Shopping at the thrift store for me is part necessity, part adventure. I always feel like I'm on a treasure hunt. If I find something I need without paying full price for new, I am a happy camper. We have a thrift superstore nearby that I can spend a good two hours exploring, much to my son's frustration. I go there often and I also donate things that I no longer have a use for. It's always amusing when I see something familiar on the shelves.
It's even better when I can make it on one of their super discount days. Certain days of the year they mark everything in the store down by 50% and they mark down certain color-coded tags throughout the year. Most thrift stores also give military and senior discounts. I am so used to thrift store prices that when I go to a store like Target I'm usually in sticker shock. You want how much for a new pair of shorts?
Thrifting also has the added benefit of helping the planet. It saves a lot of usable merchandise from going to the landfill and puts a dent into the big problem of fast fashion, which has a lot of big environmental and humanitarian problems. If you'd like to read more about the perils of fast fashion, you can do so here.
As a long time thrifter, I want to share the five things I buy at the thrift store as well as a couple I don't, and the reasons why.
1. Picture frames and framed art
As a photographer, I'm always looking for nice wood picture frames for prints. Sometimes they have a less than attractive print already in them or need a paint job, but I have found some really beautiful frames that needed no attention at all at the fraction of the price you would buy new.
While I would classify most of the art as cheesy or quaint, there are treasures to be found, so if you are looking to decorate some blank walls or change up your looks, the thrift store is a great place to go. You can also take a canvas that someone painted with an amateurish portrait, slap some gesso on it, and paint your own masterpiece.
2. Clothing
While I purchase most of my clothing used, the big deals are for formal wear or designer jeans. You can save a bundle on prom dresses, cocktail dressed, and other formal wear that was likely only worn once. I've seen some beautiful wedding gowns as well. Designer jeans are another item that is expensive to purchase new and can easily run $100 or more. While I look for fit, comfort, and lack of wear over brand, I have picked up a pair of designer jeans for $12. That's quite a big markdown. I generally spend $5-7 for a pair of jeans at the thrift store.
3. Books
Any more I skip buying books for the library, but occasionally there is a book I'd love to have on my shelves or I stumble across a cheap paperback I'd like to read that I can later pass on. I've also found popular titles of children's books in like new condition.
4. Kitchen Items
Dishes seem to be another item besides clothing that people donate in large quantities. If you are ever in need of coffee mugs, the shelves are usually lined with them. My son's favorite mug, an obvious Colorado souvenir someone decided to part with, came from thrifting. I've also found canning jars in excellent condition, nice looking wine glasses, table linens, and occasionally a rare treasure like a cast iron skillet or Le Creuset pan will show up. Avoid any old pottery or imported items that may contain lead.
5. Furniture
The quality can vary, but you can save a bundle buying furniture at a thrift store. I tend to look for older wood pieces like end tables, small hutches, or chairs. As I've downsized, I've gotten rid of large furniture pieces like the two tiered corner office desk that took up half of any room and blocked a window. My current desk is an old vintage metal desk that is maybe 3'x1'. I spray painted the legs black and the sturdy top that golden yellow color that is so popular right now. I'm typing this blog post at my little desk right now.
What do I avoid buying?
Most used shoes are a big no for me, unless they look new/hardly worn. I have read that shoes adapt to the wearer's feet, so they can be painful for someone else to wear. They can also harbor bacteria, especially shoes like flip flops or sandals. I have accepted used dress shoes from friends that I trust, but I doubt I would buy them from a thrift store. In fact, the only shoes I have ever purchased from the thrift store were a like new pair of North Face waterproof boots I wear in the winter when I'm doing chores and a pair of like new kid's shoes for my son when he was smaller.
I also don't buy underwear or swimsuit bottoms because, well, it's gross. You never know how the previous owner viewed personal hygiene.
Stuffed animals, pillows, and upholstered items that may carry bed bugs. Apparently, those suckers can hide for up to a year. I really don't want to bring home what appears to be a steal to find out I've instead got a problem on my hands.
Big no's are any items that may be a safety hazard, like iffy looking lamps or electronic items that might be fire hazards, old cribs, infant car seats, etc.
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