I by no means consider myself a thrifting expert.

But I have been known to find some really great pieces.

And known for putting together some outfits that would make you look twice.. knowing most of it came from thrift stores.

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Before I even had my first adult experience thrifting- I researched….as I’ve been known to do.

I googled the wealthiest part of the city searched the nearby “good will.”

My logic being that the wealthiest can buy the best material, and best brands …and well donate them near their home.

Choosing the nearest thrift store to your home, although convenient, may not be the best strategy.

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Once you’ve set your targets on the perfect location. How do you find the diamond in the rough?

Personally I take my time. I go through it all.

Although the employees try to keep the store organized either by size, colour, and type of clothing. The reality is stuff gets lost, misplaced, or even hidden-Yes hidden. People may find an item that they don’t want to purchase at that moment and will hide the item within a different section. Obviously this item was good enough to hide, meaning its good enough to take the time to find!

Sorry Ladies- You snooze you lose.

Now of course it would be mind numbingly long to inspect each item in the entire store.

So to speed up the process- learn to keep a keen eye.

If you don’t think you could spot that shining diamond in the rough.

Practice.

Go though your closet; take the time to really take a look.

Feel the material, notice the stitching, and how it falls off the hanger.

Once you know what you are looking for- it will stand out amongst the cotton oversized tee-shirts at the thrift store.

The trick is to scan the racks.

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Once you find something. Be sure to look it over.

Inspect for imperfections, tears, missing buttons, broken zippers, stains…yes I said it.

Some things people donate, maybe should have been donated to the garbage bin.

I once found a pair of bebe high-waisted shorts with the security tag still on it.

like really?

You know what- I bought them.

Doesn’t mean I’m a thief right.?!

I just went home and researched how to disassemble a magnetic security tag without ruining the item of clothing.

You really can find anything on youtube.

The point of this story?

Some items can be fixed.

Sure it may be missing a button…

but you can go out choose your own buttons and create a completely unique piece to your own design!

Also little fixes like stitching, and re-zippering all are very budget friendly.

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But some things sometimes cannot be fixed- like fit.

I don’t know how many times I’ve found a great pair of heels only to be tragically disappointed when THIS  Cinderella wasn’t so lucky.

But that’s the game of thrifting.

You may be the ugly sister for one charming item…but then you look twelve o’clock and find the shoe that fits.

Did you love that labored metaphor? haha

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Lastly I’ve leave you with some of my recent thrifted outfits.

Can you spot the thrifted items?