Getting into thrifting can seem overwhelming. Here is the rundown of everything you need to know about thrifting. Don’t worry, I am here to teach you everything, so that the next time a friend asks you to go thrifting, you don’t feel overwhelmed.
What is thrifting?
Thrifting is second hand shopping. When thrifting, you are supporting small business and chains that resell clothing. These items are generally discounted and all reasonably priced.
Where?
Picking where to thrift is hard. In every city, there are countless thrift stores. The hard part is differentiating between the stores with a good and bad selection. I find that small, family owned, thrift stores are always superior to larger chains, like Goodwill. One of the best thrift stores in LA is the Bearded Beagle, a small yet packed store that includes color coded clothing, making it easier to find what you’re looking for. If you are looking for graphic tees or crewnecks, this is the place for you. They have locations in both Los Feliz and Highland Park. Next up is Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This store is big and has everything you could imagine. 2nd street is a great option for high end luxury fashion at reasonable prices. You can find anything you are looking for, and in great quality! There are many locations all throughout LA, including Pasadena, North Hollywood, and more. I’ve found that it’s a great place to go to find pants and jeans. For general areas rather than specific places, North Hollywood (Melrose in particular), Silverlake, Highland Park, and Los Feliz have the best thrift stores for any and all occasions. And, my favorite of all, flea markets. Next time you want to go on a thrift date with a friend, head to one of these places, and I promise you will not be disappointed.
What to look for
When you are walking into a thrift store, having a clear and exact idea of what you’re looking for is crucial. This will allow you to know beforehand where to dedicate time and what part of the store you want to analyze.
Quality over quantity
“Quality over quantity” is a phrase you’ve likely heard a million times. But how does it apply to thrifting? Well, if you’re on the hunt for new tops, it’s important to evaluate each piece rather than simply buying everything that catches your eye. Check for rips, holes, or stains, and ensure that the item will be long lasting.
TIME!
I cannot stress enough how important this is. It may even be the MOST important aspect of thrifting. If you are heading out to thrift, yet you only have 45 minutes, it won’t do you any good. You need to dedicate a few hours to thrifting… minimum! Come up with a list of stores, genres of clothing, and items you are interested in purchasing. Once you get to the store, make sure you look at everything. Slowly flip through the clothes, and try to imagine yourself wearing them.When you find an article of clothing that you want to buy, I want you to come up with at least three outfits you could create with this item. If you can’t come up with three, it’s not worth buying. It is important to take your time, so you don’t waste any money.
Conclusion:
If you take anything from this, take these crucial steps:
- Pick where to go
- Know what to look for
- Have plenty of time on your hands
- Don’t buy “just because”
- Have fun!
