Thrift Shopping: The Ultimate Guide.

Thrift Shopping: The Ultimate Guide

Fashion is always evolving, and thrift shopping has become more popular throughout the recent years. Thrift stores are filled with unique items that you will not find in any department store. Thrift stores play a big role in Sustainable Fashion. From vintage clothing, shoes, furniture and every day essentials thrift stores are full of endless possibilities. If you are new to thrift shopping or have been doing it for some time this ultimate guide will explain thrift shopping, some tips on how to get the best for your buck and the part it plays in sustainable fashion, and much more.

Thrift Shopping. More than just deals

Sustainability. With the fashion industry being one of the world’s largest polluters. The United States alone contributed about 17 Million tons of textiles in 2018 with 11.5 Million ending in landfills. This all adds to waste and environmental degradation. This is why sustainable fashion practices like thrifting, and reusing are so important. Every time you chose to buy used items you are helping reduce the overall carbon footprint and are contributing to less textiles ending up in landfills.

Unique Styles. If you are in to vintage clothing, one of a kind pieces, or you like mixing pieces to make your own (DIY fashionista) then thrift shopping is right for you. When you walk in to a chain store there is a plethora of the same item and you see many people wear the same jeans, shirts, or have the same décor in their house, but when you shop at a thrift store you can discover something totally different that you haven’t seen anyone wear. You can find many different styles to express your individuality, and even experiment with styles you are not accustomed to.

Price. If the jacket that you’ve been trying to buy had a price tag of $100 or that Canvas painting with the nice $400 tag, well imagine you found one just like it for $10 which one would you buy? The low prices you pay when shopping second hand items is one of the best benefits. You can find high-end quality and name brands for a fraction of the retail price—even at outlet stores. Secondhand shopping doesn’t mean less quality—it means better deals, often 50% to 90% off retail prices. Many thrift stores have sales on selected days. These sales might include 50% off already low prices and senior discounts on a certain day out of the week.

Thrill of the hunt. The rush of excitement you feel when you step inside a thrift store is almost addicting think of it like a treasure hunt. Looking through racks full of unique clothes and textiles, racks filled with shoes, books, hats, toys and so much more is all part of the experience. Knowing that you might find something completely different than what you were looking for and not only saving money but also helping save the planet while you get to shop! I mean honestly can it get any better?

Different ways to thrift/ shop second hand

Classic thrift shopping. The fun and exciting way to second hand shop is by taking a trip to any Goodwill, Salvation army, or any thrift store local or not. Some say it’s like a treasure hunt for adults and kids alike.

Online and Apps. Shopping and contributing to environmental health is that even possible. Yes! Thrift shopping from home is easy with platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Poshmark. These platforms allow you to search exactly what you are looking for near and far. You can search by size, color, style, even home décor and everything in between.

Flee market. Flea markets are filled with so many unique items. You can find clothing, shoes, books, furniture, car parts and so much more. Since flea market vendors are often individuals or families, you can usually negotiate for a better price. Think of it like a huge garage sale where you will find something different in every stop you make.

Quality. When you shop second hand items sometimes the quality might not be the best. A jacket might be missing a button, a vintage top could have a stain, or boots may need some TLC—but don’t let that stop you. Stains and alterations are always possible. Martinizing Dry Cleaners has been the Authority in garment care for many years, not to mention they offer alterations and repair services as well as leather care.

What to look out for when Thrift Shopping

It is important that you pay attention to the details of each garment before actually making the purchase. Even though most tears and little imperfections can be repaired it comes down to the fabric and the severity of the damage. Let me give you a little more information on what to look for.

Cotton and Denim. Clothing made out of cotton/ denim are usually easy repairs and an be cleaned at home. Tears and small rips can easily be repaired by you or a seamstress. Cotton and denim can discolor, and once it happens, it’s usually irreversible. Cotton clothes can at times have a “stretched out” look due to normal wear and tear, and improper washing and drying. Leaving cotton wet too long can cause the fibers to absorb water and stretch out. Denim on the other hand can shrink when not cared for property. Flimsy buttons or zippers are also something to look out for when shopping second hand denim items.

Leather. Shopping for second hand leather goods can be somewhat tricky. Leather can last for many years when professionally cared for. The main things to look out for are scratches, cracks, rub marks, rips/tears and discoloration. Scratches and cracks can be repaired by using a leather cream or conditioner. Leather glue/patch or leather filler can be used for tears and rips. Keep in mind that leather might be more on the pricy side to repair but it can last for years when property taken care of.

Linen. Stains, shrinkage, Brittle feel, discoloration and the quality of the stitching is what you should always take a close look at. Linen is easy to maintain and affordable, as machine washing is safe when you follow the care label instructions. Repairs on linen are possible and budget friendly depending on the damage itself.

Rayon. Things to look out for in Rayon fabric garments are Stains, Shrinking, “Stretched out look”, and the most obvious to the eye excessive wrinkles. All of these signs of wear and tear on Rayon fabric can be fixed and future damage can be avoided with proper care and a good steamer. The maintenance cost of rayon can defer whether you choose to avoid the hassle of doing the cleaning yourself or having a professional handle the cleaning.

Silk. Since silk is a bit of a challenge to repair due to its delicate nature but repairs are possible. Look out for sings of holes, tears and rips, stains, Brittle feel, and discoloration. Silk in my opinion is a beautiful fabric but it does require professional care to maintain it keep that in mind when you are on the hunt.

Wool. Holes, stains and the stitch quality are the main things to look out for when finding a wool garment. Wool is a great fabric to look for when doing some thrift shopping as it requires less washing and it’s for the most part stain resistant. Repairs on wool are typically doable and shouldn’t break your budget.

Polyester. Because polyester is less breathable than other fabrics keep an eye out for odors that can linger if not property cleaned. Polyester is easy to repair and easier to maintain because it doesn’t require any professional care.

Remember second hand items might come with some imperfections but don’t let those imperfections stop you from buying that super cool vintage jacket, stop by a professional Dry Cleaners and let them repair and clean your new treasures.

Conclusion

Thrift shopping offers something for everyone big or small. There is joy in discovering items and making them your own. It brings out the creative person in you. Shopping while saving money and turning someone’s old junk in to your individual treasure just makes sense. When you thrift shop you are embracing a more sustainable way of shopping. Next time you need a new shirt, a boo or even a new coffee mug consider your local thrift stores. Remember thrift shopping is like a treasure hunt and you never know what treasures you will find.

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