Thrifting Tips

 I know they say a magician never gives away their secrets, But I'm rubbish at card games, so I said I would share some of my tips for always being happy coming home from the charity shops.

Safety in numbers!  Four eyes are better than two! Just make sure your friend isn't competitive, and will help you. Bring someone who knows you, and what you like who can find things that you like while having a little root for themselves. Same goes for you, you keep an eye of for stuff for them! having someone with you will help you decide if you actually want it, if it suits you, and if its worth the money! It's also a great idea to go in with purpose. For example, if you are on the hunt for a coat, try and just get your coat that day. This makes you not buy anything just for the sake of it. Go in with your budget and a vague idea for what you are looking for.

Early Bird gets the worm!  Charity/Thrift shops put new things out pretty much every day, so the earlier you go, the more likely you are to find a bargain. If your charity shops are like mine, then you will have the charity shop sharks as I like to call them. These are people who are in there every single day!  

I hate to admit that I am starting to become one of those people, but its true. Some of these sharks I've met are lovely, and some are rude and have genuinely taken something out of my hand before I've paid for it. Don't say I didn't warn you! 

Forget your size!  I know this might seem like a silly one, but look in every section. You may not be a 12 year old child, but check the kids section, check the mens section, check everywhere! People pick things up from every section and then decide they don't want it, and are too lazy to put it back where they found it. I wont lie, I'm definitely guilty on many accounts of this, so keep that in mind when having a rummage around. Another thing to remember, is that you can easily buy something that is a size or two bigger than your normal size, and either bring it to a seamstress and get it taken in for a few extra euro, or try and shrink it in the dryer (don't do this to wooly jumpers unless you want to give it to your cat afterwards!!)

Vintage clothes generally run a size or two smaller, depending on when they were made so if you find a vintage gem that is only a few sizes too big, pick it up!

House Proud!  Charity shops aren't just a great place to get clothes, almost my entire house is decorated in things from the charity shop! Not all of it is cool vintage things like you would expect, I have found some great practical things in charity shops too. I mean think about it, how many times have you gone to Ikea and come home with the the thing you went out for, and 6 other things you just bought because ''you'll use it for something!'' or ''it was so cheap!!''. Thus, it ends up in a charity shop a month or so later, selling for probably half the price you paid for it, and still in its packaging! Hurrah!

Never judge a book by its movie:  Books are a great one to pick up from Charity shops. We are such a use it and lose it generation, you can get some pretty new and current books if you look hard enough. Even if you aren't a book person, you can get some pretty cool coffee table books to jazz up your house and give the illusion of being very fancy and cultured to all of your friends! Vintage books are my favourite. I love reading books from years ago seeing how things have changed since then, and they always have the best photographs too.

I hope this helps you on your future thrifting trips!

Until Next time,

Moody Blue Vintage

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