![[ THE DRIFTER and the GYPSY ]](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_NJoAksCTFN4/SpKcRDCLQOI/AAAAAAAAA00/jDOpJxw-feU/S1600-R/Final+Header.jpg)
src: ashleyg (found via sfgirlbybay)
Guess what? I'll let you in on a little secret: I don't know how to thrift. I know, I know ooohh, the horror because I talk about how much I love vintage things all the time.
I know there's no official formula to thrifting (or op shopping as others call it), you just have to periodically check the stores and be willing to dig until you find something you like. I just feel so awkward in thrift shops... there is usually no one else in the store but me and I feel like the cashier is always watching me (which I know the cashier probably couldn't care less what I do as long as I don't shoplift). So I always end up leaving before I can find something I like.
I wish I could get all kinds of good deals and dress so thift-y chic-y like these lovely ladies:
(one, two, three & four)
But I made a goal for myself to buy more thrift and dress more lookbook worthy so I am determined to achieve my thrifting endeavors.
Do you, my dear readers have any tips for scoring good deals at thrift shops? Or any particular thrift shops you find very good? For those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, what thrift stores do you like?
23 comments on "Thrifting endeavors"
Lord, I hear you! The idea of jumping into thrifting unsupervised is overwhelming. If you figure out where to start let me know! I'm certain the Bay Area has got to be a treasure trove! Phoenix, not so much...
I do enjoy op shopping, I have to say! I haven't done it in a while though. I live in an area where the op shops are quite busy, because they're cheap and most people just can't afford to shop other places, so it's rare that I've been the only customer in an op shop before.
All this being said, my addiction in them is actually all the books! I got a really great copy of Jane Eyre recently which I've yet to read, for $2! I also once picked up a pair of electric blue ballet flats for $4 that I love!! I just love the bargains, and when you find something nice, it's always a lovely feeling :D
Sorry, rambling!
xxMillie
Thrifting can be daunting, but once you find the method that works for you it's fun :) I usually just scan the racks for patterns or textures that look intriguing or just flip through them really fast. Hehe. I don't think there are too many tips, just have a lot of time on your hands. And there are some great thrift shops in the Haight Ashbury area, like Buffalo Exchange.
(hope that helps)
Yay for thrifting!
I am personally just a huge fan of goodwill stores in general. I think I've always found something I liked, whether it be for a friend, for me, or for my apartment. I got these great purple/coral/black shoes for a friend one time: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenmunns/4150611326/in/photostream/. My friend Annie is a pro at thrifting... she loves all the dresses their and just hems them shorter! Also, I have found that Goodwills have really nice blazers if you look hard enough. I picked up two for 8 bucks :)
you really have to go in with no particular item in mind. be willing to look (or laugh at) everything until you find something you love. it takes a bit of getting used to, but there is nothing better than a one of a kind look that makes people say "ohhhh, i like that!" and you can reply "thrifted, sorry, you can't buy one!" :)
One thing I've learned about thrifting is that it really is hit or miss. Sometimes you can find something & sometimes you can't. I do feel weird about being in one when there is no one else. I kinda feel obligated to buy something so they don't wonder if I stole something.
when you come down here and we shoot, I will teach you the tricks of the trade ;]
Take a friend along with you, it helps so much!
I often find that when I go on my own I never find as many good things as I do when I'm with a friend.
I used op shop before it was "cool" so I used to cop a lot of criticism from friends. But it was still fun.
I agree it's best to have a friend with you. Definitely go with no expectations and just plan on having a fun day out with friends.
Two of my favourite finds was a men's tux jacket, that fits me (almost) perfectly for $2. And an old doctors bag, from the 50's I think, for $2.50, Which I turned into a lamp.
I would ALWAYS rather be thrifting.
oh I'm a terrible thrifter too! I guess maybe I just need to practice more? Also, how do you get over the smell?
@Kelly Leigh: I know! They always have a distinct smell... I don't know what it is though. And I always feel dirty like I need to wash my hands after looking through the thrift clothes.
I always go in with a visual list of things I would like to find, and whenever a look at a particular item I always think about how I could sew it into something nicer. Also, I'm quite certain that the smell is 1/4 basement, 3/4 mothballs.
I love thrifting, for some reason it inspires me :) but I get what you're saying, I have the same feeling sometimes.
Lovely photos!
xoxo
www.bohomarket.blogspot.com
I tend to go to:
-Goodwills, one on Fillmore & the other on Clement (since I live in central Richmond), and the Haight one is really nice/late hours, but I only go there when in the Haight
-the hot pink Community Thrift Store in Mission is fun. Not the largest selection in dresses, but what they have is nice?
-Thrift Town in Mission is huge, two stories! You have to dig but there is always a big pile of things I end up buying when I'm there.
-the Out of the Closet(s) are cheap & buying from there benefits
I also go to a ton of vintage stores, pretty much just hit up anywhere in Haight or Mission and you'll find at least 5 :) They tend to smell better & have better decorations, but then again, the price is higher.
I hope this helps!
Thrifting is awesome. It's SO funny going through all the racks of clothes, shoes, scarves, books, trinkets, it's so fun. Yes they all have a distinct smell of other people's things but you just wash the clothes or whatever after you buy them and it goes away. I go generally to goodwill, Salvation Army, or random Thrift stores around where I live. I find there's two rules to follow when you go thrifting:
1) Keep and open mind and know exactly the kinds of styles you like in clothes or anything else.
2) Don't expect to find something amazing every time you go, or even in your first few times. But once you find that one great treasure you keep returning and returning and it opens the flood gates in a sense.
I've foudn so many great, unique pieces. I got a vintage maxi-type dress from the 1970s for $4. It's the most gorgeous thing in the world. One of my favorite finds.
Don't go in by yourself! My mum takes me a lot, and sometimes she even finds me stuff :D Take your time finding clothes, cos I notice there's a lot of stuff I've missed on the first look
If you're afraid of feeling awkward (and trust me, I know how it feels even though I thrift a LOT), go with someone, or go when it's busy. Sure, going when it's crowded may lessen your chance of finding something good because of the extra people looking at the racks, but it will make you feel less self-conscious. You have to ease into it, after all.
so I don't really have any cool thrift stores, I think I'd rather be the only one around! All I have are Goodwills and things of that sort, and there's always TONS of people in them, and typically it's just crap ugly clothes. Nothing cool and chic.
But I did go to one and found random knick knacks for around the house, and some bed linens I can reuse to sew aprons.
I just posted about my thrifting adventure if you want to look
www.lavender-lace.blogspot.com
bring some hand sanitizer if it really bothers you that much! it is wayyyyy too much fun to pass up. and once you wash them, they are as good as new!
Thrifting is actually my favorite thing to do, actually just put that "rather be thrifting" on my blog today. Go to Thrift Town on 17th and Mission in San Francisco. It is amazing and always packed so you won't feel alone. Just go with something that you want in mind specifically like a summer dress or and old Tee to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed. If you like that one, the Salvation Army close by on 25th and Valencia is pretty good too. I wish I could go there right now.
Good Luck!
http://anotherzoeday.blogspot.com
Say Hello to the cashier, quite often they're friendly, especially if it's a charity run shop. If you're after something specific, they might be able to help you or if you just want to browse and let them know that, you might feel more comfortable and have time to dig through and find the good stuff :)
It really helps to see the potential in certain items. Once I found this skirt that had a pretty floral pattern but was far too long for anyone who wasn't at least six feet tall and I had it shortened. You have to be willing to change it up a bit, you know?
& I think it helps to visit thrift stores just as the season's changing because that's when people think they won't be needing certain items anymore, but usually they do that before they realize Mother Nature is throwing some more of that same weather at them ;)
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