How To Thrift for Pieces You Will Actually Wear

Shop for your body type and don’t settle for something that isn’t perfect just because it’s on trend. Thrifting your wardrobe is more time consuming than buying new from the store, so be patient, and don’t lose sight of your personal style and preferences.

I have been thrifting for clothes for over a decade, and have made just about every mistake imaginable.  From DIY disasters to overlooking the seriously unflattering qualities of a piece that I felt like I just HAD to have, I have learned to put my body shape, comfort and style first and trends second.  

My style and body have changed since my highschool and university days.  Everything just seemed to fit, and even if it was oversized or slightly too small, I wasn’t in a professional adult environment where it really mattered.  Now, I’m in my mid twenties and breaking into the working world, and look for opportunities to show off my creative side while staying presentable and office-appropriate.

Over-Sized Pieces?

We love a good oversized blazer, jacket, t-shirt, or sweater, just be careful not to get too carried away…

I am definitely not saying that over-sized items are bad.  I own a fair share of my own, but it is important to note that being more selective with which over-sized or under-sized items you buy will prevent you from looking like you raided someone else’s closet.  

Can You Move in it?

If you can’t twerk in it, leave it at the store.

Ensure the clothes you buy are comfortable.  If you find a pair of high waisted jeans that look amazing, but you can’t eat or sit down in them, you’ll probably never wear them. Same goes for dresses or skirts that ride up when you walk. Clothes that you can’t properly function in cause you SO much more stress than necessary. A good rule of thumb is: if it will end up collecting dust in your closet, better to leave it on the rack for someone else to buy who may fit into it better.

 At the end of the day, thrifting may be more eco-friendly and less expensive than fast fashion, however, being more conscious about your consumption means your wardrobe will be filled with pieces you genuinely love and wear often.  If there are types of garments that you already wear and gravitate towards, try to bring home pieces that will compliment them. This will give you more options and ways to style the clothes you already own.

The point that I hope to make here is that putting yourself first when thrifting will give you the best results.  Things can look much better on the hanger than on your body, and it’s important to not blame yourself for that. Be patient, and something great will come your way that you can wear comfortably and confidently.  If you find something that doesn’t fit quite right but you just CAN’T leave without it, tailoring is always an option, but of course, the less fuss the better. 

For more thrift tips, check out my Thrifting 101 post. There you’ll find my basic rules for successful thrifting and second-hand shopping.