Tips on Buying Clothes at Thrift Stores

Many years ago, shopping at thrift stores was almost looked upon as something of which to be ashamed-if your family did not have the money to shop at the mall or at the department store, you certainly didn't advertise that fact. Most likely, you did whatever you could to hide it-you didn't want anyone to know that your clothes came from the Salvation Army or Goodwill store.

Now, though, with vintage clothing being all the rage among celebrities, more and more people are shopping at thrift stores. And, you can find consignment shops, resale shops, and vintage clothing stores (along with the typical thrift stores) in any major city in the country. Actually, you can find these stores in a lot of small cities, too-that tells you just how popular this type of store has become.

Buying clothing at these stores can save a lot of money, obviously. But, you still have to be careful to make sure that you are getting a good deal. Whether you are buying for yourself or for your kids, here are some important tips to keep in mind:

Check every garment. I mean really check each piece of clothing that you are contemplating purchasing. Look at all sides, searching for stains and holes. Test the seams for strength by gently tugging at them. Make sure that the pockets do not have holes in them and that any belt loops are complete. Test the zippers, if there are any. Thrift stores are not going to intentionally try to sell you a faulty garment; however, the employees are often not as careful as they could be about checking the clothing before putting it out on the sales floor. Many of these types of stores do not allow returns, so it is especially important to inspect the clothing carefully before you buy it.

Know your sizes. Not just the clothing sizes that you and your kids typically wear-you also need to know inseam and waist measurements and how to eyeball a piece of clothing for fit. Many of the clothes at resale shops do not have size tags inside, or they may be faded, so if you can eyeball a shirt and tell if it will fit your child, so much the better. Knowing inseam and waist measurements will be helpful in determining if a pair of pants will fit.

Know your prices. Sure, the prices on clothing at the Salvation Army and Goodwill and some other thrift stores are so low that they are sure to be a bargain-but what about the prices at a consignment shop or resale store? Some of these stores sell their merchandise at nearly full price, especially if it is a piece from a clothing label in high demand. This is particularly true for some of the teen resale shops. Make sure you know what the clothing sells for regularly so that you can decide if something is a bargain or not before you purchase it.

Keep fashion in mind. I am not saying that everyone needs to dress like a fashion plate, but you probably do want to make sure that your kids' clothing is within the realm of what is socially acceptable. For instance, if all the teens in school are wearing straight-leg jeans, it probably isn't a good idea to buy a pair of bell-bottoms for your daughter. Or if your son really wants to wear concert t-shirts with button-down oxfords, buying him a bunch of sweaters isn't going to make him happy. Just because you find a good price on something doesn't make it a good deal if it isn't what your kids will wear.

Shop with a budget in mind. It is really easy to overdo it at resale shops and consignment stores-even at thrift stores. So, before you start shopping, have a plan as to how much you want to spend, and stick to it. You might be surprised at just how fast the costs can add up when you are purchasing lower priced items, so be sure to keep that in mind.

Hopefully these tips will help you to make your thrift store shopping a success-you can save a lot of money and at the same time make your kids happy with the clothing you purchase, as long as you are careful.