HOW TO THRIFT (from a professional thrifter!) ✨ I'm spilling the beans, y'all 🤠

[@KathleenIllustrated]

where my thrift goblins at?! 👺

[@Tackleboys]

Mememememeeeeeee

[@octopus_in_space2764]

hay! 👺

[@wlammy4ever]

Hereeeee 👺

[@rixanoz]

👹 here

[@Vintagewitchstyle]

👹😈🖤

[@cloud__]

My favorite thrifting tip is it's okay to leave empty-handed. Sometimes there's a pressure to score a find but sometimes there's nothing much to find and overconsumption in thrifting is real too. Your storage spaces will thank you that you left an item that's meh even though good enough because it's cheap

[@KathleenIllustrated]

this is so real! thank you!

[@kristinapaxton9686]

Also just looking at items is entertaining without purchasing

[@seltzermint5]

YES! This is what my friends don't get. I walk out w/ nothing like 50 percent of the time. Also, go often!

[@nikag1560]

i love this!! recently ive been holding myself to this as an exercise, sometimes its just nice to window-shop even if everything is 5 bucks haha~!

[@akumatsutranslations]

NGL I kinda need to keep that in mind, I always worry if I walk out with nothing I'm gonna look like a thief if I walk in and walk out without buying anything.

[@KatJonesCrochet]

I was at a goodwill recently and there was a person shopping who out of nowhere yells "who likes yellow because this is beautiful?!?!?" And I loved it

[@KathleenIllustrated]

yes!!! or the people who see you looking at something and they're like "YOU HAVE TO GET THAT" haha so wholesome.

[@KatJonesCrochet]

@@KathleenIllustrated 😭😭😭😭🖤🖤🖤

[@Tardisntimbits]

​@@KathleenIllustrated Man, that kind of stuff never happens up here. People either steal stuff out of your cart when you're not looking, ask if you're getting/where you found it, or make passive aggressive remarks because they didn't find the item first, hahaha

[@PullthaleverKronk]

@@Tardisntimbits Lmaoo what? Where are you?

[@Tardisntimbits]

@@PullthaleverKronk Southern Ontario in Canada lol

[@allis_o2628]

My most important tip about thrifting is to not get greedy just because something is at a good price. What I mean by this is, look at the item you're holding and consider "Do I want this enough that I would've paid full price for it?". Does the quality hold up? Is it comfortable? Does it fit you well? Does it match your style and things you already own? Otherwise it's so easy to hoard up an entire bag of barely-okay clothing, none of which will become a favorite and only end taking up space in your closet.

[@Vixa_Jaz]

This this!! I made the mistake of the later. Now I’m a munch more conscious shopper. Pretty much my rule is “if you don’t love it, put it back”. I’ll often take picture of clothes that I put back, so I feel like I’m taking a peace with me lol.

[@Kaffeeisresting]

I am guilty of this! I rarely find things that fits my size and style, so when something I'm not too sure about does fits, I take it 😭 However! I do try to tailor and upcycle/ flip it to my taste.

[@magentatime]

this is dumb bc i absolutely would not pay full price for many items that i ADORE with all my heart, im sorry bro but poor peeople exist, and so do frugal people in general

[@yourdad3275]

i have to disagree with the first point, even with my favourite clothes there is no way i would have paid full price for them

[@hhhenge]

this is so important. you have to curate harshly and only bring items in your life that you really want

[@tessknits]

Thrifting is in my blood on both sides of my family, I was trained for this from childhood. One of my favorite things to thrift is knitwear because I'm a knitter and I can find lots of cotton and wool sweaters that I can unravel and reuse the yarn for way cheaper than cotton and wool yarn costs new. Its even cheaper than buying 8 skeins of cheap, low quality yarn from Joann's AND unravelling and rewinding is super fun, especially when I break out my steamer to straighten it, that's satisfying as hell. Bonus: I get to enjoy my hobby and make my own knitwear while saving items from clothing garbage piles!

[@SauronsAccntnt]

THAT is a fantastic idea. Especially if you are feeling saucy enough to dye the yarn.

[@tessknits]

@@SauronsAccntnt yes! Customize to your hearts content without worrying about ruining $200 worth of yarn

[@camboyd5260]

I really thought I was the only one who did this!!

[@ifetayodavidson-cade5613]

How do you tell the find sweaters that will fully unravel? I am new to this, but excited!

[@seabreeze4559]

just ask them for ugly broken jumpers for free?

[@kateleighlambley1106]

Worked in a thrift store for 3+ years and got trained by the most incredible older ladies who knew everything - I loved that you talked about touch, but your nose is one of your most valuable tools with vintage pieces in determining not only use smells (weird chemicals, pee, sweat, mould, water damage), but also certain natural fibers like wool and leather have incredibly distinct smells and may not be labelled! Yes, you will look strange huffing everything in the thrift, but that's why my wardrobe is so fly.

[@coolm3th]

i freaking love the smell of wool

[@KathleenIllustrated]

smell!!! how could i forget smell!!!! thank you :)

[@cathyp6788]

I purchased a beautiful red top only to get it home and smell perfume on it. How did I miss that in the shop? I couldn't get the smell out no matter how much I laundered it. I was sad to throw it away but had no choice.

[@coolm3th]

@@cathyp6788 washing stuff with white vinegar really helps with getting the smell out of things, especially stubborn smells (learned this because i have a cat that loves to pee on all my stuff haha)

[@lynniewood]

​@@cathyp6788 it seems a little wasteful to throw it away just for a purfume smell, If its not damgaed I'd just donate it again or give it away

[@au_barb]

My Thrift Goblin tips: 1. Carry a Tide pen with you to test any stains you might come across. If the Tide pen lifts the stain even a little, you can probably get the whole stain out with laundering. 2. If you like the clothing brand Chico's, always check the plus size sections. Most thrift stores don't understand Chico's sizing and mistakenly put it in with the plus clothing. 3. If fitting rooms aren't available or you'd rather avoid them, wear this to shop: Warm weather - bike shorts + fitted tank or sports bra with an oversized tee or button-up thrown on top. Cold weather - leggings + fitted tank or sports bra with an oversized sweatshirt or button-up flannel shirt thrown on top.

[@kslaney4161]

The Tide Pen trick is a brilliant tip! Thank you

[@coolm3th]

the tide pen is so big brain oh my god

[@au_barb]

@Beck Nichole learned that from years of thrifting for eBay resale 🙂

[@kat_thefruitbat]

Guess it depends on the place because I’ve actually experienced the opposite for Chico’s items- I often see them in the XS size section because they don’t understand that Chico’s numeric sizing (0, 1, 2,) is not equivalent to an XS. I fit XS so I see them pretty often at my local thrift…found a pretty gorgeous vintage embroidered denim jacket once! I’ve let them know at checkout a couple times before, but it hasn’t made a difference thus far. 🙃

[@au_barb]

@@kat_thefruitbat Oh, you're right - I've seen that as well. It just depends where you go.

[@erinvanhandel]

Longtime thrift goblin, first time viewer. Excellent tips all. I have two to add: 1.) Check the seams of garments, and check for holes and snags (particularly in sweaters). 2.) Compliment other thrifters on their finds. This is another important way to build thrifting karma.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

Yes! & especially LOVE tip #2. (ps thanks for watching & welcome!!!!)

[@ohgoditspilgrims]

as a thrift store employee: DO NOT put things back if you are now sure exactly where you picked it up that is how we get different sizes and items mixed in with each other. the place i work at is a charity and regularly has volunteers. we have had to ban them from putting away clothes because of how poorly one person did. if you really want to help, pick up items that fall on the floor and empty/broken hangers! this is a great video and i always appreciate quality fabric and love it when people find unique/vintage pieces!

[@Bloodyfoxclaws]

exactly !! I am a plus sized person and I see a cool shirt in the plus size area, only to find out its tiny and someone just put it there :') its really disheartening

[@chenmae9747]

​@@BloodyfoxclawsI hope you find the cutest things in your size 🫶🏾

[@AnnaMlawn]

Thank you for your efforts!! Thrifters appreciate it

[@buckyyyb]

Check the tags, always, folks, and if the thrift store has a specific system of where clothes go, ASK. We’re more than happy to help. Be thoughtful, be courteous. At the end of the day, all of those things like putting clothes in the wrong spot, or taking them off of hangers ends up being our fault with other customer.

[@oddloop78]

then what do you do with the things you want to put back?

[@SatipatthanaSakuraDragona]

My tips? Take a photo of yourself in the fitting room in anything you're thinking of buying. Don't rely on the mirror. You can make sure you actually do look good in the item, and you don't have to try it on again if you're unsure later. Remember to sit down, bend over, stretch, and take a few steps in anything you're really thinking of buying. Is it still comfortable/wearable? If it's too cute to be true, it could be the reason why someone donated it. Before you check out, really look at each item and ask yourself if you're just buying it because it's a good deal. If you'd pay more for it, then ask yourself if you're really going to wear it. If you think you will, then ask if you already have at least one thing you can pair it with. If you can't even think of one thing, it's unlikely that it fits with your overall style. There's a difference between trying something new and buying something because you spent two hours at the thrift, and by golly, you're going home with something. It is normal to go to the thrift and find nothing that sparks joy. It is normal and okay to leave without buying anything.

[@helenvalencia]

Love this !

[@Beyond4137]

Sometimes there are exceptions tho! I once found a jacket I love and at the time I had nothing to match it. Now I'd say 50% of my wardrobe works with it & I still wear it very often.

[@adventurousmagpie4598]

Oh also, if you're looking for cool wall art, look for large-scale coffee table books. You can carefully cut out the photo pages with an exacto and frame them - voila! Out-of-date science textbooks and old home decor/gardening manuals work really well for this also, and sometimes old issues of National Geographic magazine will have tear-out posters or multi-page photo spreads.

[@kslaney4161]

Oooh love this idea!

[@MangoMintMickey]

Your brain is SO wrinkly, ty for this! I’m imagining a dinosaur collage 🤩

[@adventurousmagpie4598]

@@MangoMintMickey I used to have a very cool collage that I made from a speculative science book from the 60's. It was a bunch of illustrations of what various scientists imagined life on other planets in our solar system would be like! The book itself was quite damaged and ugly but I loved that piece of art while I had it, and it was so large that it filled the side of a bookshelf floor to ceiling. I think I paid $1 for the book?

[@wkhgasmr]

you’re such a genius

[@seabreeze4559]

oh no, the book Karen next you'll recommend we paint over antiques so it looks like ikea some of us preserve and read old books.... seriously, don't do the etsy hipster thing

[@Partylegs666]

I'm an avid sewer, and my #1 thrift tip is to *always* check out those baggies they make up of random sewing crap. I've saved so much money on bias tape, buttons, fasteners, zippers, lace, ribbon - you name it, you can find it. And don't even get me started on patterns. So much gold to be found!

[@theredkitteh]

Thrift store buttons hit different

[@laurabaumgras-pearce5699]

Same!

[@Em_Elizabeth]

Oh yes, patterns for a dime!

[@archery411]

also adding to this, i buy so many blankets, table cloths, and curtains to use as fabric. way cheaper than buying it from joanns and u can get some pretty fancy stuff like brocade

[@Partylegs666]

@@archery411 heck yeah, I still look for fun vintage 100% cotton sheets for blouses/sundresses/linings

[@pizzo7034]

For me, having a color palette for my wardrobe has made thrifting easier and more productive for me

[@candacew2437]

how did you determine your color palette? I'd really like to have one but idk where to start.

[@nell.0103]

​@@candacew2437 personally, I don't have a specific color palette but with time i found myself wearing a lot more black and white than colors, so I look for these when i am thrifting. And when it comes to colors, I look for the ones that are appealing to my eyes and that I like to wear (for me it's mostly purple, pink and blue and red). And since i mostly have black and white clothes, I often have something to wear with the colored cloth i found. If you're more into colors, maybe you can look for colors that come the most often in your wardrobe, the ones you feel the most comfortable in, and the ones you get the most compliments when you wear them !

[@hairdresser1300]

@@candacew2437 I learned mine from watching a lot of Dressing Your Truth utube videos. Her videos are based on the tones of the colors.There are MANY different systems featured on utube. Have fun with it

[@katiejorabbit6931]

I am a plus size thrifter and I really APPRECIATE your comment about leaving those sizes for the curvy girls. Another good tip is knowing the location of the thrift store. Usually the visible from the road thrift stores are over picked. If you go to local spots or harder to get to spots they usually they have a surplus.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

thank you katie!!! you're so right - the lil random tucked away spots have the best stuff

[@lisa_wistfulone7957]

Yess!! I’m a L/XL, and they’re harder to find since the oversized trend met the thrifting trend. Some slender style creators even suggest thrifting plus styles just to size them down to save money.

[@LifeLostSoul]

What also doesn't help this is the average dress size in the US is a 16/18 and most clothing brands have been ignoring plus sized people forever and not making clothes for literally the most common clothing size.

[@Radishforbreakfast]

When looking at ceramics and porcelain, check the bottom- a hand thrown piece will have an artist’s signature carved into clay rather than printed on usually. Porcelain will have a maker’s mark which can be researched. I like getting frames at thrifting places too, I consider that a standard- but I always check first to see if it will be easy to get the art out!

[@annaellis4529]

My god; I’ve made the mistake of not checking whether the art was easy to get out (or if there was even glass in the frame 😅😅😅)

[@adriananabananana]

I get my frames at thrift stores too. Though recently my local store has marked up the prices SO much. 20$ for a used frame with (in my opinion) bad art -_-

[@Shibouu59]

9 times out of 10, a "dry clean only" label is just the manufacturer trying to cover their butt so you can't blame them if you destroy the clothing in the wash! Almost everything can be cleaned at home if you know how, but therein lies the issue-- with the convenience of washers and dryers, and the fact that most clothes these days are made of synthetic fabrics that are meant to go through the washer and dryer, many people have lost the knowledge on how to wash and care for a variety of natural fabrics such as wool and silk.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

thank you!!!

[@sarahkinsey5434]

My boyfriend gave me a cashmere sweater for Christmas one year that is dry clean only. I don't sweat much, especially in winter and usually wear an undershirt for extra warmth. I wear it a few times, and I hand "wash" it inside out in as cold water as I can stand with a bit of Woolite. I just swirl it a bit, not vigorously, take it out and scrunch it into a ball to get the water out and keep it in a ball as I rinse a few times. then I lay it flat on a towel and roll and kneel on it to squeeze out as much water as I can and lay flat to dry.

[@Em_Elizabeth]

There is also the option of DIY dry clean kits.

[@charlotteking8123]

This! And I'd add, a recent washing problem is people using cold water, softener and then drying so that clothing retains body oils AND all the fragrance. The overlay of stink can be washed out but usually needs at least warm, if not hot, water. Your comment about people not knowing how to properly launder reminded me of this.

[@user-ov4wr5yu4r]

I'm going to say 7 out of 10. I got a lot of awesome wool sweaters that were obviously washed just once and don't fit the original owner anymore. No one knows how to block sweaters. And also most of my jeans are labelled a bigger size, too. Someone shrunk them. Finally, some silk dyes do bleed hopelessly, and shrink, too.

[@silverpearlz444]

I always try to thrift on a very small budget. $20 can usually get you 4 or 5 good items, and when I limit myself to that small quantity I'm going to opt for the pieces that I really love and know I'm going to wear a lot

[@cinemaocd1752]

As a person with ADHD who gets overwhelmed in almost every shopping scenario, these tips are fantastic. The first set of tips you gave is good advice for any shopping scenario. For quest items, one thing I see at every thrift store is a section of small appliances with at least two or three unopened or barely used appliances that were trending about 5 years ago. Five years from now we won't be to walk without tripping over Air Fryers. If you need a soda stream now, I think your local thrift store has two or three of them...:D

[@au_barb]

This is so funny, I've come across 3 soda streams in just the past month! 😂

[@helenm1085]

My tip for overwhelm is to put on a podcast or some white noise in your headphones so that you don't get a clash of music with the radio playing at the shop, but you get the benefit of a bit of added stimulation while you're shopping. I'm going for my ADHD assessment on Monday!

[@Jess-the-Witch]

I get the ADHD overwhelm sometimes too. Here's my coping methods: 1. Carry a water bottle and sip sip babe 2. Tinted sunglasses to reduce the visual overstim 3. Browse Slowly. Flicking through super fast will make Stressss 4. Take a breather outside. If you are carrying items, leave them at the counter, the staff will not mind 5. Deep slow breaths, 2 in, 1 out is a GAME CHANGER 6. Hyperfocus on one garment. Use that soft sweater as a soothing stim Good luck ADHD angels 😇

[@kirrisolly-slade1313]

Also thrifting the week after a long weekend or after school holidays when people have had time off is ALWAYS rewarding as people have been at home decluttering!

[@belleisnotreal]

THE RETURN RACK!!!!!! Literally the best piece of advice I can give ANYONE about thrifting

[@amandajaneh]

Thrift goblin here (gen x). Favorite tip: ignore the “dry clean only” tag, 💯 agree. 2 tips to add: 1. if you have kiddos, check the kids section often-so many new with tags items and brands kids like (Nike, etc) for cheap cycle in and out every month. 2. look in the way back of the home goods shelves - I have found tons of earthenware and vintage vases that were hiding behind boring glass vases on the shelf. Love your channel @kathleen!

[@queenb2450]

I'm a novice thrifter, and the one thing I found was how to get the smell out of the clothes? I've tried to laundry them but what works? Help!!

[@amandajaneh]

I hang items outside for a day (unless it’s snowing) then wash with cold and hang dry. That usually works but if not I repeat the process until the smell is gone 😊❤

[@queenb2450]

@@amandajaneh BLESS!! This has been my number one thing. Like I did the vinegar thing too and nothing was working. Off to thrift soon

[@amandajaneh]

@@queenb2450 yay! enjoy 😊

[@KathleenIllustrated]

great tip about looking way back on the shelf! (& the tip on air drying!)

[@mandyhackman9740]

1. It can be hard to tell what the actual color is of something because of the lighting, so if possible take it next the window so you can find out if that orange/red thing is actually pink (and if there are mystery stains too) 2. Quest item: Curtains! They’re great as curtains, or as big squares of material you can use for whatever you want, and usually way less worn in than the linens in the bedsheet section.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

great point!!!! thank you!

[@theredkitteh]

When I tell you the AMOUNT of clothes I've made from curtains and the AMOUNT of compliments I get on them

[@karabii]

I recently bought jeans that looked dirty and horrible under the dressing room light but looked a regular blue in the sun! Crazy!

[@madison_brooke]

My tip: Always bring a measuring tape! Even if it’s not to measure clothes, it’s so useful. It sucks when you find the perfect piece of furniture but it ends up being too big/small.

[@n8298906]

Personal tip: If you go to a thrift store that isn't a major retailer and is more locally owned by a church or something don't be afraid to ask for help when looking for certain products. the workers in these shops are usually volunteers or low-paid workers who work there because they support the business and often take personal care and time to pick the items that are on the floor so there are things on the sales floor they want customers to notice and buy and if they can help in pointing them out it usually makes their day. I've literally been given discounts on items because it was a cashier's favorite item and they were hoping someone else would like and buy it.

[@rachaelmow]

I love the men's section for wool/silk sweaters. Usually in brand new condition and very reasonably priced.

[@SauronsAccntnt]

Ditto. That's the only place I look for sweaters. I'm a real tall gal and I've always had better luck finding better quality textiles.

[@kslaney4161]

Sort of a tip, remember to set your expectations around pricing accordingly based on whether you are at thrift store/ charity shop, vintage store or consignment store. The latter two can sometimes be pricier because of the extra effort taken by staff to curate the store and in the case of consignment, two parties (the original owner and the store) are trying to make some money off the resale purchase.

[@mizelle4096]

I suggested folks shop consignment for plus sizes, but also framed art and books.

[@queenally2873]

The more curated it is, the more expensive it becomes.

[@yaya_papayas]

My pro tip: get to know the employees and ask them questions. Especially if you're a regular at their store. If they get to know you and your style, they may point you in the direction of things you might be interested in.

[@kslaney4161]

Yes!!! As a former consignment store employee, after building a rapport, it was such much fun helping regulars find treasures based on their personal style. And the fastest way to build that connection? Like Kathleen said, putting stuff away and being considerate.

[@iliveinletters_]

Thrifting as a plus size person can be super discouraging, so thanks for spreading the word! At least we always have the home goods section! 😈

[@desereetouchet9294]

And jewelry, and accessesories, and don't forget the craft supplies and books!

[@Layla5067]

That's true, but the shoe section is a great leveller, I might not be able to find clothes but there's always shoes to be had :)

[@nyandoesthings]

@@Layla5067 My mom has had better luck finding (womens) shoes her size in thrift stores than in shoe stores, which is great for her, but where do they come from??? It's like the thrift stores spontaneously generate them. I can swear to you fully honestly that I have never seen high heels in her size at a shoe store, yet every time we go to the thrift store she finds two or three pairs without even going in looking for shoes!

[@willowshearer9260]

Some of my favorite tips is to never skip over the men's section. This might just be a personal thing but I love men's sweaters and Tshirts. There are so many high quality ones and I have the best luck with them. Also, i am never afraid to load up my cart. It might take me a while to sift through it, but it really makes me think about what I really want from the mess. If you're going to buy an electrical item, find an outlet to check that it works!

[@willowshearer9260]

Also! Familiarize yourself with knits and crochet feels! Especially pieces that are crochet because that means it's handmade, crochet can't be machine replicated!

[@Jess-the-Witch]

Mens section is the best if you are looking for slogan and band shirts too 🎉

[@aviezer_who_drinks_seltzer371]

They usually have a great selection of grandpa sweaters

[@amandalapanda394]

Sorry if I’m being Captain Obvious but my tip is too try and push each section of the rack back to give you some “looking room”. Then I move each piece to the other end of the rack, it’s quick and easy to get a good glimpse at the rack and when you’ve finished, the rack often looks a lot neater 😂. It’s just easier (personally) to look at things this way as opposed to pulling things out at a 45 degree angle and trying to shove it back in.

[@abcdefg32108]

💯 I avoided doing that for a long time because it seems more time consuming. But it’s actually a lot quicker-both for getting a good look at the item AND because you don’t end up going past the same racks over and over cuz you feel like you might have missed something!

[@flonny1340]

Yes, I always do this 😅 I didn't realize some people really struggle with only lifting the clothes up a d seeing it from an awkward like 45° angle 😮 Even not in thrift stores, like normal stores and even garage sales, I always make room, cause I gotta see it all

[@mariel7124]

The sleepwear/lingerie section! Not for sleepwear/lingerie, no. For silk camisoles and slip dresses. Also silk pyjama pants which are can be worn for daytime

[@traceytrotter9934]

If you can find them anymore!

[@TaylorBKnits]

Yes!! I found a vintage black Victoria’s Secret silk cami buried in this section, such a good day lol

[@lilamasand5425]

honestly i love the nuance you add to everything, i don't think it's overexplaining! it's very much in my thought process to have lots of little addendums to whatever i'm saying so it's kinda comforting lol. you communicate very clearly and it's much appreciated

[@KathleenIllustrated]

thank you lila!

[@shoppertattoo]

My boyfriend works at a goodwill so I have peeked behind the curtain of the inner workings of that store. Tip 4 is very real. They try to group sizes together, but depending on who is working they may mistake certain sizes. For example when my boyfriend started I had to explain teen sizing vs. women sizing as he had no clue that they were different. Also going to the rich neighborhoods isn’t going to guarantee the best items. The goodwills in my area take all the donations to a warehouse and redistribute the items so no one store has better merchandise than another.

[@ytknits4892]

My tips- turn any clothing item you intend to buy inside out and check all the seams, linings etc. are intact. Hold thinner items up to the light to check for holes. A quick way to check if a pair of pants/skirt will fit you is to wrap the (fastened) waistline around your neck. If the waistline touches at the back of your neck, chances are it will fit your waist.

[@blaireshoe8738]

Note, the neck trick does not work that way exactly for all body types (neck-to-waist proportions differ!) BUT!!! You can still test how your pants/skirts "fit" around your neck, and expect them all to do so pretty similarly. I recommend testing with different fits if you have them, ie stiffer and more elasticated fits, ones that you know to be tighter or looser, and if you have it, a pair that is uncomfortably tight but still sometimes worth it to you for how much you love the piece, so you know to aim for something at least *slightly* looser than that 😂 I did not fully understand just how uncomfortable my cutest pair of shorts were until I learned about this trick, checked the entire "bottoms" part of my wardrobe, and realized it was literally the only piece trying to (gently) choke me despite being "stretchy". I made myself try them on and turns out the "good fit" was 100% all in my head... despite wearing them literally a week prior??? They still look cute as heck tho and I'll still wear them, just... maybe not on long days out when I have comfier reasonably cute options, lol

[@ambermangus4492]

Oh my goshhhh first of all I’ve been loving your videos. I’m obsessed. Secondly I used to manage a thrift store and the last one about putting stuff back nearly brought a tear to my eye. Not only is it nice to the staff who is constantly cleaning up after people but it’s just a good human trait to have. PUT STUFF BACK HOW YOU FOUND IT. The thrift gods are true and just 🥰😭

[@KathleenIllustrated]

preach it!!!! also thanks so much for watching, amber!!! happy to know you've been enjoying your stay :)

[@cathyp6788]

Right! It is so rude not to return something to its rack. I've spent half the time in a shop just putting my unwanted items back....AND cleaning up along the way. I use to work in retail and it is in my blood. I consider it my gift to the world and I am working on doing it without judgement. However, I can be very judgy. I'm working on it....don't judge me. lol.

[@maddieb.4282]

@@cathyp6788”I’m trying my best not to judge!” Then you should have rewritten your first full sentence 😂

[@crazygossipgurl101]

My go to thrift outfit is bike shorts, a skirt, and a camisole. The camisole goes under everything, the skirt provides cover for putting pants on. And yes! Tape measurer is a god tier thrifting move!

[@KathleenIllustrated]

the perfect outfit recipe!!!

[@jennalblackmore]

Great tips! My go-to tips when thrifting are: 1. Check the fabric tags. I get some funny looks sometimes from other thrifters when I go up inside of a sweater for the inner tag but I've been really into natural fibres and it's always great to be sure. I've gotten so much wool especially from the cardigan and blazer sections (which is great because cardigans and blazers are a feature in my wardrobe) and silk from all over - dress section, blazer section, scarves, shirts, you name it. Crepe silk is great as well as silk satin so don't pass up on a silk piece just because it's not in a satin weave! 2. Pay attention to colour. It helps if you're aware of what colours you never wear. Sometimes I see a navy blue piece that looks gorgeous, but do I even wear navy blue? Have I ever? Not that much. Don't buy the thing in the colour you don't care to wear unless something else about it makes it an extreme exception. 3. Get your winter coats in the summer. There's less competition and more amazing coats that people aren't thinking to go look for. I got one of my favourite winter coats, a local muskrat fur coat from 1974, for thirty bucks in the middle of July. 4. If they have a showcase, check it! Sometimes there will be some pretty good stuff in there. If you're getting jewelry there and specifically precious metals, make sure the piece has a stamp on it (ex: 10K, 14K, etc for gold, 925 for sterling silver). Make sure, if you have a nickel allergy, that the piece does not say, for example 10K HGE (heavy gold electroplate) or 10K GF (gold filled) because that would mean it's plated and there's an underlayer of base metal that may cause a reaction if the plating wears off. Wander around some jewelry stores to see what things generally cost. One thrift store in my area has good prices for fine jewelry, and another sells items above what their retail price would be. 5. If you're lucky enough to have multiple thrift stores in your area, check different ones for different things. As I mentioned, it's a bad idea to go to one near me for jewelry, but that same thrift store has lower clothing prices than the other. 6. Make sure you can test any electronics before purchase. 7. Don't rule out furniture if you need some! My favourite vintage velvet chair came from a furniture-based thrift store for 24 bucks. (How many thrift stores do I have near me? Four... I'm very lucky in that regard.) Look for furniture of good quality. Solid wood is easier to find in vintage pieces and is better than the weird board stuff more common nowadays. 8. Don't limit yourself strictly to thrift stores. If you like those, you might also enjoy pawn shops and discount department stores. Pawn shops especially, because they're secondhand. I've found some incredible rings there. For clothes, though, discount departments like Winners tend to have clothing in good fabrics for good prices, and a wide array of things. Just don't wait until after Christmas to look for sweaters there, because as soon as January hits, their spring stock goes out for some reason.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

this comment is worth its weight in GOLD!!!!!! thank you jenna!

[@jennalblackmore]

@@KathleenIllustrated Thank you! I'm so happy I could help!

[@AntoniaSorell]

Yessssss thank you for telling people to put the stuff back! I’ve worked in thrift stores, and we notice a regular who is nice to us. Also, if you’re a regular, workers (especially at local stores) once they see that you’re a decent human being who doesn’t make more work for them, might actually guide you to a piece they saw come in that they know suits your style or might get you a discount on a pricier statement piece from the manager, especially if it’s been sitting for a few weeks. The thrifting gods smile on the righteous goblin.

[@Quathryn]

Thrift goblin here 👺So true about racks organized by size being more of a suggestion. Especially check the sections one size up and one size down from your actual size. You may find your size hidden there! Also, you don't have to adhere strictly to what your usual size is. Many clothing items come to thrift store stretched or shrunk from their original size. You may be surprised by what turns out to be a perfect fit!

[@KathleenIllustrated]

such a great point, q! thank you!

[@user9391]

so true!! I’m normally a large but I found a beautiful blue and brown flower print summer dress in a size small, it was rayon so it was stretchier. I tried it on and it fit perfectly!!

[@raegan06]

Also vintage sizing! A modern size 6 in pants will usually be equivalent to a vintage size 10 and so on, so check bigger sizes to check for your equivalent vintage size because the thrift store workers just sort based on the tag, not on what size the clothing item should fit

[@AntonWongVideo]

My manager who pretty much only thrifts tell me his strat is to look through the accessories, shoes, and outerwear first since those often go quicker as there are less of them. Not sure how much this applies to the women's section but I'd have to imagine a little bit judging by the thrift stores I've been to

[@bluegypsy71]

😃Been thrifting for 35 years (yes, when it wasn’t cool and people would look down on you for being, ugh, “poor” and wearing used clothes) … best tip i have is look in places you wouldn’t normally (the linen section or kids toy section, people hide and squirrel away some awesome stuff and I have found the most rad items that way…don’t be afraid to dive into some bins…I found a 1900’s tooled leather purse in one of those $1 totes!❤❤❤

[@KathleenIllustrated]

oooo i love this treasure hunting attitude!!! thank you!

[@Big0of]

From a thrift store worker- tip 9 can literally make or break our day, you don’t know how many times we think we’re good for the night then we find 3 abandoned carts full of clothes that we have to put back before we can leave😭 If you’re nice to us, just know we deeply appreciate it because we aren’t treated the best by most customers(at my store at least)

[@sj-el4lu]

If we wanted to celebrate thank-your-thrift-worker day, what might you recommend to brighten your day? (other than putting things back!)

[@janemahan2663]

Love your channel Kathleen, it is unique and beautifully put together. I'm not your demographic, and as a 70 year old I look positively corpse-like under those trhift store lights! I find it useful to go thrifting on senior day sometimes as I'm not looking for the pieces most of MY demographic are searching for!🤓.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

LOL Jane!!! Your corpse comment made me laugh! Thank you so much for watching

[@aleatoirefrancais]

Jane you sound like you're a lot of fun to thrift with!

[@kat_thefruitbat]

Yess! These are all fantastic tips! 👍👍😊 I have one tip to add! Take a look inside larger items like jackets and coats (and their pockets!), purses and bags, and home decor items (like “vessels”, as Kathleen calls them 😉). From my experience, it seems like people sometimes use these items to “hide” other things they plan on coming back for another day. Or, maybe they paired two items to see how they look together, but forgot to put them back separately. You might even find yourself an amazing coordinating set, or a “surprise” item in coat pocket! The first time I discovered this idea was when I went to take a coat off the hanger so I could try it on… And nestled inside of it on a separate hanger was the most amazing vintage “new” with tags 100% cotton burgundy button up sweater vest! I tried it on, loved it, and bought it! 😊 On other occasions I’ve found a coordinating wallet inside a purse, a coordinating waistcoat hung inside a blazer, two embroidered hankies in a coat pocket, and more. If you find “surprise” items that don’t have price tags, you can simply explain the situation and offer a price at checkout. If you’re purchasing the item you found the unpriced items in, I think it’s fair to keep them together and pay the marked price (if you suspect someone removed a tag from the surprise item in an attempt to hide and steal it- I would then remove the item and figure out a separate price for it at checkout).

[@KathleenIllustrated]

love this, thank you!!!

[@venasolo1339]

for my gothic girlies and boys: halloween time is great way to find some fun accessories. I've found some great gloves before (before I lost them) after Halloween and before Halloween is when you can find some cute last minute halloween costumes too. CHRISTMAS omg I've found such cute small gifts at the thrift before worth keeping an eye out. students? if you cact afford your graduation gown thrift stores often carry some from previous years of people who are super done. depending where you live you can find the right color too. for those who collect toys. looks in the toy section and really dig you might cause an avalanche or two but you can find some real gems. same with the mugs ive found so many great mugs lol

[@KathleenIllustrated]

YES! thank you for this!!!! i have a video about building costumes at the thrift store (from sometime in october) feel free to take a peek, you might enjoy!

[@liptoncunningham6666]

I went shopping after halloween when they marked the "costumes" down and found a Japanese EGL dress for $8 from the brand metamorphose temps de filles

[@f1lthybra1nz]

the toy section tip is SO important. i've found so many goodies in the toy sections!!

[@aromanticfranziskavonkarma]

Yesss, I got around 90% of my favorite Halloween costume I've ever done from my local Goodwill like two days before Halloween, I got a long black men's coat and did a little bit of sewing to make it look more like the one the character I was going as wore, IIRC I only got it done on Halloween a couple of hours before I was supposed to go out but it was great! I still wear the vest I got for it from time to time, actually.

[@haleykirkseygraham]

I play a game where I try to not look at the price tag and ask myself what is the maximum amount I would be willing to pay for this item? Then I'll look at the price! How close am I? Sometimes that can help me decide how I feel about something in my cart. Great tips from a true Pro! :) Curious to know if you prefer to thrift mainly for items in the current season or for opposite seasons? (like summer and winter items)

[@KathleenIllustrated]

thank you haley!!! love this & i'll def touch on the seasonal items in part 2

[@shermoe7210]

I'm 50 years old, ALWAYS unhappy with purse straps, am very much about thinking outside the box, but have never thought about using belts as purse straps! Thanks so much for that idea!

[@vampiric-elf5619]

If you like sewing always look at the table cloths. So many table clothes are made out of linen. I've found so much linen that way! I've never had to buy it.

[@graceelizabeth130]

My mum and I always go to the charity shops together and similar to your tip: always go for natural materials (cotton, linen) not the man-made ones (polyester etc) and now I'm always getting the ick when I feel polyester and its used in a lot of fast fashion shops. Also I tend to overheat in manmade fabrics so this is definitely the best tip.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

100%!! when it like, crinkles and catches against your skin? no thank you ma'am!!!!!! love that you and your mum thrift together

[@graceelizabeth130]

@Kathleen Illustrated yesss!! she taught me everything I know. I think she hates it coz she's in the menopause so she gets too hot anyway so she doesn't want her fabric making her hot. But now I'm like 🤮 with that type of material.

[@au_barb]

​@@graceelizabeth130 I resemble this remark! I recently got back into thrifting most of my clothing simply because I cannot wear polyester or other synthetic fabrics, and finding 100% cotton clothing in stores has become very difficult.

[@jadakowers590]

How true! Manufacturers are forcing polyester and other synthetics on buyers!

[@coolm3th]

A thrifting hack I've recently realized on a recent trip for the nbs who switch between presenting masc and fem often: BRING YOUR BINDER. I wore mine the other day and found that soooo many blouses looked better on me than when I would go without wearing it. I now just tuck it in my bag for when I go. So smart.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

Love this, beck! Thank you!!!

[@liptoncunningham6666]

haha yeah can relate. I present both V masc and V femme and the binder makes a HUGE difference. Will def keep this mind next time I shop for myself, ty ty

[@annabodot962]

I've been thrifting since childhood, not only because of frugality, but it's the thrill of the hunt! I, too, have a wish list in my head because those items eventually come up. When you find thrift(s) you really like, stop by often. Know your prices. I know who has ridiculously low prices and whose are too high. Oddball things tend to be low priced. I got a sewing machine rolling case for $5 - this model retails for over $150. The staff just didn't know what it was, but I was over the moon. It was very dusty but clean up was simple. Perhaps my biggest score ever.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

YES!!! it's the best when you find something that is so perfectly niche to you! it's like the thrifting stars have been aligned. love it!

[@jeanneobbard]

Amazing video as always Kathleen - your editing is *chef's kiss* ma'am! Do you remember for a brief moment, there was a trend to thrift plus size clothes and cut them down to a straight size and it was like: 😭 (And that is totally not the same as just wanting to wear stuff loose! People should absolutely buy the size they prefer.) My thing is jewelry and there are so many vintage treasures to be had... my tips are try a local charity (as opposed to a huge national one) thrift/secondhand shop in a "fancy" neighborhood; look at everything if you can (and if the shop cooperates); think outside the box: brooches/pins are out of fashion at the moment and can be had for a song; if it's a good quality non-plated metal like sterling, a brooch you love can be converted into a necklace by a jeweler; too-short necklaces and bracelets can often be lenghtened with extenders, etc...

[@KathleenIllustrated]

jeanne!!! you're the sweetest thank you, friend. also love your tips about jewelry!!!

[@liptoncunningham6666]

Agree with the local charity shops carrying better deals vs the national chains. They sometimes have treasures that are completely picked over at the bigger, more well known chains!

[@amouramarie]

Oh, good point about the brooches - because they're not in fashion even the really awesome pieces will be available. And they can be used as home decor! Pin them on a scarf and hang the scarf over a mirror, or cute vintage brooches marching down your curtain. I'll have to remember the brooches next time I go! And when/if they come back in style, you've already got the best ones ready to go! XD

[@christina5975]

My golden rule of thrifting: if I buy something new in a category, I donate an old thing in the same category. For example if I buy a new dress, I donate an old dress I don't wear much. It not only helps me save on closet space, since I have very limited, but also keeps my wardrobe new and exciting! Plus it allows someone else to wear something that would otherwise go to waste burried in my closet.

[@kaseys7433]

Little late to the game on this but my biggest tip is to strike while the iron is hot. I’ve gone months leaving stores empty handed without good thrift finds. Now when I come across a bunch of great items that i love I just go ahead and fill my cart up. I do not limit myself to a set number of items per trip. Many times when this happens I know it’s the same person who donated that has the same aesthetic as me. Other tip is that I love to re donate my thrifted finds when I am done with them. It’s great to give them another life! I never donate anything that is not in excellent condition. As a thrifter it’s so frustrating to come across ripped and broken things. Helps to have that thrift karma!

[@wlammy4ever]

Where I live (the Netherlands), thriftstores rarely have clothing and especially no vintage clothes, we need to go to overpriced curated vintage shops for the good clothes 🤷‍♀️ but I do thrift online a lot and having a snack before scrolling is a good idea haha😂❤

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

It's surprisingly easy to spot northwest european tourists before they even speak, they are almost always wearing casual, but clearly high quality, timeless, beautifully made pieces. I'm envious of the gorgeous outfits lol, and how effortless & genuinely stylish they look, even without any makeup or "fashion" type clothes. But, I'm not surprised that affects the thrift market, too bad it is a bummer for those who just prefer to shop this way. American overconsumption is why our thrift shops & yard sales ("boot or carpark sale" in eur, i think) are so good, I've come to realize that I would need to shop differently if society changed the way I want lol! Glad you can thrift online these days :) also, like most Americans I feel related to the countries of my ancestors, lol its been nearly 300 years since we left the Netherlands, but I feel "part Dutch" and it's my favorite country that I'm descended from.

[@syl5047]

hey, another dutchie!!! i'd have to agree with you that it's either overpriced or nice clothing :(

[@MotherGobble]

Hi fellow Dutchie! I'm a year late... had other quests along the way before finding this video. But I think it really depends on where you live in the Netherlands. I have a few great thrift shops I go to regularly that have a big clothing section for good prices. Gotta agree on the vintage clothes tho. They are REALLY hard to find, if at all.

[@wlammy4ever]

@@MotherGobble Im sure it makes a difference where someone lives :) I have never seen a thriftstore like that but maybe Amsterdam or Rotterdam have one??

[@selqui]

I would say that my biggest hack so far has been to constantly remind myself that while current trends are fun to attempt to thrift, the truth is that it doesn't take long and the trends fade, like FADE. As a result, I remind myself that this is a reminder to trust the things that inspire me - to look for great construction, for authentic vintage, for slightly unusual shapes that appeal to me, because in the long run, that is what will have staying power. Something that maybe NEVER was popular, but that for some reason looks great, even if it feels a bit different or unfamiliar, that it just works! I often have colours I'm more into, other times I get excited about certain prints, so sometimes that inspiration has more weight. AND HAVE FUN. AND TRY THINGS ON. AND BE BRAVE! And if thrifting suddenly goes out of fashion, well, that's just silly, and all of us crusty old seasoned pickers will know who we are.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

Sheila! You are full of wisdom & amazing personal style!!! Thank you so much for enriching this comment section 💕✨🤟🏼

[@user-ov4wr5yu4r]

The first thing I look at is fiber content. Anyone who thinks I'm weird, there's a whole rack of polyester right over there. Enjoy!

[@theysaycarleesmiles]

Big believer in tip #8 i take my grandma thrifting with me and I taught her to put an item in your cart if you want to keep thinking about it. More than once she’d see something nice, leave it on the shelf, realize she did want it and go back only to find someone else snagged it haha. Once we are ready to check out we go thru everything, check for imperfections we might’ve missed, show each other,etc and then decide what’s worth it (and then put stuff back!)

[@futuristicfusion]

Don’t forget to compliment thrifters on their outfits! Lots of thrifters like to dress up some to go thrifting and nothing makes their day more when they get a compliment🙂

[@jenniferbrungardt9439]

Excited for part 2! As someone whose love of thrift is only evenly matched by fear of bed bugs (I know, it's a bad combo lol) , I always am interested to hear how others are cleaning/ caring for thrifted items. While I love finding leather jackets and wool blazers, sometimes I leave them behind because I'm not sure how I would clean/sanitize it!

[@mandyhackman9740]

If it helps you feel better, my spouse runs a bedbug killing business so I know far too much about them, and we also thrift a ton without worries, because clothing at the thrift store is not a likely place you’d get them at all. Couches and chairs, possibly, especially if they are textile based. But not clothes. If you’re super worried about it, run the clothes through the dryer on high without washing them first. The temperature will kill the bugs (bonus if it’s a laundromat dryer because they get hotter than home dryers).

[@hairdresser1300]

@@mandyhackman9740 or if it's summer leave in a dark bag in the hot car for a few days

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Tip on the shoes: make sure they aren't your ugliest slip ons, esp if you are old enough that "floods" means short pants. I've noticed that us olders really feel awkward about the shoe+pant combos and will judge our outfits "ugly" if we think we have the 'wrong' shoes or 'wrong' pant length (youngers, there used to be fashion rules that werent legal, but were way more important than you'd think. I once had to change at work because my belt and shoes werent the same color, for instance; pants had to reach your shoes or you were a gross person worthy of bullying, for real...it had to do with mocking hand-me-downs & creating visible class markers). I tend to judge pants too harshly unless I am wearing a ballet style slip on that looks good with everything I would consider.

[@raraavis7782]

I can totally see myself in this comment 😅 I just can't get used to the fact, that it's ok for pants to end wherever these days...and shoes, that don't complement the outfit will totally ruin it for me!

[@MK-hh1vo]

This "older" feels totally opposite to your comment!!! I LOVE how these days anyone can wear anything, even "high waters" without a care! I embrace the "anything goes" theme with a passion! Especially post 2020! Regarding shoes in particular, there's a current trend towards the thick, clunky look, so anything I come up with will be fine! Get with the times! The days of being teased for looking odd and "goofy" are OVER!

[@Bonnatella]

I've been a lifelong thrift goblin 👺!!!!!!!! I'll be visiting later today. Monday is one of my favorite days to thrift. It's been rainy and that typically means I'll find something great 🔮🎱✌️✨💯

[@KathleenIllustrated]

april showers brings thrift treasures?!?! love it! good luck today! 🔮

[@cjellisgeo]

Thrift goblin here! I love what you said about craft supplies, just to add if you’re an artist check out the art section for used canvases. Canvases at the art store can be crazy expensive $100 for a large standard size, but with a little gesso or some creative painting to incorporate the old art you have a $2.99 canvas. I’d avoid canvases with super thick textures/glitter (unless you like sanding textures off) or flimsy stretcher bars and remember oil paints can go on top of acrylic but acrylic cannot stick to oil! Even printed canvases can be gessoed over. Finding a framed canvas is a bonus!

[@KathleenIllustrated]

Beautifully said, cait!!! im inspired to do this again soon! My boo & I did this for Valentine’s Day and painted a lil’ masterpiece together. Such a great (& cheap 😂) date night

[@magnasollertia4665]

i work at value village and i have some tips to add. 1. in terms of the best time to find good stuff, early in the day is a good option. right at opening time is ok, but it might be busy. we often have people waiting outside in a line to come in when we unlock the doors. but you will definitely find the freshest stuff that we just put out in the few hours before opening. 2. at least at my store, all the production workers are gone at 3 or 4. that means no more racks are coming out after that, so you’ll find less new stuff after that point. 3. make sure you know what color tag is the current one! that’s the easiest way to identify new things that haven’t been picked over yet. 4. categories are loose and often overlapping. if you’re looking for a specific type of garment, like tank tops, you should look in tanks AND sleeveless. sometimes spaghetti strap tanks get put in intimates as well. sports bras often get put in activewear as well as intimates… you get the point. etiquette: 1. perusing the racks that people are currently rolling out is a good way to find fresh stuff, but if there’s a worker sorting the stuff on it, it’s better to stay out of the way. 2. if you decide you don’t want an item anymore, take it back to the spot you found it or to the return rack, NOT on a rack of fresh items. doing that throws off the organization process of the worker.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

This comment is GOLD! Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wisdom & experience! 😭💕

[@JessietheSleepyKoala]

My tip to people is to go often (if that’s feasible). There’s always so much new stuff that you can look through (a friend once asked how I kept finding amazing things because she was struggling and it was only because I would go browse multiple times per week because there was a thrift store near my house.) Going often can also help with that pressure that you have to buy something - if you’re planning to come back in two days it’s easier to put things back because you’ll be back so soon.

[@JMorrill]

Bring hand sanitizer wipes! It helps! and keep a very careful eye out for tiny brown-black speckle stains on fabric, especially towards the corners and seams. I thrifted something that had those specks and ended up with a 4 month long bed bug infestation from it 🤢

[@KathleenIllustrated]

OOF great tip thank you!

[@clairewillow6475]

Do you still thrift after that experience? Damn. Makes me second guess if it’s worth it to take the risk ahh

[@TheGinaChan]

@@clairewillow6475 bed bugs aren't common on clothing, but it's smart to check once in a while :p

[@maddieroxx4eva]

I would also suggest avoiding the store on seniors day (unless of course you are a senior!) I find the thrift store is way too crowded for my liking. I also suggest always doing a stretch test for brittle elastic on any vintage pieces with elastic you might find, especially swimwear. That is always the first thing to go on them and unless you feel like replacing the elastic, you'll want to avoid them.

[@RZTree]

If I have the guts to walk through the dense sections like tops, I am exclusively scanning and touching and not stopping unless something catches my interest via texture or a detail you can see quickly like you said (ruffles, puff sleeves, bright colors are all things I know I enjoy and are worth checking out) it saves me getting overwhelmed but still sometimes gets me a really unique piece that I love.

[@foxylovelace2679]

I appreciate you over explaining yourself. I've also found that most of my favorite garments are 100% rayon. The way it hangs and feels is great. And if its wrinkly I just hang it up in the shower and give it a light mist with a water spray bottle.

[@colleencrupi1136]

My tip is to shop cute vintage linens typically found in the back of the store, where my mom and I have found beautiful tablecloths from the '50s and the cutest floral sheets from the '70s! They also have high value wool blankets for extremely cheap which come in handy if you live anywhere that gets cold! Along those lines, I've found the most amazing wool jackets and sweaters at thrift stores and trust me when I say invest in those (cheap) full length coats! So handy for windy weather. Oh, and be sure to donate items before you start to appease the thrift gods 😊

[@nightmarebeforejack1]

Thrift goblin here! One of my tips that works most time if there isn't a dressing room and your trying on pants is seeing the pants waist band fits around your neck! idk about the science of it all but most of the time it works! Also most of my clothes are either linen or dry clean only from the thrift!! i love a nice linen pant or button up shirt!

[@KathleenIllustrated]

a fellow linen lover!!!

[@nightmarebeforejack1]

@@KathleenIllustrated yesss a good linen piece can be so nice in Texas! The weather in the spring is so unpredictable and humid so linen is fantastic! Also linen is just so nice and sensory friendly most of the time!

[@shesaidsomething1]

Those were great tips. I have been thrifting for over 20 years and I have thrift pieces that are over 10 years old (my leather collection is beautiful) . Thrifting today is sad with all the fast fashion and tic Tok resellers. but my tips are never buy cashmere unless you want to dryclean it (nope) and the same for silk. Sadly, I have had more than one pair of thrift shoes fall apart on my feet so I shop discount for those (find a good Nordstrom rack).

[@Violetfrays]

I loved this. I’m so envious of all your giant thrift stores. My UK thrifting tips - middle class suburbs usually better than cities (esp university cities because fashion students are fast), the shops in out of town retail places are really good midweek and avoid any of the wool places (eg cancer research) 11-2 because wool needing nanas are prepared to destroy anyone in their path and that seems to be their hunting time everywhere.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

LOL and they are NOT afraid to use their knitting needles as weapons. Thank you for watching!

[@strmkid]

Depending on where you are....I do feel that the oversized clothing is in good quantity. Unless we are talking about 4XL+ - that's a size to keep on the racks if you aren't in that size range. But I will say that as an person who wears XXL+ - I actually find things easier at thrift stores than at dept stores. I've only had a problem finding things at consignment shops in trendy areas...but I'm not paying $30 for a sweatshirt I don't care how vintage it is so I'm not too upset. Infact, I got a $100 gift card to Ann Taylor one time - found nothing in my size and wound up giving it away to a buddy. I went to the Village later that day and got 10 pieces for $60. Including an Ann Taylor vintage! Also I just found your channel and I'm obsessed. This is great.

[@WayneSmith]

Thrift tip: Thrift Goblins are only worth 3 xp. Hunt the Thrift Minotaurs for 10 xp and better items.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

and not enough people are willing to say this. thank you for speaking your truth

[@flonny1340]

😈

[@HOUSEOFHER0]

I've watched both parts of this series (both amazing!) and one thing I didn't hear you mention is: make friends with thrift store employees! Especially if it's your local thrift store and you go often. Be kind and friendly to them and they will hook you up and take great care of you. The last time I went to my local thrift store I started chatting with one of the employees and he kept bringing me items that he thought I would like or would look good on me. Just the BEST 🌟

[@annaellis4529]

I used to skip 50% off day; but then I decided to go to one in January this year. I had went to the Goodwill a couple days prior to the half-off Saturday, and found a several items that I thought, “Hey, I’m not willing to pay full-thrift price, but I’d be about this for half.” (This calculation also has to do with the fact that I’ve noticed that anything stocked the week of the half-off Saturday sale tends to be priced mysteriously… more.) Then, when I got there on the half-off Saturday, not only did I notice more people… but waaaay more stock. Like they whipped out even an entire additional clothing aisle-more stock. Now I vow to go whenever I can, once a month. 😅🤣

[@KathleenIllustrated]

"tends to be priced mysteriously... more" TRUTH!!!!!!! haha thank you for sharing!

[@MarinaLKitchen]

The day before 1/2 off or coupon day is a really good day to go, they’re always really well stocked to prepare for the sales!

[@KathleenIllustrated]

oooooo this is a great tip! thank you!

[@samiansley5740]

So much truth! I hand or delicate wash my “dry clean” items and as they’re natural fabrics, it is all good. I would say my Quest object is candles bc I refuse to buy those full priced. Also, child shoes, kiddos grow so quickly that buying these second hand is essential for me.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

yes, candles!!!! great tips sami, thank you

[@mimic-me]

So excited for the dry clean only bit! I have a few of those and they intimidate me

[@cerealoffender4000]

I find washing on the lowest setting, a gentle spin and dry on a hanger. Smooth out wrinkles and pull into shape with your hands while drying helps to reduce ironing too. Wool items dry flat and delicates in a wash bag minimal softener if any!😊

[@mizelle4096]

I wash everything including dry, clean only. I figure I just bought this at the thrift store and if I ruined it, oh well. Turns out I haven’t ruined a thing yet. The only thing I will dry clean is anything lined.

[@kristenlaiosa5171]

i also recommend buying woolite laundry detergent for dry clean only clothes if you can. their delicate detergent is good for fabrics like cashmere, wool, silk, etc. i always use it with my 'dry clean only' thrift finds, and it works really wonderfully. just wash on delicate and then i usually dry on a rack :)

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

3:45 - re super sale day: if you live in or near a summer resort town, you might want to reconsider. I've gotten too many 25 cent treasures (Nike running shoes in good condition, Patagonia tanks, North face vests, etc) to skip these sales, and I swear they throw some new stuff into the clearance section lol. Altho from an ethical perspective, us poors appreciate any time there's fewer competitors for ultra cheap, high quality stuff.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

genius!!! i noticed this while thrifting in denver - SO MUCH amazing sportswear

[@margaretcummings4146]

I love to truly make a scary dragon hoard in my cart as I'm perusing, and then ruthlessly pare it down as I'm trying stuff on. I've learned that I can't make a final judgement until I've actually seen a piece on, so if I am feeling curious about an item, into the cart it goes. I also haven't bought a picture frame new in years! There's always great quality frames at the thrift, sometimes with great art along with it but I don't feel bad taking generic art out of fun frames. Lastly, if you like to sew the linens section is a goldmine - sheets are great for mockups, there's always tons in boring/weird colors. I make quilts so I'm always on the lookout for funky sheets (although I have a personal rule not to separate sets).

[@kaylaglazer119]

love this vid! Would love to hear a deep dive into tags, just from enjoying thrifting I’ve learned a little about how to guess era based on tag style… I also have become obsessed with finding Union made tags… the difference in quality is insane, and so tied to how messed up clothing labor has always been and is worse than ever now! I also always look at the suits section for matching sets, sometimes they get put there even if they’re not a “suit” and if you are looking for suits, if you find slacks or a blazer you like check the other section to see if a set that was donated together got separated!!!

[@jennalblackmore]

I love finding Union made tags! I've found a few wool suit jackets and blazers now from the 80s that have union tags on them, and the quality is incredible. I've worn the black blazer so many times now and the only damage is that I've accidentally cracked one of the mother of pearl buttons on the sleeve. The garment itself is made incredibly well!

[@KathleenIllustrated]

kayla!! love the idea of finding two separated pieces! the two-piece set section is criminally underrated

[@Zullala]

Yes! I hate the jeans section! There's some good ones in there but usually the jeans section is so tightly packed that I can't even see them without wrestling each one out of the wrack! It's just way too much work and then they're usually not a fitting room and I don't really feel comfortable trying the jeans on in front of everybody. A nightmare haha

[@sparksfly13]

10:55 photo paper! i've thrifted boxes upon boxes of old photo paper because not only is it dirt cheap, it doesn't expire! i still use Canon and HP photo paper from 2004 and my photos look as if i've printed them on brand new photo paper every time

[@VintageFLA]

As someone with more clothes from thrifts than I have closets, and who always enjoys the thrill of thrifting, these tips are great. I just have a few more. Figure out your body and what looks best on it and work on thrifting some super high quality brand complete basic outfits in neutral colors in fantastic fibers. Black, ivory, white, gray. Then accessorize the hell out of it with great colorful/whimsical/stylish thrift store finds in the scarves, belts, jewelry, hats, jackets. This frees you up to splurge on a really great pair of shoes and purse because you’ve saved so much on everything else. Go forth, my tribe!

[@ritacastagna]

love this video, thank you kathleen!! would love some tips / thoughts on specifically thrifting with other people. it often stresses me out to feel like i’m taking longer than my friend, or like we have different goals & vibes going into a thrift sesh

[@standdownrobots_ihaveoldglory]

Lol follow me and do the opposite... I hear you, I've given up trying to shop socially lol. I am a goal oriented shopper and tend to lose my mind when I go with the "I want to see every single thing here" people. However, I used to love taking people to teach them how to identify the right work clothes for their job search & find practical, but stylish, outfits, but I don't have that job anymore, nor do social service agencies have money for "goodwill day" for people in workforce readiness programs.

[@KathleenIllustrated]

oh my gosh rita, i feel you!!! i love thrifting alone or with other veteran thrifters where we can both do our own thang and then try on clothes together at the end (cue the early 2000's clothing montage!). If I'm thrifting with a friend who wants to go "faster", I usually kinda chalk it up as "it's a nice way to spend time together, but i'm not really going to look/find anything today" haha. such is life!

[@ritacastagna]

@@KathleenIllustrated that's a good mindset!! i'm glad you have a balance and a patience to it all!

[@Alyssaleeeeeeee]

I so like that you talked about the uniform! One of the most underappreciated tips not included in many thrifting videos :) I personally prefer having a camisole or tank top so that you can try on clothes right over it without extra bulk. Besides wearing a skirt, another good option is shorts/leggings. Another tip is to bring hand sanitizer - your hands will feel a little grubby touching everything. I also recommend not being in a hurry! I have definitely bought things I didn't love because I was in a hurry and didn't have time to mull over my choices.

[@DepartamentoDePantalones]

i cant be the only one that cried because of how much she cares about us :) clothes are something that are rly important so it’s refreshing to see someone that cares about shopping so much

[@JennsCorner777]

I LOVE finding cool or vintage cook books and trying older but new to me recipes. I also love looking in the kitchen appliance and dishware areas. I've seen some crazy cool stuff like a brand new ceramic mini bundt cake pan that could bake 6 mini bundts at once. Couldn't get it at the time I regret it. Also I found a new ceramic taco shell holder that held like 4 shells at once. There's always fondue sets, crock pots, cake pop makers, rice makers, coffee machines. There's even office supplies like printers and scanners, phones, computer screens, radios. The furniture is also usually a hit with comfy couches and coffee tables. Thrifting for holiday decor and dishware is a must for saving money. It really is a treasure hunt. I love thrifting.

[@EeveeKat035]

I'm a VERY new thrifter. So far only going to thrift shops when creating costumes and cosplays, but I'm glad to use these tips and tricks on my next run :)

[@AllySheehan]

literally THE best video on thrifting that i - as a fellow thrift goblin - have ever seen

[@KathleenIllustrated]

i feel like i just passed the thrifting bar exam!!! 😍

[@alteredbeast4761]

the thing with smaller people taking plus sized clothes for a looser fit is so real unfortunately. ive been thrifting my entire life and that particular epidemic turned me off on it for a while but maybe i should try it again! im glad you included it in the video and i'm excited for part 2 :) my thrifting tip is don't be afraid to look for items that are too small if they can be upsized or altered. depends on the construction but it's usually not too difficult to add gussets to sleeves or pants to add extra room or flexibility-- it's even easier if the item is already needs hemming or comes with a matching fabric belt to take scraps from

[@KathleenIllustrated]

great tip, thank you!

[@amouramarie]

I've been thinking of this! I have a sewing machine, and no one's going to look twice if my pants or shirt has bands of another fabric on it - could look really cool actually and open up a lot more options for me in the racks. :)

[@JessicaAchillea]

I got my first 100% silk shirt thrifted shirt yesterday and I got so excited

[@KathleenIllustrated]

aw YES!!!!!!!

[@stanandmitchandthekidd]

for people that thrift, as a thrift goblin, I HIGHLY recommend that if you thrift DVDs/cds, PLEASE LOOK AT THE DISC IN THE BOX! Sometimes the DVD box will be empty, or have another disc inside, or the disc itself it's just really scratched up.

[@MICHAELCOLEMAN-j7w]

Great tips it people like you that make life worth exploring just make a Adventure of it All...

[@shaynannigans]

Thank you from a fellow thrift goblin. I do avoid certain brand tags because the clothes from fast fashion don’t last so I skip those.

[@vincentbriggs1780]

I always go straight for the fabric racks, and am looking for natural fibres. It can sometimes be tricky to identify them by feel, but you get better with practice, especially if you touch a lot of other fabrics that you know the fibre content of. If I'm not sure if something is 100% cotton or wool then I like to pull on the loose threads from the cut end, and if they have a significant amount of polyester in them they tend to be much harder to break. Looking at the frayed ends can also help, because different fibres fray differently. It's a bit of a gamble, and I do burn and/or beach tests when I get home, and I'm usually right! And sometimes I'm wrong, but even taking into account the money I've wasted on fabrics that turned out to be very plastic, I've gotten so much nice material for incredibly good prices! Bright teal merino wool knit, 5 metres of wool suiting for $4, nine metres of glazed cotton for $8, a piece of amazing linen/wool blend, and a vintage cotton damask with a huge pattern that's absolutely perfect for early 18th century...

[@tarabartlett2184]

This is the first video of yours I ever watched. I was shopping at a Commissary and had you playing through my headphones. I was instantly hooked, and I’ve been bingeing all your content ever since. You’ve turned me into the stinkiest of thrift goblins! I’ve found not only many of my favorite clothing items while thrifting (WHY do I HAVE TO tell people, “Thanks, I thrifted it!” when they compliment the items?), but I’ve also found some high-quality kitchen staples and many more treasures that I now keep in my lair. Thank you for all your information and dedication to making great videos.

[@alicethemagicfurby]

Why have I never though about belts being a perfect handbag handle/shoulder "handle" 😳 Thank you so much for this tip!! 😃❤ Love the video, first one I've seen, now subscribed, a fellow thrift goblin ☺

[@KathleenIllustrated]

aw elodie!! WELCOME TO THE FAM!! so happy to have you :o)

[@kathyabeauty]

Loved this! Yes, as of 1980, clothing sizes changed. A size 12 from 1979 is like a size 10 in modern size. Also, wedding and designer clothing are smaller (traditional) also. A 16 wedding dress is like a 14. I always take a measuring tape with me for clothing with no size tags.