As a thrift shopping enthusiast who walks into a used-clothes heaven almost every opportunity she gets, I have learned that it’s not all hunky dory. Thrifting is an art, a lengthy process if you must. Some might even say it’s an acquired taste. Thrift shopping can leave you elated or in shambles, and you won’t know which one is coming.
If you’re curious to try your hand at thrift shopping with the hopes of getting a designer bag at a fraction of the cost, I’m here for it. But you must know these five things about the thrifting world and its glorified processes to find the best deals.
1. Patience is a virtue
“Trust the process,” I whisper to myself whenever I enter a thrift store. Yes, it looks like heaven with all the racks and racks of clothes, shoes, and accessories, but that’s just a facade. Most stores are not divided by size or brand.
It can take hours to go through the collection of one 200-square-foot store and yet you may leave empty-handed. It’s not an exact science, but having a rough idea of what you’re looking for is usually great. It takes a village! Literally –get a shopping buddy; two eyes are always better than one.
2. It’s not always cheap
The biggest myth about thrifting is that you’ll get everything at highly discounted prices. Yes, it’s possible to get something great occasionally, but it’s not always cheap. For example, I once got a pair of Moschino jeans for 25 GBP (2700 INR) but more often than not, I buy non-designer brands at about the same price
3. The best deals are scarce
The holy grail of designer wear exists. How many times have I seen it? Maybe twice in my five years of being an avid thrift shopper. Chanel and Prada at nearly nothing is possible, but don’t be fooled by what Instagram shows you.
People only post about their best thrift hauls filled with unheard-of-deals to attract you to a life of disappointment. If you go to a store, remember that sometimes it’s just about finding one-of-a-kind pieces and not particularly designer ones.
4. The difference between vintage and thrift shopping
Vintage shops are usually more expensive because they host a variety of designer items carefully curated for the right buyers. While getting an LV or Prada bag at 1/4th of the cost sounds like a great bargain, it is still 1/4th of an expensive bag.
Vintage shops cater to the shopper who is willing to spend that. Thrift shops host both luxury and brands you may have never heard of. They have something for everyone. Identify what kind of shopper you are and what you’re looking for before you set foot in either of these kinds of shops.
5. The best thrift shops are hidden
Google “thrift store near me” and prepare to be disappointed. Maybe if you’re in Paris or London, that may work, but the best thrift stores are often hidden. Finding them is a task you have to take upon yourself. Follow the right Instagram accounts. Train the algorithm to show you the stores you would like.
As I said earlier, thrift shopping is not an exact science, but if you’re willing to take the plunge, the water is pretty cool and is filled with endless racks of clothes, shoes, and accessories.
