by Jed Eane

Created on: June 26, 2010   Last Updated: June 30, 2010

Nowadays we’re reading the words “stylish” and “thrifty” together in the same sentence on a fairly frequent basis. Recycling has found its way into the fashion world and more and more women are deciding to wear what others no longer have any use for. And not only are more women shopping at thrift stores and charity shops for their outfits, but some are going one step further and blowing the cobwebs off their mother’s, or grand-mother’s, sewing machines in order to create their own. You don’t need large sums of money in order to look good any more; all you need is a little imagination and creativity.

Shopping for Clothes at a Thrift Store

Shopping for clothes at a thrift store isn’t just about saving money, although it is a wonderful feeling when you know you’ve found a great item at a fraction of the price you would have had to pay for it in the high street. But shopping in a thrift store is about a little more than saving money, and even recycling. One of the joys of shopping at a thrift store if that you’re unlikely to see the same clothes that you will see when you shop in the shopping mall. Admittedly, for some, that’s why they never set foot in a thrift store, but for others it’s what shopping at thrift stores is all about. Think of your local thrift store as your local treasure trove; you don’t know what delights you may find once you step through the door.

You need a little more time when shopping for clothes at a thrift store than you do when shopping at regular clothes stores. You can’t just pull an item off the rails expecting it to be perfect in the same way you can when you’re in your favorite shop in the shopping mall. Most items will have one or two minor imperfections and you need time in order to spot these and decide whether they’re acceptable. Always inspect a garment carefully before deciding whether it’s right for you. If you can sew, then not only will you be able to repair any small holes or broken zips, but you’ll also be able to alter an item if it’s not the right size or length.

When it comes to sizing, don’t assume that only those items on the “medium” rail are in fact sized “medium.” Look at all items just in case some have been put back on the wrong rails or incorrectly categorized when they were initially placed on the shop floor.

If you buy out of season you’ll be able to make

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