Did you know that thrift shopping instead of buying new clothes can save you over $1,700 per year?
Secondhand fashion has become quite popular in recent years because it allows people to look great and save money. Today, many secondhand clothes are in like-new condition, but you must still use a few strategies to find stylish pieces for your wardrobe.
In this guide, you’ll learn all about the basics of buying secondhand clothes without wasting money, regardless of your style. Whether you want casual, sporty, or vintage clothes, numerous options exist for you.
Keep on reading to learn how to find high-quality secondhand clothes!
Find the Right Stores
Before you start buying secondhand clothes, the first thing you must do is find the right stores.
While almost 100,000 clothing stores exist in the US, and a small portion of them sell secondhand clothes. Because of this, you’ll need to spend some time looking for the ones that suit you.
Some of the most popular used clothing stores are thrift stores, like Goodwill and Salvation Army, which sell a variety of used secondhand goods. When visiting them, you can find both modern and vintage clothes at much lower rates than in traditional clothing stores.
Check Clothes Before Buying
Another thing you must do before buying secondhand clothes is checking their condition. It’s not uncommon to find flaws in used clothes, especially if they’ve been around for years.
Look for small holes or stains that could have been overlooked by the seller. You’ll also want to see if the clothes smell okay. If they don’t, ask the seller if they’ve been washed because it may be difficult to remove the odor after buying them.
Aside from checking for flaws, see if the clothes fit you. Most clothing stores have dressing rooms, but if one doesn’t, you may want to avoid buying from there unless you know how a brand fits.
Wait for Discounts
No matter what kind of clothes you want, it’s best to wait for discounts if you have a strict budget. Although secondhand fashion is already cheap, many stores offer discounts when they notice certain clothes aren’t selling.
A common strategy you may notice at thrift stores is discounted bundles. For example, a store may offer a 20% discount if you buy multiple shirts. Finding these discounts will require shopping around at several stores, but if you frequent one, you’ll get a better idea of how often they offer them.
Look for Things to Modify
To get the most out of used clothing, consider looking for things you can personalize. This will not only make the clothing unique, but it may also increase its value if you decide to sell it again later.
Some of the best clothes to modify are jean jackets and white tops, though anything can be changed if you’re creative.
With a jean jacket, you can add patches and dye it to make it stand out from traditional jackets. White tops are also great for dyeing if they’re made of cotton because they tend to dye to full shade.
Browse Various Sites
If you’re having a hard time finding local stores that sell secondhand clothes, you should look for online shops. Doing so will present you with more options, and you may find better deals.
Search for “secondhand fashion” on Google, and you’ll see a variety of sites that sell clothes. Browse a few of them to see what they offer, then check online customer reviews to find out if they’re reliable.
Keep in mind that clothes may not fit properly when buying them online. If you intend on buying cheap designer clothes, try to find similar items from a brand at a local shop to see how they fit.
Some online stores also offer return policies for clothes that don’t fit, but you may need to pay shipping fees.
Set a Budget
Even when buying used clothing, you should set a budget to avoid spending too much.
If you only want a few clothes, a budget of roughly $100 should be enough unless you want vintage outfits that are hard to find. To replace your entire wardrobe with secondhand fashion, about $500 may be enough.
You can set a budget by figuring out how much you’re comfortable spending. As long as buying the clothes won’t prevent you from paying for necessities, your budget can be any amount.
Be Patient
The last thing to remember about buying secondhand clothes is that you must be patient.
High-quality used clothing can sell fast, so it may take some time until you find something you like. Unlike new clothing stores, thrift stores often don’t have multiple units of certain clothing. For example, if a certain shirt sells, there’s a good chance a thrift store won’t have another one.
This is why we encourage you to visit several shops. Having various options is the key to avoiding stress when buying secondhand fashion.
Start Looking for Secondhand Clothes Today
After reading this guide, you now know various tips that’ll help you find the right secondhand clothes for your wardrobe. No matter what kind of clothes you wear, you can find something that suits you.
Consider setting a budget before you start your search to narrow down your options. You should also think about the type of clothes you want so you can find the right stores.
Would you like to learn more about buying used clothing? Check out the rest of our blog for more information!
