Low prices, high style

From one-of-a-kind dresses to faded T-shirts, the thrift store offers an eclectic mix of unique and often inexpensive pieces to complement any wardrobe. But for every amazing find hours of work can be involved, navigating through disorganized racks and sifting through dozens of pieces of clothing. By following a few simple guidelines you can makes the process as enjoyable and profitable as possible:

1) Check ahead for store hours: One of the most common problems in thrift store shopping is arriving at the store just to find that it’s closed for the day. Most thrift and vintage stores are only open several times a week and often at odd hours. Make sure to check ahead for store hours, especially if it’s your first time shopping there.

2) Know your size ahead of time: Clothing sizes are extremely inconsistent at thrift stores. Remember many of these pieces were manufactured decades ago when sizing was done on a completely different scale. Many of the stores also don't have any fitting rooms, making it impossible to see how a piece fits until returning home. By knowing your sizing in either centimeters or inches beforehand, you can often save yourself the hassle of returning back to the store to make a return.

3) Be ready to look everywhere: Ruth McDowell, a Trinity sophomore and avid thrift store shopper, highlighted another obstacle in thrift store shopping: “Since they [items] aren’t arranged by size all the time, it’s hard to make sure you are getting something that fits.” Thrift stores are notorious for being extremely disorganized as a result of the inconsistent sizing. Many times, articles of clothing are hardly separated beyond tops and bottoms. Be ready to search through the entire store if you want to be sure not to overlook anything.

4) Keep texture and quality in mind: When looking at an article of clothing, the quality and texture of the material is often as important as the fit. Keep an eye out for any holes, rips, or stretched out material. Fabric texture is also important because, as Michelle Lee of the Untidy Museum says, “some things can be made into other things, like shirts into hats or bags.” If you’re in love with the material, but hate the cut, with a few alterations any article of clothing can be converted into a fashionable accessory.

5) Post-shopping: Make sure to clean all articles of clothing after purchase. T-shirts can usually just be thrown in the washing machine, but most pieces will need to be dry-cleaned.