What to Look For When Thrifting
Going to the thrift store for the first time can be an intimidating experience. It can be hard to figure out where to start after staring at what feels like miles and miles of clothing. After about six months of thrifting, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks on how to make sure that your thrifting experience is top-notch! So, without further ado, here is What to Look for When Thrifting:
1) Basics
Pieces like tank tops, t-shirts with solid colors or minimal designs, and other layering items can never go wrong. While it’s great to focus on statement pieces with loud patterns or colors, it’s equally important to keep an eye out for more basic or subtle items. These basics will, without a doubt, come in handy when crafting outfits, due to their versatility. Also, try to look for basics from brands that are typically higher quality. Since basics can be in all sorts of outfits, you’ll get a lot of wear out of them, so it’s a good idea to find pieces that are well-made – even if that means they cost a bit more. If you find an item from a brand that you’re unfamiliar with, use the world’s best friend: the Internet. Simply type the brand name into a search engine, along with a few keywords to describe your item, and voila! You’ll have a ton of search results providing you with a rough estimate of what the piece’s retail price was. This is a great way to gauge whether or not you’re getting a good deal!
2) Jackets/Outerwear
The outerwear section is probably my favorite and here’s why: Jackets, cardigans, and even blazers are simple ways to spice up your outfits. By merely adding outerwear to an outfit, you can completely change the style and vibe of it. I think we often discount outerwear when creating outfits because we tend to think of it as just puffy winter jackets or raincoats. Thrift stores are full of flannels, bomber jackets, zip-ups, and of course, denim jackets. Depending on the store you visit, you’ll probably end up finding a wide selection of denim jackets in all sizes and silhouettes. This is especially useful if you’re looking for a more vintage-inspired look, such as an oversized and bulky jacket, compared to the cropped or cinched-in silhouettes that you’ll typically find in stores these days. Again, don’t forget to do your research on brands, retail prices, and quality!
3) Jewelry
The accessories in thrift stores can be just as amazing as the clothing, if you know where to look! Oftentimes, the jewelry sold in thrift stores will be costume jewelry or made out of metals, such as copper or nickel (which are some of the metals that will turn your skin green!) One of the best ways to avoid getting green skin is to look for little numbers that are etched into the jewelry. Common places to look at are: inside the bands of rings, on the clasps of both necklaces and bracelets, and earring backings. Some numbers you’ll want to see are 925, sterling, or fine sterling for silver, and for gold: 585 or 14k, 750 or 18k, and so forth. Obviously, this won’t always be an opportunity, but when the numbers are available, it is a foolproof way to tell what kind of material the jewelry is composed of. Another way to get an idea of the quality of the jewelry is to inspect the wear-and-tear, if any, of the piece. You can get a good idea of the durability and quality of the jewelry you’re eyeing by taking a look at any scratches, discoloration, or signs of rusting.
I hope this article will help you feel more confident when embarking on a thrifting adventure! May you feel wiser and of course, inspired to start creating the outfits of your dreams.
