The Nevada Sagebrush

Thrifting tips for the serious shopper

Monday, November 2, 2009 - 11:16 PM

Shopping at thrift stores is a great way to save money and acquire unique clothing pieces, but sifting through tons of junk to find those diamond-in-the-rough pieces can be a daunting task. These tips will help you make the most of your journey to consignment stores and walk away with thrifty gold.

Enjolie Esteve

The first step to a successful day of thrifting is planning. Many thrift stores, such as Savers, have special sale days on certain items that shave down prices on already dirt-cheap things. Take advantage of these sale days.

Noting new stock delivery days is also a necessary step of preparation to take. Shopping on the morning of new shipments ensures that you are getting the crème de la crème of bargain items. Shopping on non new-shipment days is not as beneficial because the greatest bargains and steals to be found, such as a vintage Oscar de la Renta silk scarf for only $5, have already been snatched up by other bargain shopping vultures.

Those who refuse to acknowledge shopping as a form of exercise clearly have never spent three grueling hours sorting through hundreds of pairs of stained, torn and passé mom jeans in order to find the perfect pair. This brings me to my next point. Since thrift stores get their donations from a vast variety of people, the clothing styles and sizes are very diverse. It can be intimidating going into a store with so many unique options, so the best thing to do is come up with an idea of what you want. Are you looking for a vintage floral silk blouse? A pair of high waist, dark wash jeans? This will allow you to skip over unnecessary, chaos-ridden clothing sections, thus leading to less stress.

Once you have an idea of what it is you are looking for, you can start getting your hands dirty by clawing through the seemingly never ending racks of clothes. It is important to realize that most of the time, you will have to go through a lot of trash before you find that “it” item that you want, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t find something right away.

Once something does catch your eye, there are a few steps you should take to investigate the item before falling in love with it. First and foremost, check the sizing of the item. This does not mean to simply check the size on the tag. Because many items in thrift stores are older and because sizing from different clothing companies can differ, it is important to try the item on, especially if the piece is vintage.

If the particular store you are in doesn’t offer dressing rooms, the next best thing is to measure the item with some measuring tape or a piece of your clothing to compare sizes. For example, if you are unable to try on a pair of jeans, measure the inseam of the leg and the waist of the pants to see if it is a match to your measurements or compare them to a pair of jeans you brought. Make sure to always bring measuring tape and a sample piece of clothing in case you need them.

After you establish whether or not the piece is a fit match for you, the next step is to excruciatingly study that piece of clothing in search of any faults, such as tears, holes or stains. Don’t fret if you do find a bit of damage on a piece of clothing, since it might be repairable.

Things like tiny holes or loose buttons can easily be fixed, but stay away from major wear and tear, such as excessive fading, stains or rips of the inseams. These damages will be difficult or impossible to repair and are not worth the hassle.

Another thing to keep in mind is the minor adjustments that can be made to an item to make it perfect for you. For example, don’t skimp out on a steal such as a vintage, navy blue Ralph Lauren blazer just because the sleeves are a bit too long or the waist is a bit too baggy. Tailoring pieces is very inexpensive and a great way to custom fit your new thrifted item to you.

Last but not least, make sure to bring cash with you, because some thrift stores don’t accept credit or debit cards. With these tips in tow, you too can find treasures in any thrift store. Happy hunting!

Enjolie Esteve can be reached at arts-entertainment@nevadasagebrush.com.