From Salvation Army to random family-owned thrift stores, thrifting is a cheap and easy way to find clothes that would otherwise be found at expensive department stores. However, walking into a thrift store can be overwhelming. So here’s a step-by-step guide to actually finding clothes you can wear at thrift stores.

1. 1. Check the women and men’s sections. Don’t just stick to your gender. Both sections have great finds. The jackets, t-shirts, and sweatshirts in the men’s section work for anyone the clothes fit.
   2. Don’t skip over anything. When going through the racks, there are honestly some ugly clothes. Some of the donated clothes are clothes that no one else would wear, that’s why some of them are there anyway. You’re more inclined to find something you’ll actually wear in between the items you’ll never see yourself wearing. If you’re looking for something specific, it’s not just going to be standing in plain sight. It may take a while, but you’ll eventually find something.
   3. Go on different days. Some thrift stores have a certain day where all the new clothes are restocked. The longer the wait after the stores restock, the more people that have looked through them and the less of a chance you have to find something worth buying.
   4. Look at shoes. Some of the shoes at these stores are fairly brand new. If you look at the bottom, stay away from those that are worn away. The newer the shoe, the better quality. There’s a rare chance that you’ll find the perfect shoe in your exact size but it’s possible and you’ll only know if you look.
   5. Give it more than one chance. There are times where you might find one t-shirt and that’s as good as it’s going to get. Sometimes you’ll literally find 3 outfits for under $40. It might take a couple of trips but you’re bound to find things eventually.