Tips for Shopping at Used Clothing Stores

Purchasing clothes at a second hand store such as Goodwill can be fun and help save money for your family. If you have never been shopping in a used clothing store, the entire idea may sound a little frightening. After all, these were the places where you always discarded your unwanted clothing items. Yes, used clothing shops are filled with items that people no longer want, but that does not mean that you don't want them. If you have never shopped in a used clothing store, now is the time to start. Here are a few tips that will make you shopping trip successful.

Holes and Stains

If you are shopping at a good used clothing store, you will not be able to find many clothes that have holes and stains. Most of these stores take the time to weed out these clothing items before they even hit the racks. Still, there are times when holes and stains may be missed. Carefully inspect each item of clothing before you purchase it. Make sure to stand in good lighting so you do not miss anything. Yes, you are paying for used clothes, but that does not mean they are old and worn.

Special Deal Days

If you are lucky, your local used clothing stores run special deal days. If you are not used to the system it can be confusing at first, but the system is fairly simple. Most of these stores do not put price tags on clothing items. Instead each item of clothing will have a small colored tag located on the sleeve or collar and the prices are posted on a board at the front of the store. Instead of assigning an individual price for each item, they sell all sweaters for the same price, all men's pants for the same price, etc.

If they are running a special deal they will have a sign at the front of the store that says something like "All blue items ½ price this week". This means that any item that has a blue tag is half of the price it normally would be. Usually, the stores run a special each week and change the color. Sometimes on the last day of the sale they will give you all of the blue items (or whatever color is on sale) for only 50 cents each. This helps used clothing stores get rid of items and put new ones on the racks. There will always be something new in a store that carries this type of sale. This is a popular practice at many Goodwill stores.

Buy Ahead for Children

If you are looking children's clothes, don't be afraid to buy ahead. Used clothing stores can be your best resource for blue jeans. You know your child is going to grow, so get jeans two or three sizes larger if you get a good deal on them. Children are much harder on their clothes so it can be more difficult to find quality used items. Buying in advanced ensures that you have clothes when they grow into the next size. This is especially true with boys' clothing. Boys are much harder on their clothes than girls are, for the most part. If you find a good deal on boys' clothing, but it is too big, don't pass it up!

Men's clothing

If you husband or boyfriend works in a job that requires khakis, button down shirts, and ties then you are in luck. Most used clothing stores have a large selection of dress pants and dress shirts for men. You can find these items in great condition and sometimes still with the original tags on them. This is my favorite thing to shop for at used clothing stores because I always hit the jackpot. I would not suggest purchasing ties though. My experience is that most are stained, have ugly patterns, or look like they would have been worn in the 70s.

Make sure you are going to wear it

The first time you walk into a used clothing store, you might be a little wide eyed at all of the great deals. This is just like any other shopping trip. Do not buy anything simply because it is cheap. Make sure that it is something you will wear. This was the hardest thing for me to learn. I purchased many cute items only to get them home, stuff them in a closet, and never wear them. No matter how cheap an item it, you are wasting money if you never wear it.

Get Over the Smell

Yes, most second hand clothing stores have a bad smell. Curiously, they almost always have the same smell. Get over it! Unless you walk into a store and find the smell very unbearable, stay and shop. When you get home, wash the clothes, and the smell will be gone.

Dig

Don't be shy! In order to get great deals, you have to be willing to jump in and dig through the clothes. Unlike a regular clothing store, every item on the rack is going to be a different size, color, and style. Unless you take the time to look at each piece of item, you could really miss out on something great. As a newcomer to the world of used clothing, this can be one of the hardest things to do. You may be more likely to simply scan the clothing racks and occasionally pick something up. You will never know what you are missing if you don't take the time!

When you first start shopping at used clothing stores, it may be a little uncomfortable. If you do not have a good experience, then you most likely won't try it again. Take the time to follow these tips and you are sure to walk out of the store with clothes in your hand, and money still in your wallet. Good luck on your shopping!