How to Thrift Like a Pro. Tips for Finding the Good Stuff at the Thrift Store.
I have been thrifting for almost a decade now. My sister got me into it. And then I went a little bit crazy with it. Thrift stores are the first places I check before I go anywhere. For real. Not Target, not Fred Meyer, not Walmart, not the mall, not Michael’s, not Amazon.
I used to resell on Poshmark and Mercari and have learned my fair share of tips and tricks for finding the good stuff at the thrift stores. Some may call me a bit of a professional thrifter. Well, not really. No one calls me that. I call myself that. Over the years, I’ve learned how to find top brands, identify quality fabrics by feel, and learn a heck of a lot about all different kinds of cool stuff—artwork, fine china, glass, pottery, furniture.
Okay, so how do I do what I do? I’ve got you covered and you’ll be thrifting like a pro in no time with these thrift tips!
22 tips for finding the good stuff at the thrift store
1. bring snacks and water
Looking around takes time… lots of time. You may even decide to hit up multiple thrift stores in a day. Bring snacks and water (and hand sanitizer) so you don’t get low blood sugar and become the crazy person at the thrift store.
2. put baby wipes in your purse
What is that?! Not sure if it will come off? Baby wipes will come in handy!
3. add a mini tape measure to your purse too
Get a small tape measure that permanently lives in your bag. Then you won’t have to track down an employee to use their tape measure. It has come in handy to check the rise and inseam on pants. Or the dimensions of furniture. Or the height of that weird figurine you want to display in your china hutch.
4. find something to donate so you can have your own personal sale
Most thrift stores offer a coupon when you donate an item. It’s usually 10-20%. Hoard your donations so you can have a personal sale every time you go.
5. sign up for the rewards program
Some stores offer a rewards program like Value Village. For every dollar spent you get one point. When you achieve 100 points, you get a coupon. And it’s free to sign up.
6. wear basic layers if you want to try on clothing (i.e. tank top, long sleeve turtle neck)
A little peeved Value Village took out their dressing rooms but I’ve learned to wear base layers to make it easier to try on clothes in the aisles. I’ll usually wear a tank top under a crew neck sweatshirt. There’s nothing like trying on jeans over jeans. Leggings make it easier but I don’t wear them anymore so maybe light weight loose pants?
7. look every where, in all directions, high and low
You want to look in all places—up, down, diagonal, under stuff, in random sections. People dump things in all places. You never know.. your favorite shirt might be crammed in the books.
8. check for damages
I swear the fluorescent lights play tricks on my eyes. A shirt will look stain free at the store but when I get it home.. where did that spot come from?! It happens… but also check the seams for holes. Look for any missing buttons or hooks. Some damages can be fixed. It’s up to your motivation level.
9. browse the men’s AND women’s section
I’ve found women’s clothes in the men’s section and men’s clothes in the women’s section. You. just. never. know. I love finding crew neck sweatshirts in the men’s section because they are a little oversized.
10. scan all sizes
I know it seems like extra work but I usually go through my size and then a size up. Clothes shrink or get put in the wrong size section.
11. dig through the bins
Employees are always rolling out new bins and clothing racks. Take a moment and do a quick dig through the goodies. It’s like you’re getting first pick!
12. peruse the discarded items at the check out and/or fitting rooms
Definitely check the ditched items outside the fitting rooms and at the check out. I once found a handmade vintage needlepoint Christmas stocking and nearly passed out. It was $4.99. I couldn’t believe someone had put it back. Do you know what those cost on LL Bean?!
13. do research
If you’re into brands or reselling, you need to do some research before you go. You need to know what brands are worth lots of dollars and which brand labels to look out for. I stopped reselling but back in my day, newer Madewell labels sold better than the older Madewell labels.
14. look for high quality fabrics like linen, cotton, and silk
Check the fabric content to see what materials are used in making the item. I try to stay away from acrylics and polyester and look for cotton blends or 100% cotton. Silks and linen are on my radar as well.
15. think outside the box
Not everything has to be used for it’s intended design. Vases can be kitchen utensil holders. Pretty china dishes can be catch all trays. Try to see beyond it’s intended purpose. How could it be reused in a different way? I use a Delft trinket dish as my sponge holder in my kitchen.
16. download google images on your phone
Google images changed my life. You can take a picture of whatever you find and Google will find anything related. This is so helpful in figuring out the value of items or looking up the history of items.
17. do the sniff test
I know it sounds so gross and honestly, I’m embarrassed when I do it. If I am going to smell something I try to do it in secret. I go hide down an empty aisle. It sucks when you don’t realize the amazing thing you found stinks like butt and you didn’t notice until you’ve been sitting next to it in your car. I bought a pair of cute leather shoes and didn’t realize they smelled like cigarettes until I got in my car. I tried everything to get it out but nothing worked.
18. go often
A lot of people complain they never find anything when they go thrifting but honestly, you have to go frequently if you want to find the good stuff. Items are constantly coming and going and you never know what is going to be put out each day. You don’t have to stay for a long time, just a quick pop in while you’re out running errands will be enough.
19. have a list
I have a list of items I am looking for.
a pair of English staffordshire dogs
clam top jars
vintage artwork
end table with a magazine rack
fabric
cd’s
Some of these items are really hard to find and others not so much. I am not in dire need of these so I am willing to wait it out.
20. don’t have a list
I know, I just told you to make a list of things you want to find. However, the fun of thrifting is also finding the unexpected. Like my kitsch wood doggie door stopper I recently thrifted.
21. have patience
Be patient. Not every thrift trip is amazing. I’ve left empty handed many a sad times. It’s frustrating when you want to find the cool stuff and don’t. Keep going, things will turn around.
22. ride the thrift train
Sometimes you hit the jackpot and it feels amazing! When thrifting is hot, you gotta ride the thrift train. It will come to an end. Sorry to burst your bubble. I searched and searched for quilts. I finally found FOUR handmade quilts on back to back thrift trips. I was on a high for quite some time. I was so excited. I haven’t found any quilts since that ride came to an end. So enjoy it while it lasts!
