WARNING: Thrifting can really be a thrill. Going to thrift stores can be addicting just like anything else. When you find treasures for pennies you get an adrenaline rush that can motivate you to go back for more. Be careful, be safe, and make good choices 😉
My style is eclectic traditional. I love antiques. I love a collected home that tells a unique story of the people who live in it. So, naturally I have always loved buying antiques and vintage items. Several years ago, my thrifting mentor took me on a local tour of thrift stores. She taught me what to look for, what inventory is good at each store, and what days to go. That knowledge coupled with a few great scores started me on a path of becoming a recovering thrift addict. I am recovering, because I recognize I have a problem. I’ve put boundaries in place to make sure I am not buying things just because they are a “good deal”, but buying the things that are on my list or are a great investments. In this post I will tell you what I buy on a regular basis and how to get the best deals at thrift stores. Be sure to check out my post on my recent day out with my thrifting mentor for some great locations to visit in Dallas. Are you ready to thrift?
First and foremost, check your snobbery at the door. There is a time an place for elegance and this isn’t it. Well, unless it’s the items that you rescue that are flat out elegant- there is a lot of that. But, it’s buried treasure y’all. Its dusty, old, and smelly in there. Sometimes you need to scrub in to go in and scrub out after leaving. I do keep a large bottle of hand sanitizer in my car to douse on my hands if i need it. If you are indeed brave enough for the adventure, then suit up, girl. Put on your Chucks, Vans, or Nikes. Grab your best cross body or backpack purse. Let’s do this!
The Best Scores
Before you walk into the store, know what is on your list. You know the stuff you love. I love vintage, etched glasses. I know how much cabinet space I have left and what types of glasses I will use for everyday and parties. I love silver. Silver trays, flatware, picture frames, etc. Picture frames- small and large. Vases and decor. I buy lots of vases for pennies to keep them on hand to make flower arrangements and deliver them as hostess gifts and birthday gifts. Investment purses- you know the good stuff. Gucci, Burberry, Louis. These are the items I look for in every store, every time.
Beyond that, it’s different every week. If I’m throwing a party, sometimes I look decor items specifically for the event. Like a lace tablecloth for a Unicorn Tea Party. You can find so many great items for pennies at thrift stores for those one time events.
For years, I just looked at home decor. The past couple of years I have shopped the clothing a bit and my how I have found some great stuff! Adorable pieces for the kids. I bought a dress recently for $3 that I plan to wear to a winter gala.
I basically buy items that are super easy to clean and that are in good condition. Be sure to check out my post on how to easily clean silver! Whatever you are looking for, make a plan. Have a mental or physical list. Have somewhat of a budget- of your storage space and funds set aside for thrifting. If not, you will pick up a ton of impulse items that will litter your garage.
The Best Deal
Each thrift store has it’s culture. It’s niche. It’s program. If you have not visited the store before just stop and ask a store clerk for the low down. Ask questions, like “It’s my first time in. What should I know about your store?” “Do you have a color system?” “Do you have special discounts or certain days/times for specials?” “Do you re-stock every day or on a certain day of the week?” You may find that they have marked a certain section 1/2 price for the day. Or that they have a frequent shopping card and for every purchase you get cash back or extra discounts. Ask right when you arrive so you can keep in mind all of the sales as you peruse items. It will help you decide how great of a deal each item really is that day. Most stores use a color system. They will have a color posted prominently somewhere in the store. If that color is on the tag of the item, then it is 50% off. Usually, it is just for clothing and not for home decor, etc. But each store is a little different so be sure to ask!
Beyond certain days that have special sales at each store, I have found that some days are better than others. If you find out that a store gets a truck every Thursday, then visiting that store on a Thursday or Friday will give you the most opportunity for great items. There are serious thrifters out there that scour the stores every day for the good stuff to re-sell. So to get the great, vintage items, you must go at the right time. As a general rule, mid week is a great time to go visit thrift stores. The mad house from the weekend is over and the stores have had time to organize and re-stock. Mornings or mid day are less crowded than the evenings when everyone is off work and shopping.
Go often. Most stores re-stock everyday. You never know when they are going to put out that Gucci belt, Spode dish set, or Restoration Hardware sofa. You can speed through your neighborhood thrift store pretty quickly to check to see what new china they have put out on the floor or if they have placed any Pokemon cards in their game section.
Be mindful of the location of the thrift stores you visit. If you are really into antiques then gong to a thrift store in parts of the country with lots of older homes and history will provide you with more selection than new suburban areas. If you are looking for good quality, trendy clothing then go to the thrift stores close to the area of town that the culture fits. Expensive jewelry, purses, collectibles will be more plentiful in areas that are close to more affluent parts of town.
Overall, thrifting has been such a fun, impactful shopping venture. Many thrift stores I visit are non- profits. Buying from them supports some excellent ministries that are positively impacting lives. I donate a lot to them and am happy to purchase items from them to further their cause. If you are a fan of recycling everything in your life then thrifting is the way to go. You will be shocked what unique and great items you find in thrift stores.
Be watching my Instagram stories for #thriftscores! Be sure to tag @hostingwhatmatters with any great items you score and use the hashtag #thriftscore. Check back later to hear all about my my recent tour through some great thrift stores in Dallas! Happy Thrifting, friends!
Meet the Hostess
I'm a Southern girl who loves a good party, a house full of laughter, and a porch swing full of friends and family. I blog about how to host in a way that matters. Curious what I mean by that? CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND READ MY STORY.
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