Smarter Ways to Shop Style (And Still Get What You Want)
Tags: Reseller, Saving Money, Thrift, Clothing, Second Hand

Photo from Pinterest.com

The days of going to the mall and spending your entire paycheck on two shirts from Urban Outfitters (or whatever) are long over by now. And in 2020, the world of thrifting/second-handing, online consignment, and resell markets have flourished in its wake. If you aren’t a second-hand master yet, it’s high time to get involved in the world of thrifting and online consignment- start taking advantage of the resell shopping world by exploring the options near you.

There is (almost) no reason that we should pay the original price for anything anymore, since there are many other ways to get what we want at a better bargain. Here are 7 tips (tried and true) for finding what you need and getting what you want at an affordable price, so you don’t break the bank while busting ass- and if you’re in college like I am, hoping to graduate and be debt free (someday).

*Those of you who don’t like second-hand shopping, thrifting, or purchasing anything not directly from the store at full price (lame), these tips are not for you*

Check your local TJX stores- Marshalls and TjMaxx- for the contemporary section. This is where the most reliable selection of nicer discount finds are, and they carry brands like Free People, Lucky, Anthropologie, and Cloth and Stone (etc., etc.). Look for the section labeled “Contemporary”, rather than shuffling through the racks of endless polyester short sleeve tops in the women’s section. Keep your eye out for one of a kind items that are sold individually on these racks, since TJX gets items that are discarded by the manufacturers for whatever reason — maybe they got a stitch wrong on the inside seam, or it was just the last item in it’s group that was unsold at the end of the day. (I have worked in 2 different Marshalls locations on the sales floor with the clothes day-to-day, and I promise it’s worth it to check it out once in awhile) Go to thrift stores in wealthier neighborhoods. The selection is drastically different at Goodwill from town-to-town. This is how I do the majority of all my clothes shopping. I buy almost all of my clothes at Goodwill, and I actually resell a lot of it once I am done with it because I choose name brand items that are worth much more than I’m paying for them (that’s the secret, obviously). Typically, towns near a shoreline or beach area, and areas in or surrounding cities have the highest quality and quantity of clothing to pick from. Shop consignment. Open an account with your local consignment stores, or if you can, open up your business to multiple consignment stores. Many of them will give you money back when (if) your items sell, but some offer store credit which can also benefit you, so long as you like the selection of stuff in the store. It works out great if you really like shopping at the store you’re selling stuff with, because using your store credit feels like getting new shit for free. I like to shop around and sell at local consignments but my personal favorite to use store credit with is Plato’s Closet- they are picky with items they take, but honestly they have a great selection because of it. I don’t think I will ever not want that money to go towards my next (inevitable) purchase...of shoes. Find out what day of the week your favorite second hand stores re-stock their supplies with the newest stuff and make sure you go to get the very first pick. Also, see what kind of sales are happening throughout the week, because many of them do hold sales towards the end of the clothes cycle in order to push stuff out and bring in the new. Shop second-hand online. Online consignment sites like Poshmark and Depop are known to be great for selling, but they are also great resources for making your next big purchase. Shopping on these sites is perfect if you are looking for a specific item, or to buy a certain brand of stuff you really like. I shop Goodwill for the most part but if I want something in particular, like a new pair of black Vans or an oversized jean jacket, I go to Poshmark or Depop and I almost always find what I’m looking for at a price that I like. Do a closet cleanout with your roommates and friends around the same time during the year and look through each other’s piles for clothes to swap or take before they donate them, or throw them away (which lots of people do regularly). A sweater that looked tight on them in the wrong places might fit perfectly on you and look great with your new boyfriend jeans from Goodwill. True story. Recycle old clothes- AKA modify, AKA cut and tie that shit. Old t-shirts can be turned into sleeveless or strappy tops, and sweatshirts can be made into cute cropped hoodies (which look great with high waisted pants or shorts). Your dad’s old shirt you’ve been wearing to clean in can become an off the shoulder slouchy top to wear with skinny jeans and a fat ass necklace. Whatever. Do what you gotta do to make something old into something new.

That’s it, happy shopping! The End.