Thanks to the repetition of fashion trends and the ever-growing love for everything and anything vintage, thrift shopping has been gaining immense popularity these days. Not to say that it is sustainable and extremely beneficial for the environment. Also, who wouldn’t love to get their hands on a rare jacket or one-of-a-kind purse and many other hidden treasures?

To add to this, it is cheap and best suited for you if you are perpetually broke while simultaneously creating your unique fashion statement. However, thrift shopping is tricky and here listed are few dos and don’ts of thrift shopping that will help you in your next visit to your favourite local thrift store.

Dos and Don’ts of Thrifting :

1. Do Have a Plan

Thrifting can be intimidating with racks and racks of clothes in large stores or streets. Therefore, it is always best to have a plan before walking into a thrift store. Keep in mind or write down the list of clothing items that you want before going to your favourite thrift store. This way your search would be focused and you won’t have to browse through an ocean of clothes. It will also prevent you from buying unnecessary items.

2.Do Look for Details

It might be exciting to find your desired piece of clothing or finding a unique one-of-a-kind accessory, but before you decide to buy it, look for any tears, holes, stains, missing buttons, stains etc. It is fine if your willing to repair the item otherwise, it is best to leave them behind. Also, remember to show these damages to the store owners as they might be willing to reduce the price for it.

3. Don’t Miss the Deals

Some thrift stores or second-hand stores will have special sales on a specific day or particular seasons. Look out for these deals as prices would drop even further than the already reduced rate.

4.Do Look at the Textures

While thrifting, try to find high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. Avoid faded, worn clothes and clothes that are beyond repair, however much you love it. It isn’t hard to find high-quality materials and can be found easily with a little more inspection. Keep an eye out for this and who knows you might stumble upon a cloth of original leather or cashmere.

5.Don’t Avoid Accessories

Thrift stores are the best places to find accessories such as belts, scarves, jewellery, bags, etc. Who knows, you might even stumble upon some one-of-a-kind design or a piece of unique statement jewellery. You are simply missing out if you avoid the accessories section.

6.Do Use the Trial Room

If you aren’t sure about the size of the dress that you picked out, then you must try it on. Gather options as you go and then try it out in the fitting so as to get the best deals. Furthermore, due to the huge number of brands that can be found in a thrift store, the sizes can also vary according to the brands. Therefore, be willing to try out sizes different from what you normally choose.

7.Don’t Be in a Hurry

Thrift stores can be frustrating if you are in a hurry. Keep an open patient mind and you might come out with the best finds of your life. Take your time and also be ready to be unsatisfied. You might not always be able to find what you desire but with steady visits, you might actually find what you might have missed earlier.