20+ Tips to Thrift Like A Pro!

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Everyone that knows me knows that I love thrift shopping! In fact, most of my wardrobe is thrifted, and I always donate my old clothes back to a thrift store or sell them here. But, you can’t just waltz into a thrift store and find hundreds of amazing gems all the time. There is a serious art to thrifting. And if you’re one of those people who can never find anything good at the thrift store, you’re in the right place! Here are 20+ tips to thrift like a pro!

1. Go with the right mindset.

When thrifting, mindset is everything. I always plan my thrifting trips with a positive mindset, such as “I might find something special today”. But, I also know that I may spend hours in one store and find nothing. That’s okay, too. Part of thrifting is being okay with walking out of a store empty-handed. Another part of thrifting is entering the store on a mission. My mom (who I learned all of my thrifting habits from) says that it’s an extreme sport. Upon entering the store, we know it could be hours and we could be sweating by the end. And guess what? That’s part of the fun! You could even find some amazing treasures along the way!

2. Go at the right time.

Personally, I like to go everywhere when at the start of business hours because I’m an introvert who finds great pleasure in avoiding crowds. But when it comes to thrifting, it’s even more important to go early. If you go at lunchtime or later, you will be competing to find all the good stuff. And if you go at the end of the day, all the good stuff is gonna be gone! So, I make sure to get there bright and early. When possible, you can even ask the store associates what day/time they put out new items. Sometimes, they will tell you.

3. Thrift often.

The more often you thrift, the more likely you are to get better at it and find great things. (Basic logic…I think). Another benefit of going more often is you learn the stores: where the best deals are, when the sales are, when they bring out the new racks, etc. Now, I’m not saying spend all of your weekends at the thrift store (like I used to do), but going more often will help you learn to thrift like a pro!

4. Find different locations.

Different parts of my city have different clothes and different types of thrift stores, so it is important to shop around, depending on what I’m looking for. For example, the thrift store near the university has more athleisure wear than the other thrift stores. There’s a Value Village on the south side of town that has clothes for really really cheap. And the thrift store downtown has all the eclectic home stuff! I can’t just look this stuff up on Google, I have to travel around and see it for myself! If you can, dedicate one day a month to travel to a new thrift store in a different area of town. You never know what you could find!

5. Shop in the affluent areas.

If you are really looking for designer items, shop in the more affluent areas of your town. People who make more typically spend more, and they donate it in their same neighborhoods. At least, that’s what I’ve found. When I shop in the suburbs, I’m more likely to see Calvin Klein, Louis Vuitton, and Coach items in really good conditions–sometimes even with tags still on them! So just like in my last tip, try traveling to a new area to find nice treasures. (This is definitely a pro tip)

6. Wear the right clothes.

Some thrift stores don’t have fitting rooms, especially during the pandemic, so it’s important to make sure you arrive wearing clothes that you can try things on over. I like leggings, a T-shirt, and a cardigan or jacket. It’s also a good idea to wear shoes that you can easily slip on and off, just in case you find a pair of shoes to try on. Wearing the right clothes just makes everything easier if there are no fitting rooms.

7. Be prepared.

You never know how long you’ll be thrifting, so you have to be prepared! In addition to wearing the right clothes, you have to eat a meal beforehand, stay hydrated, and wear comfortable shoes. I also like to carry a crossbody bag so that I can be hands-free when shopping. Basically, I am on a mission, and I don’t want to have to stop or be uncomfortable. If you are an avid thrifter, you know how it is.

8. Find out the discount days.

Certain thrift stores have specific discount days: student discount, senior discount, military I.D., etc. If you fall into one of those categories, be sure to research online or call the store to see when these days happen. Going on the right day can make a sweet deal even sweeter!

9. Keep a list of things you need/are searching for.

Black and white striped turtleneck, black denim jacket, faux leather jacket. These are the 3 items I am currently on the hunt for. Not only do I have this list memorized, but it is also in the notes on my phone. Even though I don’t always shop with a list, I always have these items in mind because you never know when you’ll find them. So, this next tip to thrift like a pro is to keep your own list of items you are searching for. It’ll ensure you don’t miss something your wardrobe needs!

10. Inspect all clothes.

Clothes from thrift stores are second-hand, so they may have some wear and tear. This is why it’s important to thoroughly inspect everything before you purchase it. Look for wear, holes, and stains before buying. Once you buy it, it’s yours, so make sure you examine it carefully.

11. Compare prices and brands.

Not everything at the thrift store is a deal. Sometimes, items are overpriced just because of the name brand or the condition. You may have to pull out your phone to make sure you’re really getting a deal. I’ve noticed that Goodwill often overprices Target clothes. Be careful when shopping that brand!

12. Look for designer items and items with tags.

If you care about brands, definitely be on the hunt for designer items! Sometimes they are mixed in with the rest of the clothes, but oftentimes thrift stores have a special locked case for designer items and jewelry. Make sure you check that out! Another thing to look for is items with tags. Although I hate to admit it, I sometimes donate clothes that I have never even worn–the tags are still attached! When you see those items at the thrift store, they are never overpriced (because we can still see the price tag), and they are brand new! You know you’re getting a great deal!

13. Shop the 50% off tag color.

I shop at the Goodwill and Salvation Army a lot, and I know for sure that they have days when a specific tag color is half off. Although I don’t specifically search for the tag color of the day, my mom does, and she finds great deals! And if you’re not paying attention to the tag color, you may pass up an item thinking it’s too expensive, not even realizing it’s 50% off! You don’t want to do that, do you? So, this pro tip is: know the sale tag color. (It’s usually hanging up all over the store)

14. Try on everything.

Try. on. everything. Even if something is in your size, and you think you know how it fits: try it on. Not only can you tell if/how it fits, but looking at yourself in the mirror can help you see if you really want to buy the item. And if your thrift store doesn’t have fitting rooms, that’s why you need to wear clothes that you can try things on over! See how all these tips work together? I got you, girl!

15. Go through every department and size.

There are gems in every size and department. Heck, I even look through the men’s clothes! And since there are so many different brands and designers, there could be things that fit in all of the sizes! I have clothes that I’ve thrifted in sizes S-XL and 6-12. So, if you’re really dedicated to finding gems, take this pro tip, and shop the whole store!

16. Be picky.

With the prices so low, it’s easy to just pick up everything you like. But, remember to be still be picky. You don’t want to bring unnecessary clutter into your home, and it’s okay not to find anything on your trip. Only buy things you really really love. I know from experience that if you buy things you only kinda like, they end up going right back!

17. Shop the off-season.

Shopping the off-season is a major key to finding the best deals. For example, last month, I bought a Christmas sweater for $3! In just a couple of months, that same sweater will be at least $9.99! By shopping for Winter in August and summer in January, you are sure to get the best deals! You may feel a little weird buying a coat in July, but you’ll be warm and cozy at Christmas with some extra cash in your pockets!

18. Know what you can and will alter/DIY.

I cannot sew or DIY to save my life! Thus, I will not purchase things that need to be repaired, sewn, hemmed, cropped, etc. However, if you are crafty and good with a sewing machine, by all means, buy something you will upcycle! And if you know you don’t have the time to do it or you won’t feel like it when the time comes, just put it back on the rack. If something needs altering, repair, or upcycling, only purchase it if you can and will do the work.

19. Test out electronics.

This is the tech version of try on everything. Typically, thrift stores have areas where you can plug in electronics to see if they work. Take advantage of this. I would not recommend purchasing any type of electronic without first trying it out. And if something is missing, like a lightbulb or batteries, I would probably leave it there, but that’s just me. If you’re techy (or lucky), go for it!

20. Sign up for rewards.

Rewards programs, punch cards–I’ve got them all! Any program at the thrift store that is free and can save me money later, I sign up for! Goodwill specifically has a very good rewards program. It’s free to sign up, and you earn $5 coupons and even a reward to use during the month of your birthday. There’s nothing better than finding 1/2 off tags and using a $5 rewards all on one trip! Or, you can even save your rewards for when you find something high-end or pricey. Either way, you’re saving money, so sign up!

21. Know the return policy.

This is definitely a tip to thrift like a pro! All thrift stores have different return policies, especially in the wake of COVID-19. Some only have in-store credit, but some don’t accept returns at all! This is why it’s important to try everything on and test out electronics. Before you leave the store, make sure you know the return policy of your specific thrift store.

22. Thrift on vacation.

Thrifting on vacation is one of my favorite things! You never know what kinds of unique treasures you can find in a new area! My family always Googles thrift stores nearby when we travel somewhere. We’ve ended up finding some really good things, and some hidden stores! Thrifting on vacation also gets you out of your usual thrift stores, so it’s also exciting. Just try it, okay? Then you’ll see what I mean.

23. Donate your own items.

Lastly, donate to the thrift stores. Not only is it good for the environment, it is good for your community. Most thrift stores are aligned with an organization that gives back in one way or another. So definitely make sure to support them, add to the inventory, and declutter your own space by making regular donations. Whenever I clean out my closet, I find some items to sell on my Poshmark, and some items to donate to my local Goodwill. And also, it’s just part of being a good person, so DONATE!

Those are all of my 20+ tips to thrift like a pro! What are some thrifting tips that you swear by? I’d love to know, so share them below! And if you’re in need of some fashion ideas to buy, check out my fashion posts here.