Hello!
I feel like I am forever trying to get my friends into second hand fashion, and I get a little resistance. Until they try it that is. Getting started with second hand fashion can seem a little overwhelming and to be frank…a little gross. Wearing a strangers clothes? No thanks. Calm those fears and get ready to save some money because I can assure you that with a few pointers, you’ll be on your way to creating a well rounded wardrobe of quality clothing for a fraction of what it cost brand new.
1.) What do you need?
It’s important to consider what kind of clothing you are looking for BEFORE you set out shopping. Do you needs basics? Work clothes? Shoes? You get the picture. This is key because second hand stores are not laid out in the traditional retail style with multiple size runs in each garment. Instead clothing will by categorized by style and gender. By knowing what you’re looking for, you can breeze through the racks without being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of…stuff.
2.) Where should I go?
Thrift stores are generally reflective of the neighborhood they are housed in. So consequently, more affluent neighborhoods are going to have higher quality, name brand clothing that has more than likely been gently used and occasionally still have tags attached. Find out what second hand stores are in the wealthy neighborhoods in your community and chances are it will be more like thrift score than thrift store.
3.) Brand name blinders
Ideally we’re all looking to score a great designer piece at an amazingly low price…but don’t be focused on tags alone. That great Ralph Lauren blazer you scored for work does indeed have a Ralph Lauren tag in it, but all anyone will be able to see are the shoulder pads and the large brass buttons. Don’t do that. Designers have been designers for a long time and the pieces found in a second hand store can be reflective of a different time in fashion. Try to look at the items that spark your interest for what they are, not who they are made by. On the flip side of this coin, you will find the occasional piece that is not only designer, but totally fabulous in fit and styling. In this case, high five yourself and buy it quickly!
4.) Modification in moderation
Some pieces are so great..if the sleeves were just a little shorter or the rosettes on the lapel were’t there. Much like DIY projects for the house it’s easy to ge real crafty in your head and imagine a total overhaul of an outfit at your own hands because it’s SUCH a good deal. You’re enthusiasm is in the right place but be sure to be realistic. Do you know how to sew, or to the ability to seriously modify the garment? Are you up for paying a tailor to make the changes for you? Small changes such as lengths of hems or missing buttons are an easy fix that shouldn’t detour you from a purchase but a major makeover is probably a waste of money.
5.) “This looks gross…”
It probably is…anything that looks really heavily worn is a pass. Just keep on moving.
6.) HAVE FUN!
This is probably the most important tip of all. Whether you go to brunch with girlfriends and hit the second hand stores after or embark on a solo mission, this is great R+R. There will be days you find nothing and there will be days you can’t choose because there is so much. There is no one else like you in the whole world so make your style your own…when you feel good about yourself it shows.
Check out the video below as I take you to some of Denver’s best thrift stores…
XOXOX
Kelly
While couponing and timing sales can be a good money saving strategy when it comes to bargain shopping, don’t forget about the opportunities at resale stores, where you can also shop for brand names. Sometimes it can take a while to be effective at shopping thrift, but you’re bound to found something beautiful and functional for your home or wardrobe. Another benefit of shopping charity thrift stores is that you’re also supporting worthy organizations that help your less fortunate neighbors.
To develop a good second-hand store strategy, you should have a good understanding of the differences between the various types of stores that sell second-hand goods. For example, you may not find many higher end brands at standard thrift stores, but consignment stores often sell designer clothes in good condition.
Here’s a brief overview of the types of Second Hand Stores:
Consignment Shops – Consignment stores operate very differently than a regular thrift store. They act as a “middleman” between the owner of an item and a buyer. People bring in items to the store and if the item sells, the consignment store splits the pre-determined proceeds with its owner.
Antique Shops - These businesses generally deal in older housewares and decor, and some sell retro clothing. Some antique or vintage shops specialize in items from a particular time period, while others offer a more general selection of older items.
Pawn Shops – Pawn Shops often sell higher-end items, such as fine jewelry, electronics, and musical instruments, though some sell all types of goods. Don’t expect to find huge discounts at pawn shops, but you can get some good deals on music and electronics gear.
Resale Shops - Similar to nonprofit thrift stores (Goodwill Stores for example), resale shops typically operate under the umbrella of a charitable organization. Resale shops are smaller than their thrift store counterparts, and tend to have a better quality of items for sale than what you can find at a thrift store. Resale shops can be a bit more selective than thrift shops when it comes to donations.
Thrift Shops – Thrift Shops can sometimes be operated by charities and for-profit businesses, selling donated or used goods for a fraction of their original price. Some of these stores specialize in one type of item such as books or records, while others may sell everything from bookcases to shoes to kitchenware. The quality of items sold at these stores varies, but you can find like-new and brand new items on their shelves and racks after a diligent search.
Now, some tips for Thrift Shopping:
Choosing a Store - Second hand stores often specialize and you may find that the quality and style of the goods match the community where the store is located. When shopping for designer clothing, target a consignment store or a for-profit second-hand store in an affluent community.
Bring a Friend – It’s always more fun to shop with a friend and knowing what your friend is looking for can be a fun teamwork shopping strategy.
Store Policies - Many second hand stores have policies about returns or exchanges. Expect all sales to be final; most second-hand stores simply won’t consider a return or an exchange, even if an item is defective.
Sales - Second hand stores can have sales, just like traditional retailers. Sign up for stores’ email newsletter to find out when these sales happen or visit their website to be updated on upcoming savings opportunities.
Inspect Items - You typically can’t return or exchange items at most thrift stores, even if defective or broken. Prepare to test items in the store, especially when you plan to buy electronics.
Compare prices – When trying to determine the best value of an item, visit online sites that hold auctions or list virtual yard sales websites to compare prices before making a final purchase.
Consider Alterations – Be sure to inspect items for small tears or alternations that may be needed. Being able to determine if you can repair a small tear or alter the size of the clothing before purchasing will save you time and money.
A healthy approach to shopping is to foster a thrifty attitude towards spending by considering what you need in resale shops before shopping for your next purchase. You can save big when shopping second hand stores!
What are your best second hand finds? Share them by commenting below!