How to thrift intentionally.
Thank you for being here for my first blog post. I think the question I get the most is how I find the things I do at thrift stores.
Well, I would like to formally title myself as a professional thrifter and I believe it’s something I can teach you.
You are probably wondering if there is a special time and day to go thrifting. And the real answer is there is not. But I can tell you the times and days to avoid crowds.
I never go on a weekend. It is packed which means less opportunity to find things.
Also right when it opens. Avoid this time because the “antiquers” believe that they will find the best stuff because they unload the products overnight. All thrift stores are different but I personally believe that they don’t unload with a night shift. They start unloading after they get to work so that theory might be debunked and you are bumping elbows for no reason. They also unload all day. There are carts full of stuff they are unloading at all times.
The main concept and most important part of thrifting is consistency. Go often. If you go into the approach that you could find anything at any time you will be more successful.
I thrift for myself as well as for my curated shop. So I have a different approach when it comes to thrifting. But there are certain questions I ask myself when I find something.
1. Would I personally keep it?
I have made this mistake many times where I don’t really love something but I believe that it will be a popular item. Sometimes I am right but sometimes I am wrong and then I am stuck with an item that I can’t find a buyer for and then it goes back to the thrift store.
2. Is it timeless?
Timeless doesn’t always mean traditional but ask yourself if it is a trendy item or maybe something really unique and quirky and your taste might change in a year. Try to experiment and find your aesthetic that will bring you joy years to come.
3. Would someone I look up to in the design world also like it?
This has helped me curate a more intentional approach by essentially making a mood board inspired by my most watched creators and ask myself if we were to thrift together would they agree with me? If I don’t see them getting excited about it I put it back.
4. Where am I going to put it?
Before I started selling vintage this was my biggest mistake is just buying and buying with no where to put it and started making piles. Personally it kind of worked out because I have gotten bigger homes and different layouts so I am glad I kept some things I couldn’t fit at the time, however, keep this in mind that if it doesn’t really have a home and is going to be useful or somewhere you can enjoy it, maybe pass.
5. Is it something I could live without?
When I first started thrifting it was difficult for me to find things. I just saw piles of junk. But after a while I trained my eyes to see past it and started finding gems, and that is where the addiction starts. When you find that “thing” and the dopamine hits you just know you can’t live without it. If you can live without it, toss.
Another trick I do is if something catches my eye I throw it in the cart, because I have made the mistake of thinking about an item and go back and it’s gone. I load up the cart and then I find a comfy couch to sit on and edit my items, and ask all the questions above about each item.
A tip I have for you is to look in all categories. Sometimes things are not put in their place and you can find amazing items. I have found a beautiful basket in the wood section, or a copper pot in the candles. Sometimes there are days that you just don’t find anything. And that’s okay. Walk out if you don’t instead of buying things just to make the trip worth it.
If you are a busy person then I can understand justifying going to the thrift store because it is hard to find the time. I am lucky because I have a number of thrift stores close by but I always book time when it’s the most convenient. I go to one close to my daughter’s dance studio and spend an hour there so I don’t have to come back to pick her up.
Or another one is close to an herb shop and I will swing by on the way home. Make it simple and practical for you to find the time to go.
Although it makes more competition at the thrift stores by sharing my secrets I also believe in being resourceful and earth friendly and so if I can help you recycle and repurpose I am happy to do it. There is enough to go around and lots of different tastes. There is something at the thrift stores for everyone.
Key take aways-
- consistency
- ask yourself questions about your intention
- make sure you can’t live without it before buying it
- edit. Grab all the items and them decide what to put back
- it’s okay to leave with nothing
- make it fun and practical, don’t make it a chore
If you have any more thrifting questions please reach out to me. I love finding new friends who share the same passion. And check out my curated shop to see what things I look out for.