The best second-hand clothes for little money can be found at the thrift shop. It takes some searching among all the piles and racks of clothes, but it is worth it. Together with the flea market the thrift shop is the place to find second-hand clothing treasures at a bargain price. But how do you find them? We'll get you started with these thrift store shopping tips!
Second-hand clothes shopping at the thrift shop
Those who claim that good second-hand clothes cannot be bought in a thrift shop may have to scratch behind their ears a little more. With almost 1,160 thrift shops in the Netherlands, you can hardly say there is ‘nothing’. And the nice thing is: more and more people know how to find the thrift store to bring in stuff. So if you look carefully, you really can still find beautiful second-hand clothes for a much lower price than on Vinted, Marktplaats or in a boutique. The only thing is: you have to take more time and develop a nose for it. Do you make time? Then we'll help you train that sleuth. With these recycled shopping tips, you will get the most out of your shopping trip!
1. Second-hand clothes at the thrift store: do the first selection by colour!
Are you experiencing choice stress and don't know where to start shopping? I get that, there is so much choice too. That's not complicated, just an opportunity! My first thrift store shopping tip is: make the first selection by colour. Which colours make you happy? First look for garments in those colours. Some thrift shops hang things by colour, which is also easy. If you don't know what colour you like, take a look in the coming weeks at what outerwear you like to wear and what colour it is. Discover a palette or a pattern? Great! Knowing what colours look good on you is important information for a second-hand shopper, especially in the thrift shop with so much choice.
2. Forget clothes sizes at the thrift shop
Clothing sizes have changed quite a bit over the past decades: a pair of trousers in size 38 now often fits differently from one in size 38 20 years ago. And clothes from southern Europe, such as Italy and Spain, also tend to be smaller. See something nice hanging in the thrift shop, but the label tells you it's not your size? Try it on anyway! The size mentioned could be completely wrong and that would be lucky for you.
Second-hand clothes shopping in thrift shop De Boem in Amstelveen.
3. Second-hand clothing: materials!
Materials are SO important when buying clothes, even (especially) second-hand clothes. If something is made of a fabric you don't like, you will wear it a lot less. A bad buy, no matter how nice the garment is. Honestly, how many times have you found yourself not wearing a garment because the fabric was too stiff, too sweaty, too see-through or too wrinkle-prone? I bet this has happened more than once. Unfortunately, I know all about it myself... So always look in the label. Not for the size we know by now, but for the material. Want to know more about materials? Then take a look at this article.
4. Thrift shopping: work with lists
Be warned: the large selection of second-hand clothes at the thrift shop combined with the low prices can make you a hoarder. Before you know it, you'll come home with more clothes than you intended. Once again, that closet becomes too full and you can no longer find all those cute things. Ew. The solution: make a list on your phone with missing clothing items. Every time you go shopping, grab this list and agree with yourself not to buy more than what is on the list. Another pitfall: insist on buying something on the list. Don't, rather come back another time. A doubt in the shop means you have a potential mis-buy in your hands.
5. Also don't do it: buying second-hand clothes without trying on
In most thrift shops, you can try on clothes in a very relaxed way. There are good fitting rooms and if you don't come on Saturdays, it's never really busy. So go and try on those second-hand pearls. Only then will you find out if it is your pearl.
6. Find the best thrift shop
With almost 12 hundred thrift shops in our country, you also know that not every thrift shop will sell equally nice clothes. Try to find out which thrift shops in your area have good contributions of clothes. Often they are the larger thrift shops and thrift stores and the shops in ‘better’ neighbourhoods. If you are not quite there: check Google reviews of the thrift shops in your area and read what other visitors say about the shops. Good luck with your shopping trip. You've got that nose pretty well developed now, so it's bound to be a success! And super fun if you want to share your creations on Instagram. Then tag @thegreenlist.nl. We are curious!
More sustainable fashion tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Also see: Styling tips: surprising outfits without spending a penny.
- Also see: FREE FASHION: free second-hand clothes shopping and drop-off.
- Also see: Tips for a minimalist capsule wardrobe from expert Laura.
- Also see: TOF Diemen: do you already know this second-hand shop?
- Also see: The best webshops for second-hand designer clothes and accessories.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
