Like most born salespeople, I enjoy the hunt — even when it comes to shopping. I find the pursuit of the perfect black pump or patent tote bag immensely more satisfying than the actual purchase. This trait has served me well during a recession. Money is scarce, but I still need to dress for success. Luckily, I’ve been able to use my prospecting skills at thrift stores, consignment shops and on Ebay.
And I’ve “closed” some incredible deals. I bought a Sonia Rykiel coat for $8, brand new Prada boots for $44, an Escada sweater for $4 and a vintage Douglas Stannard necklace for $29. Thrifty shopping requires a mix of luck and skill. As far as the luck, you’re on your own. But I can help with the skill. Here are my top ten tips for thrifting.
1) Shop frequently: Merchandise moves fast in thrift stores. Shops usually bring in new stock weekly. Find out when the new inventory arrives and try to visit the same day.
2) Be willing to leave empty handed: If you don’t find something you need or love, don’t buy. Remember, an acrylic sweater with appliqué flowers is always hideous — no matter how inexpensive it is.
3) If it’s under $3, don’t hesitate: That being said, if you are on the fence about whether or not you “need” an item, ask yourself two questions: Can I think of a place to wear this? Is it $3 or less? If the answer to both questions is yes, than buy it. I still remember the $1 metallic Patricia Field bag I didn’t buy. I went back for it two days later, but it was gone.
4) Invest the time: You don’t need to spend a lot of money when you thrift, but you do need to spend some time. Thrift stores don’t employ merchandisers. There are no well-lit displays that show you what top goes with what pants. Often times these stores are very large and the racks are packed tighter than my closet. To find a treasure, you need to dig through the junk.
5) Shop for what you need and what you love: Only shop for items you need or love. On my Blackberry I keep a list of what purchases I need to complete my wardrobe or a specific outfit. The only things I buy that are not on that list, are items I absolutely, positively love, like the red Stuart Weitzman pumps I found last week for $70.
6) Know what clothes cost: It’s helpful to know the going rate for items before you shop – especially when bidding on Ebay. If you’re competitive, like me, it’s easy to get caught up in wanting to “win” against anonymous bidding opponents. Don’t pay $300 for an item that retails at $199.
7) Find a good dry cleaner, tailor and cobbler: A good tailor and cobbler can make gently worn items look new again merely by replacing a zipper or re-soling a shoe. And never hang previously worn clothes in your closet without dry cleaning them first.
8) Don’t skimp on quality: Thrift doesn’t mean cheap. It means inexpensive. Always keep the same standards whether you’re shopping at Salvation Army or Neiman Marcus. Look for quality fabric and construction and check for a good fit.
9) Cultivate an individual style: Many people think thrift is synonymous with bohemian and eccentric. That doesn’t have to be the case. Sure you can find retro styles in vintage shops, but you can find classic items as well. You don’t have to sacrifice your style in order to save money.
10) Learn to accept a compliment graciously: When someone says, “I love your outfit,” try to say “thank you” and nothing else. For me, this is the hardest part of thrifting. I can never resist responding, “Thanks. It was only $5 at Goodwill.”
