Tips

 Blouse: Thrift (Joshua Tree) Skirt: Thrift (Joshua Tree) Shoes: Jeffery Cambell

About 80% or more of my wardrobe is thrift, and I have had a ton of people asking how I find such great pieces at thrift shops. Over years of thrift shopping I have acquired a couple pointers that I have decided to share with you all. I have been meaning to do this for awhile, but work has been insane lately, and today I finally have a couple of minutes to compile a couple of tips I am planning on doing a longer list but this is just a sample:


#1 Seedy Neighborhoods always have the best selection. I figure it’s because they don’t know what they have or the people shopping at these locations aren’t looking for fashion forward clothing. Also many people think new is better so they will pick up the j.Crew sweater before the vintage Dior.

#2: Shop off of the beaten path. I have always found great pieces at thrift shops in obscure towns. It’s less picked over, and a lot of times the clothing is legitimately from a previous era (I.E. 60’s 70’s).

#3 When overwhelmed look for prints/fabrics that catch your eye. This makes it easier to sort through all of the clothing.

#4. If you find a great piece that isn’t your size, there a million things you can do to make it work. For instance, throw a cardigan over an over sized blouse. Belts are you best friend for clothing that doesn’t fit. You can use a belt for cinching in the waist. Or for creating a dress out of a blouse. Or simpye wrap one around a sweater to create a modern silhouette. Also, layering is your best friends in this situation.

#5.Hit the thrift shops like Goodwill or Salvation Army before you go to legitimate vintage stores. A lot of times vintage clothing shops are too overpriced and from my experience, many times the dresses aren’t actually vintage, they just buy a vintage fabric, and put on elastic wasteland and mark it vintage.

#6. Hit up swap meets. This is where many vintage shops get there inventory, and if you get it at the source it’s that much cheaper.

#7. Look up estate sales, especially if you are looking for unique jewelry.

#8: Think outside of the box, if you love the pleating on a pair of trousers but the rest of the pant is an awkward shape, feel free to create shorts. If you find a shirt with a beautiful neckline but the rest of it is horrendous, then make the neckline into a necklace. Also, mom jeans always look good when made into cut offs. There are infinite possibilities and it’s fun to experiment considering the clothing is so inexpensive, if you spend $3 on a shirt, its a bit easier to cut up than a $50 shirt, and you will have a custom piece made just for you!

I hope this helps!!!