Tips on Buying Clothes at Thrift Stores

Many years ago, shopping at thrift stores was almost looked upon as something of which to be ashamed-if your family did not have the money to shop at the mall or at the department store, you certainly didn't advertise that fact. Most likely, you did whatever you could to hide it-you didn't want anyone to know that your clothes came from the Salvation Army or Goodwill store.

Now, though, with vintage clothing being all the rage among celebrities, more and more people are shopping at thrift stores. And, you can find consignment shops, resale shops, and vintage clothing stores (along with the typical thrift stores) in any major city in the country. Actually, you can find these stores in a lot of small cities, too-that tells you just how popular this type of store has become.

Buying clothing at these stores can save a lot of money, obviously. But, you still have to be careful to make sure that you are getting a good deal. Whether you are buying for yourself or for your kids, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

Check every garment. I mean really check each piece of clothing that you are contemplating purchasing. Look at all sides, searching for stains and holes. Test the seams for strength by gently tugging at them. Make sure that the pockets do not have holes in them and that any belt loops are complete. Test the zippers, if there are any. Thrift stores are not going to intentionally try to sell you a faulty garment; however, the employees are often not as careful as they could be about checking the clothing before putting it out on the sales floor. Many of these types of stores do not allow returns, so it is especially important to inspect the clothing carefully before you buy it.

Know your sizes. Not just the clothing sizes that you and your kids typically wear-you also need to know inseam and waist measurements and how to eyeball a piece of clothing for fit. Many of the clothes at resale shops do not have size tags inside, or they may be faded, so if you can eyeball a shirt and tell if it will fit your child, so much the better. Knowing inseam and waist measurements will be helpful in determining if a pair of pants will fit.

Typical clothing racks at thrift stores may not be sorted well--you may have to do some searching to find a garment that you like.

Credit: Roger Kirby

Copyright: Roger Kirby