Kiana Seitz

Hello again guys!
Wow, I’m back with another blog post and this time it is all about thrift tips and tricks.

Lately I’ve been getting really lucky at the thrift. Every time I go in there, I expect to only walk out with a few things and then I end up having a ton! This is good and bad. A lot of items in the thrift store actually end up in landfills so I’m happy to find as much as I can – especially on 50% off days – but my wallets like no babe.

If you live in Ottawa and want to do some thrifting, I have had super good luck at the Value Village on Bank and Walkley as well as the Salvation Army across the street on Bank and Alta Vista. The Value Village is great for Levi’s, dresses, and blazers. T-Shirts are good at both thrift stores but there tends to be more selection at VV, naturally since its like 10x the size. The Salvation Army is great for coats, sweaters, and turtle necks.

Hopefully I can go do some thrifting in Toronto soon and give you all the tea on that. But for now, here are some thrift tips and tricks.

Thrift Tip 1: Grab a Cart

So firstly, make sure you grab a cart before you do anything. If it is a sale day, get there at opening so you can get a cart. As you go throughout the store pick up EVERYTHING you think could be remotely cute and fit you. After you are done you need to bring all that to the change room. The things you think will be cute, will probably be blah on and the things you are meh about, are going to be the gold. Carts also make it easier to look because you’re not holding things in your hand.

Thrift Tip 2: Accessories

Shoes

Some people are not down with second hand shoes, which is fine, but you can clean them and even find shoes that are brand new. I love a 90s shoe or a Gucci-esq loafer so I personally like to look. My feet are a size 9 so it’s rare that I get lucky but if you’re a 7/8 you will hit the jackpot often. I also like to look in the boots for a good knee high boot or cowboy boot moment (I have yet to find either but that is not from lack of great options, it is because I have big feet, ugh). Personally, I put all the shoes that could possibly work in the cart and then try them on at the end but if you want to try them on in the shoe section, go for it.

Bags, Hats and Scarves

You can find some gems here. Just look at colour, sizes, and styles that speak to you and then take a look. There are a lot of cute little 90s/2000s bags in here so don’t neglect this area. Sometimes you can even find some good brands. Also, look at the hats. You can wash them so it’s all good. I found a beautiful Ralph Lauren fur beret and a fur bucket hat. The bucket hat looked exactly like the ones at Urban Outfitters right now.

Thrift Tip 3: Next Stop, Mens Department

I personally like the mens section for pretty much everything except for dresses and skirts, naturally. I get majority of my blazers, t-shirts and jeans here.

Jeans

First, I go to the mens jeans section. I go from size 32 to 36 in mens as the sizes can fluctuate. If you’re smaller than me, try the 30s and even the large sizes in the boys section. When I get to the jeans, I look for Levis, Tommy Hilfiger, Wrangler, Lucky Brand and then any wash that grabs my attention. There are so many jeans that I find it more manageable to narrow the selection down right off the bat by looking for specific brands. When I see these brands, I look to see if I like the style and wash.

If I am happy with those, I then look to see if it is high-waisted. You should be able to tell by looking at them but if you can’t, hold them up against your torso. If they are high-waisted I will then wrap the top of the jeans around my neck. If they will go all the way around my neck nicely, this is a good indicator that they will probably fit me. I put them in the cart and then try them on at the end.

Blazers

I love a blazer moment – especially when they’re oversized – so the mens department is the place to be for that. I look at every single size in the mens blazer department. Look for colours and materials that grab your attention, throw the ones you’re interested in in the cart and move on to the jackets.

Jackets

The mens jackets are GREAT for leather and jean jackets. Again, I look at every size. If I like the cut and style, I throw it in the cart. You can also look here for trench coats. I have a trench coat so I don’t typically look in this section but during my last thrift trip the section looked so good that I did have a look for a quick minute.

Pants

So in this section I am looking for super specific pants. Go into this section with a goal or two in mind. I typically look for good sweats and track pants, specifically a nice Nike or Adidas moment. Again, look in all sizes because you never know what you’ll find. If you want to save time though, look for the size you think you would be and then look in that section and the ones beside that size.

Sweaters

In this section I am really only looking for cool prints and specific colours. When I find a sweater that speaks to me, I then give it a feel to see if it is soft. If it isn’t soft, it isn’t for me lol.

T-Shirts

Now for my favourite section – T-shirts. I personally only like an oversized moment so I usually look in medium and large and maybe take a peek in XL. I look for colours and prints that appeal to me if I want to go through this section quickly. However, I usually look at every single t-shirt because you never know what graphic tees you might find.

Thrift Tip 4: Women’s Department!

I honestly prefer guys clothes so my time in the women’s department is short and straight to the point. I am only really in this section for clothes I can’t find in the mens because mens clothes are way better quality a lot of the time.

Lingerie

First I go to the Lingerie section because this section is usually small and either a big hit or big miss. I go here to look for slip dresses and slip skirts. Slips are all the rage right now and sometimes you can find some good ones. Look for length and colour in this section.

Sweaters/Turtle Necks

If I need some basic sweaters or turtlenecks, I’ll go to the women’s section and just look for colours I like. I typically look at all the sizes here because you really never know how things will fit. If it looks like the item will fit, I throw it in the cart.

Blazers

Now for the women’s blazers. I only look at the medium to XL sizes in this section because I like an oversized moment. Go about this similarly to the mens; grab whatever could possibly be cute.

Vests

Vests and waist coats are big right now. You will find women’s waist coats in the vests section. Look for colours and fabrics that speak to you in this section.

Jackets

I always look here for styles, fabrics, and colours. Look in your size and maybe a size larger. Again, grab anything that can be cute and try it on later.

Dresses

Now for dresses. I don’t know if I’m the only one who feels this way but dress sizing is SO weird. I’ve found things that were a size 14 that fit perfectly and things in a size 2 that fit perfectly. Look in the entire section for colours, patterns, materials, and lengths that speak to you. You can usually tell by looking at it if it is going to be way too big or way too small. If you are unsure of how it will fit you, throw it in your cart and try it on.

Skirts

Sizes of skirts are also very weird. I try on everything from one size below me to about 3-4 sizes larger than me. Depending on what time period the skirt is from will depend on how true to size it is. Some pieces fit big but a lot fit small. Look for lengths, patterns, materials and just overall vibes of pieces first. I personally look for anything jean, check/plaid, leather and/or midi-maxi length. If I like something, I will hold it up to myself to see if there is a chance it will fit. If there is, I throw it in the cart.

Thrift Tip 5: Change Room Time

Okay, so now you head to the change room with everything. If there is no line, great!! you can start trying things on but if there is a line you want to utilize your time. Start picking through things – specifically jackets and blazers. Try on all the jackets and blazers while you are waiting. You will find out really fast if you like the fit or not. If it doesn’t fit right, get rid of it. There is usually racks by the change rooms that you can put your no’s on. If you feel good in it, find a mirror that is really close by. If there is no mirror, put that jacket/blazer back in the cart and wait until you are in the change room and have a mirror.

You can also organize your clothes into categories: Tops; bottoms; dresses; and coats. This will make the change room experience faster and more organized.

Dresses/Jumpsuits/Overalls

Okay, so you’re finally in a change room. Value Village only allows 6 items at a time. Start with dresses or jumpsuits/overalls. Bring in 6 dresses and try on the ones that you think won’t fit as well first and then try on ones that will fit for sure or be too big. This way you won’t have to change an extra time to go grab your next round of clothes. If you have more dresses, repeat. Any dresses that are a no after each round can be put on the rack near the change room. Any yes items go back on the cart. I typically hang my yes items on the cart and leave the ones that still need to be tried on in the main part of the cart.

Bottoms

After hanging up no dresses on the rack, it is time to dive into bottoms. Keep a dress on and grab some bottoms and a top you know will fit. If you don’t have a top, just wear the one you came in. Do the same thing you did with the dresses with the bottoms. After you are done with all the bottoms, you can put the bottoms you came in back on if you want.

Tops

Now for tops, do this the same way as the other two categories. Once you have tried on all the tops, you can try on any jackets you want. I wouldn’t even bring the jackets into the change rooms. Just put them on from your cart and then look in the change room mirror.

After Trying Things On

So, you’ve naturally narrowed down your cart solely by things not fitting right. Now it is time to try out the accessories and see if you really love them. Try on any shoes/hats/sunglasses/scarves or whatever in a mirror and really think about it.

If you have a budget, it is important to keep this in mind now. Go through each item and really think about how you are going to wear it and if you really truly like it. Grab every item in your cart and give it a good look. Examine it to see if there is anything wrong with it (stain, rip, etc.). Once you have decided what you really want, it is time to head to the check outs.

You Made It!

So there you are, all my thrift tips and tricks. Hopefully these thrift tips and tricks actually help you. If you have any questions please leave a comment or message me on Instagram.

There are just a few more things I would like to leave you with.

1. Not every thrift trip will go well.
2. The size on the tag does not define you. Clothing sizes have changed so much over the years so don’t let that get to you. Different brands size things differently. It is not you, it is the clothes.
3. You are a beautiful person and the size of your clothes do not define you.
4. Step outside of your comfort zone. You can find some really dope pieces. If you like it, rock it. It doesn’t matter what other people think. You do you, and rock the shit out of that piece.
5. Don’t give up. Thrifting can be super frustrating at times but don’t give up. You are helping the environment so much by purchasing second hand. Thrifting is all about luck and patience. Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not. It entirely depends on what is getting donated.

If you want more high-end items and brands, you have to thrift somewhere where people have higher incomes. These are the places you will find Levi’s, Ralph Lauren, and brands like that. So think about that when you are deciding on which locations to go to.

If thrifting overwhelms you but you still want to shop second hand, go to a vintage place as it is a curated collection of only the best of the best. You will be paying a higher price tag but you will save time and energy so it depends on what you value when shopping.

Sorry this was a long post but I wanted it to be useful for you. I gave you my best thrift tips and tricks but if there is any you think I missed, please let me know.
Again, please reach out if you have any questions at all. Good luck on your next thrift.

Yours,
Kiana xo