By waltersmith Thrift stores have experienced a significant increase in popularity, with the industry growing 21 times faster than the broader retail apparel market.
Thrift shopping is a thrill in itself, you are confused with a lot of stuff in one place. It has gained popularity in recent years. The excitement of finding good quality, high-end brands at a fraction of their original price can’t be explained. You need to know how to get your hands on the right piece and uncover the hidden treasure in such stores.
Talking about the world of fashion, Cinderella Goes Thrifting sells some amazing jewelry, home decor, and both new and secondhand women’s clothing. You don’t want to miss out on all the trendy stuff.
Thrift Shopping Tips and Tricks
Do Your Research
Make sure you do your homework, before stepping into a thrift store. Get to know about high-end brands and specific styles, and how to check the quality of the material. Just because an item is from a high-end brand, you cannot rush to get it, as it will make you regret it later.
Get suggestions and ideas from online resources, fashion blogs, and brand websites. It will help you understand the latest trends and follow them.
Explore Opulent Neighborhoods
It’s not too hard to imagine that thrift stores in such areas end up getting items that are barely worn. You can even find some really good, new ones with even a tag. These areas receive donations of high-end, branded clothing from people living nearby.
It’s possible that you might find rates slightly higher than the other thrift stores. It’s worth investing if the item is going to last for a longer period of time. It’s the brand and quality that matters and decides the cost.
Pay Frequent Visits
Thrift stores are constantly restocking and restoring items. What you find today may not find tomorrow. The goal is to get your hands on the best pieces before anyone else. For that, you need to be one of those frequent visitors.
You need to know about when the store is about to get restocked so you can pay a visit and find something for yourself. Getting in touch with the salesperson could be of help, so you are aware of the new items in stock.
Inspection is the Key
Two things that matter the most when visiting a thrift store are quality and craftsmanship. Usually, luxury brands incorporate quality materials when it comes to their products, but you need to ensure that the item isn’t worn out.
Nobody wants to spend money on an item that looks faded, with poor quality and stitching. Shopping from a thrift store is all about whether the investment is worth it or not.
Vintage All the Way
Vintage is directly proportional to high quality. The quality of these older pieces speaks for itself. The techniques and materials incorporated in such items are top-notch and superior to the ones used today.
Even with the vintage items, you can’t overlook the styles, details, and brand names.
Explore, Explore, and Explore!
There’s no limit when it comes to searching for items in a thrift store. You need to search and search through each section and there are chances you might end up finding anything. Also, sometimes if you are lucky enough you find the exact item you’ve been looking for right away.
It all depends on how well you are browsing through different sections. It doesn’t mean to stick to one side. You can go through the kids, men’s, and women’s sections just to make sure you don’t miss out on any new stuff. Sometimes the accessories are mixed up with other items and just because you don’t feel like going through the bulk, you miss out on the good stuff.
Wait for the Sale
Thrift stores do offer discounted rates or special offers from time to time. It could be because they want to get rid of the stuff to stock the new one. Stay informed about the ongoing sales, so you can save up on the extra money for the same item.
Also, you might be able to buy a higher-priced item which you normally wouldn’t. So don’t miss the chance and shop smart.
Build Relationships with Staff
62% of Gen Z and Millennial shoppers say they look for an item secondhand before purchasing it new.
If there’s a thrift store you prefer buying your stuff from, it’s high time that you build friendly relationships with the staff. Since, if you visit very often, most of the staff already knows you. A nice, friendly gesture would help to get informed about new arrivals, upcoming sales and special offers.
Try communicating with the shoppers and be nice to them. This way you would get the insiders beforehand and can then plan your visit accordingly.
Alteration is Not a Bad Option
You can’t leave an item just because it doesn’t fit you well, but is in good condition, and of a good brand. There’s always an option of alteration. You can get it altered to your ideal size as per your preference. Short alterations can always be done if you are getting an item worth it.
Your tailor can literally get it transformed to your size and make it look like it’s stitched for you.
Don’t Ignore Your Instincts
Never ever ignore your instincts when shopping. If an item catches your attention, and you feel like getting it, don’t just leave it because you haven’t explored it yet. At least, have a closer look, and pay attention to the details and stuff before making any decision.
Of course, don’t just depend solely on intuition. Do follow the tips mentioned above, but your intuition does play a vital role.
The Bottom Line
Approximately 20% of the average American’s wardrobe consists of secondhand clothing.
Cinderella Goes Thrifting takes pride in bringing you high-quality second hand apparel, home decor and accessories for women. You’ll get all of the amazing stuff at one place. Elegance and sophistication uncovered!
Finding branded, high-end items at thrift stores is like a reward. It feels like an accomplishment and event sometimes you find the exact item you’ve been dreaming of getting for a long time. That too at a quarter or even less than that of the original price.
However, shopping from thrift stores is an art. You don’t just get to elevate your wardrobe, there’s a lot of effort, time, and inspection required to make a successful purchase.
