Second Hand Clothing Shopping

Does the term second hand clothing bring up bad childhood memories of your sister's hand-me-downs with stains and patches?

Let go of those bad memories and take a fresh look at these hidden gems - you will save a ton of money and give your closet a huge boost.

This kind of shopping is an artform.

Hidden Gems - Shopping for Recycled Fashion

First stop, your local consignment shop or resale shop as they are also known.

Know which shop fits your needs. Some shops specialize in high end fashion and others in everyday wear or stylish trends. The price ranges can vary widely so call ahead before you visit. Don't waste time or gas on a store that doesn't carry the clothes you are interested in.

Second, wear loose comfortable clothes and shoes. You have to be prepared to try things on. You will find out things like broken zippers or pulls in the fabric that might not be noticeable on the hanger.

Tips for Successful Second Hand Shopping

Ignore sizes.

Many items wind up at the shop because they were purchase without being tried on. The purchaser found the item didn't fit and for whatever reason didn't return it to the original store.

Sizes are always deceiving. Use your visual judgment and then try it on!

Take your time.

The racks in a consignment shop are often stuffed and most items are one-of-a-kind. Take the time to look carefully through the racks.

Check labels.

Check for designer labels which may indicate a better quality item. If brand names are a concern, especially when shopping high end, check with the store to be sure they have an authenticity policy.

You don't want to pay a high price for a fake.

If they have a guarantee policy then the shop is more likely to do their homework before accepting an item. It is easy to sew in a tag from another manufacturer to get a higher price.

Check closely for flaws.

Look for the item's imperfections.

If they are very minor don't disregard the item. How many times have you worn a brand new top and then spilled something on it?

Hardly noticeable stains are a fact of life for me. If the imperfection doesn't bother you and you can save 70% or more over the perfect item - why not buy it?

Do you really like it?

Having said that - don't buy an item you will never wear just because the price was unbelievable. Two dollars is still two dollars.

You don't want to clutter your closet with unwanted items.

However, trying a new style or a new color is the perfect reason for buying second hand clothing.

Re recycle if necessary!

If you find the style or color doesn't suit you after wearing it for a full day, then you have only lost a few dollars. Take the item to a donation bin and move on.

Befriend the staff.

Make friends with the staff at the shop and let them know if you are looking for something in particular. They can act as a personal shopper and let you know when an item comes in that fits your request. You can't get that type of service in your typical store!

Find fabulous accessories!

Lastly, shop for accessories.

You can really make out well with belts, jewelry and handbags at consignment shops.

Don't shop online unless highend.

One last word on second hand clothing - I don't recommend going online unless you are looking for a hard to find or high end item.

You will pay more for items online and have to pay shipping as well. In addition you can't really see the garment for imperfections and you can't try it on. There are times to shop online but this is not one of them.

Once you make your purchase be sure to wash it before you wear it. Need I say more here!

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