Thrifting Tips for Beginners

As a Mori Girl, I thrift almost all of my clothing. But I've been surprised how many people in my Mori community don't thrift. The reasons range from things like "There are only a few in my area", or "I just never find anything" and even "I'd just rather not take the time and buy something online". I know that for those who have never shopped at a thrift store, it can be a tad bit overwhelming to walk inside and see miles and miles of unsorted clothing. It's easy to get lost in all the options available. And many times people take one visit to a thrift store, don't find anything, and then write off all thrift stores as a waste of their time. In this post I will be giving you a quick set of hints to help you thrift more effectively. These are things I've learned myself as a frequent thrift shopper, and do quite often.

1. Look fast
Don't be afraid to shuffle through clothing faster than you normally would at your regular department store. Because there are so many options at a thrift store, it can be helpful to speed a bit. Also, when you sort faster, you can see more of your many options. However, there's no need to shove so fast at clothing that it falls off the rack, and you don't really look at anything. Just simply go a bit faster than you normally would.

2. Try on everything
This one might seem like a no brainer, but many a time I've purchased something supposedly my size at a thrift store, just to get home and find out it has an awful fit. It's always good to try on things that look like they fit, just to make sure. It's also good to try on things that you think may not fit you. I've often found many wonderful articles of clothing that I wouldn't have passed up, simply because they are not my usual size. And if your thrift store doesn't have a changing room, try to try things on over your clothes to get a general idea as to how they fit.

3. Go in with specifics in mind
If you go in without a specific thing you need in mind, you have a much larger section of clothing to sift through. So it often helps to go in with an idea of a few types of things you are in need of and/or want. However, don't go too specific. If you do, you'll probably end up not finding anything and feeling disappointed. Be specific yet broad. Example: "I need a few more dresses" not "I need a knee-length green sundress".

4. Don't be afraid to grab something odd
You may be sifting through clothing, and find a strange, yet endearing, article of clothing. Pick it up, and try it on! Some of the best thrift store finds are those unique clothing items that you wouldn't find at a regular store. And besides, the worst that can happen is that you don't like and put it back on the rack.

5. You may not find anything, but don't be discouraged
A thrift store can be a hit or miss experience. Sometimes, there will be absolutely nothing worth buying. But unlike your regular department store, a thrift store will have new things coming in all the time. And for most decently sized thrift stores, they will often be almost completely restocked within a few weeks to a month. Just keep checking back whenever you can.

These are just a few things I do, but really there is not a right or wrong way to thrift shop. And there is certainly no magic spell to make every visit super great, and fill your cart with great clothes. It's just a matter of perseverance really. My best advice would be to just go for it! Thrifting is a fun experience, and also a great way to save money. So that being said,  I'd like to leave you with a quote from Shortcuttothestars on her thrifting experiences.

"People on here [tumblr] really often act like/say that I must have magical thrift shops or that I am just really lucky with my thrift finds.
That is not the case.
I just thrift all the time. I spend SO much time head first in bins other people just walk by and I go to flea markets, I haggle, I alter.. I know it is not how people mean it, but when you say I am lucky or must have special thrift shops it kinda dismisses all the work I put into finding these things, and altering them as well. Trust me, thrift shops here are exactly the same as yours: messy and full of crap.
I like thrifting and I think it is sensible, but it is also very much for economic reasons that I do it. I do not have a lot of money.
Of course it takes a lot of time and energy to build a 90% thrifted wardrobe, but it’s not possible for me because I am lucky or have some sort of otherworldly thrift store I get everything from. It is all hard work and you can do it too if you set your mind to it :)"

Bonus Tip: Instead of shopping in a small thrift shop, choose a fancier looking thrift shop. Although there are treasures in small thrift shops, they're very hard to find and usually it will rely on your luck to find one. In bigger thrift stores, there's a bigger access to the treasures and you may find yourself buying something you don't really intend to cause all of their items are just awesome at reasonable thrift shop prices. -Berry Drop Shop