Cheap Keeps: Navigate the Thrift Store Like a Pro

The thrift store can be an intimidating and overwhelming place. There are endless racks of past season lines waiting to be reawakened and reintroduced to the world. But be careful. Take it slow for your own sanity. Dig through the racks section by section. Choose some sort of order; for example, skirts, shorts, shirts, pants, jackets, belts, then bags last. But don't try to pick up too many items from each section. You will have a meltdown before you get to the register.

Don't buy items just because you can. A cheap price should never be a motivating factor in making a decision at the thrift store. Everything is cheap! If you aren't careful you will leave with three bags of beaded necklaces, gauchos in every color, and "That's Hot" t-shirts. Give yourself a spending limit either for individual items, or for the entire excursion. That way, even if you cannot execute good judgment when it comes to what to buy and what to pass up, you won't leave with too many undesirable pieces.

Think of the thrift store like a used car dealership. Don't spend on an item that isn't worth it, and don't even consider purchasing certain items. While you might buy a pre-owned car, you wouldn't just buy a used battery. The same goes for the thrift store. A great vintage belt or jacket is great, but never buy worn shoes. Many might disagree and attempt to point out examples of times when they got great shoes from a local thrift. It doesn't matter. Some things just shouldn't be worn after someone else (a stranger) has-like shoes. Unless they make you dunk a ball like Mike, or moonwalk across a stage like…well, Mike-they should not be purchased.

Look for labels and patterns from known designers. While you shouldn't buy an item just because it's Adrienne Vittadini or Giuseppe Zanotti (yet to be found at the thrift store), you should check labels on items for extra security. Chances are, if the skirt is Etro or Diane von Furstenberg the quality is magnificent. There is a cornucopia of top fashion designers available at local thrifts. The only thing that makes getting a cashmere sweater for $4 at the thrift store sweeter is checking the label and seeing that it is Valentino.

Don't lie about your size; you're not fooling anyone. Most thrift stores have a strict return policy, which is usually no return; everything is final sale. Because most or all of the proceeds of these stores go to charities around the world, or are run by a charity organization (like the Salvation Army or Goodwill), they cannot refund money for items previously sold. So if you finally find those purple leather pants you've been looking for, but the label says 6 and you're a 10, don't try to convince yourself that they might run big.

It will be a waste of your twenty bucks. If the store doesn't have a dressing room, make your own if possible. Use your imagination. You want to know that the clothes fit before you leave the store. That Tahari suit is worth it. (Remember: Too big is better than too small. It's much easier to have something taken in. To have something taken out there must be enough material and sometimes there just isn't.)

Global thrift on Moody Street in Waltham, MA has the best finds for cute and inexpensive blazers and vintage dresses. If you want a great pencil skirt or anything with sequins hit the Salvation Army thrift store on West 8th in Manhattan. For gorgeous classic vintage pleated skirts go to the Garment District in Cambridge, MA. And for a more modern pleated work skirt (like a Talbot's) make your way up to J.F.Kennedy Blvd in Jersey City and hit up the Goodwill Superstore.