The following is a post by Rebecca, a graduate of Miami University’s Creative Writing program. She is currently a freelance writer, graphic artist, and will be pursuing a masters in Fashion Design this fall.

Vintage is in. Fashion has come full circle, and with the growing demand for authentic wares and thriving interest in street style, prices are soaring on auction sites. However, the struggling economy has ushered in an era of “inconspicuous” consumption, and not all stores have expressed sympathy for our downsized wallets.

For those (like me) who love to update their wardrobe every season but are tight on the green, secondhand shopping can be an untapped resource, a way to fill fashion appetites without breaking the bank.

Here are some tips on how to make thrifting work for you.

Table of Contents

Thrift store shopping tips:

Overcome reservations about thrifting.

Before stepping through the door, purge your inhibitions. Although the prices are low, buying secondhand is anything but penny-ante. Strict rules accompany all donations, guaranteeing quality control. Extremely few garments have stains/smells (nothing that couldn’t be washed out), and some even have tags still attached.

And don’t worry about what your friends will think – it’s nearly impossible to distinguish thrift store-bought clothes from something new, especially when so many retail chains are utilizing the “worn” and “distressed” look.

Get in the right mindset.

Accept that not everything in a thrift store will be trendy, flattering, or have aesthetic merit. It is, after all, a store full of things people no longer want.

But one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and it’s more important to look for things that reflect your personality and curiosity, rather then trying to find a proxy for the latest trend. If you know how to navigate one, a thrift store can be a potential gold mine – but don’t expect the gold to walk up and introduce itself – you have to be ready to dig.