Thrifting is a fun and easy way to approach your wardrobe mindfully and sustainably without sacrificing style. It’s also budget-friendly. But when you’re a beginner, thrifting can be super daunting. That’s why I had three experts share their top thrifting tips to get you started.
Thrifting requires different strategies than shopping online. Clicking around on a website is a lot easier than going through rack upon rack of clothing in person. But that’s one of the best—and most rewarding—parts of thrifting: It’s a challenge, and you never know what you’re going to spot on.
I reached out to some thrifting pros to find out how they approach shopping at the thrift shops in Lebanon, TN. When you use their thrifting tips, you’re bound to have a great experience.
The Best Thrifting Tips, According to the Pros
Tip 1: Research and Shop Local
If you’re new to thrifting, Tyler Chanel of Thrifts and Tangles says to start off by finding fan-favorite thrift stores. “Do a quick Yelp search or Google search to find the top-ranked thrift stores in your area,” she says. “If you’re new to thrifting, these thrift stores are typically more organized and easier to navigate.” By visiting a locally-owned thrift store, you’re also supporting your neighbors and putting money back into your community.
Tip 2: Start a “Thrift Wishlist”
Trish from Trish Stitched recommends creating a “thrift Wishlist” filled with inspiration from your favorite websites and fashion bloggers. Create a board on Pinterest, or a mood board to hang on your wall. That way, anytime you’re out thrifting, you can keep an eye out for specific items you already know you’ll love. That also ensures you’re not overconsuming and only bringing home things you need.
Tip 3: Become a Regular
If you’re often left discouraged after thrifting, you’re probably just not going enough. Dina Younis of Dina’s Days says her biggest piece of advice is becoming a regular at your local thrift stores. “Go often. Stock changes daily—multiple times a day,” she says. “But that’s not the only reason why you should go often. Going often helps you become more comfortable navigating a thrift store, too.”
That’s right: Thrifting is a skill. Like a muscle, you need to repeatedly work it to watch it grow. While you’re there, take your time scanning through the items and you’re bound to find something that catches you eye. Before you know it, you’ll be going home with the thrift finds of your dreams.
With fashion weeks taking place around the world, fashionistas everywhere wait to see what trends will pop up this season. However, the question that has been looming over these events year after year is: how sustainable is the clothing industry? In this blog, I’ll discuss sustainable fashion and how you can make a difference with what you choose to put in your wardrobe.
What is Sustainable Fashion?
To be sustainable, is to be long-lasting and durable. “Fast fashion” a term used to dub brands like Forever 21 and Primark, sell cheaply-made clothes that are only meant to last one season. What’s more, the small cost of the garments to the customer is often at the expense of the wage and working conditions of the sewers.
Sustainable fashion does not only concern itself with the quality of fabric, but also with the ecological integrity and environmental factors that surround its manufacturing.
Of course, it is important to note that it is a privilege to be able to be sustainable. Eco-friendly brands are often expensive and inaccessible to lower-income individuals and families. However, I do have some tips and tricks for anyone who wants to make more conscious decisions about their shopping choices.
How Can You Be More Sustainable?
Shop Locally
Not only does shopping locally mean supporting your community, it also can stand your fashion out from the crowd. Research boutiques in your area and see if they have any items that catch your eye.
Thrift Stores/Charity Shops
This is a great option for people on a budget. While it does take a bit of sifting to strike gold, thrift shops in Destin, FL are a great place to refresh your closet and continue the cycle of sustainable fashion. What’s more, you can use your shopping trip as an opportunity to donate any clothes that you no longer wear! Have something that doesn’t quite fit? If you have the extra dough, or the sewing skills, you can always get a garment tailored.
The Wearability Test
Sometimes, we can’t help but be sucked into a good deal. If this is the case, first try to do your research on the brand and their ethics. Then, ask yourself if you’d wear the item more than 30 times? If the answer is yes — you’ve just upgraded your wardrobe. But if it’s no, maybe it’s best not to invest in this piece of clothing just yet.
Take Care of the Clothes You Do Buy
The tag on your t-shirt is there for a reason: to give you instructions on how it should be washed and cared for. Well-kept clothes will last longer and can be staples in your closet for years and years!
Consider Making Your Own Fashion
You don’t have to make a ball gown right away, but designing and creating your own clothes is a great way to ensure sustainability. With mask mandates still in effect, manufacturing your own reusable masks is a great way to look fashionable while also reducing the amount of waste that litters our environment!
Remember a little choice can go a long way, and every conscientious decision helps!
Out with the old and in with the new! It is time to declutter your home for the new year! Deciding what items should be kept and what needs to be donated is challenging with so many rooms.
CREATE A PURPOSEFUL ENTRYWAY
Since the entryway is the first thing people see when they walk into your door, make a great first impression. Often this space ends up becoming a piling ground for everyday items. Create a useful entryway by removing unnecessary items and using storage containers. Here is a list of items to declutter from this space:
Unworn shoes
Extra coats and jackets
Umbrellas
Unused tote bags
Piled mail
Seasonal items
DECLUTTER YOUR LIVING ROOM BOOKSHELVES AND COFFEE TABLES
Living rooms are one of the most versatile rooms. They can be used as offices, entertainment and playrooms. This causes extra items to pile up and cause clutter. To keep a space clean and functional, remove unnecessary items and donate them to a thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL. Check out some things to declutter from your living space:
Unwatched movies
Books
Old magazines
Kids toys
Extra blankets
Unfunctional furniture
Lamps
Outdated pillows
Decor
MINIMIZE YOUR COOKWARE
One of the tips to declutter your home is to tackle your cluttered kitchen cabinets. As the year went by, you probably threw things in it without thinking about it and winded up with multiple items. Maximize your kitchen space by removing items that are the same, no longer used or mismatched. These are some items to remove from your cabinets or pantry:
Unused small kitchen appliances
Extra tupperware
Kitchen gadgets
Used baking ware
Outdated kitchen decor
Coffee mugs and cups
Utensils
Unopened cookbooks
FRESHEN UP THE BATHROOM
One of the most important tips to declutter your home is not to forget your bathroom! Organizing your bathroom can save you time and frustration. The bathroom can end up accumulating extra stuff that has no purpose in there. Create a functional bathroom by sorting out all the unnecessary items into a donate or toss box. Here is a list of things to declutter from your bathroom:
Extra towels
Expired makeup and locations
Hair accessories
Unused beauty appliances
Decor items that do not fit your style
CLEAN OUT THE CLOSETS
The closets in your home can get jam packed with clothing that was bought and never worn. Make extra room for all the new clothes that you plan to buy for yourself or family members by removing unused clothes. Start by removing these items from your closet:
Estate sales are a convenient way to sell large amounts of items in a small period of time. However, planning one is not a walk in the park. There is a lot to consider, like what items will be on sale, which days will you hold it, who will host it and what happens to estate sale leftovers?
WHAT IS AN ESTATE SALE?
Estate sales are a way to sell all or most of the home’s items. These sales usually last between two to three days. Think of this sale as a large yard or garage sale.
People tend to hold estate sales before a move, when a family member dies, divorce, bankruptcy or downsizing. The profits of an estate sale usually go to the owners, banks, charities or family members of the deceased.
HOW DOES AN ESTATE SALE WORK
The first step to hosting an estate sale is choosing the location. Will you host it in your house or a family member’s property? This sale can be hosted by yourself, family members or a company you hired. Next, you need to decide which items you are going to sell, price the items and take inventory of them.
On the day of the estate, give people a number to come into the property. Limiting the number of people avoids overcrowding and allows you to help the people better. Once people are inside the property, they can browse and shop.
If they find items they want to purchase, they must carry items until they are ready to pay. For things that are too large to hold, customers will let you know they want to buy them, so you can mark them as sold.
People can also place bids on items that they do not want to pay the marked price on. Bids are placed at the end of the sale. However, items can be sold if people are willing to pay a marked price.
WHAT HAPPENS TO ESTATE SALE LEFTOVERS
You can toss or recycle items
When sorting through your estate sale leftovers, ask yourself if the items work or if you should gift them? If you say, no to both questions, then toss or recycle items. You should only toss items that are not recyclable. Tossing items in landfills, like appliances and electronics, are harmful to the environment. Check your local recycling center to see which items they accept.
You schedule a donation pick up
If you did find items that are worth donating to a thrift store, schedule a donation pick up from thrift shop in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. This service is available by certain thrift stores. It saves you the time having to rent a truck to take items to donation bins. Before scheduling your donation pick up, make sure all items are packed and bagged. That will make it easier for donation drivers to load items. Also, be sure to check to see which items are accepted by thrift stores.
Did you know that August is Back-to-School Month? This whole month is dedicated to preparing kids, parents and teachers for the new school year. This process includes meeting teachers and tackling that shopping list.
When shopping for back-to-school this year, do not forget about the value that thrift shops in Santa Rosa Beach, FL can offer. Here is why you should do back-to-school shopping at thrift stores and what items you can find there.
WHY SHOULD YOU BACK-TO-SCHOOL SHOP AT THRIFT STORES?
Back-to-school shopping can be expensive, especially if you have a few kids returning to school. The good news is that thrift stores can help you save money and still get high-quality items. These kinds of stores have affordable prices and even offer special sales. You can even find high-quality items that will withstand whatever your kids are doing at school.
Another reason to thrift back-to-school essentials is to help save the environment. Your kids outgrow clothes very quickly. That means your kids might only get a couple of months of wear out of their clothes before having to buy new ones. Thrift stores allow you to donate your kids’ clothes and buy new ones. Donating instead of tossing unwanted clothes helps reduce textile waste and the demand for new clothes.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL ITEMS YOU CAN FIND AT THRIFT STORES
Clothing
Kids grow fast, which means there is a high chance your kids’ clothes from last year will no longer fit them. Buying your kid a whole new wardrobe for school can be expensive, instead of paying full price for clothes that their kids will outgrow in a year, thrift them.
Thrift stores Independence Missouri locations carry a full range of kids’ clothes. These stores have clothes for everyone, from the tiny preschooler to the graduating senior. Here is a list of clothing you can find at thrift stores:
Jeans
T-shirts
Sweaters
Hoodies
Jackets
Shorts
Skirts
Dresses
Shoes
Just as fast as kids grow out of their clothes, they can also outgrow their shoes. Kids need to have shoes that fit them correctly otherwise, this will cause discomfort, poor development or foot problems. Buying a new pair of shoes can also be expensive.
The good news is thrift stores carry kids’ shoes at an affordable price. They have comfy tennis shoes for everyday wear, flats for picture day and even boots for those chilly autumn days. Do not forget to also bring in those pairs of shoes that no longer fit your kid.
Books
Reading is an important part of a kid’s development, especially if they are just learning. It takes a lot of practice for them to develop this skill. That is why experts recommend that your kids spend at least 20 minutes a day reading. To keep your kids excited about reading, you need more books. You can find lots of affordable books at thrift stores. They have books for all reading levels.
Desks
Whether your kid is doing remote schooling or going to a classroom, they will need somewhere to do their homework. Creating a workspace for your kid will help them stay focused and increase their productivity. If your kid does not have their space, create one for them with thrifted furniture. Thrift stores carry inexpensive pieces of furniture like tables, desks and chairs you can use to create a workspace.
You can never have too many purses! They come in all sizes, colors and styles to complete your outfit and help you carry everything. Although they are an essential part of some people’s wardrobe, they can be a tad pricey – especially those designer bags.
If you love the designer look but not the price, head to thrift shops in Santa Rosa Beach, FL. Here I will share why thrifting designer bags are beneficial for your wallet and environment.
WHY SHOULD YOU BUY BAGS SECOND HAND?
Buying handbags second hand not only saves you money but also the environment. Whether you decide to purchase a brand new genuine leather or nylon purse, it affects the environment. The fashion industry is considered to be the second-largest polluter, only being surpassed by the oil industry.
To make one genuine leather bag requires cattle. These animals are raised in mass ranches that take many natural resources – like water and land. Many trees are cleared to make room for pastures. Removing trees leaves many other animals without natural habitats.
One of the trending bags right now is bags made out of nylon. Although they are very cute and trendy, these bags have negative impacts on the environment. First off, nylon is a non-biodegradable material – this means that if these bags are tossed, they can remain in landfills forever.
Secondly, nylon releases microplastics into the oceans when they are washed. Once in the sea, tiny aquatic creatures may ingest them. This can lead to microplastics making their way through the food chain and reaching us humans.
By thrifting designer bags, you are helping reduce the demand for new products and reducing pollution into the environment.
THRIFTING DESIGNER HANDBAGS TIPS
Check current trends
The good thing about trends is that they always make a return. Thrift stores have handbags from all decades and styles. Not sure what is trending? Draw inspiration from social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
Know the classics
If you are not looking for trendy pieces, look for purses with classic designs. These kinds of handbags will always be in style, no matter the trend. How do you know which purses are classic? Look at the design of iconic designer bags that are always in style. Some of the most popular handbags of all time are:
Louis Vuitton Speedy
Chanel 2.55
Hermes Birkin
Celine Luggage
Lady Dior
Balenciaga City
Search for high-quality materials
When thrifting for handbags, be sure to look at the material of it. If you want a handbag that will look good for years, look for one made out of genuine leather. To find bags made out of leather, check the tags and know the look of leather. Genuine leather handbags will have slightly uneven stitching. Fake leather will have seamless stitching.
Inspect the handbag
If you find a bag that you love at a thrift store, inspect it for damage. You want to check to see if it has any scratches, marks, broken pieces or missing parts. You can then decide if the bag is worth the purchase.
Everyone needs a little help once in a while, especially when things start to pile up and life gets more stressful. A common stressor that many people deal with is taking care of their homes—a task that can fall by the wayside when other matters come up. If you decide to help a good friend or family member clean up their home, you certainly understand the meaning of kindness. Whether it’s a small amount of help or you need to step in for someone struggling with hoarding tendencies, here’s how to best help a friend declutter their home.
Ask the Right Questions
It’s important to remember that you are there to help your friend, not dictate what they need to do. Asking the right questions can help you understand what your friend’s goals are for decluttering. The right questions can also help them see that they don’t need to keep everything. Here are a few questions to keep in mind:
When was the last time you used this?
Do you need more than one of these?
Does this have special significance to you?
Would you really miss this item if it were gone?
Present Multiple Options
Everyone works differently, especially when it comes to maintaining their own house. Again, if you want to help a friend declutter their home, it’s best to do it in the method they would prefer. Maybe they want to get everything out in the open before they start going through everything. Maybe they would prefer to go section by section. Tell them you’re ready for however they would prefer to declutter and that you’ll be there no matter what.
Have Disposal Plans
Knowing what to do with all the extra junk is half the battle. You can toss items in the trash if they are broken, not useful in any way and only take up space. However, don’t discount everything right away. You might find a valuable they would wish to sell rather than throw away. A lot of things that people want to get rid of, especially things like clothes or household items, make great donations for others to use.
Don’t Push Past Too Many Limits
Decluttering can be both physically and mentally draining. Especially if your friend has a serious problem with clutter, they may not be able to start right away. There’s nothing wrong with pushing them to go a little further than they want to initially, but they might be flat out uncomfortable with going past a certain point. Make sure to understand these boundaries as you help clean up. Keep in mind that although it may be stressful at first, they will feel so much better after they get their home in order.
You helped out a friend with decluttering and now you have lots of stuff for donations, the thrift stores in Santa Rosa Beach, FL will gladly accept the gently used items to help those in need and to benefit their charity partners. You can improve your friend’s life by decluttering and help someone else with your donation in the process.
The heat is on its way, and unfortunately, not everyone can handle it equally. With summer rearing its head towards us, it’s time to consider those whose struggles don’t stop when the weather gets nicer. Donations are a huge help in making sure that those who have trouble getting what they need are taken care of. I am going to go over some of the most useful items to donate in the summer so you can start to gather up your donations.
Although some of these items are needed all year round, there are a few special items that could benefit someone in the summer. It’s good to have a stock of items like these so shelters don’t run out of them halfway through the season.
Toiletries
Definitely a category of items that would be useful to donate all throughout the year, we can’t forget how important certain toiletries are to our daily lives and how some people have to go without them. Things such as deodorants, dental care products, feminine hygiene products, and more are all sorely needed. These kinds of items are the perfect thing to pick up on sale so you can get extras for cheap. When you need to restock, go that one step further and pick up an extra for someone who maybe can’t afford it right now.
Socks and Undergarments
Just because someone is down on their luck doesn’t mean they deserve to be uncomfortable. In a lot of places, socks and undergarments are some of the most requested items because of how essential they are to daily living. With the summer comes heat, and with heat comes sweat that can make people burn through clothing much quicker than normal. Remember that if you want to donate items like socks and undergarments, they need to be brand-new and in their original packaging. You can donate a lot of items used, but these two things specifically should be in mint condition for sanitary purposes.
Transportation
Something that a lot of people don’t consider is how difficult it can be to pick yourself back up when you can’t get anywhere. Whether you need to get to a faraway job, travel to an interview, or just go to the grocery store, transportation is just one more thing a lot of us take for granted. You obviously don’t need to go out and buy another car, but it’s possible you have another mode of transportation that someone could use. Bicycles and scooters can make such a big difference to someone’s life, even if those items are a bit aged. Having a reliable way to get around can have a huge impact.
School Supplies
Not many people think of school in the summer, but the break only lasts so long. Many schools rely on donations to have the supplies they need to teach children come fall. It’s never too early to pick up some extra school supplies and donate them to a school near you, especially when they’re on sale. The earlier these schools receive these donations, the earlier they can make their budgets for the year, so it does help to donate early.
Warm Weather Clothing
Some of the most useful items to donate in the summer are warm weather clothes. Just like how people need thick jackets and blankets in the winter, people without shelter need to be able to handle the heat. Whether you’re cleaning out your closet or perusing a thrift store, keep an eye out for breathable clothing suitable for the intense heat. Your donation could save someone a lot of misery when they can’t find a place to stay. Always remember to check old clothing for quality before you donate it. Clothing with rips or holes in it won’t be very useful to anybody.
Sunscreen
Another essential item for people lacking proper shelter in the summer is good sunscreen. High SPF sunscreen can go a long way towards not just keeping someone safe in the summer, but keeping them healthy as well. Sun exposure is a problem for people without a place to retreat to. Try to imagine if you had to be outside all day long in the sun without sunscreen, and you’ll probably understand why this is a useful item to donate.
First-Aid Equipment
First-aid equipment isn’t only needed in the summertime, but it’s obviously always a useful item to donate. People impacted by homelessness often don’t have a lot of options for medical care. Even simple items like bandages and disinfectants are things that we always seem to have on hand, but we never consider how bad it would be if we needed them and didn’t have them. Any first-aid equipment that you plan to donate should be completely sealed in its original packaging if you want it to actually find its way to someone in need.
Boxes and Bags
For people that lack a concrete place to live or stay, they are often on the move a lot of the time. This requires them to have a way to transport their important items from place to place safely. Sturdy boxes and quality bags can be quite useful to these people that need to travel around a lot. Certain places will take boxes and bags off your hands and repurpose them for people who need the extra storage space.
Non-Perishable Food
Especially in the summer, food can go bad very quickly if it’s not kept at the proper temperature. That’s why it’s so important that we donate non-perishable food items. Food that doesn’t need a refrigerator or freezer will be much more useful to someone who doesn’t have those things. The longer the shelf life, the better for these items. Much of this food goes to local food banks that need to be able to store products for a long time. If you really want to go the extra mile, try to donate food that has more nutritional value than your average canned item.
When you need a donation pick-up service that’s fast and efficient, thrift store in Santa Rosa Beach, FL is the option to opt for. They’ll gladly come to pick up your donations whenever it’s convenient for you.
We’re all guilty of hanging onto clothes that we don’t need anymore. Whether it’s for sentimental purposes or if we’re just not that good at letting go of anything, our closets can quickly start to get out of control unless we change something. How do you know which clothes are the right ones to let go of and which ones you should hang onto? To help you out, we’ll go over a few signs that you should donate your clothes so that you can feel okay about giving them up.
You Haven’t Worn Them in Over a Year
Let’s face it—if an entire year goes by and you haven’t put something on once, you’re not waiting for the right time to wear it. You just don’t want to wear that piece of clothing anymore. All clothing articles like this do is take up space and collect dust when they could be out in the world serving someone else. If it’s hard to remember the last time you put something on, you probably won’t miss it once you donate it.
They No Longer Fit You
It’s pretty common for people to have clothes that they keep as a sort of aspiration. Maybe one day you’ll wear that shirt again, right? The truth is that it’s not going to do anything more than make you feel bad about yourself. Whether you’ve lost or gained weight, you don’t need to hang onto your old clothes that don’t fit anymore.
Your Style Has Changed
Everyone goes through phases with their sense of fashion. It’s normal to think that something you once wore doesn’t work for you anymore. However, just because you’ve grown out of it stylistically doesn’t mean that piece of clothing needs to go in the garbage. Every style has a place somewhere. So, an article that doesn’t work for you could be the exact thing someone else needs to complete their outfits.
Your Stage of Life Changed
A good sign that you should donate your clothes is when you enter a new stage of life, and your old outfits become unsuitable for you as a result. Maybe you received a promotion and need more professional clothing and less casual clothing. Perhaps you don’t go out to clubs and bars much anymore and don’t need your old party clothes. There’s nothing wrong with moving forward and developing as a person. Therefore, you should remember that you don’t need to cling too tightly to the past.
When it comes to thrifting, the possibilities are endless! Whether you’re on the hunt for some art to spice up your home or the perfect summer dress for that backyard barbecue, there’s always something to find. Department store shopping can get expensive and extremely time consuming, so thrifting is a great alternative. What better way to be budget-friendly as well as environmentally friendly than to stop by your local thrift store?
Upcycling
Upcycling is one of many ways to up your thrift game. Upcycling is essentially turning an item into something new. So, if you see something you don’t absolutely love, you can always create something fresh and new with it. I always suggest upcycling clothing, whether you turn an old pair of jeans into a unique dress or trendy fabric into a T-shirt. There are so many ways to completely change a piece.
Another great way you can upcycle your thrift store finds is with furniture. You can easily repaint and polish an old TV stand into a rustic end table that can revive your entire space. The great thing about upcycling is that everything you create is one of a kind!
DIYing
Let’s talk DIYing! There’s quite a large number of items you can DIY, including clothes, home décor, tables, and much more! Whether you’re seeking farmhouse or modern touches to add to your home, thrift stores has something to match everybody’s vibe. Looking for a stylish décor basket for your living room but don’t want to break the bank?
It’s possible! All you need is a trip to the thrift stores in Panama City Beach, FL to find the perfect basket; then, you can spray-paint it whatever color you wish. As you’ll quickly learn, spray paint will become your best friend when it comes to DIYing secondhand items.
Another great DIY option is transforming thrift store canisters into pottery or pots for plants. This hack is perfect for a summertime yard spruce-up. DIYing thrifted items is always affordable AND fun!
Repurposing
Did you know you can repurpose preloved clothing into baby clothes and even reusable bags? Who would’ve thought! Repurposing is simply reusing an item for a different purpose. There are endless possibilities when it comes to repurposing, especially because you can do it with just about anything!
If you have something lying around the house that you’re thinking of getting rid of, the majority of the time, you can find a new purpose for it. Some great ways to repurpose include turning picture frames into wall art or even turning an old cutting board into a decorative tray for your kitchen or living room.
Have an old ladder lying around? Turn it into wall décor to put frames, plants, or signs on. This trick is great for smaller spaces. All these items need are a bit of love and effort—they can make the biggest difference!
Steve Clark 