Taking a Dive Into Thrifting

Dumpster Diving is an art and so is shopping at thrift stores. Recently, thrift stores have been all the rage. I've seen YouTubers create videos on their channel titled "shopping haul", I've seen Instagram models rocking their "authentic vintage" clothes and I've seen stores like Forever 21 bringing back fashion ideas from past eras like the classic denim on denim, small sunglasses, and scrunchies and many more. Dumpster diving and thrifting sort of have the same concept; what some people don't want, others will take. So just like Lars Eighner, I will be giving you some tips on how to scavenge! Except I will be giving you tips on what clothes to get unlike Lars who was giving you tips on what food to eat from the dumpsters.

Tip #1 - Make sure you don't go in with a fixed mindset of what you want, because 9/10 times you will not find what you are looking for. Instead, go in with an with an open mind and just roam the store of something that catches your attention. 

Tip #2 - Once you pick out something that you like you have to inspect it. Look for holes, stains, and any pattern/prints that aren't obvious to the eye. This simple task will save you a lot of time and regret. You don't want to go home and find out your cute blouse has a suspicious green stain on it. I recommend giving it the five senses inspection, actually four senses... please do not taste your clothing. 

Tip #3 - Do not go with your friends. I know it seems like a fun activity to do on a boring Saturday afternoon but it is dangerous. If you must bring someone along I suggest a sibling, preferably younger than you. Do not bring your friends as one will get inpatient with the other. Another reason to not bring your friends is because they can steal something super cute that you wanted. Unlike regular shops were there are ten of the same thing, at the thrift stores everything is one of a kind. So if your friend gets to something quicker than you, thats it. Game over for you my friend. 

Tip #4 - Bringing a lot of money is not the best idea. I guarantee you will spend all of it. Every last penny. Thrift stores are huge and filled with all kinds of things. Chances are you will end up leaving with a thirteen different shirts, a 1932 shoe horn, a tennis racket with the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" engraved on it, a pair of sparkly toddler sandals and a skirt thats too small for you but its ok because you will "probably loose some weight" and it will fit you. Bring $20 and that's it. Trust me. 

Next time you want to go shopping, remember to go to a thrift store so you can reuse, reduce and recycle! And remember these tips.