Thrift shops are a fun and affordable way to add to your wardrobe, and the treasure-hunt nature of thrift shopping can be surprisingly addictive. Second-hand shops are great for finding interesting and unique items at good prices, but can often be overwhelming. Sorting through racks full of old, dated, and usually pretty ugly clothing can easily seem like work not worth doing, but a couple good finds quickly make it all worthwhile.

Here are 10 tips for those tempted to the treasure hunt for the first time, or anyone just looking to make their shopping trips a little more efficient:

1. Go early in the day

Going early in the day means the stuff in the store has had less time to be picked over, making it more likely there will be some solid pieces for you to scoop up. The earlier you go the more likely it is you’ll beat out other customers, as well as professional thrift shoppers looking to sell for profit or stock vintage store shelves.

Going early is especially important on sale days as more people go to shop and look through things. Sales mean there are better deals to be had, and better deals to be missed out on.

2. Check beyond your size

Sizing has changed drastically over the years, and because thrift shops sell clothing from various decades, the sizes listed in the garments don’t mean a whole lot. A ’90s small will not fit like a current small, for example.

Knowing this, the best option is to check all the racks within reasonable range of your size; doing this will prevent you missing out on some cool clothes that may have worked for you in spite of their label.

3. Don’t go looking for big brands

It’s always nice finding recognizable brand names in the thrift shop, and nothing beats spending a couple dollars on something that retailed for a couple hundred, but don’t overlook anything just because it’s not from a label you recognize.

It’s also just as important not to buy something solely because you’re getting a good deal on a brand name; if you wouldn’t like it or buy it without the label, don’t buy it at all.

4. Look for quality materials

Seeking out quality materials is the best way to get the most value for your money; wool, linen, cashmere, and any number of other fine fabrics can be found in thrift store clothing, and they will be far cheaper there than at almost any high street store. With just a little experience you’ll be able to quickly pick out quality materials, and you’ll be able to inspect only the pieces that appeal to you, saving you from checking every item on the rack.

5. Experiment with different items

Thrift stores are packed with weird and interesting garments you won’t find anywhere else, and because everything is quite affordable, it provides low-risk options to try new things with your style. Take advantage and try out something a little different, trying on and wearing weird stuff is fun, and being open to more out-there clothes can add a lot to the thrifting experience.

6. Have a list of instant deal-breakers

An easy way to save a lot of time is to have a list of personal deal-breakers for the clothes you look at. This is a list of traits that will make a garment an instant non-purchase. Things like rips, stains, or other damage may make an item unpurchaseable for some, or it can be more personal: I drop anything with too small or too large a collar, for others pleats or v-necks could be a deal-breaker.

Coming up with a personal list of deal-breakers will help save time not trying on things you won’t be happy with, and it will also save you money and buyer’s remorse by making you conscious of exactly what you don’t want.

7. Try on everything

Grab a buggy and take advantage of it. Grab everything that catches your eye and give it a shot. There’s no harm in trying stuff on, especially after it’s passed you’re deal-breaker test, and thrift store clothes also have a tendency to look better once they’re off the hanger and on a body.

Proper fit and general comfort is also only realized once you’re wearing something, so trying clothes on is necessary, especially with old clothes which can fit surprisingly weird.

8. Consider alteration

Pants can be tapered, shirts taken in, and almost everything can be shortened. If you find something you really like, but the fit is off, consider if its something you could get tailored to fit how you like. Generally thrift store stuff is cheap enough that even with alteration costs you’ll get a solid deal, but altering things is best reserved for exceptional, high quality finds.

9. Find out when new stock is put on the floor

Most thrift stores have a couple days a week where they put fresh stock on the floor, and these are the best days to go shopping, you can usually find out what days these are by asking anyone who works at your local store.

Getting to the thrift shop on one of these days gives you a much better chance of finding something, as the clothes haven’t been up for sale long enough to get thoroughly picked over.

10. Go often

In the end thrift shopping is mostly a game of luck, and the best way to increase your chances of finding some great stuff is to go as often as you can. It takes a little dedication, but the more clothing you sift through, the more successful you will be.

Thrifting can feel like work, and it can be tough to do it often. But if you follow these tips, you may find, especially after a few big finds, that it’s hard to shop anywhere else.

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