With prices of everyday luxuries on the rise, buying clothes and keeping up with fashion trends is becoming increasingly difficult. Thrifting isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but it should be! There are a few reasons why people aren’t into it; some think they are “above” buying secondhand clothes, some think it’s unhygienic (but stores won’t sell poor, dirty clothes!), or they think it’s a waste of time. Wrong! As a thrift shopper myself, I know there are some serious trendy bargains hidden out there is those charity shops you walk straight past…
Walking into a charity shop can be overwhelming; everything is mismatched and there’s no real theme going on. But remember to take your time to look through things individually as there is often a gem hidden somewhere! Think about the potential clothing in thrift shops; potential crop top? Potential shorts? Think about how you can alter the things you find if you love the look of something but are not quite feeling the fit or style. Luckily, we live in a time where fashion knows no boundaries. Almost anything you pick up can be made fashionable or quirky if paired with the right things.
Thrift shopping is very inexpensive so don’t limit yourself to a strict budget. This is why it’s so enjoyable, you can pick up anything and everything without worrying about going broke after buying one jacket. Obviously, this means you can blow a whole day going around different charity shops, which leads to a serious problem when you get home and realise you now have way too many clothes and nowhere to put them. Be sure to only buy things you truly love and have real potential. Don’t limit yourself to clothing, shoes are always a steal in charity shops. I’ve picked up an old pair of Doc Martens before!
There are market stalls in cities who collect vintage, secondhand clothing and then sell it on for a tiny bit more money. All the clothes they pick are of good condition, clean, and look really cool. They might be a little more expensive, but nothing compared to what some high street brands are selling their clothing for! They’re great for people who are feeling lazy and don’t have time to invade every charity store in sight.
So next time you’re in the need of a little retail therapy, give thrifting a go! You might be pleasantly surprised…
