If there is one piece of good advice out there, this is it: Thrift shopping cannot be rushed, so take your time.
If your goal is to create a collection, take your time. New York, Paris, or your closet was not built in a day. Be patient and wait for sales and discounts. This will help you in your collection.
Don’t get easily discouraged if some thrift shopping days just won’t be as successful as others. If you do get discouraged, leave the mall or department, and return some other day. Good energy must always surround your thrift shopping experience. When you don’t have good energy, you won’t find those great buys.
Be patient, and if you have the energy, you’ll find nice stuff on discount that you could probably never afford at regular sale prices. Stop being a brand-only shopper, but be witty enough to desire to look professional and buy clothes that won’t fall apart or look ratty after a little while.
One site has this tip for thrift shoppers: “If it’s stained, yellowed, stinky, or made of cheap fabric, it’s probably not worth it, even if its only $5.” Look it over in good lighting to spot discoloration (especially armpits) and to examine the fabric and lining for tears or damage. If it’s just missing buttons or zippers, they are easy to repair.