How to Shop at a Consignment or Thrift Store
5 Tips for Shopping at Your Local Goodwill or Resale Shops
Nov 10, 2009
Though slightly smelly and full or junk, treasures can be found among the trash at thrift stores. Those in love with nostalgia can bring old clothes new life, and style them to look as current as this season’s frocks. If you find it difficult to sift through the racks and racks of hand-me-downs, follow these 5 tips to make the process more bearable.
Look for a Quality Shape
The great thing about clothes of the past is that the seamstresses paid close attention to detail and constructed garments with tremendous care. Because of their excellent tailoring, you can find pieces that have great shape and movement. Modest a-line skirts and higher-waist trousers can be found in any resale shop, and will flatter just about any body type.
The suggestion here is to find more substantial fabrics that have held up for the previous owner and will continue to hold up for you as well. There are plenty of people who give away quality items because they simply don’t fit or no longer suit their lifestyle.
Search the Men’s Department
A department you may never venture to in a normal department store may be where you find your new favorite piece of the season. The men’s (or young men’s) section has a wide array of sweaters, button-down shirts, and t-shirts that can help you achieve the always fashionable menswear inspired look. The key here is to find retro favorites that are still somehow modern. More than likely you will find great Ralph Lauren shirts that can be worn under a fitted blazer and old rock t-shirts that would look perfect with a skinny jean and platform pump.
Also remember that almost anything can be belted. If you don’t like a slouchy look, add a thin belt to a bulky sweater to add instant femininity.
Find Current Trend References
Remember the saying “What goes around comes around”? In fashion this statement will always be true. Instead of buying a mass produced '70s-inspired pair of jeans, go search for an original in a consignment stores! Clothing manufacturers go through days of processes to emulate the colors, washes, and wear of pieces that have history to them. Unfortunately, the customer pays an insane mark-up for all the extra labor.
For less than $10 and with a little more effort, a tunic that may have inspired the designer tunic in Macy’s could be a great addition to your wardrobe. Leather jackets, '60s mod dresses, and elbow-patched tweed blazers can now enjoy the twenty-first century.
Buy Items that can be Tailored or Altered
When buying any item, thrifted or new, you should never rule it out just because of size. There are tons of tailors and seamstresses that can make an unflattering item fit like a glove. Items worth purchasing and altering would be: a good quality blazer, slacks, and dresses. Don’t waste time with things like t-shirts, unless you can make the changes yourself.
Choose Items to Compliment Your Existing Wardrobe
A good rule of thumb for shopping at thrift stores is to keep in mind what you have at home. If you’re looking to truly get the most out of your wardrobe, sort through the items in your closet that haven’t had much action lately, and then go searching for pieces that can make these items more wearable. Shopping at a thrift store will be more economical when expanding your existing wardrobe and the unique pieces you’ll find will still manage to give you a fashionable edge.
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