I don’t know about you, but I don’t love everything in my closet. I have a ton of things in my wardrobe with tags attached that I’ve had for years. What a waste of money! That is why this year one of my big goals was to only purchase things that I truly love.
But of course, I’m on a budget so to the thrift shop I go (well, when they reopen). For now I’m purging items that I rarely wear and preparing to build a cohesive wardrobe that I love.
1. Only purchase things you absolutely love
This may be fairly obvious, but if you’re anything like me you buy things for various reasons including a great price or being sorta cute. These items usually sit in our closets with tags attached for years.
I know my own wardrobe is full of things that I love, like, and that is just meh. By opting to go forward only choosing things you love you do your closet and yourself a great service. This way you won’t waste money or time sorting through a bunch of styles and clothing options that aren’t truly appealing to you.
2. Make sure you know what’s in your closet before you go thrifting
By knowing what’s in your closet you can deviate from purchasing multiples of items and buy for what you already have in your wardrobe.
Check out my article about closet inventory systems.
3. Build outfits
Using what you have in your wardrobe begin to build outfits around those items.
Have you ever looked in your closet full of clothes and deemed that you had nothing to wear that day? Me too, all too often and this is usually because I have a ton of items, but nothing purchased to purposely form cohesive looks. By first knowing what you have in your closet and second building around those items, you’ll always have something to wear!
4. Use a shopping list
I don’t know about you, but it’s pretty difficult for me to pass up a good sale. Since most thrift stores are basically one big, giant sell, I inevitably walk out of the store with a couple of things I didn’t need. By going in with a list of items I’m seeking, it makes it a lot easier to remain focused and walk out with only what I absolutely need. By the way I created one you can download and take with you below.
5. Look for essentials
Make sure you have the essentials like great tank tops, a little black dress and a great pair of nude flats. Look for these things in the thrift store if you don’t already have them to help pull outfits together.
You should read my article about building a thrifted capsule wardrobe if you’re wondering what other pieces are essential.
6. Get rid of things you don’t love
While you’re headed to the thrift store you might as well take some things to drop off. If your closet is made up of more meh items them awesome one’s you’ll want to purge items that you no longer love or can be loved in a new home.
7. Dress for the body you have
If you have a couple of pieces that you can no longer fit and expect to get back into them eventually, I’m not suggesting you toss them, but I wouldn’t try to squeeze into them and I definetly wouldn’t purchase more going forward. When thrift shopping make sure you are keeping a look out for items that fit you well and that aren’t too small or tight.
8. Look for tailorable items
If you do happen upon an item that you love and feel that you just can’t do without while out thrift shopping, then make sure it’s a tailorable item. Usually these will be items that are too big, as it’s a lot easier to take something in than to make it larger.
9. Shop sustainable fashion
While you may find a cute graphic tee that you love here and there, opt for fashion that is more sustainable and well made. There are some fast fashion items that will last a few washes, but focus on items that will bring joy to your closet you a few years.
Download your free thrift shopping list here
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