Thrifting Tips: How to Find Your New Favorite Piece

By Noelle George

Edited by Taylor Morgan

Ten years ago, I stepped into a thrift store for the first time. I was hesitant about wearing clothes that someone else had given away and finding things I actually liked and wanted to wear. However, I was unknowingly stepping into one of my favorite hobbies. Today, thrifting is trending as a sustainable way to update your wardrobe cost-effectively. Online, it can seem like people are constantly finding their dream pieces, but in reality, it takes time and effort to thrift pieces that you are excited to wear. Here are some of the ways I make sure to find my favorite pieces!

STE / @stespins on Pinterest

1. Go often. As a busy college student, finding time to go thrifting can definitely be a challenge. This is important, though, because there is constant turnover at thrift stores as people purchase and donate new items. This means the more often you go, the wider variety of items you will find, and likely find one that you love!

2. Go to different stores. Similarly, it is important to visit a variety of stores. Some stores have better options for shoes, others for pants, others for dresses, so it is important to visit a wide variety of different stores and see what each has to offer. 

3. Go through the entire store. Yes, this is time-consuming, but it can be easy for a piece to be mislabeled or misplaced. Looking through the entire store can reveal some hidden gems that you may otherwise miss, even if they may not be your size.

4. Do not be afraid to shop online. If you are looking for a specific piece, online marketplaces such as ThredUp or Depop are much more useful than looking through a store. You can search for a specific item or brand by name, and have a much wider selection of items to choose from.

5. Be patient and have fun. Keep an open mind about thrifting! Instead of going in with the intention of finding your dream piece, think about it as a fun activity or treasure hunt that might result in a fun find. It takes time to build a thrifted wardrobe, so it is important to stay positive and patient when searching through the racks.