As everyone has their own ideas about what makes a perfect thrift score I thought it would be interesting to ask my fellow thrifty divas what exactly they look for when hunting for secondhand treasures:
Check out the most important criteria when thrifting preloved from my Gone Thrifting group + what quirky qualities I look for when shopping sustainable too!
Megan: I don’t care about brand name, and will accept less than stellar quality, but always look for colour, fabric, uniqueness and size in about that order. Since I mostly refashion anyway, it’s more about the potential of raw materials or “bones” of the piece.
Susan: Fabric and I have scored at least one one of a kind fabric from a discontiued designer which I refashioned from a jacket into this bag:
Kirsti: Fabric, colour and size but I’m also on the look out for stuff I can alter and refashion as well.
Crystal: I’d say fabric then size but quality, condition and price are things I would list as well.
Twyla: Fit, that the price isn’t too steep and not something that makes me look “old”. Items also have to suit my sense of style or be really comfortable.
Ren: Uniqueness!
Kathi: Fabric quality, price and colour. I don’t care about brands or names. I like scarfs for refashioning, because often it’s much fabric in good quality no-one else wants, so good price! I like bedsheets too! So I’m really looking for the potential of old clothes.
Laurie: Brand – colour – fabric. Also how well it fit’s with my wardrobe needs.
Corky: Uniqueness, color, fabric, size, then value, especially if it’s a brand name. I want to know that the item will work for me but also that it’s worth what the store is asking for it.
Anne: Style, fit, fabric, colour and price. I haven’t started any refashioning yet but if something needs simple hemming or new buttons, and it fulfills my other criteria, then I’ll buy it.
Elene: I’m attracted to the colour first of all and then the detail
Cristina: Shape, color and composition
Me: I am always on the hunt for fab fabrics, groovy patterns and quality vintage gear. Most of my finds will be refashioned in some way so size is rarely an issue. I am not at all a tag checker and have zero interest in brand or designer labels.
In an effort to teach my kiddo that brand names & sizes don’t matter I actually remove the tags and labels from our clothing – garments should be worn to reflect your own personal, feel-great style, not because the fashion industry and media have dictated what “ideal” names & sizes should appear on your clothing.
But what about second hand fast fashion? Buying fast fashion at thrift and charity shops is definitely a personal choice. On the one hand the money is no longer going into the pockets of the unethical brand but on the other hand, you’re still a walking advertisement for the company when you wear the mass produced, recognizable garments regardless if they are second hand or not. (I’ve made a conscious decision to steer clear of fast fashion brands entirely – knowing that a garment was most likely created unethically is more than enough to reason to leave it behind and hunt for something else.)
Head on over and take part in an upcoming thrifty query with the Gone Thrifting group!
