The racks of secondhand shops are filled with untapped potential, but to many shoppers, they feel more like a confusing maze. It’s understandable to feel frustrated when you see people scoring incredible thrift bargains online, only to leave the store empty-handed yourself. But you’re not alone in this frustration.
“I’ve always wanted to get into thrifting. I know it’s good for keeping stuff out of landfills,” said Liliana Ramos, 15. “A lot of my friends thrift, and they find super cool clothes that you just can’t find in normal stores nowadays. My [cousin] is also huge on thrifting — all [of] her dorm decor is [from] Salvation Army. But whenever I go, I can never find the nice stuff they do.”
The desire for unique, pre-loved items is rapidly fueling a shift in how we shop. According to a 2025 report on thrifting statistics, “83% of Gen Z consumers have either purchased or are interested in secondhand apparel, 10.7% more than the average for all age groups.” Driven by evolving fashion trends, growing sustainability concerns, and anti-fast-fashion sentiment, thrifting is becoming increasingly popular among younger audiences.
However, the sheer volume of items, especially given the surge in donations during the COVID-19 pandemic, can feel overwhelming, and many newcomers worry about finding only low-quality goods. It may seem like there’s never anything “good” in store. But the good news is that the best thrifters don’t just rely on luck; they have strategies.
If you’re thrifting for the first time or are interested in finding products that best cater to your liking, here are five essential tips to transform your thrifting journey into one that yields the secondhand treasures you truly want.
Go In With A Plan
Fashion vlogger Ally Purugganan, who claims 95% of her closet is thrifted, suggests using platforms like Pinterest to spark inspiration and identify items you need. In a YouTube video, she declares that “thrift stores can be overwhelming, huge, and stocked full of… not the best pieces, so you want to go in already knowing what you’re looking for.”
“When I go thrifting, I always go in with a plan. More people should. It makes me more aware of where I’m heading and keeps me alert when I’m looking through the racks,” Ashley Collins, 18, recommends.
Exploring specific styles, aesthetics, and types of clothing beforehand can help you better determine what you want to gain from your trip. Browsing platforms like Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram can help you discover new styles and learn the names of the items you want, making it easier to find them or ask for help if needed.
Understand the Store and its Layout
The popular thrift chain Goodwill states on its official blog that Mondays and Tuesdays are the best days to visit because a large number of donations are processed after Sundays. These days are the best times to go thrifting, as you will find a diverse selection of new items. This is why planning is so important — scoping out which day of the week your local store restocks its shelves can be a game-changer for bigger and better finds.
Understanding the location of your store of interest is also beneficial. The community around your store will undoubtedly influence the kinds of items available in it. A store in one area might be great for furniture and decorations, while another might be best for collectibles and clothing. Try different locations to see which ones have product selections that stand out to you.
Some stores apply discounts daily using colored tags or item type. Others offer long-standing discounts for certain groups, such as seniors, veterans, or members of a rewards program.
Navigating a thrift store can be difficult — product organization typically differs from that of traditional department stores. But memorizing the store layout is a strategy often used by thrift pros and frequenters because it enables quick, efficient navigation. This may be difficult to master at first, but after visiting a particular location multiple times, you may naturally memorize the locations of each section.
Take time to become familiar with each section and its structure, and ask: Are the racks organized by size, color, or clothing type? Does your store separate books and records? Is jewelry kept open to shoppers or behind the checkout desk?
Grab First, Think Later
While going in with a plan is necessary for establishing direction on your trip, you might come across rarities or essential pieces that speak to you. In situations like these, it’s appropriate to grab first and think later.
For example, if you really like an item but aren’t yet sure if you’ll get it, it’s a good practice to grab it anyway and reevaluate before checking out. This is a good strategy if your store provides shopping carts or baskets, since carrying multiple items on your own will prove difficult. This allows you to spend more time considering an item, especially since you might later find a nice complement to it. It also prevents you from forgetting where the item was or losing it to another thrifter if you decide to go back for it later. But don’t get greedy—remember to stay within budget and take only what you need!
“Thrifting just to find ‘valuable’ stuff or to get hauls really takes the fun out of the experience. I just don’t see the point in it. I always want to come back more when I buy in [moderate] amounts,” Thomas Nguyen, 17, suggested.
Additionally, you may be limiting yourself by focusing only on your perceived clothing size. Check your sizing rack, but also get comfortable looking through racks in at least one size bigger and one size smaller. This is because thrift stores carry a variety of brands with vastly different styles. What is labeled as a medium might fit you even if you usually wear size small.
Take Your Time
When perusing aisles, it is crucial to quickly look through as many products as possible rather than skipping areas. This ensures that you don’t miss any nice pieces.
Thoroughly checking for stains and damage is also essential. Before an item reaches the checkout, perform a detailed inspection; turn garments inside out, as signs of wear are most visible on the seams, lining, and pocket interiors. Check for common issues in fabric (snags, holes, piling, thin spots), fasteners (loose or missing buttons), and other functionality problems (chipped ceramics, dead electronics, damaged book spines).
If you spot a stain that looks impossible to remove, or perhaps a busted hem, ask yourself: “Am I going to fix this?” or “Is a repair within my budget?” If the answer is no, it’s best to leave the item behind.
“Be super careful when you’re thrifting. I’ve had so many times where I accidentally bought something with a broken zipper or a loose leg because I didn’t check as well as I should have,” Collins warned.
Bonus tip: It’s easy to overlook the minor imperfections in your finds. If you want to be able to return, research your store’s return policy beforehand in case all purchases are final. I recommend Goodwill of North Georgia stores, which follow a 14-day return policy on clothing if you have the original tags and receipt.
Understand What Works Best For You
The key to thrifting is to enjoy the process. It should never feel like a chore! To consistently find great items, you must set up an experience that is comfortable and effective for you. Start by finding stores that match your tastes. Go where you feel excited and inspired.
To boost success, establish an ideal shopping routine. Try visiting at different times to see what works best with your schedule: you may enjoy being there as soon as the store opens! Or perhaps you prefer a quiet afternoon when there aren’t many people around. It’s also important to think about how you like to shop. Making these small choices for yourself will put you in a great mood, and a good mood makes you much better at spotting amazing deals.
There are many ways to begin your thrifting journey, most notably in a brick-and-mortar store or online. Secondhand marketplace apps such as Depop and Poshmark have seen a surge in popularity, growing by a staggering 23% in 2024 alone. These apps are great for when you know exactly what you’re looking for, or when you want to browse from the comfort of your bed.
But as Nguyen put it, “I thrift in person and on Vinted, but there’s just no feeling like going in the store and hunting for things myself.”
