Born to Thrift: More Tips and Tricks

Hello my lovelies!

I’m back with more thrift tips for your shopping adventures! Shopping is one of my favorite stress relievers (dangerous, I know…), so I have to take the time to get the most for my dollar.

Tip #7 - Check all sections of the thrift store—from the children’s section to the furniture aisles.

You never know when someone is going to misplace or mislabel a gem of an item. Since thrift stores have a lot of daily traffic, there are often items in the wrong sections. Dresses get mixed in with t-shirts, women’s pants get mixed in with men’s, etc. You also have to watch out for people who come in and purposefully hide items in the wrong section, especially right before a good sale day. I know it must be frustrating to have the items be gone when they get back, but it’s like having someone else do the digging for you when you find a “stockpile”. =)

I found a pair of ladies Nike dry-fit leggings (Size Small) in the children’s section, marked as a child’s XL and priced accordingly. I went on a half price day as well, so for less than $5 I got a like-new pair of leggings that would’ve cost me more than $70 from the retailer.

Tip #8- Go on a half price day/pay attention to colored tags

I am such a cheapskate that I try to only go to thrift stores on half-price days. =) I have a mental calendar of the different thrift stores and which day they put everything on sale for half price. If you follow thrift stores on social media they will notify you of special sales around holidays too.

Stores often tag their new items with the same color that won’t be on sale for that particular week’s half-price day. Go back to the same store for a few weeks in a row and those new items will no longer be considered “new” and will become part of the sale. Patience can really pay off. Deals, deals, deals!

Locally:

Savers- Monday is EVERYTHING half-price day (minus furniture); every other day has 3 color tags that are 50% off.

Volunteers of America- The last Tuesday of the month is half-price everything. Three colored tags are 25%, 50% and 75% off respectively on all other days.

Salvation Army- Wednesdays are half-price days (minus furniture and one colored tag)

Common Threads- Thursdays are half-price for all clothing. Each additional day has a 15-25% off type of item.

Tip #9- Have a budget-bring cash

In a room full of good deals it can be hard to press the pause button on your spending. I try to always have a “max” amount I’m willing to spend on any single item, as well as my total bill. The most I’ve ever spent at a thrift store was $10 for a maxi dress that I’ve gotten TONS of use out of—definitely worth the investment.

I’ve found that if I bring the amount I’m willing to spend in cash I have no choice but to stick to my budget! Make sure to include tax in that amount too so you don’t have to put back any treasures! =)

Tip #10- Do thorough item searches—check for stains, tears, pilling, dry clean only etc

There’s nothing worse than getting home and realizing your new clothes have a tiny hole in the armpit! Speaking from experience, check each item for stains or tears before you add it to your cart! Utilize the mirror in the changing rooms and examine all of the seams (this is a great time to ask a friend for help if you’re shopping together—four eyes are better than two). Sweaters from lesser-quality stores can start to fray after multiple washings, so make sure you avoid any that are already pilling.

Unless you regularly take your clothes to the cleaners or enjoy hand washing items, examine all labels for “dry clean/hand wash only”. With a few exceptions, those tags generally need to be followed, which puts a damper on laundry duty!

Tip #11- Choose a changing room with a mirror but don’t be afraid to try things on in the aisles (leggings/jeans help) or outside the changing rooms in front of the outside mirror

As much as I’ve talked about looking in the mirror when trying clothes on, there are some busier days at thrift stores where it just doesn’t make sense to wait for the changing room with a mirror. This is where wearing a blank canvas comes in to play. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve tried clothes on in the middle of an aisle on top of my own clothing. Jackets and sweatshirts are a no-brainer, but skirts and dresses are also easy to throw on to see if they’re going to be even a possible yes. For example, if you can see the cute little saying printed on your own t-shirt through the white dress you just tried on, then maybe you should pass on purchasing.

Tip #12-Visit regularly to find the best items

Like any true thrifting regular, I recommend going to thrift stores frequently to find the best items. Some people I know go weekly, but my budget can’t handle that much! =) Hundreds of items come in and are processed each day at most thrift stores. There might be three or four racks of clothing added to the numbers in the short time you’re shopping!

Here are some of my favorite pieces I've thrifted recently. =)

I found this Loft skirt at a local thrift store for $3 (instead of the retail value of almost $70). It's long enough for teaching, and short enough to not feel frumpy.

The shoes were brand new for $2.50 on half price day. They go with absolutely everything, and the little black sequins add a fun touch to an otherwise basic smoking shoe.

This sheer H&M floral blouse was $2.99 and is a great pattern for spring/summer.

This Vera Wang dress was perfect for a semi-formal event, and no one would know I didn't even pay $10 for it!

This Loft dress was in the Petites section so it was only $5. It still had the "remove before washing" in it, so I got a major score!

You can even find your wedding dress at the thrift store! This stunning lace dress had all the tags attached from David's Bridal, for only $35 on half price day! $35 normally wouldn't even pay for your wedding shoes, let alone the entire dress!

Reducing your textile waste is a very important thing in this day and age. Thrifting is a fun and practical way to minimize clothing going to a landfill and you get to reap the benefits. About 90% of my wardrobe is thrifted and I get to wear brands I would never be able to afford otherwise. Get tired of an item? Back to the thrift store it goes for someone else to enjoy.

What is your favorite item you’ve ever thrifted?

xoxo,

Heidi Joy

“Consider it pure joy…"-James 1:2a, NIV