How to shop pre-loved clothes
Shopping pre-loved clothes will bring you to the peak of your fashion game as this is where you’ll find all the unique, retro pieces you won’t normally find in store.
The best part about shopping pre-loved clothing is that it’s guilt free as it’s a more sustainable way to shop. So, whether you’re new to the pre-loved clothing market or a frequent thrifter here are my 4 key tips on how to shop pre-loved clothes to get the best bang for your buck. Happy thrifting!
1. Know what you are looking for
Thrift shopping without a clear goal is like grocery shopping on an empty stomach, essentially a bad idea. Instead, establish a list of pieces that you want to shop for. Take a look at what you currently own and identify any gaps in your wardrobe, this will allow you to keep focused and steer you away from any impulse purchases. This could be as simple as writing a cream knitted jumper.
2. Set your budget
How much are you willing to spend? It’s important to set a limit for yourself so you don’t get carried away. This will encourage you to only purchase items you need that also marry well with items in your current wardrobe. Stylist Note – Stay focussed, be mindful of your budget, items heavily reduced is NOT a green light sign for excessive spending, spending more to save never ever works!
3. Buy from A reputable seller
Don’t be fooled by everything labelled ‘vintage’ especially when it comes to online sites and social. Where there is a contact number, if the seller’s ‘vintage’ item looks suspiciously new place a call to verify the seller’s details, you can generally tell when someone is bluffing their way into a sale. Do your research both online and by visit in store (where possible). Look at reviews, are they credible? Most online trusted sellers will show detailed images of each item, including date codes, stitching, certificates of authentication and any other details needed to verify what you are purchasing didn’t fall off the back of a truck.
4. Be Patient & Willing To Do the Work
Shopping pre-loved clothing and especially luxe accessories in handbags is essentially a treasure hunt. Finding those unique hidden gems requires patience and time browsing through the endless amounts of clothing and accessories to land your forever piece. It really is a case of research and right place, right time sort of thing.
