Mariam Youssef 
Did you know that you can buy clothes and furniture that have been gently used at a discounted price? Well, this is what thrift shopping is all about. Many people prefer to buy items from thrift stores for several reasons that we’re going to list in a second. Whether you’re a thrifty shopper or this is your first time hearing about it, read on to know the benefits of thrift shopping and why it is beneficial for you and the planet.
1- Experience High-End Brands at a Low Price
Wherever you go shopping, you probably look for something that suits your budget as well as flatters your body. Because not every one of us can afford to buy expensive designer clothes, we often opt for less expensive stores that have good products. What if we told you that you can buy high-quality designer clothes at a low price? The clothes may have been slightly used, but still, they’re in perfect condition.
2- Create a Unique Wardrobe
Buy a dress from Shein or LC WAIKIKI and you’re most likely to run into someone wearing the same dress. However, thrift shops tend to have diverse types of clothing, which means that you will hardly find anyone wearing the same top or skirt you get from a thrift shop.
3- Be Exposed to a Regularly-Changing Selection
Besides having a diverse selection of clothes, thrift shops usually receive donations, so they’re likely to have new collections and items every week or so. If you don’t find something you like this time, come next week and you may find something for yourself.
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4- Go on a Treasure Hunt
When you decide to visit a thrift store, you never know what is waiting for you. You’re treasure hunting! Go through all the racks until something beautiful surprises you with its quality, color, fit, style, and price. You’ll be so happy when you find such an item.
5- Explore Fashion Through the Decades
We all know that fashion is cyclical and timeless at the same time. What your grandmother used to wear back in the 50s is probably trendy and fashionable nowadays. So, if you’re looking for vintage clothing, your thrift store won’t disappoint you. They also tend to have clothes that were fashionable in other decades, which will help you take a trip down memory lane and relive happy memories.
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6- There’s Something for Everyone
Whether you’re shopping for kids’ clothing, students’ apparel, women’s fashion, or special gifts, thrift stores have something to offer to everybody. Instead of visiting multiple stores, a thrift shop can save you time and money.
7- Their Oldie is Your Original
Have you ever heard this saying, “someone else’s trash is another man’s treasure?” Of course, we’re not suggesting that you’ll buy trash, but the meaning is clear. When someone decides that they no longer need a specific item, they donate it to thrift stores. This item may have stopped being trendy or have become too small for its owner, so they decide to ditch it. This creates a great opportunity for others to buy something that fits and appeals to them.
8- The Fit is Accurate
When you buy any clothing item from any regular store, there is the risk of this item shrinking after being washed. However, in a thrift shop, you know for sure that the items have already been washed, so the fit is true; it won’t change when you go home and wash them.
9- Great Options for Themed Parties
If you’ve been invited to a themed party, you will surely find suitable clothes at a thrift shop. Because thrift stores have a huge selection of clothing from different decades, finding something unique, on-theme, and occasion-appropriate will be a piece of cake.
10- Furnish Your New Home at a Low Budget
Buying or renting a house these days is too expensive and furnishing it with brand-new furniture is a whole new level of priciness. Therefore, buying furniture from thrift stores is ideal if you have a small budget or if you’re looking for good-quality antiques at reasonable prices.
11- A Good Source for DIY Projects
If you like transforming your old T-shirts into tank tops or recovering old chairs, a thrift shop is a great source of inspiration. You can easily find the materials that you may need for your DIY projects at very reasonable prices.
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12- Save Money on Kids’ Clothes
Despite their little bodies, short legs, and tiny hands, kids’ clothes are unexplainably pricey. They’re even more expensive than our own clothes! Buy your kids’ clothes from thrift stores to save money as you’ll find great-quality products at low prices. It’s pointless buying expensive clothes for your children since they will grow out of them too soon anyway.
13- Reduce Waste
When people throw out items they no longer need, these items turn into a huge toxic waste that can add up to pollution. Thrift shops help people not to throw away their items; instead, they showcase them as products that others may want to buy and use.
14- Find Items That Are No Longer Made
The items that you once loved and bought years ago may no longer be made, be it clothes, gifts, perfumes, or furniture pieces. Thrift shops are great places to find these items at amazing prices too.
15- A Place for Unique Gifts
You will finally be able to buy a unique gift for your quirky friend once you visit a thrift store. From animal statuettes to different pieces of accessories, you’ll find amazing items that will appeal to your friends.
16- Avoid Mall Crowds
While some people enjoy the mall, others dread the crowds and high prices. If you belong to the latter group, you should spend some time at thrift stores for a fun, different experience.
17- Support Local Businesses
Buying anything from thrift stores is better than buying expensive items from high-end brands for several reasons. The first reason is that you’re supporting local businesses and benefiting your local community and economy. The second reason is that big brands are managed by capitalist organizations that prioritize profit over humanity and the planet’s life.
18- Turn Thrifting Into a Business
If you’re a business person with an eye for detail, you can purchase plenty of items at thrift shops and sell them at higher prices using online marketplaces. You can find a lot of online shoppers interested in vintage clothing or distinctive décor pieces that you can buy from thrift shops.
Share your experience with us and tell us why you love thrift shopping.
Images in this article belong to @benulus (A thrift shopper on Instagram)
Main image credit: Google
