For class, I was assigned to create an app. Upon doing research in the Apple App Store, I discovered that a few apps focusing on thrifting already exist. However, these apps did not utilize the resources that I was expecting from a thrifting app. Instead, the existing apps served as online marketplaces for users to sell their old clothing.
The goal for my app was to create a resource where thrifters can find out about sales, styling, store reviews and more all in one place. Using the website Buildfire, i built a prototype for my own app. With my app, Thrifting Sitch, users would be able to find all these tools in one place.
One of the aspects of my app is a sale widget. In this widget, users will be able to discover thrift store sales in their area.
My app also features a styling widget. From here, users will be able to type in an item that they want to see styling tips for and be provided with some photos and articles to help them.
Many thrifters, including myself, spend needless time using a variety of sources to perfect their thrifting. My app will bring all of these resources together and make the thrifting experience easier for users. People will want to use this app because it is portable, user-friendly, and combines resources into one.
Most people and amateur thrifters do not decipher characteristics between a thrift store and a thrift shop. To most, they are the same thing: a cheap, used clothing store. However, though these stores operate on the same basis of selling used clothing, there are crucial differences between the establishments.
1. Selection
An example of a thrift store is a store like Goodwill or Salvation Army. These stores are ones where individuals can donate their clothes and other items for a tax deduction, or where any unneeded things are sent. The only filtering process that occurs at these stores are ones to make sure that the clothes are clean and do not have any holes in them.
Buffalo Exchange. Photo from Creative Commons Flickr.
Vagabond and Buffalo Exchange are good examples of thrift shops in the San Marcos-Austin area. Both of these stores will show up when an internet search for thrift store is made, but these establishments are closer to a thrift shop. Vagabond and shops like it are curated thrift stores. This means that the clothes in the stores are purchased by the stores and go through a careful selection process to insure quality materials and style. Buffalo Exchange is a consignment store where 100% of the items in the store were sold directly to the store by customers. These stores operate on a buy, sell, trade mentality.
2. Price
Wheres at a thrift store you could purchase a pair of jeans for $5-10, the same pair of jeans would cost anywhere from $15-100 at a thrift shop. This is because at a thrift store prices are chosen on a broad spectrum, and most of the time, no matter the brand, all jeans will be the same price. The same goes for all other items in a thrift store.
At a thrift shop however, items are priced on an individual basis. This gives employees the ability to appraise items on standards of current fashion trends, brand, and quality. This is the reason why one might see outlandish prices at these shops.
3. Shoppers
At a thrift store, one can expect a wide variety of shoppers. This crowd will consist mostly of individuals who are there to take advantage of the low prices. However, just because someone is shopping at a thrift store does not mean they are in a squeeze for cash. Many shop at these stores to find unique and vintage items that they could not find anywhere else.
Thrift Shop patrons have the same goals of unique fashion as some thrift store customers, but they are willing to spend a little bit extra to get there. Every item that can be found at a thrift shop can be found at a thrift store as well. The reason many prefer to spend extra money going to a thrift shop is because the process is much easier. These shoppers would rather spend money to bypass the junk and random items that one has to dig through at a thrift store.
One of these establishments is not superior to the other. They sell similar clothing, but one specializes in convenience while the other specializes in low pricing. I am a loyal thrift store patron, but honestly sometimes I would rather visit a thrift shop than a thrift store just because there is a greater chance of finding what I want with less trouble.
When I took a weekend trip home to Dallas, I made sure make time to go to Thrift City, the local thrift store where I have comprised much of my wardrobe. They were having one of their many sales, with 50% off select clothing items. Unfortunately I didn’t find any steals in the sale section, but the items that I did walk away with were reasonably priced, and wardrobe essentials.
When I saw these overalls, I was ecstatic. I have been looking for a pair of full length overalls for about a year. Every time that I went to a thrift store to find some, I came out dry. I was so grateful to find a pair in my size without any tacky embellishments. This pair fits me nearly perfectly. The only drawback is cuts that have been made at the ankles of the legs. But this problem is easily solved by rolling up the pant legs. For only $5, these are the perfect addition to my spring wardrobe.
As I am in desperate need of shoes, I am grateful to have found this pair of Kimichi Blue Sandals for only $4. I immediately recognized the brand as one that Urban Outfitters carries. The sandals seem like they have barely worn at all. The pair original retailed for $29.
I am a loyal Goodwill shopper, but after being constantly disappointed by my local store in San Marcos, I decided to take a trip to Savers, a thrift store that I am constantly hearing about but have never visited. The nearest Savers is in Austin, forty minutes away from where I live, but the awesome selection made the trip well worth it.
The store was much bigger, cleaner, and neater than any Goodwill I have ever visited. Not to mention the quality selection and helpful employees. I tried on many items at the store, but ultimately only walked away with two.
I have been looking for graphic tees for a while, so I was grateful when I found this one with the title of Willy Nelson’s 1973 album on it. For only $3, this shirt saved me from having to dish out money for one of the outrageously priced graphic tees that other retail stores sell.
The second item that I found at Savers is this beautiful, great quality red scarf for only $5. Although it is warming up outside, this scarf is lightweight enough to wear for a few more weeks. I have seen scarfs almost identical to this one at department stores priced upwards of $50, so this $4 scarf was a steal.
At the end of the day, Savers is such a great store that I do not think I will be able to resist visiting again. Even though the prices at the store were about the same as at Goodwill, the selection and organization of Savers make it superior. Every advantage of the store makes up for its inconvenient location.
For those of you who are new to thrifting or would like to hone your thrifting skills, I would like to share some of the tips that I always keep in mind when I go to the thrift store.
1. Know what you are looking for.
Thrift stores can seem like endless abyss of junk, so it is helpful to have an idea of what you want in mind before you head out to the shops. If you don’t know the specific items you are looking for, do some research online of current trends. It helps to research trends that have an older look to them so you have a better chance of finding them at a thrift store. Also check out some online stores that specialize in vintagesque clothing for some inspiration. Modcloth is a great place to start!
Most thrift shoppers would suggest not discriminating with which thrift stores you shop at. I on the other hand, think it is important to keep in mind the area where you are shopping. Depending on the look you are aiming for, a thrift store in a young town may not have as good of a selection as a store in an older town, and a thrift store in an older area may not have the same section as one in a younger area. An older town will have more vintage clothes and a newer store will have more trendy items with brands like Forever 21 and Target.
3. Keep your head up.
Thrift shopping can be extremely frustrating. You may go through aisle after aisle of old, stained, ugly clothing with no turn out. It is important not to get discouraged. Just because you cannot find anything in one section of a store, or even an entire store, it is crucial to keep looking. No matter where you are, there is a hidden gem somewhere. If you hastily search through aisles with the preconceived notion that you won’t find anything, you won’t . Believe me, if you look hard enough, you will the perfect item. Whatever you find will make it all worth it.
Hi, I am Haley Martin, and I am a thrifter. Aside from that, I am a mass communication student at Texas State University, an animal lover, a nonstop music listener, and a cheapskate. I am the master of penny pinching. I cringe if I ever have to spend more than $15 on anything. I am an avid believer that one can find better quality items for $2 at a thrift store than for $25 at a store like Forever 21. This is why my go-to stores for shopping are thrift stores. I love searching through the stores’ dust bunny scented aisles for the perfect item to add to my wardrobe. Thrifting is like hunting for treasure. Finding the perfect item in a thrift store is like finding gold.
I have been thrifting regularly since I was about 11. Up until I was 15, all that I ever bought was weird old t-shirts—my favorite one has Garfield on it accompanied with a long description of just why he hates Mondays. However, now that I am older and in college, with more fashion sense and less money, I have discovered how useful and essential these stores really are. Thrift stores are like the less expensive Wal-Mart’s of clothing; you can find anything there. Since this discovery, I have resorted to thrift shopping for most of my clothing needs.
Since I am a self-proclaimed thrift master, I would like to share all my tips and thrifting experiences with anyone else who is interested in the thrifting. In this blog, I will discuss how to thrift, where I thrift, some of my best thrift finds, and how I build outfits with the pieces I find.
c tees for a while, so I was grateful when I found this one with the title of Willy Nelson’s 1973 album on it. For only $3, this shirt saved me from having to dish out money for one of the outrageously priced graphic tees that other retail stores sell.
Thrift Sitch 