Tuesday, February 7, 2012

"Thrifting 101"


As you all know I am a  huge thrifter!!! Thrift and consignment stores are actually my favorite places to shop because of the unique, vintage style pieces, and treasures you find. I often get emails and questions about how to thrift and where I go, so I decided to do a post to give some pointers. Hopefully they will be helpful to the new and veteran thrifters out there.
  • Start your thrifting day on a full stomach and positive attitude - Thrifting takes patience and time, so if your hungry, or have a million other things on your mind, you will most certainly cut your visit short and the entire process will make you more irritable.
  • Be Patient- You will have to comb through racks, deal with the "thrift smell", children, customers, and other thrifters in the aisle. I sometimes bring my IPOD just to tune things out, but most of the time I am in such "treasure finding zone" that none of the above affect me.
  • Start on the perimeter and work your way in-  (i.e. jewelry, belts, dresses, coats, then move your way to blouses, pants, etc). These racks usually have the most stuff, so it will take you longer to search through.
  • Expedite going through racks by focusing  on cute patterns and skipping sleeveless items.
  • Wear comfortable shoes and clothing- I usually wear stretch pants and an oversize button down with a tank underneath. Many stores don't have dressing rooms , so this makes it easier to slip things on and off to see if they fit or not.
  • Look for "potential pieces"- Many times I "remix" an item that I find to make it look less "old fashioned" or make it funkier.  **Make long dresses into minis or dipped hem dresses, change buttons, cut sweaters to make them off the shoulder, change the sleeves to make them capped. These are all things I have done to pieces. Be creative!** Don't be alarmed , all I can do when it comes to sewing is change buttons. I have found a very reasonable alterations person here that makes my visions come alive. Heck if you spend $2 to $6 on a dress, I don't mind paying $12 to make changes.
I hope this information was helpful. Please feel free to comment or email me if you have additional questions. I actually went to the thrift store after work on Friday. I found two dresses, a jumpsuit and a pair of jeans all for about $21.00 I will take pictures of these items, and how I styled them and post them tomorrow!

God Bless xoxoxoxo

14 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing these tips! I find thrifting to be so much fun! I love looking for treasured items as well. Sometimes I get overwhelmed, though. I need to remember to start on the perimeter and work my way in!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Let me add one:
    Always, always, go alone! LOL! You're friends can be a distraction. You may find yourself looking to them for confirmation when in fact, you have your OWN style. And worse case, you want to have all the goodies for yourself!
    Nykki

    ReplyDelete
  3. Omg Nykki!!! You are so right!!!! That should've been number 1......lol. I don't know how I left that one out!!!LOL

    @Ms. Dre starting on the outside will definitely help u not get so overwhelmed, but there are days that I go and still get overwhelmed, that's just thrifting...lol

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love this. I buy cute buttons and take something like a sweater or jacket into a blazer for a more dressy look. I have also added elastic to sleeves and make the puffy instead of oversized butterfly sleeves....Those of you who have UNIQUE thrift Stores by you, should also take advantage. (Unique is the name of the chain. They are in many states so Google and see if you have one.)
    I have Michael Kors and Issac Mizrahi items for 6 and 8 dollars.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post! Do you go to swap meets as well? I've been wanting to try a few out, but didn't think the quality would be the best...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I was thinking the same thing about swap meets as well, so no I don't. I would probably do a flea market though,

      Delete
  6. Great Tips!! So where abouts in ATL are the best Thrift/Consignment shops? I've gone to Little Five and tried Goodwill/Value Village and such but which are the must hit stores in the Metro ATL area?

    Thanks in advance...love your blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the love. I do Value Villages and Goodwills as well in the metro area and I also go to the ones in Clayton County when I have a break in between clients. As far as Consignment there is Poor Little Rich Girl, The Lucky Exchange, and Recycled Couture that I go to.

      Delete
  7. THANK YOU SO MUCH! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks so much for this post! I saw your part 2 post before this one. This post is the one that really gave me the encouragement to go out there and try something new. I went to a thrift store in my neighborhood today and got like 6 great pieces of clothing for like $18! I'm glad I listened to you--Im totally sold! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your so welcome!!! I am so happy that you lucked up on your first thrifting experience, that's great!!

      Delete
  9. I started following your blog after you were featured on fashion bomb daily. I must say I love your quirky style. After reading thrifting 101 I decided to do a trial run at my local thrift store and came away with barely used, short black uggs for $13!
    Thanks for the tips!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great Post! Don't forget to add various thrift stores have discount days, so for those newbies who may be weary, the discount day may act as an incentive to at least take a peak. It does for me, bout to hit the Salvation Army up right now for 50% off. Luv you cuz and so proud of ya.

    ReplyDelete