Here's a cute dress I got for a few bucks at my local thrift shop <3
So, I've been a savvy thrift shopper my ENTIRE life. After all, how else would I currently be making my life as a full time artist while having cute clothes possible ;) Since I was a child, I would see cool new toys on TV and if I wanted them I'd always tell my mom, hey mommy, I really want this cool new "X" item that all the kids at school have, can we keep an eye out for it when we go garage sailing? And low and behold, we would always find it on our hunts every weekend for a fraction of the price that all my friends' parents were spending.
As an adult though, I do it mostly not just because I was raised with second-hand goods but because I LOVE the unique finds. I LOVE our planet and with how much waste, energy, harmful chemicals, often unfair labor, and a huge carbon footprint goes into producing and transporting every good we buy from a big box store it's really just not worth buying that brand new brightly dyed shirt that was made in China. My husband and I also live comfortably in a house we own, caring for a pack of rescued dogs, and supporting our various hobbies and trips while living on limited income from a self employed artist's salary and PhD student by living REALLY frugally. It sounds crazy but we are really responsible with our spending and we manage make it work! Once in a while I buy a new shirt if it's to support a local animal rescue (my large collection of pitbull shirts is on point), or if I just HAVE to have it and it's marked down to clearance (especially LEGGINGS.. because, well I'm addicted to them).. or new items from local businesses and artists that I like to support, but otherwise I almost always try to keep my purchases second hand.
You may be wondering, how does one thrift? How do you find cute stuff? Aren't used clothes gross?
Well, it's easy, and NO!
You go to thrift shops in your area and check out the racks OFTEN. One visit isn't a good gauge at how good the finds are going to be. Finding out the shop's donation days and when they put new stuff out is important otherwise you'll just be finding the clothes and goods that have already been picked over. Also- don't judge an item by how it looks on the hanger. I've found countless clothes that don't look cute at all hanging lifeless on a hanger but once I put them on and give them shape they are adorable! Some clothes may be damaged, but if you're crafty you may find inspiration in sewing them to make repairs or even taking parts of them to make a new outfit all together (I'm not this crafty but know people who are!). Old jeans or pants can be given a new life being cut into shorts, old shirts made into skirts, old skirts made into pillows and totes---- SO MANY IDEAS! You need to be open minded when you shop! And no- used clothes aren't gross. Half the items I wind up buying still have brand new tags on them and have never been worn (you'd be surprised what people just get rid of when they're cleaning their closets!), and most of them smell of laundry detergent and you can tell they've been freshly washed before being donated. Just to be sure though- just throw your "new" thrifty purchases in the wash before you wear them! Just because a thrift store item had a past life doesn't make it gross. Many of the clothes you buy new have already been tried on in the store (or even worn and returned without your knowledge!).
All stores are different so you really need to check them out and see which have current styles, fair prices, and are constantly getting in new stuff giving you new items to see each time you stop in rather than the same clothes sitting on the sales rack for months. Some of my favorite shops are non-profit so I know I'm also making a difference every time I buy. A lot of towns have a thrift store ran by their local Humane Society! We have a great one here in Gainesville, and every time I travel somewhere new I love finding their Humane Society Thrift Shop and looking for cool finds!
If you're picky, try out resale shops like Plato's Closet (which is a chain all over) or Sandy's Boutique which is a similar style store here in Gainesville that also has furniture and home goods. There is definitely a consignment type shop in your area. These shops are pickier about what they carry only selling "like-new" items in great condition and up to speed with current styles and trends. You'll often pay a few dollars more for your items at shops like these though.
Don't believe me you can find cute stuff for good deals? Here's my latest thrift haul at my favorite local shop, OUTREACH THRIFT SHOP on NW 6th St. in Gainesville. I didn't think anyone would care about my thrifting adventure until I posted these dresses on my personal Facebook with an overwhelming response.. so I will try to keep up with blogging about all my great thrift hauls in the future :) All these dresses cost about $20 together, including one that's hanging but not pictured because I need to take in the waist a little bit for a better fit (5 dresses total) :) I also snagged a nice pair of shorts and sunflower print capris for my mom, not pictured. Each item is from a high-end designer or retail store and in excellent like-new condition. The short blue flower dress is awesome because it has POCKETS and was only 25 cents! The other dresses averaged $5-$6 each and the shorts and capris were only $2.
Hope this inspires you to try THRIFTING in your area soon! Save money and help the environment by buying second-hand.
Here are just SOME of my favorite Thrift locations in Gaineville, FL:
~ Outreach Thrift (cheapest clothes!)
~ Sandy's Savvy Chic Resale Boutique (cute in style clothes, household items, baby items and furniture)
~ Thrifty Critter (garage sales only- no permanent location, but AMAZING items and 100% of proceeds help local animal organizations)
~ Humane Society of North Central Florida Thrift Store (great household items, random finds)
~ Repurpose Project (not good for clothes but for craft materials and cheap stuff to repurpose, YES!)
~ The Heart of Gainesville Thrift Store (cute and cheap clothes!)
~ Flashbacks (cute clothes, especially when you need something for a specific decade-themed party!)
~ Haven Hospice Attic (clothes, household goods, etc.)
~ Habitat for Humanity ReStore (furniture, household goods, do it yourself home repair items)
There are probably some I'm missing but these are the ones I have enjoyed most (there are many in this area I haven't even discovered yet!)
And of course there is always Goodwill, Gainesville has 2 Goodwills, but I have come to prefer the smaller shops that are locally owned and support good causes <3
What is the coolest thing you've ever found at a thrift store? What's your favorite thrifty place to shop at? Let me know in the comments :)
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