Tips for Successful Thrifting and Shopping your Closet
The following tips are the guidelines that I have found help me add things to my closet that I will actually wear. Sometimes the thrill of the hunt and the affordable prices might actually tempt you to buy things you shouldn’t. Knowing your style and what you enjoy wearing will keep you from making too many mistakes and buying pieces that will not compliment your wardrobe or fit you .
Successful Thrifting
- Know what you are looking for but be open minded in case you come across something you shouldn’t pass up. Case in point is the shirt below. I was not looking for long sleeves on my last and most recent thrifting trip in March, but when I saw the boho/western detail on this shirt and the snap buttons, I was sold. I have worn it twice already!
- Try different stores: different towns have different thrift and consignment stores. While my little town has a Uptown Cheapskate consignment store, I have had better luck finding dresses at other locations. Uptown Cheapskate is now my go to for dresses instead of looking at regular thrift stores. The little charity thrift store where I bought the shirt above was one I never went in until last month even though I have lived here 6 years! I will definitely return to look at their tops which were varied in styles/colors.
- Try different sizes: sometimes items are misplaced, sometimes you might find something oversized that looks great on you. Different brands also fit differently so you might fit in a XS is something and in a L in something else. The jacket below is L/XL but I love the fit!
- Don’t buy just to buy or because it is a good deal. An overstuffed closet is probably not going to help you create more outfits. Know your style! Read my post here and see what helps me make better purchases. I went thrifting once at our local Goodwill and bought maybe 10+ pieces, mostly tops and sweaters. Some I bought because I truly liked them and had ideas of how to wear them and other just because they were the right size or color and affordable. I would say about half the items ended up in my donation bag a year later because they really didn’t fit my style and what I love to wear (colorful, a touch of boho, textured, fun, practical describe my style).
Shop Your Closet with Successful No Shop Time Period
- PLAN! I wanted a month of no shopping since I had recently found many things thrifting (and also a few retail pieces). This is how the month of April look like for me to be successful:
- I am wearing all of my most recent purchases first. Dresses, tops are getting scheduled into my daily outfits.
- After they have all been worn once, I am wearing my least worn tops from last year to make sure they still have a place in my closet
- I am then going to focus on wearing my favorite skirts and dresses (second part of April) as the weather improves and they become more appropriate.
- give myself a weekly focus or goal
- don’t click on links when on Instagram so you don’t get tempted to add to cart. When visiting Target skip the clothing and clearance section.
$3 thrifted tunic dress
I hope these tips make sense to you and maybe one does help you!
A bientôt!
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26 Comments
Penny
The points here are excellent and just what I would say. Yes, never buy things because they’re a bargain. Instead always ask yoruself, does the item suit your style and fit in with the clothes you’ve already got.
That jacket is great – looks good on you.
mimifce
I have been wearing my most recent buys (some already twice and will be sharing those in a week or two. Improving my thrifting skills!
Di
Helpful tips for keeping your closet in good order, Mireille! Love both of your thrift finds. It is so true that really nice things show up in unlikely places!
mimifce
I will be sharing all of my new ones in a week or two. I have already worn several pieces twice which makes me happy to realize I am getting better at it!
Jennifer
Such great tips. I never have much luck thrifting but also rarely check and it’s usually one store.
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
Sally in St Paul
Great tips, Mireille! I would add that thrift stores are a great place to look for accessories like jewelry and scarves – many of these pieces are timeless and fit isn’t an issue. I love the tip to schedule your high priority wear items into your outfits. A season is always shorter (fewer days) than I think it’s going to be, so it is easy for the window of opportunity to slip away before you’ve worn the items you really would have wanted to wear.
mimifce
Very true! I tend to forget about accessories at thrift stores.
Nancy
Yeah, don’t buy just because it’s a good deal, lol. That’s a good one to remember for me! Enjoy your weekend!
mimifce
Yes! That’s when I sometimes make a bad purchase.
Krissi
Oh my gosh, I loooove thrifting! I used to think it’s disgusting, but a few years ago I tried it out and now I’m HOOKED. I always find the most amazing pieces!
Lots of love,
Krissi of the marquise diamond
https://www.themarquisediamond.de
mimifce
There is definitely some better stores than others. I have found that I am willing to pay a little more for dresses because I am pickier about which I like.
jodie filogomo
Not being tempted at Target is tough. LOL!
Great tips!
Xoox
Jodie
mimifce
I need to go in for some necessities today and need to make sure not to browse!
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I have heard different towns or areas can have different thrifting items. I’ve heard here that usually the more upscale areas will have nicer items/pricier brands if that is what you’re looking for. Thrifting is something I haven’t tried yet, but I love hearing about others finds. I really need to try it out. I love that western snap button top, esp with those wide legged pants!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
mimifce
Definitely interesting to figure out which stores have the best selection.
Michelle
Excellent advice! It’s taken me a long time to hone in on my personal style since I didn’t begin learning that until after I retired. But now that I know, I’m sticking to it. (I’m starting to add the items that don’t work on Poshmark.) Btw, I love all of the three thrifted pieces you’ve shared in this post.
https://funkyfashionstyle.com
mimifce
I still make the occasional bad purchase but thankfully not as often.
Marsha Banks
These are great tips, Mireille! A consignment store opened close to me recently. I want to go in there to see how pricing works as I have some things I need to get rid of. I am NOT going to look for anything…even though we all know I will!!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
mimifce
Ha ha! That’s the hard part. I really haven’t really been tempted in the last month thankfully.
Rebekah Allen
GREAT tips! I’m an avid thrifter, and I also love Poshmark for a good refresh on a dime!
mimifce
It’s been a while but I have loved finding brands I don’t want to pay retail prices on Poshmark.
Kathrine Eldridge
You are a thrifting expert so I appreciate all these tips! I love that you focus on shopping your closet too.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
mimifce
It is the first time in a while that I have done so well shopping my closet. Almost at the 1 month mark. It is really helping that I am planning ahead outfits and themes of what to wear. Right now it is kimonos!
Leslie Susan Clingan
Such great advice. I really liked the tips you shared about shopping your closet. You have so many great maxi dresses and wear them so well. I need to follow your good lead and start wearing dresses more often. I just don’t go anywhere most days, so wind up putting on my stretchy yoga pants.
One tip that helps keep me from buying is taking a picture of whatever it is. If I see something in the stores that I really like, I snap a picture. Then if I just can’t get it out of my mind, I go back to visit it. And sometimes pull the trigger and buy. I also pin clothes I love online. That way I can find them again come payday. But often times just pinning them is enough.
Love your sense of style, Mireille.
mimifce
Wearing a short dress today! I had to really figure out which style I like for dresses and get rid of the ones I never wore and now I do reach for them more often. Thankfully, nothing has tempted me in the last month and I still have things in my closet I want to wear!
Claire Justine
Some great tips here. I am trying not to buy anything at the minute but we do love looking around the charity shops once a week and I always come back with a few new-to-me dresses.