Once you make the switch to wearing secondhand clothing, there are some things you need to keep in mind when you shop. This guide to shopping secondhand clothing will help you choose what clothes to buy and what to look out for when buying from thrift stores.
Whether you’re new to the slow fashion movement or not, shopping secondhand clothes is a great way to incorporate sustainability into your lifestyle while also making a difference for the planet.
Not to mention that you’ll also save a ton of cash.
It’s a great feeling to find something you can almost guarantee that no one else has, and then for a price that feels like you’re stealing?
It’s a nice little shopping high.
There are actually a bunch of reasons to shop for clothes from thrift stores, all of which I talk about in my post why you should buy secondhand clothing.
But what should you take into consideration when purchasing used clothes? This secondhand clothing shopping guide will give you all the information you need to know.
Here are some of my best tips when buying secondhand clothing.
1. Dress accordingly
When going shopping for secondhand clothes, or any type of shopping for that matter, you want to make sure that you’re dressed for the occasion.
Depending on whether or not you’re trying clothes on at thrift stores (we’ll get to that in a bit) you want to make sure you’re not wearing too many layers so that you can try clothes on with ease.
A dress is simplest, but for those of us who don’t wear dresses casually, a t-shirt and pants/leggings is good enough and will make trying on clothes quicker and painless.
2. Only go shopping when you need something
Shopping just because you feel like shopping or want something new isn’t a good habit to have, especially if you’re starting to go zero-waste or embrace minimalism.
You should only go shopping for new clothes when you need them.
Make a list, bring it with you, and stick with it!
3. Bring your reusable bag
Reusable bags aren’t just for groceries! Don’t forget to bring yours when going clothes shopping as well.
This of course depends on the secondhand store you’re buying from and depend on how much you’re buying.
At my local thrift store, one time they bagged my clothes in a garbage bag – facepalm – and another time they simply wrapped everything in one of the over-sized shirts I bought which I thought was pretty cool.
Don’t risk it. Just bring a reusable bag with you to the thrift store.
4. Shop local
Ideally, find a thrift store that’s in your neighbourhood so you can reduce your carbon footprint in regards to travelling.
It’s also a great way to support your community, as sometimes these organizations selling secondhand clothes can be non-profits.
5. Only buy clothes you love
A big part of building a sustainable wardrobe and a great tip for buying secondhand clothes is ensuring that you’ll wear what you buy.
Having clothing that never or barely gets worn defeats the purpose of trying to slow down in regards to your fashion choices.
To make sure your closet doesn’t end up filled with unworn clothing, make sure you absolutely love it. Ask yourself things like:
- Will I wear this often?
- Can it be incorporated into multiple outfits?
- Will I get sick of wearing this?
- Does it spark joy?
Sorry, I couldn’t help myself, but it’s so true! Your clothes should make you happy and if they don’t, then you shouldn’t buy them.
And don’t have the mentality that just because it’s secondhand and you got it for cheap that it’s okay to not love it and think it’s disposable.
You should still appreciate the clothing you allow into your life, even if it’s secondhand and didn’t cost you much.
6. Check the fabric type
The fabric type of clothes is a good indication of the type of quality of clothing and should be a determining factor when deciding whether or not you should buy it.
For example, cotton is a really good quality material for clothes, but on the downside, unless the cotton is organic, it takes a LOT of water to make cotton fabric.
However, you buying a secondhand cotton shirt isn’t going to increase the demand for manufacturers. Instead, it’s a great way to ensure the resources used to make that shirt don’t go to waste.
So if you see a cotton shirt or any type of clothing made with not-so-eco-friendly materials, might as well grab it. The damage to the environment from producing those clothes has already been done.
Related post: 8 ways to help save the oceans (and why you should)
7. Verify the quality of the material
Additionally, when shopping secondhand clothes you want to verify the quality of the garment.
Are the seams fraying? Has it been worn so much that it’s lost its softness? Are there any holes or stains?
Don’t settle for secondhand clothes that look used and are past their life-cycle.
Some thrift stores will still try and sell clothing like this, but you should skip them unless you plan on wearing them for things like painting or gardening.
Instead, focus on finding clothes that are still in great shape or almost like new.
8. Check the washing instructions
Some types of clothes have very specific washing instructions such as hand-washing or hanging to dry.
If you can’t wash the garment in the way that the tag is suggesting, you should probably skip it.
These instructions are to ensure the quality and longevity of the garment, so if you don’t follow them, you may ruin it.
9. Look for brand names
Brand names are another great way to ensure that the secondhand clothes you’re buying are good quality.
Especially if you find something you love and it’s from a brand that you know and trust, it can help confirm your decision to purchase.
However, don’t rely on brand names. You can easily find great quality clothing that are from a lesser-known company.
10. Keep your wardrobe in mind
You need to consider the clothes that you already have at home when shopping for more.
Consider the colours and the patterns that you have, and ensure that whatever you’re buying will pair well with multiple items.
There’s no point buying clothes that won’t match and therefore you won’t wear them. The goal is to purchase clothing that you can wear often.
11. Try it on
Sometimes it’s important to try on the clothes you’re contemplating purchasing to ensure that you’re not buying it for nothing.
Although this might seem weird to some people since the clothing is secondhand, it doesn’t mean the clothes weren’t washed prior to being displayed.
It’s hard to tell though, especially if you’re shopping at a thrift store that you’re unfamiliar with.
You can always ask someone who works in the store or try on the clothes on top of clothes you’re already wearing.
But what if you really don’t want to try on clothes before buying them?
12. Know your size
Knowing your average size of shirts, pants, etc. is a good thing to keep in mind when shopping for secondhand clothes, especially if you don’t want to try the clothes on at the store.
Bear in mind though that not all sizes are created equal, so you can’t rely on this, but it’s a good place to start.
You can also take measurements of the clothes that you have in your wardrobe at home already. Measure things like shoulder width, or the length of your pants and bring the measurements, and a measuring tape with you when shopping.
Another tip: Do you know someone who might like what you’re buying, just in case it doesn’t fit? You can give it to them should it come to that.
13. Look at other sizes
Like I mentioned above, not all sizes are created equal which is why you should look at other sizes when shopping for secondhand clothes.
But that’s not the only reason.
Some clothing sizes may very well be mixed in with other sizes, especially if your thrift store uses bins instead of hangers.
I also love to look in the men’s section as well. I keep my boyfriend in mind when looking through men’s clothes, but honestly I’m looking for clothes that I could pull off and add to my own wardrobe, ha.
14. Know when to leave
Not finding any secondhand clothing worth buying? Just leave!
Sometimes when you make a trip to a thrift store, you don’t want to leave empty-handed. But there’s no point in spending money on something that you won’t wear or don’t love.
Just leave and come back another time. Clothing in thrift stores is constantly changing, sometimes even daily, so chances are you’ll find something next time.
15. Experiment with different thrift stores
Not all secondhand stores are the same.
Some thrift stores are pickier about the clothing they allow into their inventory. Some will allow any type of piece of clothing regardless of what shape it’s in, making it difficult to find good quality secondhand clothes.
Different thrift stores have different prices for the same type of clothes. Beware of overpriced thrift stores with low-quality secondhand clothes.
Try to find a thrift store that is fair in its prices, and also sells clothes that are still wearable.
Final thoughts on Shopping Secondhand Clothes
Buying secondhand clothing is awesome. I find it’s more exciting to shop from thrift stores and also it just saves so much money.
And then, of course, the environmental benefits of buying secondhand is a huge driving factor as well.
If you want to learn more about slow fashion, I’ve got a variety of posts you may like:
- why you should buy secondhand clothing
- 8 sustainable fashion brands saving the planet
- where to find local secondhand items for cheap or free
- how to create a sustainable wardrobe: 8 slow fashion tips
- 13 almost-effortless ways to make clothes last longer
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