 2011 at 02:40 PM
fantastic post, elsie :) love that you consider thrifting a hobby - that's a great way to think about it!
Posted by: Jill | September 20, 2011 at 02:48 PM
thanks for this post, i do find myself buying a ton of b-list vintage that i am just not in love with!
Posted by: Ashley | September 20, 2011 at 02:53 PM
This is a great post!! Thank you so much for posting your tips. I love thrifting but always wonder if I'm missing things. I'll make sure to keep these tips in mind the next time I go thrifting. :]
Posted by: Mandy @ Miss Indie | September 20, 2011 at 03:04 PM
Totally a great post! I love going thrifting, and I also go every. single. week. :)
Love,
Stephanie May*
http://www.maydae.com
Posted by: Stephanie May* | September 20, 2011 at 03:05 PM
Thanks for tips, Elsie. You've inspired me to go hunting today!
Posted by: Lisa Crumpets | September 20, 2011 at 03:05 PM
thrifting is my favorite! Thanks for the great post!
Especially about #10...I always have the need to find one thing! I'll think differently next time!
Posted by: kat | September 20, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Awesome tips :) I have been 2nd hand shopping (thrifting) for as long as I can remember with my mum and sister but for us it was out of neccessity, we couldn't afford to buy new clothes but I never minded I always loved going 2nd hand shopping and searching through the racks and I loved turning up to school wearing something I knew no one else would have :) In New Zealand (or at least the towns I've lived in) 2nd hand shops (thrift stores) are only open on the weekdays until 3 or 4 so I didn't get to go very often while I was in school (I did manage to go on 'sick days' though ;)). Anyway I really enjoyed this post.
Posted by: Frankie B | September 20, 2011 at 03:08 PM