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Hello!!

I applied for this job writing articles online. You get paid $17 per article, and even more if it's actually used. I had to fill out this app with my experience, hobbies, and had to fill out a form dealing with my knowledge on certain subjects. After submitting all of that, they gave me 48 hrs to write a 600-1,000 word article on pretty much anything, and I submitted that about 5 minutes ago. I'll post my draft on here: 

You want to try your hand at livening up your wardrobe without breaking the bank, so decide to see what this “thrift store” craze is all about.  Walking into the expansive one room building, you are immediately overwhelmed. There are racks upon racks of clothing, signs everywhere, the back wall is full of every toy given away in the tri-county area, and something smells a little funny. You immediately want to leave; asking yourself why you would ever think you could buy used clothes.

This is a common reaction to anyone who has never stepped foot inside of a thrift store, resale or secondhand shop.  When I first began to go to thrift stores, I did the same thing. Luckily, I had a friend with me who taught me the basics of thrift store shopping, and now this information will be passed on to you.

Before you even go to the thrift store, there are a few things you need to know in order to prepare:

1)Have a basic idea of what you’re shopping for.  This is similar to going to the grocery store when you’re hungry. You are bound to buy many unnecessary food items. In a thrift store, if you don’t know what you want, many items seem fantastic to you because of the price, and before you know it, you have 12 ‘thrift gems’ in your cart, and you spend 40 dollars when you only wanted to spend 20. Do not let this happen. If you walk in knowing that you want to get a sweater to match your knew pencil skirt, you are more likely to stick to your guns. Although those army green shorts are absolutely adorable, and they’re only three bucks….

2)Consider the trendiness of the item. You must remember that thrift stores are a place for people to get rid of old clothes without throwing them away. Which means that these will not be (for the most part) items straight off the runway or out of Betsey Johnson’s Spring ’09 collection. If you go to a thrift store looking for low slung drainpipe jeans, it’s going to be tough. Perhaps the high waist of the earlier decades will be more common. But there is a high chance that you can find flares, pencil skirts, gypsy skirts, bohemian blouses, minidresses, and any other trend that has been around for at least a full year. However, the lack of extreme trendiness gives you a chance to experiment with styles of the past…you will most definitely run into a housedress from the 50’s, or the crazy patterned blazers from the 80’s. Imagine the combinations!

3)Consider the location of the thrift store. This can tie in with the trendiness of an item.  Thrift stores in more downtown or affluent areas will definitely have more brand name and higher quality clothes like Calvin Klein, DKNY or Ralph Lauren. If you go to one in the suburb, or the outskirts of town, the clothes there will be more commonly from mall stores like the Gap, Old Navy, department stores like JC Penney or Sears, or big box stores like Kmart or WalMart.

4)Check different stores for sales. Yes, even thrift stores have sales. A very common one is on Fridays, when many offer five items for five dollars.  Do your research, check the phone books, and call around to see what different stores offer.

Now that you have mapped out what you want to buy and where you want to go, there are a couple things you should know as you are sifting through the aisles.

1)Items to avoid: It should be common sense that you never EVER wear previously worn underwear. That includes bras. Aside from the horrible thoughts about who could have worn it before, remember that bras lose their shape after time anyway. Also avoid anything with stains unless you know for a fact that you can get it out. Be sure to keep an eye out for rips; if they’re on the seam, it’s an easy fix. If not, don’t buy it. Remember to look at the wear of an item as well. A cute blue t-shirt that has lost its elasticity isn’t so cute anymore when you try it on and look like a box from the waist up. A yellow sweater that is starting to pill ever so slightly isn’t worth it if you don’t know how to care for it.

2)Things to consider when you find a piece: Check the tags for care. Unless you live like a queen and get everything dry cleaned, try not to pick up too many items like this. Of all the items I have bought from the thrift store, I have only one item that is dry clean only; a pink corset. Can you guess how often I wear it?

Most thrift stores do have fitting rooms, so please try the clothes on if you aren’t completely sure about the fit. Nothing feels worse than buying an item, then putting it on to get ready for the big night and realizing that you are swimming in it, or worse, about to pop out.

3)Wash before you wear: I cannot stress this enough. Even if you did try it on at the store, wash these items before you wear them. It is always best to play it safe. Besides, your new clothes will most likely smell a little funny.

You found some gems, you’ve washed them, and you’re ready to go show them off! Have fun! And remember that no two thrift stores are the same. Try them all! Who knows what you’ll find?

~Pusher.Of.Pens.~