When I was attending CSULA as a Fashion Merchandising major one of my teachers had one motto, “Never buy retail.” 14 years after receiving my B.A. I still buy clothes on a budget. That doesn’t mean I don’t keep up with trends every season, or that my wardrobe looks dated, it just means that I’ve learned how to look good by buying from my local thrift store and translating my finds with inexpensive separates from off-price stores and items already in my closets. Throughout my years of budget shopping I’ve discovered additional benefits to thrifting that include recycling, experimenting with different colors, styles and silhouettes and acquiring less.
While there are as many ways of shopping and wearing thrift store goods as there are styles of jeans, I’d like to share my secrets with you and let you know how you can be as chic as someone wearing head-to-toe designer. The first rule is to see your find as a component to an outfit, or a series of outfits, instead of a random item. For example, the last time I went to Goodwill Industries Thrift Store I bought a short-sleeved Calvin Klein top for under $5. Once I got it home I paired it with six jackets, a multicolored velvet Club Monaco blazer, a turquoise floral Calvin Klein blazer, a green Chanel-esque blazer, a cream Chanel-esque blazer, a white faux fur shrug and a brown leopard print faux fur Forever 21 jacket. Depending on the occasion I could add these “toppers” to a pair of jeans, khakis or a skirt, then accessorize the whole outfit with jewelry, a purse, a hat, scarf and coordinating shoes.
To ensure that your purchase will be worth the money, and will be an investment later, it’s a good idea to do a little sartorial homework beforehand. Mine usually entails studying high fashion publications like “Vogue,” “Elle,” “Harper’s Bazaar” and “Marie Claire,” the Japanese magazines “Fruits” and “Kera,” store windows and people on the street. Besides these resources it’s important to assess your wardrobe and see where it’s lacking. If you need career clothes you know ahead of time to look for classic dresses, suits, skirts, pants, shirts, sweaters and shirts at the thrift store. I’ve often found very nice designer duds, for under $10, so if you find a Michael Kors blouse or a pair of Ann Taylor pants on one of your trips you’re one lucky bargainista.
Even though it’s good to have a plan when you walk into a thrift store, the only way to make a decent haul is to open yourself up to whatever catches your eye, and then try it on. At a retail store you might never buy a green corduroy pea coat or needlepoint butterfly tote, but when you see them for under $20 at Goodwill, you might snap them up. The only thing to guard against is allowing your second-hand gear to funkify your wardrobe instead of enhance it. One way to do this is to coordinate whatever you buy with strict editing. Take that green corduroy pea coat and butterfly tote, you can easily put together a stunning outfit by pairing them with a light green pullover sweater over a yellow button-down shirt and denim skinny jeans. Since all of these items are tied together by the same color families, it works.
Thrift stores are also excellent places to find things that’re currently trending now too, such as the colors pink, orange and white, fuller, longer skirts, shirting materials and art prints then using your imagination to pick things that express your own personal style. By experimenting with a variety of merchandise, you’ll probably find a lot of treasures that’ll truly make your day and earn you countless compliments every time you wear them.
As the economy continues to be unstable and complicated shopping at thrift stores isn’t only cool, it’s also smart.
How To Shop at a Thrift Store:
- Wear something easy to take on and off (i.e., button-down shirt and leggings or jeans and a t-shirt).
- Look at everything and keep an open mind.
- Try on everything and hang up everything when you’re finished. Leave the fitting rooms and racks neat.
- Coordinate items in the store (pants, jackets, etc.)
- Look for quality, name brands, designers, etc.
- Look for sale items
- Inspect items but don’t be put off by lost buttons and simple repairs.
Thrift Stores:
- NCL Timeless Treasures Ticktocker Thrift Shop, 9441 Culver Blvd. in Culver City.
- Goodwill Industries National Thrift Store, #32, 8905 Venice Blvd. in West L.A.
- Council Thrift Store, NCJW/L.A., 12120 Venice Blvd. in L.A.
- Out of the Closet Thrift Store, 10749 Pico Blvd. in L.A.
