ADVENTURES IN THRIFTING

 

I love to shop! I love shopping for clothes, shoes, furniture and anything else that catches my eye. For many years my mother has been shopping at the thrift store but never did I believe I would be shopping there, myself. She would go and find brand new pieces and she always says"I found this at my place....brand spanking new!" Lol last year I stepped into my first thrift store. I came home with so many goodies I couldn't believe it! This led to my addiction! Lol I feel like everything is so reasonable, I should be able to buy more...right? And the thing is, I get a rush when I get 9 clothing items for $30. I also get things for my DIY projects from the thrift store. Sometimes people will ask me where I got something and when I say the thrift store, they're shocked! To me it's not about where you shop it's about how you shop. There are a few "rules" I go by when shopping:

1. Get away from the second hand mentality! Paying retail is so 2000! lol I have 3 children so, I can't afford to splurge on clothing; I have to ball on a budget and there's no better way to look fabulous and not break my pocketbook than to thrift! Can I get a hello! 
2. Take note of the things you are looking for when you go to the thrift store. If you have a budget this is very helpful. Sometimes the thrift store has so much to look at, you can get side tracked on what you're looking for. 
3. Location is everything. You have to shop at more than 1 thrift store to create a wardrobe. Some thrift stores are good for one thing but not another. For example, I love the thrift store on Dixie Hwy for tops and I love the thrift store in Middletown for their jeans.
4. Take your time. Searching for good pieces take time. There's nothing like looking like you shop at the thrift store. Take your time to find pieces that look well kept and taken care of.
5. Ignore sizes! Yes I said ignore the size in the clothes. I've learned that sometimes clothes fit differently according to the brand. Just remember, try everything on. On my last trip to thrift I purchased an XL button down and a small blouse. Both shirts fit great for the look I'm going for with them.
6. Look for the potential in the things you purchase. You can buy something like a pair of jeans and take them home and rip them for a ripped looked or add patches or anything you'd like.
7. Lastly, the money that thrift stores and goodwills make go to take care of veterans and families in need. That fact alone, makes me want to buy more! It's great to give back in a sense! 

A lot of times I'll surf fashion on the web or other blogs to see what's hot and in style, to incorporate with my own style. I went to the thrift store, yesterday and found some great things. My next post will include pictures of what I got and the ways I can wear it.