Thrift It! Clique Queen – Brittany C.

I’ve had the awesome pleasure of becoming friends and going thrifting with Brittany C.  Somehow she always finds the most expensive things that you would never suspect were so high end until she gets them home and tells you what google said it was worth!  Then she wears them and looks absolutely amazing.  I’m definitely down to hear her tips on thrifting, and I hope you are, too!

Describe your first thrift store experience.

My first thrift store experience was during my childhood in South Carolina. My grandma and I would go to thrift stores on the weekend to look for furniture to repurpose. Back then I would not have ventured into the clothing section if you paid me. For whatever reason, I believed that thrift store clothing was nasty and smelly. Little did I know, my mom would buy would sometimes buy us items from the thrift store. She would clean them up and we wore them proudly #gotem.

When did you fall in love with thrifting?

It wasn’t until I went off to college that I began to appreciate the wonderful world of thrifting. As a broke college student, I needed my money to stretch as far as possible. It started with a need to build my college wardrobe with business professional items for class presentations and interviews. It wasn’t until I moved to Texas that it evolved into passion.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start thrift shopping? 

Wow great question. Let’s see. My first piece of advice is don’t be afraid to step out of your retail comfort zone and go thrifting! Some of the same trendy items that you find in the mall can be found at your local thrift store for a fraction of the price.

If you find a unique piece you love in a thrift store, buy it! I cannot tell you how many times I have fallen in love with an item and then decided I didn’t “need it”. I would find myself thinking about the item all night and then assure myself that I could just go back and get it the next day. When the next day came, it would be gone and my little heart would break into a thousand pieces as I mourned the item that I missed out on for days. Just kidding. It wasn’t really that serious but you get the picture. Don’t be a victim of non-buyer’s remorse.

Lastly, go shopping with a budget in mind. It is easy to just shop ’til you drop in a thrift store because the prices are so inexpensive. If you go with a budget in mind, it will make you more conscientious of your purchases and you won’t end up with a closet full of items that you may or may not wear.

What style(s) do you find easiest to shop for at thrift stores?

It’s really easy to find classic pieces in thrift stores. I have purchased so many button down shirts, blazers, dress pants, etc. over the years in excellent condition. I also think its easy to find unique pieces and handmade goods as well.

Where are your favorite thrifting spots?

Well I live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and the thrift store options are amazing. If I had to pick just one, I would choose Thrift World in Lewisville, Texas. They always have some amazing items in there and they mark down certain colors 50-75% everyday!

What is the weirdest or most fun thrift purchase that you have ever made?

The most fun thrifted purchase so far would have to be my vintage Laurence Kazar sequin dress. It is sassy and chic. It fits me like a glove.

What is your favorite thrifted item?

My favorite thrifted item would have to be my Burberry blazer. I could not believe that I found that blazer mixed in with the other blazers for wait for it… $1.99. You should have seen the look on my face when I saw it. I was like a dog with a bone. I kept looking around at all the other shoppers to make sure no one else saw it and then I buried it under the other clothing items in my cart until I checked out.

We’re lucky enough to be thrifting buddies sometimes. What is your most productive way to thrift?  Solo, with a crew of thrifting friends, or both? 

I am productive both ways. I think if you are pressed for time or only looking for a specific item then it’s better to thrift solo. It is far more fun to go thrifting with friends though! Friends can encourage you to try items outside your comfort zone. If you’re blessed with a good friend, they will keep it 100 and tell you when you should leave something on the rack.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I didn’t choose the thrifting life. The thrifting life chose me.

Well said, B.  Well said.  ‘Bout that thrift life!  Can I get a #ThriftItClique?? (this is where y’all shout it back! haha).  Follow Brittany on instagram and twitter @creativityarise, and be sure to read her blog, Creativity Arise for all things creative, stylish, and smart travel advice.  Look out for more thrifting collaborations between us!

xoxo, dolls & dudes!