Thrift Fashion

Thrifting is fun. It's cheap, it's creative and it's eco-friendly, what better way to shop?

The prospect of rifling through racks of smelly clothing can be unappealing,  but there are pleasant places to shop and so many treats to be found, that it's completely worth it!

Blogger Jentine of My Edit is a thrifting legend. This outfit (right) is almost 100% thrifted, and most of her outfit photos contain several thrifted items - and she always looks so stylish!

To replicate her style,  pair amazing thrift finds with basic high street classics like black skinny jeans and a check shirt. This will keep you looking on-trend and super fashionable, and not worryingly grungy.

Accessorize well with on-trend pieces, or classic prints and colours. And don't forget that beautiful hair and awesome shoes are the key to making any outfit look purposeful.

Thrifting Tips:

♥  Make friends with your local store owners and find out when they usually add new stock to the shop floor - that way you can be first to search through the rails for well-priced branded items.
♥  Try out loads of different stores in your local area, thrift stores vary in size, scent and quality, it may take a while to find one that suits you
♥  Be patient - don't expect to come home every time with a once-worn designer item that fits just perfectly - sometimes you won't find anything, other times you'll find something you can re-adjust, and others you'll pick up loads of bargains
♥  Charity shops have fantastic bargains - often they'll have a $1 section, or a way you can fill a bag with items and pay $10 for the bag, rummage sales and discount days are also popular, so keep checking in to see what's new
♥  Don't worry so much about sizing, old girls clothes can fit smaller women's frames, men's jackets look great as oversized blazers, bigger skirts can be made into dresses or taken in by a seamstress or on your own sewing machine.
♥  Try things on - visualise them with a tuck here and there, a change of buttons, a shortened hemline or a color change (washing machine dye is brilliant). If the bare structure of something amazing is there, then go ahead a grab it, but make sure to fix it up sooner rather than later to save it from cluttering your wardrobe.
♥  Stick to stores in fashionable areas and places where people are wealthy, the clothes will be less worn and of a higher quality. You are more likely to get your hands on designer goods at bargain prices that have been worn once, rather than much-worn high street items that are falling apart.
♥  Accessories are usually fantastic in a thrift store - old leather items are timeless and if you find anything that fits, belt/bag/shoes then don't hesitate too long. 
♥  Check for stains, rips, tears and other problems - and don't buy it unless you are positive you can repair it well. 
♥  Yard sales and estate sales are some of the best possible places to find super cheap items - as the owner will want to get rid of these things as quickly as possible.

Check out the Fashion Bloggers Q&A section for more tips on how to thrift successfully.