What thrifting is and why it saves money
Thrifting means buying used clothing, furniture, and household items from secondhand stores, charity shops, and online resale platforms instead of buying new. You pay a fraction of the original price — often 50 to 90 percent less — because the item has been worn before. A shirt that cost $40 new might be $3 at a thrift store. A pair of jeans that sold for $80 might be $8.
The savings come from two sources: the store buys inventory cheaply (often from donations), and used items have no markup for brand-new packaging or first-sale profit. You also avoid sales tax in some states and regions. If you thrift regularly instead of buying new clothes, you can cut your clothing budget by half or more while owning more items.
Thrifting works best when you know what to look for, how to inspect items for damage, and where to shop. Without a plan, you can waste time and money on things you do not wear.
Key Takeaways
- Thrift stores, charity shops, and online resale platforms sell used clothing for 50 to 90 percent less than retail prices.
- Check seams, zippers, and fabric for stains or tears before you buy, because most thrift stores do not accept returns.
- Shop by size and fit first, not by brand or style, so you do not waste time on items that will not work for your body.
- Local thrift stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Facebook Marketplace are the cheapest options; Poshmark and Depop charge seller fees but have buyer protection.
- Thrifting saves the most money when you have a list of what you actually need instead of browsing randomly.
Where to thrift and what each place costs
Local thrift stores and charity shops are usually the cheapest. Goodwill and Salvation Army have locations nationwide and price items between $1 and $10 depending on the item type and condition. Both accept donations and use the money to fund job training and community programs. Prices are lower than independent thrift stores because they process high volume.
Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist let you buy directly from people in your area. Prices vary widely — a seller might ask $5 or $15 for the same shirt depending on the brand and condition. You pay no store markup, but you have to message the seller, arrange a time to meet, and inspect the item in person. There is no buyer protection if the item does not match the photos.
Online resale platforms like Poshmark, Depop, Vinted, and Mercari let you browse from home and have items shipped. Prices are higher than local thrift stores because sellers set their own prices and the platform takes a cut (usually 20 percent). Poshmark and Depop offer buyer protection — if the item does not match the listing, you can return it. Shipping costs $3 to $8 per item, which adds up if you buy many things.
Consignment shops buy your used clothes and sell them on commission. They charge more than thrift stores because they curate inventory and accept only items in good condition. Use consignment shops when you want to sell your own clothes, not when you are buying.
How to inspect clothing before you buy
Most thrift stores do not accept returns, so you have one chance to check the item. Hold it up to the light and look for holes, stains, and discoloration. Run your fingers along the seams — if threads are loose or the seam is separating, the garment will fall apart after a few washes. Check the underarms and collar, where sweat stains often hide.
Test all zippers and buttons. Open and close the zipper slowly — if it catches or sticks, it may be broken. Try to pull buttons off gently; if they come loose easily, they will fall off when you wear the item. Look at the fabric itself: pilling (small fuzzy balls on the surface) is normal on older items but means the fabric is wearing out. Fading is fine if it is even; blotchy fading suggests a stain that did not wash out.
For pants and skirts, check the waistband and crotch seam, which take the most stress. Sit down in the item if the store allows it — you want to know if it pulls or binds before you buy. Smell the item quickly; if it smells like mildew or smoke, washing may not remove it.
On online platforms, ask the seller specific questions: "Are there any stains or holes?" "Does the zipper work?" "What is the exact measurement across the chest?" Photos can hide damage, so sellers who answer detailed questions are usually honest.
How to find your size and fit
Thrift stores do not organize by size the way department stores do. You have to hunt through racks or scroll through listings. Start by knowing your measurements: chest, waist, hips, and inseam. Bring a measuring tape or use your phone to take a photo of a measuring tape so you can check items on the spot.
Vintage and older clothing runs smaller than modern sizes. A shirt labeled "Large" from 1990 may fit like a modern Medium. Do not trust the label — measure the item itself. Lay it flat on a table and measure across the chest from armpit to armpit, then double that number. A shirt that measures 18 inches across is a 36-inch chest, which fits most Medium sizes.
Try things on if the store has a fitting room. If not, buy only items you can return or resell if they do not fit. Online sellers should list measurements in the description. If they do not, message and ask before you buy.
Building a thrifting strategy so you save the most
Random browsing leads to impulse buys you do not wear. Instead, make a list of what you actually need: two pairs of jeans, a winter coat, work pants, casual shirts. When you thrift, search only for those items. This keeps you focused and prevents you from buying things just because they are cheap.
Shop by season. Winter coats are cheapest in spring and summer when people donate them. Summer clothes are cheapest in fall. If you buy off-season, you can store the item until you need it and pay less.
Visit the same thrift stores regularly. Inventory changes constantly — new donations arrive daily at most locations. If you go once a week, you see fresh stock. If you go once a month, you miss good items.
Set a price limit per item. Decide that you will not pay more than $5 for a shirt or $10 for pants, then stick to it. This prevents you from spending more than you would at a discount retailer like Target or Old Navy.
How to care for thrifted clothing so it lasts
Wash thrifted items before you wear them, even if they look clean. Use hot water and regular detergent to kill bacteria and remove odors. Check the care label — if it says "dry clean only" but you do not dry clean, the item may not be worth buying.
Repair small damage before it gets worse. A loose button takes two minutes to sew. A small hole can be patched. A separating seam can be stitched. If you do not sew, YouTube has thousands of tutorials for basic repairs, and a tailor can fix most things for $5 to $15.
Store items properly so they do not get damaged. Hang delicate items and fold heavier knits. Use cedar blocks or lavender sachets to prevent moths. Keep thrifted items away from direct sunlight, which fades fabric.
What to avoid when you are starting out
Do not buy items just because they are cheap. A $2 shirt you never wear costs more than a $20 shirt you wear 50 times. Calculate the cost per wear: if you wear something twice, it costs twice as much per wear as something you wear 100 times.
Avoid buying clothes that do not fit your current body. Do not buy a smaller size hoping to fit into it later, and do not buy a larger size thinking you will grow into it. Thrift stores are cheap enough that you can buy what fits you now.
Skip items with permanent stains, broken zippers that cannot be replaced, or holes in visible places. These are not worth the time to repair. Underarm stains, faded collars, and pilling can be fixed or hidden, but structural damage is usually permanent.
Do not assume online photos show the true color. Lighting changes how fabric looks. Ask the seller what the color looks like in natural light, or buy from platforms with buyer protection so you can return it if the color is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is thrifted clothing clean?
Thrift stores do not wash items before they sell them. Wash everything in hot water and detergent before you wear it. This removes dust, bacteria, and odors. Most thrifted items are safe to wear after washing, but if an item smells like mildew or smoke, washing may not remove the smell completely.
Can I return something if it does not fit?
Most thrift stores do not accept returns. Online platforms like Poshmark and Depop offer buyer protection — you can return items that do not match the listing. Facebook Marketplace and local thrift stores have no return policy, so inspect items carefully before you buy or meet in person to try things on.
What is the difference between thrifting and consignment?
Thrift stores buy inventory in bulk from donations and sell it at fixed prices. Consignment shops take your used clothes, sell them on your behalf, and give you a percentage of the sale price. Thrift stores are cheaper to buy from; consignment shops are better if you want to sell your own clothes.
How often should I thrift to save the most money?
Shopping weekly at the same stores gives you the best selection because inventory changes daily. If you can only go monthly, you will find fewer items. Shopping more often does not cost more — you just see more options and can be pickier about what you buy.
Are designer brands cheaper at thrift stores?
Sometimes. High-end brands like Banana Republic, J.Crew, and Coach show up at thrift stores regularly and cost less than retail. Luxury brands like Gucci and Prada are rare and priced higher at thrift stores, though still less than new. Do not buy something just because it is a brand name — buy it because you like it and it fits.