Gently Used: Clothes

Shopping for clothes in a thrift store is nothing like shopping for clothes in the mall or in a regular store. You can't just pick up an item and ask for it in your size. What you see is what they've got. Sometimes things are arranged by color, sometimes things are arranged by size. You never really know what you'll find until you get there and dig in.

If you're in a large store it is unlikely you will look at every article of clothing. Pick a color, or item you're looking for and focus there. If you need pants, stick to the pants. Unless you have the time to go through everything stick to what you came for.

If you're in a smaller store there is no reason not to go through everything. You may be looking for a pair of shorts for the upcoming summer, but you never know when you might find the perfect jacket for the winter.

Things I wouldn't advise buying in a thrift store: Undergarments and Shoes. To me these things are just meant to be bought new. Shoes conform to a person's foot. Wearing shoes that were worn by someone else will give you poor posture and make it difficult for you to walk.

Make sure before you buy the clothes you've found there are no stains, tears or wear marks. Thick sweaters often end up with thin spots where people have leaned against things and body parts have rubbed together. Sometimes clothes are altered to fit the owners body better, check to see if these modifications can be altered.

Most thrift stores don't allow you to try things on before you buy them so go in knowing what size you wear. If something you buy doesn't fit bag it up and donate it to another thrift store for someone else.

Look for thrift stores with bag deals. One particular thrift store in Paradise, California (on Almond St. across from the Health Food store) has two dollar bags. The idea is you grab a paper bag (sometimes plastic depending on the store) and fill it as full as you can with as many clothes as possible. Then you only end up paying two dollars, or whatever the amount is for that store. I have also seen such things around Dublin, though I have yet to experience it. These deals may be dependant on the day of the week. So be sure to ask before you grab a bag and dig in.