Thrifting Guide: Part 1

The key to thrifting is to take your time and look at every item on a rack. Don't just look at the first ten and move on. There are vintage clothes, expensive fabrics, and high-end designers to be found for a few dollars an item, but only to those who take time to read tags, look at and touch the garments.

Ideally, we like to have 2-4 hours in a large store like Savers or Re-Style, 1-2 hours in a small store like the Salvation Army or Idaho Youth Ranch, but any amount of time will do. If you have one hour, just look at tops and skirts. If you only have fifteen minutes, just look at accessories.

We love the Re-Style on Fairview and Five Mile, because they are having a sale for the indefinite future - $1.00 for any clothing item. They still get new items every day, so we're trying to hit it once a week until the sale is over.

Besides, who doesn't love helping the puppies and kitties?

 

So here's the rule: If there is one thing you like about an item, try it on. Sooo maybe it has a great print, OR it's 100% silk, OR it's a really vibrant color, OR you think it will fit, OR it has fancy details, OR you think it's hilarious, and so on. If there is one thing you like, try it. 

Get a cart.

 

Always remember: Size means nothing - especially with vintage clothes, which are usually six or more sizes higher than we're used to. For example, vintage tennis skirt: size 8

Nicole usually wears size 2-4.

Vintage polyester pleated skirt: size 10

Of course, it is also common for items to have no tag. These, the employees sort indiscriminately. This cherry dress, for example, was with the larges.

By the end of the shopping trip, you will have rejected five items for every one that you like. We usually decide from our pile of favorites at the very end, so that we stay under budget. The best thing about thrifting is that you can go with a $5.00 budget, and leave with two skirts, a sweater, a belt and a pair of shorts. Discard pile: