I remember when I first started shopping at thrift stores.

It was the summer before I started university and I needed cheap clothes fast. I knew college was far from cheap and my personality would not allow me to wear the same shirt but in different colours everyday. I loved looking on clothing sites such as American Apparel, ASOS, Forever 21 etc but let’s be honest, I just couldn’t afford everything that I wanted, everything was overpriced and I ended up finding comfort in shopping at thrift stores and finding similar styles for way less.

Usually trends from previous decades come back, and what I realized was that thrift stores had decades of different styles. So if I liked a particular trend from the 90s I was able to find authentic 90s clothes at the thrift shop.  I spent three times less than what everybody else was paying for.

It gave me that dependency from my parents because now I bought my own clothes and didn’t have to depend on them for that. It felt great. So I want to share some tips with you guys, for those who are interested or want to spend less on clothes but don’t know where to start.

Here are nine tips for beginner thrifters:

1. Think ahead2. Get accustomed to your local thrift store and know when they’re having sales.

Usually I think ahead of time about the type of clothes I want to buy at the thrift store before actually going. It avoids wasting extra time searching around for clothes. As unorganized as thrift stores may seem, they categorize most items and place them together, whether denims or graphic tees, printed shirts or dresses.

I used to shop at a thrift store where I could get up to three jeans for $1000 on a regular day but now, if i’m lucky I could get that on a sale day. 3. Be open minded4. Buy what makes you feel comfortable5. Wash your clothes before wearing them6. Don’t be afraid to redesign a clothing item7. Walk with cash.8. Have patience9. Be prepared to search!

For some persons that don’t really like to keep up with trends but love to stand out, thrift stores are the place for you! So many cool graphic tees, prints and patterns, authentic denim. It’s a place where you can truly explore your personal style and try something new.

Most of the clothes I bought from thrift stores matched my level of confidence. Thrift stores has a wide spread of very unique clothing that you won’t see your everyday Jamaicans wearing. We all know Jamaicans can be very judgmental and loud spoken, so if you’re not comfortable and confident while wearing something eccentric, you’re likely gonna wish that you listened to your mom and changed before you left the house.

This is something my mom stressed to me when I just started thrifting. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have. These clothes have been through many hands before it has reached to you. MANY HANDS. You don’t want to wake us itching from a rash that you got from your thrift clothes.

If you don’t like the design of that dress but like the print and you’re good with you’re hands don’t be afraid to buy it. Sometimes when I go thrifting I may see a dress that I really like but it’s way too big. Or I may see a fabric that I like but it’s in a style I don’t. It gives me the opportunity to totally redesign it.

Have patience with the shop workers. Not everyone knows what mom jeans are haha. Try and break it down into its simplest form: high waisted denim.

Cheap out some of your local thrift shops, whether online or in real life. Here are some Instagram thrift stores you can follow:

@876thrift

@kesisthrift

@thriftbooks.ja

Thrift stores

Any Salvation Army family store

Statement Outlet, 7 Orange Street, Downtown

Burlington Avenue (beside T’sang’s Fast Food)