As fall quickly approaches, so does the desire to transition to a new wardrobe. As tempting as it can be to purchase an entirely new lineup of clothing, that option is often expensive and unsustainable. Instead, turn to the thrift store to find your fall fashion essentials that you can wear for many years to come. Here are our beginner thrifting tips to help you elevate your wardrobe this fall.
Research Stores Before your Thrifting Trip
Before you enter the thrift store, you should plan out your thrifting experience. Thrift stores vary significantly in what they carry, how they are curated, and their prices. For example, many sell primarily furniture, home goods, and books, which is not helpful if you are looking for clothing. By researching the stores in your area, you can narrow down the stores that fit the criteria of what you are looking for, and your budget. Typically, I tend to opt for standard thrift stores over consignment and hyper-curated stores because they are cheaper, and I have more luck finding pieces I love.
2. Look at EVERYTHING
Unlike typical stores tailored to specific demographics, thrift stores cater to everyone. There are many more pieces you will not be interested in compared to the ones you are, which means you must be patient. Looking at everything, regardless of the section, will ensure you do not miss any gems. Although time-consuming, it is the best way to make the most of your thrifting experience. As you get more comfortable, you will learn which areas you have the most success in, and can tailor your thrifting accordingly.
3. Give Yourself Time
Giving yourself time will allow you to comb through each rack, ensuring you do not miss any great pieces. Setting aside an hour or two will also let you relax and pace yourself, which helps facilitate some much-needed patience when thrifting.
4. Have Styles and Outfits in Mind, but Be Flexible
Go to the thrift store with intention because it will inspire and help you understand how to wear the pieces you find. I enjoy going on Pinterest and Instagram to find inspiration before I go to the thrift store. Keeping these outfits in mind will help you narrow down what you are looking for. However, it is still important to be flexible, as the pieces will likely not be exactly like the styles you have saved.
5. Keep your Wardrobe in Mind
It is easy to find unique pieces at thrift stores, many of which are gorgeous. However, if you do not own other items to style them with, you will not wear them. That is why you should consider your existing wardrobe when thrifting. By thrifting items that you can already style many ways with pieces you own, it will optimize the utilization of both that piece and the rest of your closet. I usually attempt to come up with five outfits with the clothing item I am considering and the rest of my wardrobe to decide whether I should purchase it.
6. Wear Basics to the Thrift Store
Although it may seem enticing to wear a cute and unique outfit to the thrift store, it is often better to come in wearing basics. I enjoy wearing my most worn basics because when I try items on, it does not clash, and it helps me determine if they will fit into my closet. For me, that usually means wearing a pair of black slacks, a tank top, and a jacket. The clothing basics you wear should fit your personal style and go-to pieces.
7. Check the New Racks
Often, there are racks at the front of thrift stores full of new inventory that has not been put on the regular shelves yet. These racks have some of the best finds because they have not been picked over. I always check this section first because I regularly find amazing items there.
8. Have Fun!
Thrifting should be an enjoyable experience, not a stressful one. Do not put pressure on yourself to have an incredible haul. Instead, find ways to create a fun environment for yourself. Putting on a favourite playlist, bringing a friend to shop with, or having a coffee are all things I do to have the best possible thrifting experiences, and I find the best pieces when I am in the best mood.
Hopefully, these tips will give you an idea of how to have the best time when thrifting and help you find the best pieces to incorporate into your fall wardrobe. Remember that thrifting is a skill that takes time to develop, patience is essential, and it is important to have fun!
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