Thrift Store Tricks of the Trade
By: Lauren CobleWednesday, June 10, 2009
Where do I start when it comes to thrift stores? They're affordable, carry a little bit of everything, and often support charities or different causes. The sad truth, however, is that many people are intimidated by these amazing places. One might even say thrifting takes talent; a keen eye. However, you can pick up the art of thrifting -- and it's not a hard craft to master!
Jewelry Sunglasses
One of my favorite things to sift through in thrift stores is the jewelry and sunglasses section. I love finding a pair of retro sunglasses from the 70's -- who doesn't? The funny thing is, a lot of these vintage and retro styles are being reproduced now and sold for prices much higher than that of thrift stores. So the sunglasses rack should totally not be overlooked. Just as equally, the jewelry section shouldn't be either! I have a friend who owns probably 25 different pairs of earrings from different thrift stores. She most likely spent a total of fifteen dollars on them all, and she has a pair for almost every outfit she wears! Unlike clothes, jewelry often is timeless and the styles remain stylish over the years. So basically, you're almost guaranteed a great find in the jewelry section.
Scarves
Another great aspect of thrift stores is the scarves and belts. Scarves bloomed in popularity throughout the 60's and 80's, so there's no shortage of them at thrift stores. The selection is usually quite diverse too, with different styles, fabrics and prints. In my opinion, if you're into wearing scarves there's no way you won't find one you like at a thrift store.
BeltsBelts, which have obviously always been a staple in wardrobe, are usually in bulk at thrift stores too. I went to the local Thriftko on SR436 in Casselberry this week and found these super-chic belts that were made from men's ties (one of them was a Ralph Lauren!). I bought them all!
If all you need is a simple leather belt, a thrift store is a great place to find one, and for cheaper. Something funny you might notice about the belts section is that a majority of them are relatively short in length. We can credit that to the high-wasted pants trend back in the 80's, which luckily, I wasn't around for.
T-Shirts Dresses
As far as clothing goes, my favorite things to check out are the t-shirts and dresses sections. I guess you can say I'm into women's clothing that's inspired by men's apparel because I bought this amazing dress that was styled after a men's collared shirt. I wore it with one of the tie-belts around my waist and it's now probably my favorite outfit!
Overall, everything in a thrift store is worth perusing. The satisfaction of looking for and finding affordable clothing and accessories is so good, and definitely more fun than paying top dollar at retail stores! In hard times like these, thrift stores are so worth every little penny you pay.
