Thrifting Tips and Ways To Style Secondhand Clothes

Let’s talk about thrifting tips and ways to style secondhand clothes.

In this post I will cover the benefits of thrifting and show some examples on how to style secondhand clothes. I’ll showcase seven curated outfits with pieces that I thrifted. All of the items I chose are currently listed in my Poshmark closet in case you see something you love! 

Why Wear Secondhand Clothes? 

Besides wearing thrifted clothes for the popular view of sustainable fashion, it is a great way to snag some high end brands at affordable prices! You may not even recognize a brand but you might be able to tell if it’s quality by the way the clothing looks or feels.  Through thrifting, I have discovered some of my favorite brands. One of the best things is knowing there are so many more great ones I have yet to discover. 

For example, a few weeks ago I was thrifting at a local thrift store and I came across a beautiful navy blue pajama lounge set. I did not recognize the brand, but as I felt the material and looked at the details, I knew I had found a quality item. I put it into my cart and shopped the rest of the store. Before I checked out, I pulled up the Poshmark app, typed in the brand and filtered to sold items. Sure enough it was the first time I had ever found this high end brand before. It’s a good thing I picked it up because this particular lounge set retails new around the $200 price point.

With a little research, you can find high fashion or high end items that you may not have known about prior. Also, a little thrift tip, if you aren’t sure what the brand is, just put it in your cart and shop until you can take the time to look it up.

Styling Secondhand Clothes

Styling can be really fun, especially when you find an amazing deal on a beautiful outfit. In these photos, I purposefully chose several pieces to show that you can make quite a few different outfits from just a couple pieces of clothing. This is a good way to give clothes a second life and curate a new look. Don’t get me wrong, I love clothes! But the best thing is that I enjoy being able to mix-and-match great pieces I have in my closet. I hope these curated outfits can give you inspiration on how to do this yourself with your own thrift finds!

What Brands Did I Thrift In These Photos?

• Madewell 
• Albion
• Vince Camuto 
• Steve Madden 
• Free People
• J.Crew 
• Filson
• Good American
• 10 Crosby Derek Lam 

Finding Secondhand Clothes?

A great place to start is by looking for unique pieces and statement pieces. You may recognize from a retail store at your local thrift shops. When you secondhand shop, you may not be able to return the item. Make sure it fits by heading to the fitting rooms.

If there are specific brands you are looking for, I would suggest trying one of the many “online thrift stores.” Try Poshmark, Ebay, Mercari, or Curtsy. It may not be the same as in-person shopping, but you can negotiate and find great deals. When you are looking online, keep an open mind and ask questions about specific items before you buy. There is so many options, you don’t need to spend a lot of time searching for what you want. Some of the best stuff I have found has been online. There is even new pieces and new clothes with tags that you can snag at a great price.

Two other places that you may be able to find secondhand clothing and unique items for great prices is a flea market or garage sale. These places can also be an easy way to find vintage items that you wouldn’t find at the department stores. This really is the golden age of thrifting. There are so many great options when it comes to shopping secondhand. We live in an age of abundance. Many people don’t want to deal with selling their clothes, so they just donate. You can find quality clothing at a great price, designer pieces, new merchandise, higher quality items at a good price.

A while back, I went by a garage sale and discovered it was someone who was closing out her Poshmark inventory. It was a total score for me! You never really know where you will find that amazing deal or favorite brand, but that’s part of the fun! 

In Conclusion

To curate outfits like this you need patience. Over time you will discover favorite pieces and your wardrobe will grow and change with what you find. What I love about thrifting and reselling is that my wardrobe is ever changing! There are times I will purchase new items. Some of the best stuff (and most beautiful pieces) have been from consignment stores, thrift stores, or online stores. I really enjoy clothes and I do hold onto some of my absolute favorite pieces. But I also love changing things up.

Tools for Getting Started on Poshmark

If you’re interested in selling on Poshmark, check out my post “Why I Love Poshmark” here. I have also created an helpful ebook for Poshmark newbies, Poshmark 101 Back to the Basics.

This fun, engaging 11 page ebook (with a bonus size conversion chart page) was created to help you understand Poshmark by beginning with the basics. In it you will find photo tips, sourcing tips, sharing resources, definitions of terms, and even a flow chart! Designed to be a step-by-step guide that will inspire, motivate, and help you better understand the world of Poshmark so you can confidently start your journey.