If you’re new to thrift shopping, I’ve done a few posts on how to get started {thrift shopping 101 and thrift shopping FAQ}. But what if you’re not new to thrifting but you want your newbie friends to join in on the thrifting fun? Well, this post is for you.
Last weekend I had a small adventures in thrifting trip to the Housing Works Buy the Bag sale {$25 for a bag full of clothes!} with Danielle from The Frugal Fatshionista and photographer Rayon Richards. Danielle is a thrifting pro, but for Rayon, it was his first time at the sale.
The bag sale can be a bit overwhelming. It gets crowded, hot and there are so many clothes, everything eventually gets pulled out of the bins and on the floor {see the photo below, I’m literally standing on a pile of clothes!}. But luckily, our thrifting newbie walked away with two bags of goods.
So if you’re thrift shopping with someone who’s new to secondhand stores, here’s what you should do:
- Prepare Them, But Don’t Scare Them: Of course you want to let your thrifting novice know the basics, but don’t freak them out by telling them how hardcore, hectic and cutthroat it may be. You might just scare them off and overwhelm them before they even step foot in the store.
- Shop for Them: Of course you want to shop for yourself, but during the first 30 or so minutes of thrifting, shop for them. Not only will it fill their basket up but when they see you finding stuff for them, they’ll be inspired to keep on shopping because they know pieces that fit their style and size are out there to be found.
- Reel Them In: Thrifting can really give you a natural high, especially once you start finding that one of a kind piece for just a few dollars. You want to buy everything and it’s way too easy to overspend. There may come a point where you’ll have to make your newbie answer some serious questions like, do you really want this piece or do you just want it because it’s so cheap and will you really wear this? Help them cut down on buyer’s remorse.
Stay tuned for my thrift shopping haul from this trip. I was able to fit 35 items in my bag, including the awesome trench you see below.
Also, if you’re in NYC, be sure to check out the Housing Works sale this weekend, 7/28, as it’s the last one of the summer.
Have you ever thrifted with a newbie before? What were your tips for them? Did they get overwhelmed and walk away or are they know a thrift addict?
