10 Shopping Tips from Your Thrift Store Experts

The two hottest trends for fashion this year are “Raiding Your Parent’s Closet” and “Saving Money”.

There’s no doubt that vintage clothes and retro looks are in. With hit shows like Stranger Things and songs like Kate Bush’s Running Up That Hill hitting #1 on billboards, inspiration from the 80s is in full force.

Bell-bottom jeans, tie-dye shirts, oversized blazers with shoulder pads, and even frosted tips are showing up all over social media. 

The easiest way to jump on the retro fashion train is by checking on a vintage clothing store like Vibn Vintage. Instead of buying a new pair of lookalike bell-bottom jeans, vintage clothing stores offer high-quality and affordable pieces that are the real deal. Here are a few ways to dress like a cooler version of your parents while saving a few bucks this season!

1. Make a Plan

Going into any thrift store situation, you should have a plan of attack. Do you know what clothes you’re looking for? Are there any special events coming up? Vintage clothing stores can be overwhelming to browse so its good to shop with a goal in mind, even if you’re just browsing. You can also do some research for inspiration on websites like Pinterest and Instagram!

2. Shop for Popular Brands

One of the main reasons people love vintage clothes shopping is to check out retro clothes from iconic brands like Nike, Adidas, Champion, and more. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on brand-new Nike windbreakers or Adidas tracksuits, vintage store shoppers can usually find name-brand streetwear for a fraction of the price!

3. Check Stores Regularly

Patience is virtue, especially when it comes to thrift store shopping. Most vintage clothing shops like Vibn Vintage are getting in new inventory every week. It’s all too common for prized items to be bought up quickly by frequent shoppers. If you’re looking to obtain a unique vintage style, you must check out your favourite vintage clothing stores regularly.

4. Look Out for High-Quality Materials

Some things were truly better in the old days, especially clothing. For specialty items like leather jackets and denim products, vintage clothes are made to last. While a pair of 80s Levi’s aren’t as stretchy as the modern version, you’ll be surprised how well-made vintage clothes are as they utilize high-quality material throughout.

5. Vintage Sizes vs. Modern Sizes

A lot of things have changed since the 80s, including the meaning of small, medium, and large. Depending on the brand and era, vintage clothes may be bigger or smaller than the sizes of clothes today. In general, it can’t hurt to go a size up, but it’s always a good idea to use measurements, if provided, to evaluate whether the item you’re after can fit you or not.

6. Watch for Hidden Gems

If you’ve aimlessly wandered around your grandparent’s house as a kid, you know all too well that there are some hidden gems old people are hiding away. Vintage clothing stores like Vibn Vintage are constantly buying and selling one-of-a-kind pieces. One of the best parts about thrifting your clothes is finding rare items that no one else will have that will make anyone jealous of your wardrobe.

7. Know Your Silhouette

Understanding your body shape is important when shopping for vintage clothes. For instance, thousands of vintage dresses are made for all types of body types but knowing this will save you lots of time when shopping at thrift stores. Understanding this will also help you find shapes and patterns that work for you and not against you.

8. Don't Forget to Accessorize

No matter what vintage clothing store you’re in, you’re bound to find tons of accessories like jewellery, hats, belts, bags, and more! The accessories department is usually a gold mine for vintage clothing shoppers.

9. Understand Which Colours Work for You

Everyone, and I mean everyone, has battled long and hard to figure out which colours look good on them. And honestly, it changes from year to year, season-to-season, and especially mood-to-mood. Despite this ongoing battle we’re all facing, knowing what colours look good on you and what you need in your wardrobe will help narrow down your search when shopping for vintage clothes. Remember, vintage colour palettes are a bit different which opens a lot of possibilities to add new colours to your wardrobe!

10. A Little Money Goes a Long Way

The best part of shopping for vintage clothes is how far your dollar goes! Vintage clothes are almost always cheaper than new and with retro trends making a comeback, this is the most affordable way to pick up trendy pieces. If you’re ballin’ on a budget, you need to check out shops like Vibn Vintage so you can have fresh fits and some money left in your checking account.