One key to having more disposable income for clothing is to plan your wardrobe in advance. This planning should also include your family members. Knowing where you can find items on sale can help you spend less money on clothes. Here are three great tips to help you shop in thrift stores.
Wardrobe Planning
Write down what your wardrobe needs are. Shopping without a plan in a thrift store may lead to bringing excess clothing and household goods into your home. For example, plan your child's wardrobe in advance. Your winter list may include snow shoes, snow suit, sweaters, thermal underwear, scarves, gloves, and hats. Know the exact size that you are shopping for. Use a soft tape measure to measure each person in your family. Keep this list with you at all times. Many fantastic clothes will not have size labels.
Thrift Store
Locate the best thrift stores in you area. Do an internet search for thrift stores, The Salvation Army, Value Village, and Goodwill. Many well organized thrift stores are sponsored by churches, hospitals, military bases, and other agencies. Contact each location by phone, and write down the hours of operation. Smaller thrift stores are not open during normal business hours. Be sure that you ask, and write down what day or week of the month they have special sales.
eBay
If you are unsure about which brands, styles, and quality you should be looking for go to eBay. The purpose of your search is not to purchase anything. This is where you do your research. You may be unfamiliar with designer brand names. Search for the season that you are shopping for. Look at the designer names under that auctions with the most bids. For example if you are searching for misses clothing look up St John, Ralph Lauren, and department store or boutique names. Take a close look at the labels inside of the auctions. You have to search to find out the label names of your favorite mail order catalogs.
Thrift Store Shopping
Once you begin to visit thrift stores regularly you will be able to avoid the temptation on purchasing something simply because it is on sale. Shop with your hands first, then your eyes. Over time you will be able to browse with confidence. It will become easy to spot a silk blouse, wool pea coat, or a well tailored fully lined cocktail dress. If you schedule time each month to shop, over time you can find several nice pieces. You may find that you can purchase nicer quality clothes by shopping in thrift stores first. For example if you purchased your winter pea coat from a thrift store, that would free up extra money to splurge on a new pair of leather shoes or a designer handbag.
When you choose to shop first at thrift stores before you go to the mall, you can save a substantial amount of money. Shop like a true snob, and only select clothing of quality.Use these tips to help you shop successfully at thrift stores.
 |
