Thrift store hunting is so much fun!
Oh, how I love a bargain!
Some folks enjoy a daily cup of Starbucks. I save my spare cash for the thrift stores.
Plus, I just love the vibe of these quirky little stores in general. There’s always someone younger and way cooler than you picking out pieces to add to their eclectic wardrobe. These are my people.
Nothing gives me a joyous hit of dopamine like finding a treasure amid piles of literal junk. Finding the proverbial needle in the haystack is the thrill of thrifting.
My older daughter has picked up this love as well; so well that she has practically elevated her skills to an art form.
Her strategy? Take a quick look through all the sections you typically want to peruse, noting anything worthy of picking up the first time and doing so. Go back again with a fine-tooth comb so you don’t miss anything good.
I tend to go straight to the things I’m interested in first, then work through the rest of the store.
What’s on my list?
Books
My list always includes books, as I’m an excellent hunter and gatherer of quality reading material. Just ask my husband how happy he is with my stacks on the floor in my library because my collection has outgrown its bookshelves.
You will be amazed by what you can find, like that copy of The Secrets to Tantric Sex that I almost bought. Reading the title alone made me blush!
Just the other day, I spotted a coveted title: Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 2022 and is currently only available in hardback. Its retail price is $32.99. It was marked $3.98. I nearly fainted. And I’m thrilled to read it!
One local Goodwill location, in particular, is near a college, and I can typically pick up some fascinating books dumped by the college kids at the end of the semester. I found Phyllis Schlafly’s book this way. (A bit of history here: she spearheaded the anti-ERA movement.) It was essentially the outline of the Republican party’s agenda through the years. To say that it lacked substance would be an understatement. But I will gladly pick up the discards of the poly sci students!
Vinyl
Although I’m sad to say that I haven’t scored any truly magnificent records this way, I still look. I’m certain I’ll come across someone’s stash of 80s gems one day. This potential keeps me looking, and I had the best luck with this overseas.
Housewares
We always look for housewares. Top on our list of goodness here: Pyrex, Fire King, Tupperware, funky glassware, and vintage dishes. Pyrex used to be plentiful, but since these nods to the past have become way more popular, their appearances are scarce, and usually expensive if so.
Nonetheless, the other day I found pieces of both Tupperware and Pyrex, both in good condition. The Pyrex was a more modern pattern: a rectangular casserole with the coveted glass lid. It was $6. At the same price was a large, yellow Tupperware bowl that matched my daughter’s collection of 70s kitchenware. Both came home with me.
Clothes
I always look for denim. Jeans are a fashion staple. Sometimes I’ll get really lucky and find some designer jeans. I recently picked up a pair of colored, wide-leg jeans by Madewell, which would easily cost over $120 retail. Levi’s are also a great find in this aisle, as are jean jackets.
Vintage dresses are my daughter’s main thrifting addiction after the aforementioned housewares. She has built a wardrobe around these treasures, flocking toward frocks from the 60s and 70s. She wears them so well!
Looking out for quality brands is always helpful. I once scored a pair of Lily Pulitzer pants for $6. Not my size, but they did fit my Lily-obsessed friend!
And if you’re interested in upcycling clothes and making unique works of art, thrifting is the way to go here. Want to practice altering t-shirts and jeans? You can start with pieces from the thrift store and feel pretty good about it.
The Unusual
Once, I walked into a local Goodwill and spotted something that had been on my dad’s wish list for years: a hammered dulcimer. A musical instrument popular in Appalachia, its uniquely moody sound is a hallmark of its beauty. Of course, I bought it for him as a Christmas gift. He was speechless. It is probably my most unusual find while thrifting.
We used to have a thrift store in the skilled nursing facility where I worked for ten years. It was called Fagie’s Room and was a big hit with the residents. Open only on Thursdays, it was super fun to entice my patients to go and browse. I would turn it into a more functional task by making them stand to look at items. Shopping, as we know, truly is great therapy!
Because of the quality of donated items and the limited customer set, it was not out of the ordinary to find cool vintage items. I found a shift dress with a matching coat from the 60s, a pair of Gucci boots (a gift for a friend because they were too small for me!), and a super fun, owl-shaped ice bucket among my best treasures from here.
The Fun
The most important part about thrifting is just to have fun. I don’t go in to resell my treasures. I tend to keep them for myself!
My daughter and I recently visited a new-ish thrift store that has expanded quite a bit since our last visit.
I picked up a pair of blue, brushed aluminum lamps on another thrifting adventure years ago. They were screaming for a perfectly funky set of lampshades, but my extensive search was fruitless. I bought ones that were super yawn-worthy, but functional.
But upon a quick perusal of the lighting section of this store (Yes, there’s an actual lighting section!), I spotted the perfect one. Round, sleek, with a cute circle pattern. Only one. I snatched it up, thrilled that one of my old treasures would have the perfect accessory. Turning the corner, however, I spotted a second one! It was meant to be. The treasure was mine. And they are perfect.
Thrifting can be fun if you have the patience for it. Plus, it’s a very sustainable way to shop! If you think thrifting isn’t your thing, that’s fine. More treasures for me! But you may be surprised by what gems your local store holds!
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Do you love to thrift, too? This is a love I have learned as an adult, a gift for finding a different kind of bargain as taught by my in-laws. I’d love to hear about your treasures!
As always, I hope you all are safe and healthy.
Anne the Vegan 