Are you someone that has never shopped at a thrift store? Maybe you just don’t think of thrift stores when you want or need a new item. Does this describe you? If so, this article may be for you. I’ll explain why and how I shop at thrift stores on a regular basis!
Thrift Store Stigma
There are a lot of stigmas around thrift stores and there is also a movement trending online with “thrift hauls.”
Stigmas are long standing about thrift stores and the types of people that shop there. Just so you know, I’ve been shopping at thrift stores my entire adult life. I began in college because I wanted nice things and couldn’t afford to buy them new. I was also an avid fast fashion shopper and never gave a thought as to how and why the garments I was buying were made or the quality because I shopped weekly. “Retail as therapy” was a concept I bought into and implemented for years. I would say it bordered on addiction. More on all that in another post – Needless to say, I’ve changed my perspective on the entire fashion industry and this is just one of many posts I’ll be writing on the topic.
I’m not going to tell you what to think about thrifting; as we each have our own beliefs.
Although, I do suggest looking at your beliefs and where they came from, how/if they are discriminatory, why you have them, and if you might like to let them go. A little self reflection – change your perspective – investigate your beliefs – make a choice to change your mind, or not.
Thrift Hauls
Thrift Haul is another perspective on thrift stores. There are people buying lots of items – making videos about their cheap “hauls,” and sharing them on YouTube and Instagram. Some people also create entire followings that they sell to. They post their thrifted finds for sale on Poshmark, Instagram, etc. I have different thoughts about “thrift hauling” – when for resale, I generally think this is a good idea. It gets items that already used resources including water, energy, and humans to make into the hands of people that want them.
How I Thrift
My version of thrifting is none of the above! I do not shop at any store on a weekly or even monthly basis. I go to thrift stores if I am in an area that I think might have interesting items that I’d want for myself, or when I feel like it’s time to pop around and see if there are vintage fabrics and handi works available. That’s it. I shop thrift stores with a plan. I shop particular sections of the stores – checkout and leave!
Before I Leave Home
When I have decided I want a particular item for myself, my husband, my sewing projects, or my home I look around and see what thrift stores are near me. Living in an RV, I’m never sure about what I might find. I prefer to start at small, local thrift stores. I look to see what they do with the funds they raise. For example, in Reno, NV I shop St. Vincent’s Thrift Shop which supports all the good work the non-for-profit does for the homeless and hungry. In Heathsville, VA there are several local churches that use the funds to help the people in need in their community. Wherever I am I start with the small local places. Next, I look at the “chains” like Salvation Army and Goodwill.
I normally make a day of thrifting because I often live 20 or more miles from a city on public lands, and to save gas (always thinking about my carbon footprint) I plan grocery shopping and when possible post office stops on the same day.
I leave the house with the stores plotted out, the shopping lists, and needed measurements all in my phone.
In small, local shops I normally look through everything. There are often vintage items, fabrics and crafting supplies in these stores. Once in the larger thrift stores I focus only on particular areas.
Fort Worth, TX Example
At the end of 2020, I went to Berry Good Guys Resale, The Resale Shop, and Goodwill. My list was for linen clothing that I could upcycle into a shirt for myself, hardware from old bags and purses, and to look through the linen, bedding, and craft sections.
I searched through the womens and mens plus sizes to find a shirt to use when I got to Goodwill. I did not find anything at the first two stores. They were very well organized and had a number of nice garments but not what I wanted to use for the upcycle.
I found a number of great bags and purses at the local shops, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy them – knowing I was going to tear them apart – because they were in good condition. When at Goodwill, I found two bags that had a number of zippers, D-rings, and metallic snaps. They were low quality pleather and had a lot of wear, so I was happy to buy them for disassembly and future upcycling.
A search through the local thrift store’s bedding area proved a good use of time. I found a white curtain and a bedspread. I realized, when I saw these, that they could be used as background when staging items to sell on Etsy. I bought both. At Goodwill I didn’t find anything in the bedding and sewing area.
To be clear, I didn’t look at any other sections of Goodwill. I stay focused on the purpose of my trip so that I only purchase what I need!
Find Your Way to Thrift!!
Now, you’ve kept an open mind, and read this post. Maybe it’s time for you to try thrift store shopping for yourself? If you do, share your finds on Instagram and add #earthmesky. I’d love to see what you find and hear about what type of thrift store shopper you might be!
If not, that’s cool, too! Maybe you’d like to check out my Etsy Shop for a bit of inspiration!
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