How to thrift like a pro
Make the most out of your next thrifting spree, like a pro!
Thrifting is more than just a trend – it’s a smart way for college students to save money, find unique items, and contribute to sustainability. Whether you’re an experienced thrifter or just starting, here are some tips to help you make the most out of your next thrift store adventure. Take it from a former thrift store employee – I have 5.5 (on and off) years of experience working at a thrift store.
1. Know how thrift stores operate
Typically, when thrift stores receive donations, they sort through the items to determine what to sell and how to sell it. Spoiler alert: large thrift stores do NOT wash the clothes that come in. Think about it: if you receive 5,000 donations a day, would you spend the money and effort cleaning all of those items with no guarantee that they’ll sell? Instead, associates will sort through clothing and only sell what looks clean and undamaged. Of course, every once and a while things will slip through the cracks, but at a good thrift store, you shouldn’t see many of these items. Because these items are unwashed when on the sales floor, it’s important to follow the Golden Rule of thrifting: Always wash before using!
2. Inspect your finds
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of a good find, but always take a moment to inspect items for any damage. Check clothing for stains, tears, or missing buttons, and make sure zippers work. If you find something you love that needs minor repairs, weigh the cost of fixing it against the item’s value. Sometimes, a small repair or stain remover can still make it a worthwhile purchase. These are the problem areas to look out for:
Shirts, tops, and jackets
- Armpits: Sweat stains or holes
- Neckline/collar: Makeup or yellow sweat stains, worn-down collar, holes caused by the brand tag
- Seams: Holes and loose threads
- Hems: Fraying and loose threads
- Long sleeves: Stains on the cuffs
Jeans and bottoms
- Button/zipper: Broken or missing
- Crotch: Holes or stains
- Pockets: Holes
- Belt loops: Ripped loops
- Bottom hem: Fraying or stains
- Drawstring: Missing
- Elastic waistband: Stretched out
3. Know what is actually cheaper at the thrift
All thrift stores have basic price points that are the default guidelines for employees to follow. However, some thrift stores will increase prices if the clothing is brand name or NWT (new with tags). To make sure you get the most bang for your buck when searching for new clothes, try to avoid fast fashion brands that cost the same price brand new.
Aside from clothing, did you know thrift stores are also great places to get items to decorate your place with? As an avid decorator, here are the things to look out for that are much cheaper used and usually still in great quality when donated:
- Picture frames
- Vases
- Knickknacks and wall art
- Dishware sets (but usually not individual pieces)
- Mugs
- Servingware: crystalware and silverware
- Decorative baskets/storage organizers
- Metal dish racks
- Fake plants
- Books
- Curtains
4. Timing is everything
Some stores will restock on specific days or overnight. In these cases, it’s worth knowing when to go so you can look through the new inventory before it gets picked over. Other larger thrift stores will continuously restock throughout the day, so it becomes a game of luck for when the good stuff comes out. The best time to go thrifting, however, is during move-out when everyone is scrambling to clean out their apartments. You can also find great pieces by shopping in the off seasons – like finding cashmere sweaters in the summer and designer sun dresses in the winter. Some stores will have discount days for students, veterans, or seniors throughout the week on a predictable cycle.
5. Understand the sale tags
Many secondhand stores use a color tagging system that rotates weekly to indicate when items were put out for sale. For example, all inventory priced and set out during a given week will have tags of the same color. There will also be a sale color, meaning any item with a price tag with the sale color will be, say, 50% off. Let’s say the color this week is red, and the sale tag is blue. Typically as you shop, you’ll find the best (newest) items with a red tag, and you’ll find a few picked over items with a blue tag. Next week the store will rotate colors, and the sale tag will change to the next oldest color. The sale color always marks the oldest items that have not yet sold – hence why they’re on sale, and why it’s usually so hard to find good items with the sale tag. To make things even harder, if there is too much of an item, employees will go through and remove items with the sale tag color to free up space for new inventory.
Thrifting in Cambridge
Now that you’re an expert thrifter, it’s time to apply these skills to the real world. There are many great spots around Cambridge, including but not limited to:
- Garment District: clothes organized by aesthetic and era; you can also buy clothes by the pound
- Goodwill (Central Square): low prices, standard fare
- FOUND in Central Square: three stores side-by-side where you can find unique vintage and curated trendy pieces
- The Attic (Harvard Square): curated vintage pieces
- Buffalo Exchange (Brookline): chain of thrift stores with trendy pieces; you can also sell your clothes here!
In the end, whether you’re hunting for unique fashion finds or just looking to shop sustainably, thrift stores offer a treasure trove of possibilities. Happy thrifting, and may your next trip to the thrift store be filled with amazing finds and one-of-a-kind treasures!
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