Would you believe my dress and necklace and bracelet set are thrift store finds? This is why I love thrift shopping. You can buy inexpensive clothing without sacrificing style. I love when a color combination come together...I purchased the dress and jewelry set at different times from different shops but they look as if they could have come from the same collection. This blazer is New York & Co. and I decided to keep the footwear "barely there" with some nude peep-toes. Definitely feeling chic, sophisticated and feminine today. I'm such a huge fan of thrift and vintage shopping, below are a few tips that I've learned while scanning the racks.
5 tips for thrift shopping:
1. FIT!! This is #1 because it is thee most important thing to keep in mind as you search. Remember, especially if vintage shopping, these are not "off-the-rack" kind of establishments. You will find things that work and things that won't. If it doesn't fit don't feel discouraged. Many times you will have to see a tailor for alterations. However, if you still cannot envision the right fit in the end (be honest, you know your body best)...WALK AWAY! I am guilty...lol
2. QUALITY. Now, I understand thrifting is NOT for everyone. There are some who can't abide the thought of wearing another's clothes and that's totally fine! As for myself, I wash/dry clean before wear so I personally don't have a problem. However, quality will determine if an item makes it into my cart or not. Just because you've found a pair of $5.00 jeans doesn't mean they will hold up over time. Keep in mind people give clothes away for various reasons, and for some they've actually exhausted the life span of the material; so you trying to carry it further is pointless. Others donate because the clothing or items are stained or damaged. These are items you should leave on the rack. Look for pieces that are new (some may still have the tags!) or boast longevity. Leather is one of those materials that looks better the more distressed it is, so that could be a plus in some cases.
3. IMAGINATION. Most of the time my goal is to look for pieces that work with my existing wardrobe...cardigans, bags, belts. So it's important to be able to look beyond what you see in the shops and constantly reference your home inventory. Maybe you found a beautiful patterned blouse, but feel it may be too busy to pull off. Think of a solid colored pair of slacks that you own to pair it with. Or maybe you HAVE BEEN looking for something busy to combine with stripes or checks for a mixed print look.
4. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! OK so this tip may seem a 'lil bougie but location is everything when thrift shopping. Look at the surrounding area and condition of the store itself. If the building is falling down or looks dingy, chances are you don't want to shop there. Sad to say (and I hope I don't offend) but nicer areas/towns will have nicer stuff, more urban cities will have edgier stuff and so on...
5. MORE THAN CLOTHES. Thrifting is not just for clothes. I have found many gems in the book, DVD, home goods, jewelry, bags (especially!) and furniture sections. The same rules as above apply and you can stock your home with some quirky, eclectic, vintage and inexpensive items.
Happy Thrifting!!
Outfit Details:
Dress: Cheap Charlie's (Wildwood, NJ) | Pink Necklace and Bracelet Set: Second Time Around (Madison, NJ) | Blazer: New York & Co. (similar here) | Watch: Marc Jacobs | Gold Necklace: H&M | Studs: H&M | Shoes: Bandolino
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