Tips to Thrift Shop Like a Pro

There’s more to thrifting than meets the eye and more to second-hand scavenging than most customers realize. Thrift shopping, purchasing gently used or new items, is a growing trend that allows shoppers to express their personal style while sticking to a budget.

Although prices range from store to store, most secondhand shops offer deep discounts and a constantly rotating inventory. Some stores, such as Goodwill, have the added benefit of donating their profits to charities. These non-profit thrift shops rely on donations and tend to be more lenient on quality standards — it’s certainty possible to get a designer deal, but there’s also a chance that you could walk away with an item that belongs in the discard bin. Be sure to thoroughly examine items before purchasing.

Vintage and boutique shops, on the other hand, usually have stricter quality standards and usually cater to an upscale crowd. They operate on a customer-centric model; their stock depends on what patrons sell to the shop. Some thrift shops pay an upfront fee for merchandise while others return a portion of the sale price to clients.

Frequenting thrift shops is an easy way to swap out stale pieces and experiment with new styles. The joy of thrifting is different from traditional shopping — there is a sense of accomplishment when you find the perfect, unexpected item in your size. Items that are typically worn once, such as prom dresses, are an ideal thrift shop purchase.

That being said, thrifting can also be a frustrating experience. There is no back stock; what you see is what you get and there is no guarantee that what you want will be there tomorrow. Thus, it’s best to shop early and often. Carpe diem or, in this case, carpe dress.