Thrift stores can be a daunting endeavor. There are so many different ones you can go to, and so many unanswered questions before you get there, like: “Will there be a weird odor in there?” “Will it be like that Macklemore video?” “Do I need to bring cash?”. And while we can’t answer all of those questions, we can give you some ideas on how to make your journey easier and hopefully more fruitful. For this post, I’ve teamed up with PYLO (one of my fav online shops) to share my tips on how to not look like a total newbie at the local Second-Hand shop.
Thrift stores can be a daunting endeavor. There are so many different ones you can go to, and so many unanswered questions before you get there, like: “Will there be a weird odor in there?” “Will it be like that Macklemore video?” “Do I need to bring cash?”. And while we can’t answer all of those questions, we can give you some ideas on how to make your journey easier and hopefully more fruitful. For this post, I’ve teamed up with PYLO (one of my fav online shops) to share my tips on how to not look like a total newbie at the local Second-Hand shop.
GO OFTEN
My biggest tip is to frequent your local thrift store. I’m not saying you have to go every day, but going once a week means that you’re likely to find that hidden gem. Most thrift stores rely on donations from the public, so going after the weekend is over is a good idea. People tend to clean out their closets on their days off, so that means you can score big mid-week.
BE PATIENT
Remember, you’re not always going to find something. And while there’s nothing I can say to take away the sting of leaving empty-handed, I can say that being persistent pays off. You may not lay hands on the find of your dreams today, but if you keep at it, you just might get lucky and find the perfect leather jacket for $10.
THRIFT STORES COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
There’s a huge array of types of second-hand shopping spots. From the lowliest dirty and disorganized local shop (bring hand-sanitizer and be prepared to dig) to big chain Thrift Stores like Saver’s and Goodwill (which tend to be more efficient and organized)- there’s a lot to be found out there. And if the idea of combing through rack after rack doesn’t appeal to you, there are more edited spots available where the employees have done the dirty work and already selected the inventory. Shops like Wasteland, Crossroads, and Buffalo Exchange have a great mix of second-hand, designer, and even some vintage mixed in.
KNOW THE LIMITS
You’re not going to find a Chanel bag. You just won’t. Okay, maybe, just MAYBE you will, but it won’t be a black leather adorable bag. Chances are, it’s going to be denim, from 1997, and super over-priced because the girl working in the back “knows designer brands”. Designer items like that can be almost impossible to find, but things like band tees, flannels, and vintage boots are usually abundant. If you are dead-set on finding designer labels, try a high-end consignment shop that specializes in things like that.
this post was shot on location at Painted Bird in Silverlake / Crossroads Trading Co
