Critical Thrift Store Fashion Tips

The secret is out: incredible bargains can be found in the thrift store. Even women who have avoided wearing “other people’s clothes” are looking to their local Salvation Armies and Goodwills for designer bargains. There are a ton of thrift benefits you’ll get when you shop at bargain stores. Therefore, read the following critical thrift store fashion tips.

Know Your Fabrics

There are two types of fibers: natural and synthetic. Many garments contain both, in the proportions indicated on the label. Natural fibers are, well, natural in origin: cotton, wool, silk, and linen are the most common fibers. Because of their porous nature, they are absorbent and accept stains well, as well as dyes. Natural fabrics tend to wrinkle and shrink when washed or dried in hot weather.

On the other hand, synthetic fibers are made of extruded plastic (!) and include fleece, acrylic, nylon, and polyester. These non-porous fibers usually require little or no ironing and do not shrink. Over time, synthetic fabrics (like acrylic) tend to develop those elusive little balls of lint called “pills”; an effective lint remover (or “pill shaver,” as I like to call it) is a great investment to extend the life of your fabrics.

Hence, beware of the misleading “dry cleaning only” label, unless you’re willing to pay more to clean your clothes than you paid to buy them. Coats and jackets are an exception to this rule if your savings exceed the cost of dry cleaning. These garments are almost always marked “dry clean,” but they still shouldn’t need frequent cleaning.

Recognize the Marks

When you find a garment you like, examine it closely for flaws or signs of wear. Some can be repaired, while others cannot. It’s a good idea to inquire about return policies, regardless of where you buy.
Stains are the main reason good clothes go bad. Sometimes they can be cut, for example, pant legs can be cut into shorts, long sleeves can be shortened into half sleeves or short sleeves (if you’re going to do this, fold the garment when you try it on to get an idea of how it will fit. Make sure it covers all your assets, so to speak).
Stains can also be disguised with appliqués, a patch pocket, or other creative additions. Check your local craft or fabric store for images to iron on, or print your design to iron on your computer.

Know When to Resist

Check your zippers and snaps. Broken zippers, snaps, and buttonholes are hard to repair. Check wool for moth holes by holding it up to the light. Torn or worn fabrics offer the least basis for a permanent repair. What if you could rearrange garments. Well, a penny for each small cotton shirt or wool sweater would be a fortune!
Buttons, on the other hand, are easy to remove and replace as long as the fabric and buttonholes are in good condition. Look on the inside seams for extra buttons provided by the manufacturer, or go to a craft or sewing store on your way home and buy some fancy buttons. Tip: If you’re wearing clothes with nice buttons, cut them off and reuse them to embellish second-hand finds.