5 Myths About Thrift Shopping
Thrift shopping has gotten a bad rap, and there are many misconceptions about what its really like. Don’t believe everything you’ve heard! The truth is there are lots of great ways to find amazing deals on clothes you’ll love when you go thrifting. For more information about why thrifting is a great option, read my blog post on why the fashion industry is not sustainable here.
1. I won’t find anything in style.
Many people think that thrift stores are full of old clothes that have gone out of style, but that it not true at all! Many thrift stores have really great items that people have given up for all kinds of reasons - they don’t fit anymore or they just don’t like it anymore. You can definitely find stylish pieces depending on where you look. Some thrifts stores have better selections than others, so shop around in your local area to find which ones you like best.
2. The clothes are dirty.
This is one of the main things that keeps people from shopping for clothes secondhand, and I used to feel this way too. But even when you buy new clothes, there’s no guarantee that no one has tried it on or even bought it, worn it out, and returned it. You’re going to wash it when you take it home anyway so it really doesn’t matter. After you wear it once it will feel like yours!
3. Thrift stores don’t have nice brands.
You can find all kinds of clothes at thrift stores, including from some really high end brands if you’re lucky. The great thing about thrifting is that you don’t know what you’re going to find. Some of my favorite finds have been from brands like Coach, Brandy Melville, Madewell, and even Gucci. And more often than not the items are in great condition.
4. It will be hard to find things in my size.
As a short person, I often find it hard to find clothing that fits me, especially pants. But I haven’t found it any harder when shopping at thrift stores. In fact, I usually end up finding quite a few petite sized items. Stores will usually label items by size so it isn’t super hard to find things that will fit you.
5. It’s hard to find what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for something specific, this may be true, but part of the fun is just going in and searching through the racks to see what you find. That being said, if there is a specific item you are really trying to find, there are ways to thrift it online. There are so many resources you can use these days, like Thredup or Depop to search for exactly what you’re looking for.
