Shooting in thrifted Levi’s and a vintage knit sweater.
Thrifting a cardigan at The Blue Door in Santa Barbara, California.
Posing with my favorite pup Cori at one of my Charleston pop-ups.
Thrifting with Aiken St. Happy Hour in Mount Pleasant, SC.
In a thrifted t-shirt from the $1 bin!
Thrifting is an art.
It can be extremely rewarding, exciting, & completely exasperating all at the same time. When searching for the perfect secondhand piece, there are a few things to keep in mind. Follow these guidelines & you’ll be a certified thrifting queen in no time:
Shop multiple stores frequently.
It’s no secret that most thrift stores go through merchandise quickly due to low prices, customer volume, & donation rate. That’s why it’s important to check your favorite thrift spots regularly! Hit up one thrift shop each time you go out for errands or when you have a little bit of free time. You never know when new items will hit the floor.
Keep an open mind.
Walk in the door with a willing mindset. Scan through every aisle, including the men’s & children’s sections. Your new favorite oversized sweatshirt or cropped tank top could be waiting for you behind a paint-stained t-shirt or a pair of baby booties. The loungewear section can be, & usually is, filled with questionable boxers & grannie pajamas, but keep your eyes peeled for lace-trimmed pieces & satin nighties that can be transformed into a chic ensemble.
Search for upscale materials.
While most extremely expensive designer items are hard to come by in thrift shops like Goodwill & the like, you can absolutely find genuine leather, cashmere, silk, & other materials that retail for high prices. Peruse the outerwear section for a cool, retro leather jacket or a cashmere boyfriend-fit sweater.
Don’t skip the accessories.
PSA: DO NOT SLEEP ON THRIFTED ACCESSORIES. For one, you have the opportunity to find a rare, old-school bag or piece of jewelry that will require you to reply “It’s vintage” when someone asks where they can get one, too. I firmly believe that behind tattered Vera Bradley totes & strings of plastic pearls lie some of the best gems in secondhand apparel. Oh, & always always look at the belts rack.
Brave the home section.
Just do it. The horrors of decade-old crusty muffin tins & tea kettles from the Civil War era give way to some truly eclectic stuff. I’ve found hand-written recipe collections, vintage picture frames, & so much more. Thrifty Girl challenge: design a fabulous & simply divine bar cart situation using thrifted glassware, cocktail books, & accoutrement.
Above all, thrifting should be a fun & exciting search. It’s an inexpensive way to fill free time & a great activity to enjoy with friends. Some of my all-time favorite spots include Goodwill, The Salvation Army, charity thrift stores, and chains like Uptown Cheapskate and Plato’s Closet. If you’re in NYC, be sure to check out Beacon’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, and L Train Vintage. Be sure to follow my virtual closet sale page on Instagram @cornbreadandcashmerecloset and stay tuned for future Charleston pop up dates!
Happy thrifting!
XX,
C&C
Keep an open mind.
Walk in the door with a willing mindset. Scan through every aisle, including the men’s & children’s sections. Your new favorite oversized sweatshirt or cropped tank top could be waiting for you behind a paint-stained t-shirt or a pair of baby booties. The loungewear section can be, & usually is, filled with questionable boxers & grannie pajamas, but keep your eyes peeled for lace-trimmed pieces & satin nighties that can be transformed into a chic ensemble.
Search for upscale materials.
While most extremely expensive designer items are hard to come by in thrift shops like Goodwill & the like, you can absolutely find genuine leather, cashmere, silk, & other materials that retail for high prices. Peruse the outerwear section for a cool, retro leather jacket or a cashmere boyfriend-fit sweater.
Don’t skip the accessories.
PSA: DO NOT SLEEP ON THRIFTED ACCESSORIES. For one, you have the opportunity to find a rare, old-school bag or piece of jewelry that will require you to reply “It’s vintage” when someone asks where they can get one, too. I firmly believe that behind tattered Vera Bradley totes & strings of plastic pearls lie some of the best gems in secondhand apparel. Oh, & always always look at the belts rack.
Brave the home section.
Just do it. The horrors of decade-old crusty muffin tins & tea kettles from the Civil War era give way to some truly eclectic stuff. I’ve found hand-written recipe collections, vintage picture frames, & so much more. Thrifty Girl challenge: design a fabulous & simply divine bar cart situation using thrifted glassware, cocktail books, & accoutrement.
Above all, thrifting should be a fun & exciting search! It’s an inexpensive way to fill free time & a great activity to enjoy with friends.
