I’m an outlier in the fashion guru community, not only because of my inapplicable major (broadcast journalism) but, admittedly, I rarely buy anything over the cost of 10 lattes. I’m a frugal fashion fiend.
Yes, I count the cost of clothing by how many cups of coffee I will have to forgo that week.
With the majority of your non-paid internship money funneling into the university (and The Coffee House), it’s not only environmentally conscious, it’s necessary to turn to second-hand clothing for fashion-forward desires.
If you were to peruse my closet, or my pile of wadded up clothing stacked high atop my beanbag (“Beans” for short), you would find a surprising majority of my clothing was snagged from the hangers of thrift stores and sale racks.
However, this frugal and eco-friendly mindset for compiling my wardrobe took some time to perfect. Heighten your thrifter status from novice to veteran by noting some of the rules I think are most important when consignment shopping.
1. Be patient.
Because thrifting is truly a hit-or-miss adventure, the best thrifters value patience. When it comes to bargain-hunting, the age-old cliche that “patience is a virtue” lends itself well.
Along with patience, don’t be afraid to adventure. Sometimes the rubies are hidden in piles of overflowing racks of less-than-desirable clothing. You must sift, rummage and search for that hidden treasure. You will rarely have a big black “X” to direct you to the gold mine.
2. Keep an open mind.
Don’t rule out articles of clothing because they have little defects, forcing them into the ridiculously cheap pile. Let the DIY crafter in you do the thinking and consider ways to revamp salvageable items into fashion-forward head-turners.
We live in an age where everything seems disposable, including textiles. In fact, it is said North America generates an astronomical amount – roughly 12 million tons – of textile waste a year.
Embrace the fact that your clothing had a previous life, and don’t fear age. Many times you might snag collectible, rare items for chump change or less.
3. Get it tailored.
The waiting game can be unbearable when all you want to do is flaunt your new articles of clothing, but if you find a cheap, second-hand article of clothing that is falling off your shoulders, schmooze up to your friend with a sewing machine. Or do it yourself. If neither option is applicable to you, support your local tailor.
4. Promptly wash new clothing.
I hear scabies are disgusting and painful. Contrary to popular belief, scabies aren’t only transmitted sexually. Many victims receive rashes and abrasions from second-hand clothing as well. Alert: Wash your new second-hand clothing. The scabies scare is not meant to deter you from supporting your local thrift shops. The pros of second-hand shopping vastly outweigh the costs. Usually thrift stores wash their clothing before putting them out for retail, but “better safe than scabby,” that’s what I always say.
5. Give and Get.
Thrift stores are just as excited to sell you their second-hand items as they are to buy clothes from you. Keep the pile on your hypothetical beanbag from growing too colossal by donating or selling your ill-fitting clothing.
Now equipped with necessary thrifting tips, you’re probably thinking, “Ingrid, I’m so jazzed to get out there and search for hidden gems and donate my pre-diet (or pre-sophom*ore-15 butt) jeans!” and wondering, “Ingrid, where do you go bargain-hunting in Lincoln?”
Good ol’ Goodwill is always full of hidden treasures, as well as The Black Market, Ruby Begonias, Cause for Paws, Plato’s Closet, One More Time Clothing and Fashion II Consignment Boutique. My sincerest apologies if I left out your personal thrifting mecca.
Thanks to thrift stores, basking in the post-shopping glow no longer needs to result in a surprising call from your credit card company.
Ingrid is a sophom*ore broadcast major. reach her at arts@
