Last year, I set a goal to only buy secondhand items for a year. Honestly? I didn’t really believe I could stick with it. I’ve imposed shopping bans on myself before, but never for a period of more than a year. For the first few months of 2023, I didn’t shop at all. But then I started to get into the world of secondhand shopping. Honestly – I couldn’t believe how much I learned about consumption, my personal style, and even myself after not buying anything new for a year.
Christina Cleveland
Cristina designs interiors that balance style, comfort and functionality so your home supports your lifestyle. With her background in digital publishing, she also produces the online series Home School to make upscale home design accessible to every budget.
A past me once thought that thrift shopping wasn’t nearly as fun as buying new pieces. After all, I’m only human and I know the thrill of newness that excites so many of us. However, after a year of honing my thrift shopping skills, I love the creativity that this practice requires. It’s a skill that allows me to showcase my design talent and love of curation.
Ready to dive into the world of secondhand shopping? Below, discover my key lessons from secondhand shopping—and all the opportunities for fun and creativity I’ve picked up along the way.
1. Most impulses are fleeting
Shopping is easier than ever. With a simple swipe and click, a package is delivered right to your door. My devotion to thrift shopping gave me pause. When I felt the impulse to buy a new pair of boots, I had to find them first. The search could require a few trips to a thrift store or some time scrolling through eBay. I found that most of the time, I forgot about them after a day or two. If I eagerly continued searching, I knew it wasn’t just an impulse.
There’s a whole rabbit hole online devoted to secondhand shopping. From watching videos and reading advice, I’ve learned that it’s a muscle you build with practice. Many avid thrifters go to their local stores several times a week. It’ll probably seem overwhelming the first time, but over time you’ll get a feel for what areas you like to look at, what prints, fabrics, or types of pieces are worth spending time on. (And which ones aren’t.) Eventually you’ll get to a point where you can comb through the store pretty quickly and develop a sense of what a gem is.
During my challenge, I discovered so many new ways to buy secondhand clothing beyond the thrift store that might immediately spring to mind. There are apps like Poshmark and Depop where you can buy directly from sellers, and vintage shops you can follow on eBay, Etsy, and Instagram. There are also vintage and consignment shops and meet-ups with ladies looking to trade in their used clothing.
You have so many options, and even if you’re not doing a challenge like me, it’s worth incorporating a few of these into your regular shopping routine. The reality of our modern world is that so many of the clothes on offer have only been worn once – just for photos! This is especially true for Instagram shops.
4. What you want in the store is probably already available second-hand
Last year, I bought a new bridesmaid dress from a bridal boutique, but later realized that the same dress was also being offered online, so I returned the new dress and bought the used one. It worked out perfectly! I’ve learned that if I actually fall in love with something new, I can quickly search for the item online. Most of the time, it’s already been offered for sale online used. On the apps and websites mentioned above, you can find pretty much anything, including designer and boutique brands. On eBay, you can also set up a saved search so you get an email when someone offers the item you’re looking for, which takes some of the legwork out of it for you.
5. Creativity thrives
The overwhelming majority of people who use capsule wardrobes that I hear say is that they were initially afraid of feeling limited. In reality, they were able to create more looks that they liked when they were forced to get creative. The same goes for shopping thrift store. When I buy new clothes, I find myself recreating trendy outfits I’ve seen on Pinterest or Instagram, and in some cases, I even buy the exact same items of clothing. When I shop thrift store, I break away from the set trends and think more creatively about how I want to present myself.
6. You can find out what’s trending right now – but better
The designs on the runway and in stores right now are largely based on silhouettes designed in the ’70s or ’90s. If you walk into a Goodwill today, you can actually find the original ’70s and ’90s designs from high-end designers. (Bonus: They look way cooler and are cheaper!) Yes, it may take a few trips to Goodwill to find the perfect oversized blazer or culottes, but when you do find them, it will feel so much more satisfying than clicking on that Instagram post and buying the exact blazer you saw on someone else. Where’s the fun in that?
