The infamous art of thrifting is often overlooked as a germ-ridden activity that yields old clothing and grandpa attire. But I am here to say that the spirit of thrifting is far from outdated, and as an avid thrifter myself, I am here to direct you to the treasure troves of the thrifting realm. It’s time people, it’s time to embrace second hand clothing, and hit the thrift!
For optimum thrifting success, a mindset change is necessary before even attempting such a feat. Usually when you shop, you know the article of clothing you are looking for, the name brands you like, and the sizing that works for you, but I am telling you now, that will not fly when thrifting.
The thrifting mindset is one of curiosity and open-mindedness because you never know what you are going to find, so you can’t approach it with any expectations. You may find a vintage skirt that is ugly at first glance, but stunning after the try on, or a pair of jeans that is three sizes too big, but gives you the perfect baggy look; you just have to go with it and trust your fashion sense. Soon you’ll be a certified fashionista of the thrift!
Thrifting is very hit or miss, but that is the fun of it, so think of thrifting as more of a pastime instead of a one-stop-shop. While traditional shopping gives off a very new, fresh, clean feel, thrifting is more of a laid back experience with an antiquey, down-to-earth vibe. With that said, allow me to explain the perks of thrifting.
As a high schooler without very much dough in my pocket, thrifting is a cheap way to buy great clothes at a reasonable price. You can find T-shirts for as little as one dollar, brand new shoes for 15% of their original price, and jeans, jackets, and skirts for less than fifteen bucks.
An added bonus to thrifting is the originality of the pieces you find because most of the time the clothing at thrift stores is vintage or one of a kind, which will make your wardrobe immensely unique and cool. Although second hand clothing may come with a few holes or stains, all thrift stores wash and clean their clothing to ensure that it is sanitary and up to par to sell. And you know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, so why not give clothing a second life at the thrift.
Furthermore, there are two kinds of thrift stores: donation thrift stores and upcycled thrift stores. Donated clothes constitute for 100% of the merchandise at donation thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army. Every piece of clothing donated to these stores is sold, and these kinds of thrift stores tend to be cheaper.
On the other hand, upcycled thrift stores depend more on trade-ins and customer sales and sell higher quality, select pieces. These kinds of thrift stores sell less worn pieces at a fair price based on the brand, condition, and rarity of each article of clothing. Both kinds of thrift stores are equally worthwhile for shopping, but it is good to know the difference between the two. Now that you have a solid understanding of thrifting and what it entails, here are the top 5 local thrift stores that will give you a bang for your buck, and leave you looking super fashionable!
1. DeeLux
132 S Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866
– Upcycled thrift
– Always stocked with shoes
– Great jewelry selection
– Unique clothing
215 N Harbor Blvd, Fullerton, CA 92832
– Upcycled thrift
– Great trade-in rate
– Big dressing rooms
– Name brand clothing
3. Goodwill
130 N Raymond Ave, Fullerton, CA 92831
– Donation thrift
– Large vinyl section
– Cool homeware items
– Practical, fair priced clothing
120 Yorba Linda Blvd, Placentia, CA 92870
– Upcycled thrift
– Always stocked with denim
– A lot of brand new clothing
– Cool glasses and pins
5. Full Circle
140 S Glassell St, Orange, CA 92866
– Donation thrift
– Super cheap prices
– Tons of vintage dresses
– Free coffee
So there it is folks, a foolproof guide to how, where, and why to thrift. Now it’s time to take to the thrift stores and reinvent your wardrobe with vintage, cheap, and fashionable clothing! Best of luck!
DISCLAIMER : Thrifting is indeed a sport, and those who take it seriously may express jealousy towards you if you find a cool article of clothing before they do. It also takes perseverance and strength to find diamonds in the rough at the thrift, so be warned that thrifting is not for the weak or easily discouraged. Lastly, be aware that thrifting is an addictive hobby, and can cause excessive desires to find more and more vintage clothing even when your closet is overflowing.
Elizabeth Flati • Apr 25, 2024 at 1:19 pm
I highly recommend RARE by goodwill in Anaheim across from the ice rink. I have found some of my favorite pieces there =)