Have you ever seen an influencer share an amazing find and you felt inspired to run to the nearest thrift store? Have you ever purchased a cart full of clothes and ended up wearing the items only once or not at all?
In a world full of fast-fashion, more and more Gen Z and Millenial consumers are looking for a new way to update their wardrobes and are turning to more sustainable fashion practices. Not only are more young people giving thrift shopping a try, but more are also calling for minimalist shopping–meaning buying less and wearing it more.
This practice not only cuts down on the amount of clothes ending up in landfills, but it also cuts down on the demand for new products, being made at an alarming rate. So how can you help? By buying from thrift stores–and buying only what you plan to wear.
This may sound easier said than done but there are several questions to ask yourself when you go thrift shopping.
Would I buy this at full retail price? If this were brand new and double the price, would I still be interested or is it only appealing because it’s affordable?
What can I wear with this? Sometimes thrifting can introduce you to patterns and styles you wouldn’t find in the shops you normally visit and while that may be exciting, it may make it difficult to fit into your aesthetic.
Would I repair this if it were damaged? If that top got a small tear or the hem became loose, do you love it enough to repair it? If not, go ahead and pass.
Will it fit? Since the Covid pandemic many thrift stores have closed their dressing rooms, making it difficult to try on items you’re considering. If you can’t try it on, be realistic about the sizing. Never buy an item you hope will fit one day!
Would I buy this at full retail price? If this were brand new and double the price, would I still be interested or is it only appealing because it’s affordable?
What can I wear with this? Sometimes thrifting can introduce you to patterns and styles you wouldn’t find in the shops you normally visit and while that may be exciting, it may make it difficult to fit into your aesthetic.
Would I repair this if it were damaged? If that top got a small tear or the hem became loose, do you love it enough to repair it? If not, go ahead and pass.
Will it fit? Since the Covid pandemic many thrift stores have closed their dressing rooms, making it difficult to try on items you’re considering. If you can’t try it on, be realistic about the sizing. Never buy an item you hope will fit one day!
In addition to these questions there are certain things you can look for to make sure the item you are purchasing is quality that will last.
Consider the fabric. There are several fabrics that require professional cleaning to keep them looking their best. LEather, wool, rayon and silk all fall in this category. If you are looking at an item made of any of these items, know that any stains or discoloring on the garment will likely not come out and they may require careful care in the future to keep them nice.
Consider the shape. Fabrics like cotton or denim stretch and change over time. If the item looks like it has been stretched, it’s probably not possible to shrink it back to its original shape.
Examine the seams. Take the time to turn any garment fully inside out and examine the seams before purchasing from a thrift store. Torn seams are usually easy to fix but the seams can also tell you a lot about the garment. Tight stitches mean the garment was made by a machine and are built to handle more wear and tear. Loose stitches are usually a sign of a more expensive garment which may require more careful upkeep.
Check for tears. Torn seams aren’t difficult to fix but tears anywhere else on the garment can be a big problem. These small holes are probably not able to be fixed, even by a skilled tailor.
Look for stains. Many items end up at the thrift store when the owner cannot remove a stain. Some fabrics are easier to clean than others but chances are, if you’re seeing it in the thrift store, the stain has probably been sitting for a while and even a skilled dry cleaner may not be able to remove it.
If you’re excited to give thrifting a try, it’s also important to remember that you don’t know where the clothes at thrift stores came from or how long they have been on the shelf. It’s always a good idea to have them professionally cleaned before wearing them!
