The fantastic world of thrift stores

I’ve been going to thrift stores since I was a teenager. I would find great vintage dresses and shirts from the sixties; with them I would create my own unique style. In fact my prom dress was an early 1960’s cream cocktail dress with a fully beaded bodice. I paid $8.00 for it and had it altered for $24.


Consignment shops, second hand stores, or thrift shops, all have been a great resource for me throughout my career as a costume person and even as an interior designer. But how do you master the fine art of thrifting? Here are a few key things I do when I’m planning a day of shopping.

First, I make a list of helpful items to bring on my shopping day.

• A list of the shops you plan on visiting: have addresses and phone numbers ready, especially if it’s a neighborhood you’re unfamiliar with (thrift stores are not always in the nice areas of town).

• Measuring tape: if you’re hunting furniture this will come in handy.

• Comfortable shoes: if you plan on going to a several stores you will do a lot of walking.

• Hand sanitizer: digging through racks and things can leave your hands feeling kind of grimy.

• A bottle of water: particularly on those hot days, or have your favorite coffee shop mapped out on your thrifting journey. (This will also help with bathroom breaks. Not all thrift stores have bathrooms, but many are starting too).

• Shopping bags: some thrift stores use old plastic bags, which is a great way to recycle, but sometimes they break. I like to bring my own.

• Map out a place for lunch: If you’re on an all day shopping trip, it’s nice to know a quick place to get a bite.

Next, I formulate a plan of action.

Ask yourself, “What key things do I want to look for: clothing, furniture, or home accessories?” Thrift stores, especially Goodwill’s, are laid out pretty much the same. I’m always looking for items that I use in my business, like vintage wall paper, frames, or vintage glass wear. I also look for fabrics, lamps, and furniture. So when I step into a store, I target those areas first. Then I move on to the rest of the shop. After an initial walk through, I really start digging. I say “digging” because sometime it’s just that—digging. You might have to move things to get what you really want.

Another key point to remember, thrift stores always have 50% off days, senior days, and even student days. I point this out because these bargain days might tempt you. Say you see something on Thursday and decide to come back for it on Saturday because it will be 50% off. I’ve made this mistake and lost out. You can take the risk, but if you love it so might someone else. My advice: buy it when you see it.

Finally, I keep my eye open for the best deals.

I know in these hard economic times some people might be new to the world of thrift stores, but once you make that first great find, like a brand new shirt with tags for $2.00 or a gently used patio set for $40.00, you will be hooked. I find the best part of thrifting is the hunt. You just never know what you might find, and it can also be a great way to make a little money. When I shop, sometimes I find things that I know might be worth something to a collector, so I buy it. I bought two boxes of Lego's for $8 and sold them on EBay for $109. Personally, I have found some great buys at thrift stores, like brand new kitchen chairs with store floor tags still on, $40 each. Also I bought a child’s chair that was originally $24 for only $6.

Great buys are out there, you just have to be ready to jump in and go often. New stuff is always coming in.