If you are on a budget or just love to bag a bargain, there is no better place to get your fashion fix then a thrift store. Not only are you being kind to your bank balance but you are helping out a charity – it’s feel good shopping at it’s very best.  Just like when hitting the high street stores, there are ways to scout out the best buys  and get the most bang for your buck when thrifting. Here are a few ways to get started on thrifting like an expert:

1. Venture into the more well to do suburbs - these suburbs are crawling with women with loot to drop on fancy rags, so what do you reckon you’ll find discarded and sold on at their local thrift store? Yep, the best stuff… you can often pick up good quality branded items at an absolute fraction of what it would cost on the high street.

2. Don’t be afraid to spend a bit of time acquainting yourself with the store. Stock changes often at charity stores, people drop of their goods all the time and others pick them up as they are resold so there is often quite a rapid rotation of clothing. Spend a decent amount of time looking through the racks and shelves, don’t be afraid to dig a little. It’s often at the back of the shelf or bottom of the basket that you’ll find your thrifting gold!

3. Check the labels. Branding can be important as it will give you an idea about the quality of the garment. If you are not familiar with the brand, check the materials tag to see what the garment is made from (ie. is the jacket leather or faux, etc). Don’t just buy based on brand though, you can score some super sassy vintage pieces in thrift stores.  Sometimes quality doesn’t need to be the absolute focus of your shopping mission, these are pre-loved clothes in pre-loved condition but for the price you are paying you can afford to pick up items that look like they won’t last a lifetime.

4. Check out the men’s stuff too. You can find some fantastic shirts to cinch at the waist with a wide belt & wear over tights… and there you have yourself a dress.

5. Shop around, take a walk or drive around your area and scout out all the charity stores in your area. Don’t limit yourself to just one store when thrifting… you never know what you’ll find & where.

6. Don’t worry to much about fit, not a lot of charity stores will have change rooms – if you really prefer to try stuff on, try wearing leggings and a singlet top when thrifting so you can try things on over the top of your outfit. Just remember, if it doesn’t end up fitting you, you’ve always got the option to bring it back in as a donation.

7. It’s not just about the clothes! Be sure to check out the other items on offer at the thrift store. You can pick up a great deal of stuff from books right through to homewares.

8. Relax. It is easy to become a little overwhelmed by the mish mash of stuff you find in thrift stores.  This is all part of the charm of op-shopping. Enjoy wandering and finding… it’s all about discovering those one-of-a-kind bargains!  Don’t give up on thrifting if you don’t find gold on your first trip… spend some time developing your thrifting style, and you’ll find something you love before long.

What’s the best bargain you’ve scored from a thrift store?

(photo credit)

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Kate is the editor of Tres Lola. She loves to spend her Saturdays sipping lattes and hunting for a bargain in her local thrift stores. Her most recent discovery? A River Island leather jacket (in her size!), setting her back a cool 5 quid – bargain! Even better knowing that the fiver went to a HIV/AIDs charity.