Thrifting 101

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Since I've been having a really good thrifting streak lately, I thought it might be fun to compile a post of little tips and tricks I have learned throughout my thrifting adventures! There is something so gratifying when, after digging for hidden treasures, you discover something perfect - and that you had no idea existed in the first place!

I found two of these Strawberry Shortcake mugs at Goodwill for .49 cents each!

Find & Frequent
ALL of the thrift stores in your town! It is imperative that you explore as many as you can and frequent them... well, frequently! Thrift stores are getting new things almost everyday, and so the stock is in a constant state of changing - one day you might go and find absolutely nothing, and the next, you hit a jackpot! The Thrift Shopper was an incredible directory - just put in your zip code and it will show you a list of nearby stores!

Leave No Stone Unturned
Look through everything! Go through sheets, toys, records, books, clothing (including the mens and children sections!) - you never know what you might find! It is very time consuming, (and I am still guilty of skimming through things too quickly sometimes!) but chances are you will be rewarded for your hard work! One of my absolute favorite finds was a Disney's Cinderella soundtrack that I found in the very last stack of records there I looked through!

This adorable cheerleader-esque pinafore skirt was missing a button, so I replaced it with two red ones!

Be Open Minded
Found a shirt with an awful shape but brilliant fabric? Instead of wearing it as an actual shirt, why not use it for backdrops or repurpose it into something that you will love? That said, don't go overboard and overwhelm yourself! Try not to buy anything that is truly beyond repair.

Bring Hand Sanitizer
This one is pretty important for me! Bring hand sanitizer when doing your searching (you never know where some of those things have been!) and be sure to wash the clothing throughly before use!

My kitty Turnip investigating!

And now I have to ask: what are your thrifting tips? I want to hear them!
♡,
Kailey

38 comments:

  1. This is such a great post. I actually just started working at a thrift shop and it is so true, we are always putting out new stock throughout the day. I know where I am we have piles of bags full of donations upstairs that I work my way through so it's always good to keep checking back.

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  2. great finds, kailey! my only tip is to avoid weekend thrifting if possible. i need a lot of personal space and quiet to effectively thrift, and i find that weekend thrifters do not create a good environment for that. i have a monday through friday boring office job, so i just go right after work. that said, sometimes weekend thrifting is a reluctant necessity, so traveling to a more rural or less densely populated area helps! i feel there is less of a chance of someone having similar taste to you that way.

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  3. This post was perfect! I thrift nearly every other week and I've come to find that a lot of thrift stores don't have restrooms or dressing rooms to change in. Don't be afraid to try something on over your clothing! Believe it or not, but a lot of people do that. And since I mentioned restrooms, make sure you go pee before you leave the house. You don't want to be uncomfortable while shopping.

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    1. you are sooo right about the trying things on over your clothing! People totally do that! I was a bit surprised at first- but not i'm used to it!

      Also- i have had some very bad experiences when I went out to re-sale shop and could not find a bathroom! Good advice- GO BEFORE, and don't drink anything during!

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  4. congrats on teen vogue! i love this post, everyone needs thrifting tips! my tip would be to shop at the stores in the suburbs, the ones in the cities are always picked over and more expensive!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbit.blogspot.com

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  5. Such great finds! I love the Strawberry Shortcake cups!

    Congrats on being a part of Teen Vogue's feature!

    xoxo,
    Laura
    http://lauraisthriftingthroughlife.blogspot.com/

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  6. These are great tips and thanks so much for mentioning the hand sanitizer! I have one attached to my daily bag so it's always on me!

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  7. my thirfting tip is to always try things on (if you can). i've found plenty of cute things but then realize they look atrocious on, haha!
    ~niki <3
    http://youngandimmortal.blogspot.com/

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  8. I had no clue that website existed, thank you!! =D I can show my mom new places to haunt now!
    Also a tip from me for clothes shopping: Bring a tape measure/know your size in older clothing. I've found out in most older clothes, I'm a size 12/16! One place I frequent doesn't have changing rooms, so if I see something I like; say a skirt, I'll measure the waist. If it matches my waist size, it's coming home with me!

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  9. congratulations for being featured in Teen Vogue!!!You really deserve it and your style is a great inspiration for everyone!Great finds,I'd like to have that blue pinafore and the white shoes and all the other things are too cute: I always loved Strawberry shortcake!
    xxxx

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  10. Oi, what great finds! And investigating cats are always a winner!
    -Kati

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  11. Great tips!! Thrifting is one of my favorite things to do.

    <3 Melissa
    wildflwrchild.blogspot.com

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  12. Awesome tips! I love thrifting :)
    -Tori
    www.fashiontrendsmore.com

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  13. This post is BRILLIANT!!!!! and congratulations on teen vogue!! you are more than worthy!!!

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  14. Great tips!

    I just think you should never overlook the children's section! I've found some amazing gems there! And also check out the craft supplies and jewellery thats often hidden away in the counters

    Congrats on Teen Vogue - you really deserve it!

    x

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  15. Great tips! I always search through every section in the store, especially the ones that don't have a particularly tidy layout, you never know where you might find a gem! :)

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  16. yay, honestly, my head is empty today. i'm to tired to think. uh, so many lovely stuff and congrats in teenvogue <3!!!
    http://coeursdefoxes.blogspot.com/

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  17. Ah, what beautiful finds! The original Strawberry is the cutest :D Love the pink dance shoes too. Great style, girl, no wonder the feature! ;)

    http://kiddotv.blogspot.com

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  18. Wow, what great finds! All sweet deals too! Such a great suggestion, I'll have to remember to keep hand sanitzer handy when I go thrifting.

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  19. I love thrift stores,we've always supported and used them in our family. You've covered most of the really helpful tips. I would say also to go often and frequent different ones because they can be so different from one thrift store to another. Sometimes you have to be open minded and really see the potential of an item. It also really helps to really know your style because it'll make seeing the potential of items MUCH easier. Be adventurous too, something may look a little "out there", but paired with the right modern item that you already own could make the perfect outfit. I missed out on the most amazing leopard print blouse once because my mom didn't think it was me, even though I knew I would wear the heck out of it, haha. Finally, if you don't already, start a style inspiration board or notebook (whatever works for you) so that you always know what you're looking for, you know? Great post!

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    1. Thank you so much Elle for your sweet comments and sharing these wonderful tips! <3

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  20. ohhh, SOOO jealous of your strawberry shortcake mug finds!! i want them!!! too cool :)

    i definitely agree with above about knowing your style. sometimes going into a huge store with a lot of inexpensive things can be overwhelming...

    nice post :) hope you enjoy your weekend, dear!

    xox, amber

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  21. LOVE LOVE LOVE the strawberry shortcake cups and game..super cute.
    Heathersthriftycloset.blogspot.com

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  22. Oh gosh those Strawberry Shortake mugs are amazing! What a great find! I scored the most beautiful teaset at an op-shop recenty. It's a six piece set and came with teacups, saucers and dessert plates! I can't wait to use it.

    Lou x

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  23. Love those Strawberry Shortcake mugs!! And I agree with all of your thrifting tips, especially hand sanitizer :) That's a must!

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  24. Mentioned this post in my recent Thriftpics!

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  25. I love this post Kailey! I always feel like I left the thrift store feeling like I'm COVERED in dust mites! I had to give up thrifting for a while, its a slippery slope! It can quickly turn for fun to OBSESSION haha! I'm taking a thrifting hiatus to bring the fun back into it ;)

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  26. Great tips, I always get frustrated whenever I go thrifting...maybe I need to find a better one. I love Ms. Strawberry Shortcake though!

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  27. I love it! it's all so sweet! ...
    : 3 kisses!

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  28. These are great tips! Hand sanitizer is the best - you never know where vintage/used items have been.

    Congrats on being featured in Teen Vogue. That's HUGE!

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  29. Why I have only just discovered your blog I have no idea.

    But I have discovered you now and I am following!

    Love your stlye :) It's nice to find people with similar style to me!

    Much Love

    Tanya @ What-Tanya-Did.blogspot.co.uk

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  30. great tips, especially being open minded. a lot of people i know who say they never find anything while thrifting i tell them to try and picture something they're not sure about outside the shop and in their wardrobe and to think about what they could wear it with or what else they could do with it if it's not in wearable condition. things can look awful when you lump them in with all the crap in an op-shop but when you think outside the box they turn into something wonderful!

    littlehenrylee

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  31. Nice tips!I love thrifting!Sometime it's a bit exhausting but finding something beautiful is so rewarding!xx

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  32. these liitle things are so cute!!!!

    http://www.frenchinlosangeles.com/

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  33. This is a really good guide! Definitely going to keep it in mind next time though I have the eternal problem of not being able to frequent as frequently as I'd like. I have a friend who is an AMAZING thrifter, I seriously don't know how she does it because she goes so fast but finds the most amazing stuff. The only thrifting tip I can think of that really helps me is to know what you're looking for. It does sort of contradict the idea of an op shop because you really don't know what you'll find but sometimes that can seem overwhelming! Also because they're often so cheap if I don't have a list I can fall into the trap of buying lots of little things that add up to a whole lot...
    By the way, I nominated you for two blogging awards on my blog if you want to check them out!

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  34. My Goodwills are horrible...they never have any cool vintage items! I love the Strawberry shortcake cup!! So adorable! =)

    Ergo - Blog

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  35. Those pretty white shoes are amazing!!

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  36. My tip for all of you thirfters is to bring some allergy medicine with you. If you are like me (allergic to dust and cats) thrift stores can be a trap. They promise wonderful finds but then make you sick!
    So, bring allergy medicine or take some before you thrift :)
    Also be sure to wash your clothes well to get out the previous owners dust or animal hairs.

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