Top 16 Charity Thrift Store Shopping Tips

If you just started this “sustainability journey” and are looking at different shopping alternatives, the thrift store, also know as a charity shop, is definitely a great budget-friendly option.

If you are an expert thrift shopper, share in the comments below some of your tips!

What is a Thrift Store?

According to Merriam-Webster, it is a “shop that sells secondhand articles and especially clothes, and is often run for charitable purposes.”

Don’t mistake this with vintage. Thrifted and vintage are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. Vintage is used to describe pieces that have a certain style representative of a past time or era. Something thrifted can be vintage, but something vintage is not always thrifted.

What are the Different Types of Thrift Stores/Charity Shops?

Thrift stores can vary depending on price points and curation. You also have chain thrift stores like Goodwill and Value Village, as well as smaller local thrift stores.  For example, in Montreal, we have one called “Fringues” which is a thrift store connected to YWCA Montreal. It offers an employability/workplace reintegration program for women. And when I was in London, there were more curated charity shops at slightly higher price points.

The Thrift Store Shopping Tips:

Before You Go

• Firstly and importantly, plan to go on a day when you have some time. Especially when it comes to a non-curated, chain charity thrift store, you need to give yourself a couple of hours to find those hidden gems.
• Research charity thrift stores in different neighborhoods. *Hint: The clothes are donation based. What’s the “general style” of the people in that neighborhood? In Montreal, at least, the neighborhoods are quite distinct. Think about the people who would donate. It can give you an idea of the items that might pop up in that thrift store.
• Some stores bring out new merchandise on specific days. Inform yourself and get first dibs on new items.
• Wear clothes and shoes that are easy to slip on and off – don’t wear layers. You can also wear form-fitting clothes so you can easily try on items over what you’re wearing. *Some places only have one fitting room.*
• Bring cash. Not all stores accept cards, or if they do, sometimes there’s a minimum value to pay.
• If you are a student, don’t forget to bring your student card as some places offer discounts.
• Finally, have an open mind. It’s good to have an idea of what you are looking for as a guide. However, you won’t always find what you came for. Have that guide but be open to other things – you never know what you’ll find.

While You Shop

• Don’t restrict yourself to any categories (women’s, men’s, children’s). I found a “waist” belt in the kid’s section which fits perfectly and I have used it so much since.
• Look for off-season clothes. Less people are looking for those at the moment and these items are generally on sale. You just have to wait before wearing them.
• If you’re like me, you would love to look through everything, but it’s not always possible. Hence, quickly scan the racks. Look for texture, colors, or patterns that catch your eye and appeal to you.
• At the fitting rooms, always check the merchandise that people tried on and didn’t take. Sometimes, the best stuff is there, but didn’t fit the person.
• If you see an item that you’re not sure you completely love, still put it in your cart. Grab what interests you, then sort through them later. There’s only one of its kind. You don’t want to regret putting it back on the rack and have someone else take it.
• If you love an item and there’s a stain, chances are it might not be removable. Don’t take a chance! *It has happened to me before.*
• For holes, some are easy fixes, especially those at the seams. If you really love it and it’s an easy fix, get it and sew it (if you know how to sew). *But it’s great to learn – it widens your options, especially for thrift finds.*
• Look closely at the neckline and the armpit area. These are key places to look for stains.
• If there are rolling racks, go through them. These usually carry the newer items or the clothes from the fitting rooms to put back on the main racks.
• Ultimately, I know all is cheaper, but like every piece of clothing, you should still think about the number of times you would actually wear the item. Is it something that you need? Can you create multiple outfits with it? If not, don’t buy it.

I hope you enjoyed these tips that I have gathered through years of thrift store shopping.
If you have more tips, leave a comment below! I would love to know more!

If you are just starting to adopt a more sustainable fashion wardrobe, take a look at my small guide to sustainable, slow fashion.