What to Wear While Thrift Shopping

I know I promised part two of my San Francisco thrift shopping tour {check out part one here} but I had a reader ask me what I wear while thrifting and I tweeted her the photo above. I’ve briefly mentioned some tips on what to wear {especially if you’re hitting up a hectic warehouse sale}, but this is my first time devoting an entire post to the best pieces to wear that will help you have an easy thrift shopping excursion.

The pic above is what I wore while shopping in San Francisco. Fitted jeans allow for comfort and make it easy to try a dress or slacks on over them. And I had a button down shirt with a tank underneath which let me quickly and easily remove them so I could try tops and cardigans on in the middle of the aisles. And of course flats are a must. Thrifting takes time and can be competitive, so there’s nothing cute about teetering around in four inch heels.

But as the weather warms up, I switch my thrift look up a bit.

Though fitted jeans are ok, leggings are much better at allowing you to try pieces on over your clothes. This comes in handy of your thrift store doesn’t have a fitting room. A flowy tunic is stylish and when worn with a tank, is easy to slip out of. A top with a ton of buttons would just be annoying. A small, cross body bag also frees your hands.

I’m a serious stiletto lover but I tend to stay away from them if I know I’ll be shopping. But some sandals can also be troublesome. Thong sandals are way too easy to slip out of when you don’t intend to. I’ve seen people lose sandals at a really crowded sale, especially one like the Housing Works Buy the Bag, where you’re stepping over piles of clothes. Pick a shoe or sandal that’s securely on your foot but doesn’t have too many straps or buckles that make it a time consuming process to get out of them.

I also think a cute skirt or maxidress is a thrift appropriate outfit. Hike the skirt up to try some threads {another skirt, shorts, pants, etc} on underneath it.

Whether you choose fitted jeans, leggings or a skirt, you don’t want any items that are uncomfortable {heels}, cumbersome {oversized bag} or too bulky {sweaters} to try items on over them.

So what’s your go-to thrift shopping outfit? Are you more of a leggings and t-shirt or skirt girl? Do you feel comfortable trying clothes on in the aisles if there’s no fitting room? 

10 Comments
  • Sabine
    Posted at 04:25h, 22 May Reply

    Those are some handy pieces of advice! I also make sure to always wear a white spaghetti strap top underneath my shirt as well, because some dresses might have a really low neckline and wearing the top I can try those on in public as well. 

  • Mandi @ theSassyFitMom
    Posted at 06:07h, 22 May Reply

    This post is right on time–I hate trying on clothes, I mean hate! But this shows me that if I wear the right clothing while shopping it will make the process take less time and less of a hassle. I’m ready to do some thrifting this week.

    Thanks for the tips!

  • Kay Cee of Two Stylish Kays
    Posted at 10:14h, 22 May Reply

    I wear my thrifting uniform…leggings, a fitted tank top and cardigan. 

  • 4hatsandfrugal
    Posted at 20:11h, 22 May Reply

    I love all of these ideas! I haven’t gone to the thrift store for me enough, so I didn’t know what to wear there. This really helps a lot. Thanks for the post.

  • margaret
    Posted at 20:13h, 24 May Reply

    Great, great tips…I’ve considered the shoes, but never the leggings/skirt. Thanks for a great post!

  • Shermika & Tamika Dunner
    Posted at 08:12h, 30 May Reply

    I’ve tried clothes on in the aisles. I try to wear leggings and a comfy shirt and shoes. Great tips! Most of the ones I’ve been too have dressing rooms, but sometimes you have to wait forever. So, I just try on clothes in front of a mirror. Woot!

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  • lv Lockit
    Posted at 00:41h, 14 June Reply

    Fascinating! 

  • Katrice Deneece Shuler
    Posted at 06:35h, 16 January Reply

    I love this article. I am a thrifter myself. I like going to the thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales. I always find good stuff especially like clothes for all seasons, shoes, and different kind of bags.

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