The secrets behind finding those hidden gems in Vancouver
By Natalie âBuffyâ Aybars, Contributor
Shopping second-hand is not only easy on your wallet, it is also a great way to express your individual style. Gone are the days when hand-me-downs were forced upon you by another, oppressing oneâs freedom for personal expression. Todayâs hand-me-downs are in fact sought after and create a sense of individuality by wearing something that is limited edition or even a one of a kind piece.
Letâs distinguish the difference between thrift shopping and vintage shopping. Vintage shopping is an easierâyet potentially more expensiveâway to finding pre-loved beauties. Vintage stores curate special second-hand finds for consumer convenience and so the price tags are at times unnecessarily marked up. Basically, you pay more for the convenience. Not everyone is willing to spend hours sifting through racks and racks of junk in order to find those hidden gems. So if youâre okay with spending a little extra money (although not much), vintage stores can save you most of the effort. With time you will learn to know a good deal and a great find when you see one. On the other hand, thrift shopping is just that: being thrifty. Finding bargains for great items in places like Value Village, Goodwill, and other thrift stores can be like a treasure hunt. Believe it or not, my best finds have come out of Value Village. Successful thrift shopping requires a keen eye, determination, and patience. Walking into a Value Village as a rookie can be overwhelming and discouraging, but the key is to have the right mind set.
Here are some tips for skilled thrifting:
- Demographic. The nicer the area, the better the finds. Letâs be honest: youâre not going to have much luck finding anything of value at the Value Village on East Hastingsâand even if you do, leave it for those in need. Check out thrift stores in the well-to-do areas and youâll be amazed at how what was another personâs âtrashâ is just waiting to be claimed as your treasure.
- No expectations are good expectations. Walk in with no expectations or prejudgements. I find that if I go thrifting for a specific item, Iâll never find it, and I end up missing out on something special that I may have overlooked because Iâve been close-minded.
- Materials. Stay clear of polyester, or other cheap looking materials. If I think itâs going to make me itchy wearing it or if Iâll look as cheap as the price tag, then I wonât bother. After going a couple times you will learn to train your eye to look for materials, patterns, and colours that appeal to you. You donât have to pick out every single item to decide if youâll like it. Scan through the materials and if something pops out at you, pull it out and take a closer look. Donât waste your time.
- Always, always, ALWAYS try it on. You never know how something will look until you put it on your body. You donât want to look frumpy, outdated, or tacky. If itâs not your style or itâs not something you can see in your wardrobe then put it back. If itâs worth altering then make sure the price to alter it doesnât cost more than the clothing itself, and make sure youâre actually going to do it. It may only be five dollars, but if itâs just going to sit in your closet, whatâs the point?
- Bring a buddy. Especially if youâre a newbie. It always helps having a second opinion, specifically from someone who knows your taste and style. Best friends will always be honest if they like something or not.
- Go with your gut. At the end of the day youâre the one who has to wear it and if you donât feel comfortable or good in something then itâs not for you. Style is 100 per cent about having confidence, which comes from knowing who you are, and staying true to that. Just because something is fashionable or trendy doesnât mean that it fits for you and your style.
Happy thrifting!
Check out Buffyâs personal style blog, Stripped and Buffed at http://strippedandbuffed.blogspot.ca
