Taking on Thrift Stores

Have you ever felt intimidated when you walk into a thrift store and see seemingly endless racks of clothes? A lot of people do, thrift stores can be overwhelming upon first glance. But, with a few small pieces of advice, navigating through a thrift store can be an exciting adventure full of bargains and treasures!

Always Try Things On Although we organize our stores conveniently by size, some items may fit completely different than you’d expect. The styles span different seasons, and even decades. Narrow things down so you are getting quality pieces that fit well and you’ll feel great wearing. Also, a great thing about shopping at a thrift store is that you are paying a very reasonable price for each item; therefore, you have a few extra bucks left over for alterations.

It’s all in the Fabric
When searching through the racks of clothes, be sure to notice the fabrics that are used. If you find a piece that isn’t your style, but you love the fabric, stick in it your cart and keep it with you as you wander around. If you think you can repurpose it in some way then go for it! Rip the seams apart to create a scarf, embellish it with embroidery, turn it into a hair piece, etc. The list goes on and on of things you can do to make a piece your own.

When is the Best Time to Shop?
All the time! Thrift stores are constantly getting in new merchandise and stocking their shelves, so shop frequently. Also, think seasonally. Spring cleaning, tax season and college graduation are great times to check out your local thrift stores, because people tend to clean out their closets during these times.

Looking for Furniture? Weary about buying fabric furniture at a thrift store? Fear no more! We treat all fabric furniture before we sell it in a store. If you find a piece of furniture that has a wonderful frame but you aren’t wild over the finish or upholstery, just refinish/reupholster it. Turn it into a fun DIY project and you will end up with a one-of-a-kind piece completely suited to your taste.

Glassware
Be sure to always check out the glassware section. You can always find neat pieces that can be used functionally or decoratively around your house.

Don’t Forget Sporting Goods
Have you ever wanted to take up golf but don’t want to drop tons of cash on a set of clubs? Many times, you can find golf clubs for great prices at thrift stores that are perfect for someone just starting out. Thrift stores normally have a section devoted to sporting goods where you can find awesome deals. Don’t forget to be on the look-out for jerseys in the racks of clothing.

The biggest thing to keep in mind when shopping at a thrift store is to take your time and be patient. It can be very overwhelming going through the racks among racks of clothing. Go often and with an open mind. There are a lot of great things to be had in a thrift store!