Who doesn’t love hitting up antique and thrift stores? There’s always a chance of snagging a once-in-a-lifetime deal!  

And while antiques are a fun investment, high quality clothing is something you can use every day. Why not save a buck? 

Today, I’m sharing some of my top tips on saving money and getting the best deals on quality clothing at thrift stores.

Now, I get that not everybody likes to hear the word ‘thrift store.’ 

Some equate it with overworn hand-me-downs, VHS tapes, and dated costume jewelry.  

But don’t let that assumption fool you! 

There are often tons of brand-new clothing with the tags still on – or clothing worn just once (maybe for an interview or a golf date) and discarded. There are tons of stories out there about people who’ve made some outrageously good finds.

Here are some tips to help you snag your next great designer haul: 

Look For Good Materials: Even if you’re unfamiliar with a brand, the materials alone can make the deal. Look for natural fibers like cashmere, merino wool, linen, and silk. Watch out for items marked ‘leather.’  

Newer leather materials are often just layers of leather byproducts glued and stained together. This includes ‘Genuine Leather’ and ‘100% leather’ marked products. Look for items labeled ‘Full-Grain Leather’ – as this is the highest quality of leather. A good suitcase or handbag made of this material can and will last a lifetime. 

Look For Good Labels: Labels printed on clothing are generally low-quality (and may indicate a counterfeit product for high-end brands. Stitched labels and logos are usually of higher quality; be sure to check the materials to confirm this. Counterfeit items may have misspellings in the labeling or lack spacing between words. 

Look For The Country of Origin: This might not matter depending on the quality of the materials and stitching. Still, many clothing companies have moved their manufacturing overseas, impacting overall quality in the name of saving money. Some notable companies that have done this are Coach, Rockport, and Roots. If you see items made by major brands that are ‘Made in the USA,’ there’s a good chance this may be considered a vintage item (always a good idea to Google while in-store!).

And there you have it! If these tips made you start dreaming of ways to be more frugal with your cash, why not set up a 15-minute call with me (call 513-563-PLAN (7526) or click here) to discuss your financial planning options? We’ll quickly discuss your needs and leave you plenty of time to go thrifting.