Thrifting101: quick tips by rouge & whimsy

I have been thrifting since I was a kid.  Raised by a single mom working 2-3 jobs at any given time, living in Southern California you can imagine finding deals was a great relief for her and fun along the way for me!  I remember going back to school shopping for main essentials and a few nice things at department stores, but I loved the fact that I got to pick out so much more stuff when we went thrifting.  Considering thrift shop visits are still a weekly hobby of mine, you can see that things haven't changed.

Thrifting has been enjoyed by many for years.  Its a great way to find affordable and adorable items for your home or closet, while benefiting community programs and organizations. If you haven't been thrifting or just don't know how to start I thought I would introduce a fun project called Thrifting 101.  With a few guest contributors along the way, in no time you will be ready to hit the bargain bins and come home with some cute finds and change in your pocket to spare!  To kick the series off Erika from Rouge & Whimsy is going to share a few quick tips to get you started.

I've always liked thrifting. Even before it was cool. (I know. I'm that awesome.)

It's like a treasure hunt and you never know quite what you'll find from the strangely bizarre and terrifyingly ugly to perfect, affordable and oh-so-stylish.

Some people are turned off by the thought of old stuff or dirty stuff or get frustrated with the process. But before you turn away from thrifting for either reason-- let me give you a few of my tips.

Go often to many places. Some days are just not good. I can walk into my favorite thrift store and not end up with anything! Or, I can walk away with a whole cart of exactly what I needed wanted. The trick with thrifting is that you need to go repeatedly because thrift stores and secondhand shops get new inventory all the time.

Know what you're looking for but be open. I have a running thrift list in my head. This helps me stay on track because I'm one of those people who could spend hours in a Goodwill and never end up with what I want. If I have a mission -- something I'm hunting for -- I do better.

Clip coupons and be ready to barter. This is weird but it honestly works! Some thrift shops-- especially big chains-- give out coupons! Use 'em! They could help on a pricier piece of furniture. Also, and my mom taught me this, don't be afraid to barter. Does it have a scratch? Is it torn? Ask for a discount. You may just get it.

Think about potential. Is that nightsand so adorable but a funky shade of green? You could paint it! In fact, you can paint most anything from figurines to vases and furniture. In regards to clothes, you may be able to fix small rips, hem skirts or take in dresses. Think about this while you hunt.

Is it worth it? Sometimes you do need to look critically at something. Yes, it's a great deal but do you need another cute, patterned scarf or mason jar?

but most of all...

have fun!

With these tips I'm hoping you get excited to head out for the hunt! And if you're wondering what to look for specifically, here are a few of my favorite (and easiest) things to find thrifting

- pyrex and cute dishes, mugs, cups
- mason jars
- embroidery hoops, yarn, wooden spools
- belts and scarfs
- skirts and dresses <-- pleated mid-length/maxi skirts are in right now and they can be found in nearly every thrift store as they were HUGE in the mid-80s and 90s.
- button-up shirts (I scored a denim button-up a few weeks back and now am searching for gingham.)

And if you ever want to see my haul-- check out my blog. A lot of my outfit posts incorporate what I find!

Rouge & Whimsy

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