Now that we’ve done all our prep work…let’s go inside the store.
(If you go back to thrifty tips #1 or #2 you can be updated on the list of the 8 types of stores where I like to shop for my thrifty deals.)
Imagine that you are in any of those 8 types of stores
(except for #6: the outlet mall or #8 the regular retail store clearance or end of season)
What do you see?
Racks and racks of clothes from every era, every age group, every body type and every style all mashed together…and usually poorly organized, I might add.
What happens then…do you turn and run because it’s just too overwhelming?
or do you dig in your heels and get to work?
You know exactly what I do…I dig and go!
If you’ve gone shopping with me, you know that a switch turns on and I turn into the ‘girl on a mission’…weaving in and out of isles, touching fabrics, searching for patterns and shapes of clothes that scream “take me home! I belong with you!” and scanning the racks for something special.
I scan so intensely that I usually leave the store with sore eyes. no joke. lame…I know.
Understand this: I don’t just stand there and sort through the racks…you can do that too, but I don’t have time for that.
So I’m going to do my best to show you through the eyes of my crazy ‘girl on a mission’ self exactly how I attack a store to come home with nice, sometimes vintage, well made, and otherwise expensive clothes…because, well, that’s what I like.
Just remember, these are MY opinions…
it’s okay for you to have different ones.
So, let’s practice scanning the racks. It’s a skill I think is essential to thrifting and one I truly believe can be acquired.
This is our first lesson is honing those skills and training your eyes. Let’s start with patterns – they are the easiest to spot.
You are in the store and you are faced with this…
You scan this rack of patterned skirts…which one catches YOUR eye? Which one will YOU pick up?
I’ll tell you which ones I will take the time to look at…
(If you go back to thrifty tips #1 or #2 you can be updated on the list of the 8 types of stores where I like to shop for my thrifty deals.)
Imagine that you are in any of those 8 types of stores
(except for #6: the outlet mall or #8 the regular retail store clearance or end of season)
What do you see?
Racks and racks of clothes from every era, every age group, every body type and every style all mashed together…and usually poorly organized, I might add.
What happens then…do you turn and run because it’s just too overwhelming?
or do you dig in your heels and get to work?
You know exactly what I do…I dig and go!
If you’ve gone shopping with me, you know that a switch turns on and I turn into the ‘girl on a mission’…weaving in and out of isles, touching fabrics, searching for patterns and shapes of clothes that scream “take me home! I belong with you!” and scanning the racks for something special.
I scan so intensely that I usually leave the store with sore eyes. no joke. lame…I know.
Understand this: I don’t just stand there and sort through the racks…you can do that too, but I don’t have time for that.
So I’m going to do my best to show you through the eyes of my crazy ‘girl on a mission’ self exactly how I attack a store to come home with nice, sometimes vintage, well made, and otherwise expensive clothes…because, well, that’s what I like.
Just remember, these are MY opinions…
it’s okay for you to have different ones.
So, let’s practice scanning the racks. It’s a skill I think is essential to thrifting and one I truly believe can be acquired.
This is our first lesson is honing those skills and training your eyes. Let’s start with patterns – they are the easiest to spot.
You are in the store and you are faced with this…
You scan this rack of patterned skirts…which one catches YOUR eye? Which one will YOU pick up? I’ll tell you which ones I will take the time to look at…
Here they are one at a time… cheetah print + roses = pass.
ooooh… what’s that? Vintage wool pencil skirt with a beautiful hounds tooth plaid print…definitely worth my time to pick up and check the size!
This is an expensive skirt and if it fits – a deliciously thrifty find!!!
This is an expensive skirt and if it fits – a deliciously thrifty find!!!
Supersize flowers…too big of a print for most people to pull off. Pass… 
ummm…pass.
not my own personal style, but easy to pair things with and neutral enough…definitely worth a look see.
no, I don’t think this is for me either.
Okay, let’s practice scanning with another rack…
What catches your eye? These catch mine…
Nice grey wool pencil skirt.
Not my personal style, but definitely IN style right now…
I guess I didn’t get a picture of the last one. A great black skirt with tiny polka dots…pairs with everything!
Okay, here’s our last practice. Take a quick glance at this picture and then tell me what you see…anything worthwhile?
Okay, here’s our last practice. Take a quick glance at this picture and then tell me what you see…anything worthwhile?
Definitely one beautiful skirt hiding in there…
Beautiful print… well made in a good thick fabric. Still with the tags. A PERFECT thrifty find!
So I hope you got the gist of this scanning technique. Just know, you don’t have to sift through every article of clothing on those racks.
You don’t have time for that! You DO have time to find great thrifty deals…you just have to practice.
Start by going thrifting with something particular in mind.
For example: Go on a day when all skirts or sweaters are 99 cents…and JUST hit those racks.
Practice scanning.
Remember, if you approach it right, you don’t have to be overwhelmed.
You don’t have time for that! You DO have time to find great thrifty deals…you just have to practice.
Start by going thrifting with something particular in mind.
For example: Go on a day when all skirts or sweaters are 99 cents…and JUST hit those racks.
Practice scanning.
Remember, if you approach it right, you don’t have to be overwhelmed.
Posts
3 comments:
Thank you so much! I might be able to go thrift shopping now without becoming overwhelmed.
Heather-I totally want to go with you. You make it look so easy and fun.
These are great tips! I have always been one who would LOVE to have nice things, but I HATE to shop! I could only see the pictures in the first half of the post, however. The rest have an exclamation mark. I don't know if that's from my end or yours, though.
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