TIP OF THE DAY NO. 36 – THE ART OF BUYING IN THRIFT SHOPS

TIP NO. 36 – THE ART OF BUYING IN THRIFT SHOPS

Shopping in thrift shops has become a sport – spurred on by the ambition to find the bargain of a lifetime. But to find that bargain you must know how to look, and what you are looking for – prepare yourself – you will need:

1. An idea of what is missing in your wardrobe – this is to avoid getting side tracked by things that don’t fit your lifestyle.

2. Know what is in fashion – even if you don’t follow the latest trends, knowing that full skirts are in will prevent you from buying an unfashionable tight one.

3. Plenty of time – thrift shops are packed with merchandise –  displayed either in heaps on tables or hanging on rags tightly packed, making it difficult to go through it quickly. You must have enough time to see what is there and to examine carefully what you buy.

4. Check it out – when you find an item you like check out its condition –  look under the arms and around the collar. There should be no sign of wear – also check for snags, pulled threads, spots, rips, and piling when it is knitwear.

5. Try it on – today most thrift shops have fitting rooms – use them – don’t come home with something that does not fit or suit you – remember there is no exchange.

6. Consider an alteration – if it is only a matter of shortening the length and/or the sleeves, and it fits otherwise, it will still be worse buying.

Once you have found a thrift shop you like, some are more pleasant than others, drop in whenever you have some time and check out what has come in – their merchandise changes daily and after all you don’t want to miss the bargain of a lifetime.

Happy Hunting – see you tomorrow

                             Brigitte