By Camelia Heins
Thrifting is a fun and cheap way to shop sustainably. Not only is it better for the environment, it’s also a cheaper alternative to shopping at fast fashion retail stores. The thrill of finding a unique piece at a thrift store satisfies a shopper much more than a basic piece for double the price. Give thrifting a try, you won’t regret it!
Here are some places in Orange County to go thrifting:
- Goodwill: There’s one in Westminster and a Goodwill Boutique in Huntington Beach that both offer some great thrift finds. If you want to find some more upscale branded clothing pieces, there’s a RARE Goodwill in Anaheim that has just what you’re looking for.
- Salvation Army: There’s one in Huntington Beach, however it has a limited clothing selection.
- Savers: This thrift store is located in Fountain Valley and it has a large clothing selection. From sweaters to sneakers, you can find it here.
- Ecotown: Luckily, this thrift store is also located in Fountain Valley. They have many unique second-hand pieces as well as upscale brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton. Their clothing selection isn’t as big as other thrift stores, but they do sell other goods like cameras and instruments.
- Plato’s Closet: A mix between common retail stores and thrift stores, everything here is second-hand, but many pieces can be found new and with tags. Plato’s Closet has a large selection of brands like Brandy Melville, Vans and Champion. There’s one located in Huntington Beach.
- Buffalo’s Exchange: You can find this thrift store at the LAB Anti-Mall in Costa Mesa. They have a range of clothing items, but their prices do tend to run higher than other thrift stores.
Here are some tips you can use while thrifting.
Look everywhere.
Make sure you look through every section of the store when your thrifting. Don’t just look for good brands or labels, find unique pieces that you think fit your style. With deals this great, you don’t want to pass by on a unique piece while shopping. After all, you never know what you can find.
Find discounts.
Even though second-hand thrift stores are as cheap as they get, look for those discounts. Most thrift stores have deals of the day for a specific colored tag. Savers also offers a 20% off discount when you donate clothes at their donation center. So when you’re thrifting, find those discounts and get the best deal for your buck.
Go on specific days.
The best day to go thrifting is on the store’s restock day. You get first pick at any new clothing they put out. So, make sure you call ahead and ask what days the thrift store restocks before planning your thrift excursion. You can also go thrifting on weekdays, since they aren’t as busy compared to on the weekends.
Get creative.
If your stuck finding pieces that are too big or too plain, get creative! Iron on a patch, embroider a design or learn to sew. You can even crop a shirt or tailor a pair of jeans to get that perfect fit. Not only does it make thrifting more fun, but it makes your finds even more unique.
Be patient.
Thrifting can get tiring and discouraging, especially for those first trying it out. Make sure you take breaks every once and a while and don’t lose hope. Trust me, once you get in the groove of thrifting, you won’t be able to stop.
Bring friends.
Thrifting is the most fun when you’re with your friends. Plan a hangout finding cool pieces at a new thrift store. Enjoy finding unique pieces as you spend time with people you care about.
