There is absolutely nothing worse than going shopping with a friend with a similar style as you, and they find a few items that you liked, but now itās too late because they picked it up before you.
From your friendly neighbourhood thrift shopper
By Emi Namoro, Contributor
When it comes to fashion, it seems that anyone and everyone is an expert. There is always a brand-new trend to follow or thatās viral on the latest social media platforms. I donāt know about you, but I am completely exhausted trying to keep up with it. Not to mention, items that are high in popularity are usually overpriced, too!
My solution? Thrift shopping. Yes, I am one of those people. The ones that like to spend their time visiting old and strange thrift stores just to find their next fit. I started thrifting a few years ago, and Iāll be honest with you, it was so intimidating at first. But once I found my groove and understood my style a little more, it became one of my favourite hobbies. So, let me share a few of my tips with you, and anyone looking to start their own thrifting adventure.
- Go alone.
This is the number one tip that youāll hear from people who like to go thrift shopping. There is absolutely nothing worse than going shopping with a friend with a similar style as you, and they find a few items that you liked, but now itās too late because they picked it up before you.
Take it from my personal experience. Ever since that happened to me, Iāve always gone to thrift stores alone. Besides, thereās nothing more comforting than being able to take your time and find styles that you like without worrying that someone else might get the good stuff first.
- Give it a chance.
So, if youāve never been thrift shopping before, chances are, youāre a little skeptical of the clothing there. I totally donāt blame you. I wasnāt the biggest fan of thrift shopping at first because itās second-hand and who wants to wear clothing that someone else wore before?
So, what changed my mind? First, my budget as a broke college student, and second, the fact that Iāve found the cutest items at such a low price. Honestly, itās such a miracle that others literally give their clothes away in such gentle conditions and that Iām able to buy them at a fraction of the original price.
Not to mention, some places have sale days too. Take advantage of those!
- Go at your own pace
Thrift shopping is just like the lottery. You wonāt always find your best items at every store you visit, and thatās normal. Iāve visited several different stores before Iāve found my favourite ones, and it may take you a while too.
My advice? Go to your nearest local thrift store and look around. Start walking around the different aisles and see which ones catch your eye. From there, youāll start to put a few things in your shopping cart. Try on a few items and go from there. Next thing you know, youāll be visiting more stores soon. Trust your gut and know that this is a process that takes time.
Now, I hope you take these tips with a grain of salt. The beauty of thrift shopping is that it is different for everyone, and your experience will be uniquely yours. Thereās something comforting about that, you know?
Knowing that in a few short hours, youāll be immersed in a world where youāre giving old items a brand-new life, all while saving money and helping out the environment, too. Not only that, but youāre able to make a small difference while also learning a bit more about yourself along the way.
Of course, I canāt promise that you will be an expert thrift shopper overnight, I certainly am not. What I can guarantee you is that youāre in for a wonderful journey ahead. One that involves digging through different racks of clothing that may or not fit your new style, finding random knick-knacks that youāre not sure why people bought in the first place and learning that some people donate designer clothing just because they can. Itās such a weird place, trust me.
Thrift shopping is such an underrated hobby, and itās one that I hope more people would consider. I wish you luck on your new adventure ahead, friend!
