How To : Thrift Shop Like A Pro (Vol 1)

It’s finally Friday and who knows what that means? It’s DIY time!!!! (lol I know you weren’t expecting that). I’ve been getting a lot of requests from people asking me to take them thrift shopping which makes me feel really good because at the beginning I thought people would bash me for wearing second hand clothes but the problem now is I’m still a student and I don’t have the time to take everyone shopping, that’s why in today’s post I’d be sharing a few of my thrifting tips so you can DIY!!

1. Make a list of all the items you intend to buy even if it’s just a mental note. This will help you spend wisely because finding goods at such cheap price might be very overwhelming and you might end up not buying anything you really need. 

2. Do not go to the market/store with an unenthusiastic friend or relative. You might have to scan through racks and heaps of goods before you find that gem and if the person you’re with isn’t really interested you might not get anything nice as you’d be in a hurry. 

3. Try on every item (except you’re buying larger sizes than your actual size) because the UK size 8 of 5 years ago might have been altered, so you don’t go home with clothes that aren’t your size.

4. Always check the labels!! Most times I tend to go for popular branded item on the racks like Zara, hm, ragandbone etc because I’m familiar with the quality those brands offer. Also check out for washing instructions, I’d never buy a dry clean only piece or one that says ‘wash separately’.

5. Before you start bargaining set price limits on each item. Make a mental note on the most you’re willing to spend on an item, that will help you stay within your budget.

6. When it comes to pricing, always let the vendor speak first. Before I start to bargain I do a lot of calculating for example, if the vendor says a dress is 1000naira I’d divide that by 3 and say I’d pay 300 naira because I already know the most I’d pay for a dress is 500naira. 

7. Buying two or more items from one retailer reduces cost too. For example if an item is going for 300naira, you can buy two and pay 500naira for both. 

 Extra Tips :

* Go shopping early in the morning when stalls are just opening or late in the evening when they are closing because at those points the vendors are desperate to sell their wares.

* If you live in Lagos, the best days to go thrift shopping are Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s for really dope goods while Tuesday and Thursday’s cheaper items but I’d have to search and search before you find great goods. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog today, I hope you’ve learnt a thing or two from me? Do have an awesome weekend… CHEERS

Do you thrift shop? What tips do you have that I didn’t mention? Do leave me a reply.