I have a confession. I rarely set foot in brick and mortar stores, yet somehow my closets are jam-packed– but my wallet is too. I am a thrift store shopaholic, and I’m not ashamed to admit it!

You can still rock the baddest and latest looks without having to sacrifice your coin. Plus with trends constantly changing, thrift store shopping allows room to swap out your closet and stay current.

Yes, thrift stores can be a bit overwhelming, especially the really big ones, and you might not know where to start. Never fear, Kami has got you covered!

Here are a few tips on how to thrift store shop successfully and build your wardrobe.

It’s all about the real estate. You can still find the name brands you already love and enjoy for more than half the price at a thrift shop.

For instance, I’m really big on jeans and would spend hundreds (or stalk my favorite department store trying to find them on sale,) until I went thrifting in the right spot. At one Goodwill I found a pair of Citizen of Humanity shorts and I knew I was in the money!

You might try a few hit or miss thrift shops at first, but doing a little research on different areas might help you find your gem!

Thrifting can be very exciting, especially when you start finding pieces you really like. If you’re like me, your cart will load up from 1 item to 10 real quick!

To avoid that, go in to your thrift shop with some sort of idea in your head of pieces you need or outfits you want to create to keep you on track.

Dying for a new pair of fitted black jeans? Check the jeans racks first. This way, you will also save time instead of fooling with things you will end up putting back anyway.

Shop some of our favorite graphic tees to mix and match

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Many stores discount certain colored tags on different days throughout the week, offering you even more savings. Even though it is a thrift store certain name brands may be priced a little high and the goal is to get a deal. You can always ask a thrift shop associate which days the run sales and on which items to better plan your shopping trips.

Remember those jeans I was telling you about? They were orignaly $10 bucks, which as compared to the hundreds they are originally cost that’s already a steal. But on this particular day, they were having a sale on denim and I ended up buying the jeans for $4.50. Talk about a deal. I almost fainted!

Don’t be discouraged just because an item you fell in love with is not in your size. You can get very creative with oversized items with just a little imagination.

Because the prices are so low, I DIY a lot of my thrift shop items to create the look I’m going for. I love shopping in the Men’s section for oversized jean jackets, for example. I can customize them and have each one looking like a Forever 21 original! LOL

Most thrift shops have dressing rooms so take advantage. Some pieces look totally different on the hanger than they do on you, so try it on! You may think it won’t look good, but in reality, it looks bomb. The same may be true in reverse– you may see something you love and get home and you hate it or worse it doesn’t fit.

Remember this is still a shopping experience. No, you are not at a mall or traditional retail store, but you are still trying to achieve the same goal– look fly AF.

Each experience will be different and some days you may leave empty-handed, but check back often.  I have found so many great pieces from thrift shopping so I know that it is possible.

From basics to statement pieces that will make people ask you “Where did you get that?” the thrift shop will have it all. I have worn entire outfits that people have adored and when I told them it was from Goodwill they couldn’t believe it.

When you focus on fit and fabric, you can better find value in an item that only you know cost $2. Okurrr!

Check out a few of my thrift shop looks

[row]

[one_third]

• Top
  • Goodwill
  • Animanics Tee from boys section
• Shorts
  • Planet Aide
  • Levi’s Jeans Men’s Section (DIY cut and frayed)
• Boots
  • Goodwill

  [/one_third]

  [one_third]

  
  
  • Top
    • Goodwill
    • Nike women’s top (DIY cropped)
  • Pants
    • Goodwill
    • Champs women’s sportswear
  • Sunglasses
    • Goodwill 

  [/one_third]

  [one_third]

  
  
  • Blazer
    • Planet Aide
    • J.Crew women’s blazers
  • Jeans
    • Goodwill
    • Express women’s jeans (DIY detail on the ankle)

  [/one_third]

  [/row]

  Have you ever tried thrifting? Is it something you would want to give a try? Let us know below! I hope my tips left you inspired!

  ~Kami