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How to Thrift | 5 Tips You Need to Know

“I Be At Thrift Stores Like…”

I’ll say it again like I’ve said it before – Macklemore made a great thrift guide in the form of song, but I have some more tips to share with you today, the Old World New Girl way!

these cool kids approve

these cool kids approve

Thrift stores have so many treasures, some in plain site and some hidden.  But does the thought of thrifting terrify you?  Or maybe when you go thrifting you feel like you can never come up on those “great finds” that people who love to thrift always talk about?

too-much-gif

Well, my dear, listen up.  With patience, and these 5 Tips, you too can become the owner of some great thrifty items!

Plan your Thrifting Strategy

plan-strategy

military cat. because thrifting is serious.

Plan a thrifting day or a block of time to dedicate only to thrifting.  Giving yourself time to browse every nook and cranny of a thrift store’s clothing sections yields better results.  If you feel rushed at a thrift store, you will either think there is nothing there for you, or you will buy something that you’ll soon regret.  Neither is a good outcome.

Expect the Unexpected

finding goodies at thrift stores leaves me like this.. oh how I love the surprises!

finding goodies at thrift stores – that’s that ish I do like!

Minimal expectations are good expectations.  A big imagination and an open mind are even better!  You never know what you can find at thrift stores.  But you must remember that thrift stores are not like department stores – you can’t go in and expect to see something on a mannequin and then find it in your size.  Every piece is unique.  You also shouldn’t go with the mindset of finding an exact piece of clothing.  You can keep the idea of a particular item in the back of your mind, and if you find it, great!  If not, you won’t be disappointed.

Dress the Part

"sweat pants, hair tied, limited makeup on..." & I be like "Okaiii, I'm ready!!"

“sweat pants, hair tied, limited makeup on…” & I be like “Okaiii, I’m ready!!”

Dress comfortably and wear minimal makeup and a hairstyle that won’t be absolutely ruined by changing clothes often – the try out process.  But I mean, if you can run around in heels with a pooch in one hand and a latte in the other at thrift stores, more power to ya.  Do it big!  I’ll stick to my #bumswag… ‘cuz when you got it, you just got it!

Step Outside the Box

that's right.. back it on up out of that box you're stuck in.

that’s right.. back it on up out of that box you’re stuck in.

Search outside of your “department.”  Go to the boys section and find a pair of old high waist jeans to transform into a nice pair of shorts.  Check out those 2-piece grandma swagger suits with the loud prints.  They are great for cutting and redesigning, or wearing the pieces separately as a new outfit’s statement piece.  Search the entire store, not just the areas that you normally automatically go to.

Try it On

try on all the things!! and dance around like this.

try on all the things!! and dance around like this.

Try It On!!! Seriously, try it on.  You never know what could be perfect for you unless you do!  If you don’t try it on, you could miss out on the perfect.

How do you like to thrift? Let me know in the comments below!

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The Comments

  • Michelle F.
    October 11, 2013

    Thanks for sharing this. I am of the “estate sale” generation, while my daughter loves thrifting. We’ve been a couple times, but never with a plan. Definitely going to work at stepping outside the box!

    Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      Michelle F.
      October 11, 2013

      Oh yaye, Michelle! I hope that works for you, and if you find some awesome things by stepping out of the box, share them on the Old World New Girl facebook page! =)

      Reply
  • Sweet Stories and a $20 Outfit | old world new girl
    October 12, 2013

    […] ← How to Thrift | 5 Tips You Need to Know […]

    Reply
  • Fashionably Late | Granddad’s Sweater | old world new girl
    October 28, 2013

    […] look good!  Am I right, or am I right? Thrift stores are full of them – get the tips on How To Thrift (especially Tip #4), and find you some awesome sweaters […]

    Reply
  • Money Saving
    November 20, 2013

    I love all the animated gif 🙂 I love thrift stores and yard sales. It’s a great way to find awesome treasures 🙂

    Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      Money Saving
      January 15, 2014

      gifs make my day lol, thank you! and I agree. I can’t wait for summer – for obvious reasons, like more sun – and outdoor garage, rummage & estate sales! =)

      Reply
  • Fashionably Late | Thrifted Skirts | old world new girl
    January 13, 2014

    […] virtually anything at a thrift store, and if you’re searching for clothes, make sure you know How To Thrift. In the last six months I have found out that I love old-fashioned skirts. Give me the polyester […]

    Reply
  • Skye
    January 14, 2014

    These are all great tips! Especially slowing down and making enough time.

    Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      Skye
      January 14, 2014

      Thanks, Skye! =) it really does help to move slowly thorough out the thrift store.

      Reply
  • Megan
    January 14, 2014

    I always get so intimidated by the fact that there is SO MUCH STUFF! I know some people who find great stuff though, and am always really sad when I don’t find something awesome.

    Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      Megan
      January 14, 2014

      I get sad about it sometimes, too. Especially when I’ve waited a while between thrifting trips and leave empty-handed. But on the days I do find goodies, I feel like I’m swimming in gold! Lol. Moral: Patience, grasshopper =)

      Reply
  • Alvina Castro
    January 15, 2014

    I love this! I am actually a major thrift store-aholic! Just went thrifting this week and got a bunch of fun stuff

    Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      Alvina Castro
      January 15, 2014

      love that! “Thrift store-aholics” unite lol. I’m glad you found some thrifted goodies! =)

      Reply
  • Fashionably Late | Back to Black | old world new girl
    February 6, 2014

    […] Check out your local Marshalls ladies & juniors sections for similar shirt, pants and jacket finds.   After that, stop by your local thrift store to and find some goodies like those red hot heels I’m wearing!  If you’re unsure about the thrifting part, no worries.  I’ll teach you How To Thrift […]

    Reply
  • Fashionably Late | Something Old | old world new girl
    April 3, 2014

    […] P.S., for those that don’t know, here’s How To Thrift. […]

    Reply
  • palmtreesandpeas
    April 14, 2014

    This is great! Love the gifs!

    Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      palmtreesandpeas
      April 14, 2014

      Thank you, Endless Summer! =)

      Reply
    • Old World ~ New Girl
      palmtreesandpeas
      April 22, 2014

      Thank you Palm Trees & Peas =) The gifs give it life!

      Reply
  • Plaid + Fur for Fall | Refashioned Thrift Shirt | old world new
    October 21, 2014

    […] is still a thing, y’all.  One of my thrifting rules is to step outside of your comfort zone by searching different departments for patterned fabrics […]

    Reply
  • Sarah
    January 3, 2015

    This list is awesome! I agree with every point you make and need to mention that I am in LOVE with Goodwill! Name Brands, sometimes they have the tags still on them, furniture… The list can go on for days on the great deals I have found when I took the time to look!

    Reply
  • How To Thrift Your Family’s Closets |
    January 9, 2015

    […] Sort through said selection, remembering the How To Thrift […]

    Reply
  • Fashionably Late | Something Old, Something New | Old World New
    March 26, 2015

    […] P.S., for those that don’t know, here’s How To Thrift. […]

    Reply
  • Boyfriend Jeans & Sustainable Street Style: $20 Thrift Store Challenge | Old World New
    July 23, 2015

    […] the Pleats) $20 Thrift Store Challenge.  It is important to note that, as I’ve said in my How To Thrift 5 tips, these items were acquired at different times throughout my thrift excursions.  I thrift […]

    Reply
  • Styling Vintage Sweaters | Old World New
    October 20, 2015

    […] look good!  Am I right, or am I right? Thrift stores are full of them – get the tips on How To Thrift (especially Tip #4), and find you some awesome sweaters […]

    Reply
  • Thrift It! Clique – Floral Prints
    May 16, 2016

    […]  There’s a spin that we all can love!  I often buy things just for the print (via my How To Thrift rules), so instead of shopping for this month’s theme, I remembered this print that I had in […]

    Reply
  • Thrift Like a Pro – 5 Easy Steps
    May 20, 2016

    […] 2013, as a budding fashion blogger finding my way, I wrote How To Thrift.  It is comical, full of gifs, and it does provide some helpful thrifting tips that I still abide […]

    Reply
  • Fashion meets Interior Design: with Addie Benson of Old World New – Interiors by Jacquin
    July 23, 2018

    […] shopping recently and stumbled upon a brightly patterned jacket in the sweater section (see my "How to Thrift" post about looking in all departments and paying attention to pattern and prints while thrifting). […]

    Reply
  • Thrifted Doctor Who Cosplay - 13th Doctor — Old World New
    December 26, 2018

    […] strips immediately popped out to me because of their colors. I simply followed one of my “How To Thrift” rules, which says to look EVERYWHERE in the store, even in areas you don’t think will […]

    Reply

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Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
oldworldnew
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Hello from the garden today. Lots of visitors probably due to the heavy rains.
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱

I used to think “let me just get 5k followers.. 10k followers… one day I’ll have 20k followers…” to help people live more sustainably with the blog posts and social media posts I created. 10+ years of that led to burnout. And it never felt the same as when my friends and family started to live a little more sustainably because of something they learned from me. 

I hope you’ll be the inspiration for someone in your life to be a little bit more sustainable today. It’s such a good feeling to see the people closest to you thrift more, consume less, and think differently — more sustainably — about how we treat our world. 

Don’t push it, just live it. 

Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱 I used to think “let me just get 5k followers.. 10k followers… one day I’ll have 20k followers…” to help people live more sustainably with the blog posts and social media posts I created. 10+ years of that led to burnout. And it never felt the same as when my friends and family started to live a little more sustainably because of something they learned from me. I hope you’ll be the inspiration for someone in your life to be a little bit more sustainable today. It’s such a good feeling to see the people closest to you thrift more, consume less, and think differently — more sustainably — about how we treat our world. Don’t push it, just live it. Happy Earth Day 🌍🫶🏾🌱
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
🥶❌🌱 Not my plant babies! 

It’s been cold in Texas the past few days, so I acted accordingly to protect my little backyard garden that’s barely underway. 

Using thrifted sheets (once back drops in my “thrift fashionista style content” days lol) and thrifted clothes pins (I knew they would come in handy! 😆🙌🏾), as well as some old jugs, bottles, containers, and twigs. Hopefully they help keep the plants from getting too cold to survive.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
🥶❌🌱 Not my plant babies! It’s been cold in Texas the past few days, so I acted accordingly to protect my little backyard garden that’s barely underway. Using thrifted sheets (once back drops in my “thrift fashionista style content” days lol) and thrifted clothes pins (I knew they would come in handy! 😆🙌🏾), as well as some old jugs, bottles, containers, and twigs. Hopefully they help keep the plants from getting too cold to survive.
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
Finally got a migrating bird LIGHTS OUT sign 🤩

Turn off your lights (outdoor & indoor) to limit light pollution and to protect migrating birds 🫶🏾🕊️

TURN ‘EM OFF! (in my Teddy Pendergrass voice 😂)

#lightsouttexas #lightsout #lightpollution #migratorybirds
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
Finally got a migrating bird LIGHTS OUT sign 🤩 Turn off your lights (outdoor & indoor) to limit light pollution and to protect migrating birds 🫶🏾🕊️ TURN ‘EM OFF! (in my Teddy Pendergrass voice 😂) #lightsouttexas #lightsout #lightpollution #migratorybirds
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
Do you reuse gift wrap?

Here are some things that I’ve thrifted to reuse as gift wrap each holiday season:

⭐️ tablecloths
⭐️ napkins & handkerchiefs (matching napkins sewn together can be used for larger gifts)
⭐️ Scarves (like from @wrappr)
⭐️ Cloth bags (like the ones your sheet sets come in)
⭐️ Pillowcases
⭐️ Curtains (can be used as gift wrap or to cover larger gifts like bikes or toy kitchens)

As long as you can fold the fabric into a square before wrapping the gift, it works well when using the furoshiki style wrapping technique. 

Comment WRAP for a few tips and tricks to wrap gifts in cloth fabric.
oldworldnew
oldworldnew
•
Follow
Do you reuse gift wrap? Here are some things that I’ve thrifted to reuse as gift wrap each holiday season: ⭐️ tablecloths ⭐️ napkins & handkerchiefs (matching napkins sewn together can be used for larger gifts) ⭐️ Scarves (like from @wrappr) ⭐️ Cloth bags (like the ones your sheet sets come in) ⭐️ Pillowcases ⭐️ Curtains (can be used as gift wrap or to cover larger gifts like bikes or toy kitchens) As long as you can fold the fabric into a square before wrapping the gift, it works well when using the furoshiki style wrapping technique. Comment WRAP for a few tips and tricks to wrap gifts in cloth fabric.
5 months ago
View on Instagram |
5/5
@oldworldnew

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