Fashion with Sonali

As you may know, (if you haven’t been living under a rock) the market second-hand fashion has grown exponentially in the past few years. Not only does it have tremendous environmental impacts, but if you know what you’re doing, you can really score big. As what some may call a “seasoned” thrifter, I happen to have to some tips and tricks if you are just starting out. Let’s begin!

Know what you are looking for

This may sound rather obvious, however many novice shoppers tend to go in thrift stores blindly. Having any sort of inspiration can help you pinpoint what pieces you would truly wear. I typically start with looking at Pinterest. Whether it’s the home feed or my boards, there is always an outfit that catches my eye. I then will dissect the silhouettes, patterns, and colors that compromise the outfit. This helps me understand the specifics of the picture that drew me in, and I can then look for certain features in clothing when I thrift. This same strategy can be applied to almost any source of inspiration you find across the internet!

Aside from Pinterest, there are also many other ways to find inspiration – and some are closer than you think. Often, looking at articles of clothing you already own can help you create a list of items that would supplement your closet.

Research where to shop

The easiest way to begin your thrifting journey is to quite literally google “thrift stores near me.” But that’s just the beginning. Usually the best hidden gems don’t pop up with a simple keyword search. I’ve found my absolute favorite stores through word of mouth. So don’t be shy – if you’re out thrifting and aren’t sure where to head next, ask around! There’s almost always a thrifter willing to rave about the local shops. 

And if all else fails, there are plenty of online options in every price range. Some of my favorite places to shop second-hand online are Depop, Poshmark, Mercari, Ebay, and ThredUP. With the first four I mentioned, you are shopping through individual sellers rather than the company itself. Therefore, you are able to send in offers to ensure you get the best price. With ThredUP you are unable to negotiate prices, however there is almost always a sale going on, and their prices are on the lower end as they are a large company.

Don’t lose hope

Regardless if you have success on your first thrift trip, keep going! The more you “practice,” the more likely you are to find what you are looking for. It also helps to keep in mind that even if a store doesn’t have great finds one day doesn’t mean they won’t the next. I’ve found that going during the week increases your chances of finding cute things as opposed to the weekends where crowds are prevalent. Although there is a factor of luck in thrifting, there is also a lot you can control! So keep going!

Best of luck thrifting!! 🙂