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Those stories of people finding a vintage Chanel jacket at thrift stores aren’t myths. They’re true. And with our tips for finding designer clothes at thrift stores, you can become the protagonist in your very own thrift store fairytale. We’ll share our secrets so you can score luxe finds without the splurge!
Hit the Boujee Neighborhoods
Our top tip for thrifting unique and designer clothes is to head to the richest neighborhoods you can find. This can be a tough line to walk because the really rich neighborhoods — like where Tom Brady or the Kardashians live — do not have thrift stores. Fact: thrift is not even in their vocabulary.
We recommend looking up the average income of the various neighborhoods around you (yes, we get that into this). Look for places where the average is low to mid-six figures. You can find everything from Gucci to Chanel, donated by people who have the kind of expendable income we dream about.
Adventure Around
The wealthy neighborhoods are seriously the best place to start, but they’re not the only place to thrift. Sometimes, thrift stores in more rural communities can have hidden gems that get overlooked again and again.
Finding stunning designer items won’t crop up magically on your first day. If you’ve perused all the thrift stores around you, consider taking a mini road trip to a fresh area. We think it’s worth an hour or so drive for YSL pants that retail for $1,000.
Look for Boutiques
Chain thrift stores aren’t always the best when it comes to designer looks. Arc, Goodwill, Buffalo Exchange, and the like can be great, but we recommend going for the smaller thrift stores. The locally owned and operated boutiques can be teeming with expensive goodies at low prices, so don’t be afraid to drop into those little shops.
New Month, New You
This tip applies best to those larger chain stores that we mentioned earlier. Each thrift store is different, but many receive new items and refresh their stock at the beginning of the month.
They’ll go through old stock and get rid of the low-quality things that aren’t selling. It’ll be easier to find the designer items when the store’s inventory has been thinned out a bit.
Monday Mornings Aren’t So Bad
Even better than going at the beginning of the month is going at the beginning of the week. That’s when staff often put the newly donated items out on the floor, so you can grab designer clothes before anyone else lays their eyes on them.
Plus, Monday mornings at thrift stores are often pretty slow, so you can also enjoy a quieter shopping experience. Grab your morning coffee and take your time strolling around the store.
Put on Your Reading Glasses
Many people think they’ll just know when something is designer — that it’ll be obvious. But it’s not. Be sure to read every single label if you truly want to find phenomenal designer items.
Designer clothes don’t always have the brand name plastered on the outside like a Louis Vuitton purse. Look at each label closely; it could be the difference between a winning day and going home empty-handed.
Study Your Labels
Speaking of labels, do you know yours? You might recognize the major ones like Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Hermés. But what about Celine? Bottega Veneta? Stella McCartney? Miu Miu? Only a handful of designer brands are talked about in the mainstream, but there are many more.
Take some time to research — yes, more research. But we love research! — the important brands you’re less familiar with. Know what their logos look like and even get a feel for the style.
Feel It Up
While we want you to read the labels, touching the clothes can also clue you in about what’s high-quality and what’s… not. Many designer clothes are differentiated by the quality of fabrics and stitching, so run your fingers over the fabrics — check out the seams and buttons and closures — as you sift through the racks and pay attention to what feels more luxurious than the rest.
Start at the Back
That first rack when you walk into the store? Odds are, it doesn’t have any designer items hanging on it. If it did, someone’s already snatched it up and is proudly flaunting it right now.
The second you walk in, go against your instincts and find the uninviting corners, the dark back wall far from the register. We’ve had great luck finding the goods in these unassuming spots.
Remain Committed to the Hunt
If you think you’ll find Dior sandals after 20 minutes of thrifting, we have some bad news for you. Consider this kind of thrifting a sport that takes dedication, focus, and practice.
Sure, you could get lucky, and we hope you do. But the best way to score designer looks is by checking every single item in the store. Go item by item and don’t go too quickly, or you might miss a treasure or two. It’s not always the most fun sport, but it’s lucrative in the long run.
Finally, Keep It Lowkey
This one is super important! If you find a drop-dead gorgeous designer item at an absurdly low price, don’t make a scene. Don’t get too giddy at the register, and don’t make comments to the cashier about what a “fabulous find” or “amazing steal” this is.
An employee likely didn’t realize how valuable the product was and priced it incorrectly. If you draw attention, they may hike the price. Be cool, guys.
And If All Else Fails…. Try Thrifting From Your Own Home
If all this sounds like too much legwork, we get it. Luckily, you can still find lovely secondhand designer items without leaving your house. There are oodles of secondhand clothing and accessory sites that make it easy.
You probably won’t get the stellar discounts as you would in a brick-and-mortar store, but it’s still designer goods for lower prices. Here are some of our favorites:
- The RealReal: This is mostly designer items, but the discounts aren’t steep
- Depop: Similar to Poshmark, but more organized and versatile
- Fashionphile: Similar to The RealReal, but more expensive (sorry 😿)
- Poshmark: Poshmark is strictly seller-to-buyer, so you’re more likely to get a good price on high-end items
Whether you’re thrifting from the couch or deep in the racks, get ready for the thrill of a seriously good find — happy treasure hunting!
