I like them for one of a kind things that you can’t see anywhere else.

My friend that I’ve referred to, that I shopped the thrift shops with, scoured the thrift shops for beaded purses, beaded party outfits, men’s jackets and pants.

I looked at sweaters and scarves and purses, sometimes shoes.

Often times those special things that really stand out on a neutral background like old costume jewelry or purses are the best at the thrift shops.

However that said, some of the thrift shops (one in particular here in western canada) is known for high prices to the point where it is sometimes cheaper and better quality to buy new stuff on the end of season clearances.

I’ve actually quit going to that one altogether, and I don’t donate there because on top of the ridiculous prices only about 5% of the profits ever make it to the charity it supports.

That said, the best thrift shops in my area are the hospital auxiliary shops, the down town mission people and that classic, Salvation Army. St Vincent de Paul is good sometimes, as are some of the other church operated thrift shops.

I think my technique boils down to buying my classics and neutral stuff at the end of season clearance.

CHECK the incoming stuff too, because the new season stuff is often marked down a bit for introduction as well. It pays to look then to fill in wardrobe gaps or buy stuff when there is a good selection of colours and sizes available in the incoming items.

I buy some of the spice stuff to jazz things up in resale/thrift stores and on these end of season 75 to 80% off sales.

The thrift store I go to is great for patterned button-down shirts, and sometimes has awesome jackets or suits as well.

When it comes down to it though, I’ve bought pretty much everything at a thrift shops at some point, except for socks/underwear (cause that’d be gross) and hats (cause my head is too big for “one-size-fits-all")

If I have time, I’m willing to look through all the racks at the thrift stores—but if I’m limited on time, I’ll head straight to the jackets (my Goodwill often has new w/tags jackets from Target and department stores on the cheap, but it’s also an item that doesn’t usually get worn to death by the previous owner).

I also check the skirts (I seem to always find something great there)—and then cruise through handbags, shoes, belts (which are hit or miss, but occasionally there’s something hardly used or brand new, and great!).

I really like to look at vintage jewelry and handbags that usually costcs crazy amounts at vintage stores.  Also, like Angela said, coats are also a great option.

The key is to focus on smell. If something is musty, then there’s probably no amount of febreze that can that smell out.

Sweaters used to be my foible.  I’d go to the Goodwill with twenty bucks.  I’d buy four or five sweaters, wear them for a few months, donate them all back and do it again.  I no longer do this.  Thrift shops have raised their prices quite a bit and I sure can’t fit into the sweaters somebody accidentally shrunk anymore.  Still, it was fun.  I always went for the ones with a lot of embellishments.  If I am buying a sweater at retail, I go for something a lot more conservative.

Metalhead, around here I think my husband has had better luck than I have.  He found a leather jacket for $5 at the goodwill “last chance” store (where you buy things by the pound) and looks for jeans/shorts for yardwork (when his nice pairs aren’t quite ready to rotate down), and has found nice leather belts.  When we got married he had quite a few suits and they all came from thrift stores.  So I knew he was a good catch!  My kids look for vintage t-shirts (Salvation Army); my son has gone to thrift stores (SA and a couple of other charity stores where he goes to school) before travelling abroad to get inexpensive sort of “disposable” (eg, what can you dump if you bought too many souvenirs?) travel clothes...mostly all cotton button down shirts (which he hasn’t had to dump yet).

When a mood strikes or fashion theme pops up, I head to the thrift stores first.  I have a hard time with shoes, head gear...just too close for comfort most the time.

I wish I could find a good thrift store near my home. Only problem is that if I did, I’d probably go crazy over earrings, scarves, bags, shoes, and headgear.

I try to just keep an open mind - though I don’t usually do accessories from thrifts. I don’t know why.........especially since accessories are the most important/favorite part of my wardrobe.

I NEVER do well if I am looking for something specific. But I have found some really wonderful things. Two days ago, I found a wonderful deep cowl neck top that is black and white striped. So French. And though I don’t usually do stripes, it was a great top, looked good on and cost $3.00 ! I guess maybe that is a good role for thrift, to get something a little bit different that what one wears normally and take it for a spin.

I also have a real pre-dispostion for blazers/jackets at thrifts. Being a stay at home mom, I look really out of place and silly at the kids’ elementary school ( especially since we live in a very rural area ) in anything but jeans and corduoroys ( which are considered a bit “city” around here ) - so blazers and accessories give me alot of versatility...but I’m off topic now. Sorry !

Finally, I am willing to tailor EVERTHING and anything. THere is a wonderful seamstress near me and she has tailored and fixed things even from the thrifts.

My closest SA is about 20 miles away, but every other weekend they have a 1/2 price sale and they also every weekend have a bag sale on certain color tags.
I’ve gotten (on 1/2 price weekends) Silver Jeans, Evan Picone jeans, Farragama <sp> shoes, Anne Klein, and all kinds of other brand name items.  Oh, these are brand-new, most w/tags.
I’d like to take some of the items, the ones that wouldn’t fit me and some of my own personal clothes that I don’t wear, and sell them on eBay (make money), but I’m scared of listing.  I mean, what if I mess up really bad and someone finds out and laughs at me.
Also, if you buy books from my closest SA, they are bogo free.  And on the 1/2 weekends, oh wow, mucho savings.  It’s alllll good!

I love to find unique vintage jewelry, especially in sets.  I actually found a tiara worth $750 if you can believe that.  Yeah, yeah of course I tried it on.  Who wouldn’t?  I even took a picture of it on my head, then replaced it back in the case. I’m not that crazy!  But it sure was fun!  Second, I go for vintage bags or as Bigmama says “pocketbooks”.  Lastly, I always look at shoes.  If I find a great pair in excellent condition I’ll scoop them up.