Thrifting is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to up your wardrobe, all while doing something that helps the planet. The fashion industry is a huge contributor to waste and pollution, and the increase in fast fashion over the past years has only accelerated the rate of damage the fashion industry has done to the world. Thrifting is a sustainable and fun hobby, but knowing how to thrift can be difficult at first. Whether online or in-store, so many amazing and unique items are available for you to thrift if you just know what to look for and how to find them!
Why You Should Thrift
There are so many great reasons why you should learn how to thrift! One of the biggest reasons for the rise in popularity of thrifting over the last few years is the increased awareness of the detrimental impact that the fashion industry has had on our planet. As of 2022, the fashion industry is responsible for up to 10% of the total carbon dioxide output worldwide, and the United States alone discards 11.3 million tons of clothes every year! This pollution is only furthered by the rapidly growing fast-fashion industry, which has capitalized on the quick-moving trend cycle of fashion today. Fast fashion has made it a trend to buy hundreds of clothing items a year in order to follow every single micro-trend, only for the buyers to throw the items out after a few weeks. To make matters worse, most fast fashion garments are made with textiles such as polyester that contain non-recyclable plastic that quickly piles up in our ever-growing landfills.
With increasing concerns about climate change, many people are turning to thrifting to get their clothes and help lessen their personal impact on our environment. Learning how to thrift lets you add new and unique pieces to your wardrobe without contributing to the massive waste of the fashion industry, and you can be proud of the fact that every clothing item you thrift is going into your closet rather than a landfill!
Outside of its environmental benefits, thrifting is also a way to save money, all while finding special items that can’t be found anywhere else. If you’re looking to find clothes that are unique to you and your style, thrifting is the perfect way to do so. Just after a few minutes of being in a thrift store, you will see hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces that you can’t find anywhere else!
How to Start Thrifting
To start learning how to thrift, first choose whether you want to thrift in a store or online, either through an app or a website. Both in-store and online thrifting have their advantages and disadvantages, and you can always choose to do both depending on what you’re looking for!
For online thrifting, there’s a number of apps and websites that are specifically made for thrifting clothes, shoes, accessories, and more. Some of the most popular thrifting apps and websites include Poshmark, eBay, Depop, and ThreadUp. Of course there are many more than this list, but these are some of the most well-rated and have the most amount of users, so there will be no shortage of products for you to find on these platforms. These apps also are available in the form of a website if that feels more convenient and easy for you. Once you pick an app or website to start on, create an account, and you’re ready to begin online thrifting!
If you choose to start thrifting in stores, you will want to do a little research before you begin. It’s as easy as going to Google and searching ‘thrift stores near me’, and then looking into the results. Read some reviews, look at pictures, and decide how far or close away you want the thrift store to be. If you’re new to thrifting I would recommend picking just one store for your first trip, because going to many stores in succession can get overwhelming quickly! Pick a store whose criteria meets what you’re looking for and you’re ready to go!
Tips for How to Thrift In Stores
1. Know what you want
To start thrifting in stores, the most important thing is to know what you’re looking for! Thrift stores can get super overwhelming with the number of clothes available for you to look through. I recommend going into a store with a few specific items in mind that you are looking for, whether it be pants, jackets, or accessories. When you narrow down what you’re looking for, you can find the specific section of the store and start browsing. When you start looking through the clothes, take your time to figure out which items stand out to you. Look for certain materials, patterns, and styles that fit what you are looking for.
2. Check the quality
I can say from personal experience that the most disappointing thing while thrifting is finding what you think is the perfect piece, only to find a huge stain or tear in it. Avoid buying clothes that are damaged by carefully inspecting any item that you are considering buying for imperfections. Sometimes small tears or loose threads can be easily fixed up, but stay away from clothes with bigger problems such as large holes or unwashable stains, as trying to fix these pieces will likely be more trouble than it’s worth.
3. Don’t be afraid to alter
When you’re buying clothes while thrifting, it can be rare that you find something that fits you perfectly. Second-hand clothes are likely to have a few aspects of them that don’t fit you quite right, so don’t be afraid to alter your new pieces. Try to stay away from thrifting clothes that require large alterations, as those can get expensive and time-consuming. Rather, find clothes that require small and easy alterations such as adjusting waist size or hemming the length of a pair of pants. Whether you know how to alter clothes yourself or go to a tailor, having clothes that fit you well is a key piece to loving your wardrobe.
Tips for How to Thrift Online
1. Customize to your size
One of the biggest benefits of thrifting through an app is that most platforms have features that allow you to only look at clothes and other items that are your size. This takes away the stress and time consumption of sifting through thousands of clothing pieces that won’t fit you. By customizing your search to your size, you will save time and energy, and you’ll find what you’re looking for with ease!
2. Be as specific as possible
Even more than thrift stores, online thrift apps have millions of items available to look through. To avoid searching through page after page to find something you like, make sure to be as specific as you can in your searches. In the search bar, include colors, sizes, brands, and other specifics that you’re looking for in an item. Many of the most popular thrifting apps also have different filters that you can customize based on categories so you can find exactly what you want!
3. Make an offer
One of the biggest benefits of online thrifting is that you can know exactly who is selling the item you’re interested in. On thrifting apps and websites, you can message the seller to ask questions and get more information about the clothes that they’re selling. More importantly, many sellers are usually open to price offers on their items, so don’t be afraid to message them with offers that are within a price range that works for you. I’ve found that most sellers are flexible with their prices and are almost always willing to negotiate with any potential customers. By making price offers, you can get the clothes that you want at a price that fits your budget.
You’re Ready to Start Thrifting!
With these tips on how to thrift in mind, you’re now ready to go out and start practicing your new hobby! Whether you’re doing it online or in-store, thrifting your clothes is a fun and exciting way to add unique pieces to your wardrobe and help out our planet at the same time. Get ready to find the best clothes yet at the best prices!
Frequently Asked Questions About Thrifting
What are the best items to thrift?
When you first start thrifting, look for items that will fit into the wardrobe you already have. Sometimes you will find a lot of pieces that you might like but have little practicality. To avoid overbuying, keep in mind the clothes that you already have, and look for items that you know you can easily integrate into your wardrobe. Also, look for higher-quality pieces to avoid having to discard the item soon after you buy it.
How often should I thrift?
The answer is as much as you’d like! Thrift stores and websites are constantly getting new items every day, so there will never be a shortage of new things you can find. Every time you feel you’re in the need of new clothes, check out thrifting before you head to traditional retail stores that contribute to the waste of the fashion industry. Thrifting is a great way for you to find the most unique pieces that you might not even know you were looking for in the first place!
How do I take care of the clothes I thrift?
Starting off, you should always make sure to wash anything you thrift before you wear it. Depending on the material, some items may need to be hand-washed, especially if they are older pieces. I’ve found that many items that are more vintage should be hand washed and air dried to avoid shrinking or even ruining your new thrift find.
How can I alter thrifted clothes?
There are so many different ways that you can customize and alter your thrifted clothes so that they are unique to you and your style! Some easy alterations just need a simple hem, which can be done by hand with a basic needle and thread. To customize your pieces, you have so many easy options such as cropping a shirt to make it shorter or adding some embellishments such as embroidery or iron-on patches. Customizing and altering your thrifted clothes can be really simple, and you can be proud that you have an item that is completely unique to your style!
