Building a Thrifted Wardrobe

Thrifting is not only popular right now, it is sustainable. It is also a fun way to add unique pieces to your wardrobe without spending a fortune. Especially in this economy and with these tariffs, prices in retail only seem to get higher.

Building a thrifted wardrobe does not happen overnight, in fact I have been collecting for over 10 years now. My closet is not 100% secondhand, because realistically it is not possible, plus I still have clothes from before my thrifting days! 

Even if I find something brand new I like, I make sure to check out the thrift to see if I can find a dupe! I found that when you go with an idea of what you want in your mind, you will end up with so much more than going in blindly. This can also alleviate anxiety inside thrift stores since they can be a little chaotic at times. Sticking with a plan can make your trip so much more fun, and time efficient. 

I suggest when starting out to find base pieces that will be closet staples, for example, basic t-shirts, tank tops, and pants. After you have found things you can wear daily, that's when you can start taking the time to find unique pieces that match your aesthetic. 

In a single trip I like to walk through most of the categories, shoes, bottoms, tops, jackets, and accessories, but with a goal in mind. If I know I need more tops that's where I will spend more time looking closely at the things that call out to me. 

That's another tip I have- shop intuitively. What does that mean? It means trust your gut and pull things you naturally gravitate towards, whether it is color, print, texture, or silhouette.

Another tip I have is to stick to the season we are in or about to be in, no use in buying a fur jacket in the dead of summer. UNLESS this is a once in a lifetime find or you genuinely really love the pieces.

 To avoid overconsumption which can be easy in thrift stores, ask your “Would i=I get this if it were fully priced?” If the answer is no then you could probably do without it. I also tend to stray away from items that are low quality, falling apart, or already have stains and holes. Looking at the brands is very important too when it comes down to the worth. Now thrift stores are oversaturated with fast fashion like Shein, Target brands, and Forever 21. So if it's a used Shein item why would I want to buy it for $4.99 when that is how much it would be brand new? 

This also goes for shoes, shoes can be most difficult to find because oftentimes they are so worn down. A tell sign is looking at the state the soles are in, if they are easily bendable chances are they are one wear away from falling apart. Nothing is worse than being out in a situation where your shoe becomes unwearable and there's nothing you can do about it.

My favorite second hand things to look for are accessories! Thrift stores are where I find my most unique pieces that I wouldn't be able to find or that aren't even made anymore. More example jewelry, most vintage pieces are real metal therefore have held up over the years and can still fit into fashion now.

With all that said, Be patient. Finding clothes you love can already be difficult so take your time, and look for things you will continuously reach for. Go with a goal in mind but don't set your expectations too high and let the thrift gods do their thing! And most importantly have fun!