Goodwill Hunting

Although thrift stores can carry the stigma of being dank, musty places where the old scrunchies, polyester suits and faded denim of yesteryear go to die, in these days of DIY and repurposing, many of us are giving those stores a second chance.

Besides the obvious benefit of supporting local charities and being eco-conscious by reusing items that may have otherwise gone to the landfill, those willing to search can discover some truly amazing finds. You may have to do a little bit of hunting-OK, maybe a lot of hunting sometimes-but Chattanooga’s thrift stores are full of treasures from vintage gowns to current designer fashions just waiting to be rescued.

Here are our top 7 tips for a successful thrift store excursion:

1. Make a plan before you go

Do your research online beforehand to map out a day of thrifting. This is a good opportunity to check store hours, locations days they restock items (restocking days are the perfect time to go before items get picked over). Oftentimes it’s better to visit early in the week on Monday or Tuesday versus the weekend because weekly specials will have just started-giving you first dibs on the newly marked-down finds.

2. Know the merchandise

Have your smart phone ready to look up brands you may be unfamiliar with to make sure you’re getting a good deal. If you’re eyeing a blouse for $3 that someone is selling on eBay for $6, the quality of said item is probably not worth your time unless it’s a style that you truly love. On the flip side, some creative Googling can tell you the value of the item you’re purchasing and just how amazing a deal you’re getting.

3. Always think creatively

You’ll have to use your imagination sometimes with thrifting. Try to look at things past face value. What if you added a belt with that dress? What would that blazer look like with new buttons? This is your opportunity to personalize your finds, and when you’re paying $1 for an item, you can definitely afford to make small improvements. If something is too long or a bit too loose, a quick trip to the tailor offers an affordable fix.

4. Shop styles, not sizes

Vintage clothing sizes can vary greatly from the ones we go by today, so be sure not to dismiss racks of clothing that aren’t your street size. Go with your gut, and if something sticks out to you that’s not your size, just try it on anyway. It may be a surprising fit that you would have missed out on otherwise.

5. Examine with care

Be sure to closely inspect your items before making the investment by turning them inside out, checking zippers and making sure there are no missing buttons. I speak from experience. Once I accidentally purchased a pair of designer jeans that seemed like they were in great condition, but upon closer examination, had a rip on the inner thigh. Fortunately at checkout I was able to make an exchange, but some stores may not offer that option, so it’s important to be thorough.

6. Ask about specials

Many stores have a color tag system and mark one color a week down in price-sometimes up to 50 percent off! Be on the lookout for signage when you walk in or make friends with the store volunteers so you know when the best deals are going on. Also, be sure to ask for student or senior discounts if those apply to you. In spite of items being inexpensive already, many stores offer those discounts on top of their already low prices.

7. Don’t be discouraged

If you sift through racks of duds and leave a store empty-handed, don’t fret. Not every thrifting trip will yield a vintage Chanel blazer or the lost treasure of Atlantis. The name of the game with thrifting is frequency-check back in a couple of days for a store full of new potential opportunities to score.

Thrift stores aren’t the only option when it comes to finding pre-loved treasures. Here are the other types of bargain stores locally and what to expect there:

Consignment Shops

Places to visit: Encore Consignment Boutique (1150 Hixson Pike) and En Vogue Consignment (2155 Keith St. NW, Cleveland, TN 37311)

What to expect: These items go through a vetting process to make sure they’re quality brands, current (usually pieces are no more than 2-3 years old), stylish and in good condition. For that fact, you’ll have to hunt less, but you’ll also have to pay more than you would at a thrift store. Bonus-bring your own clothing items to consign (some places require an appointment, so call ahead), and soon you’ll have shopping money that you barely had to work for!

Vintage Stores

Places to visit: Collective Clothing (3933 St Elmo Ave. and 133 Frazier Ave.) and CH Design & Supply (3301 Brainerd Road)

What to expect: For many the true vintage clothing connoisseur, the thrill comes with the hunt. But for those of us without the extra time to spend looking for perfect pieces, local vintage stores offer a great solution. These items are typically well-organized and represent retro clothing from across the ages-70s jumpsuit next to a pair of 50s cigarette pants right beside a 20s flapper dress? Yes, please. I’ll take them all.