Happy National Thrift Store Day

It's National Thrift Store Day! Are you going to get your shop on? Here are a few tips for helping you make the most of your thrifting experience.

1. In case the store doesn't have a dressing room, wear clothes that are slightly fitted so you can pull on anything you find right over what you're already wearing. Leggings and a T-shirt always work.
2. Thrifting is all about the thrill of the hunt (READ: you may have to dig and dig before you find anything you like). Be patient and be prepared to spend some time sorting through the store's wares. 
3. Leave the kiddos at home (see #2). In fact, unless you have a friend who is down to stay for awhile, you might want to just go by yourself. 
4. Remember, things can be fixed, altered, dyed, and re-imagined into something fabulous. A shirt with a stain can always be dyed to cover it; missing buttons can be replaced; a clip-on earring can be transformed into a brooch.
5. And speaking of clip-on earrings, don't skip the accessories and jewelry sections. You might find that spectacular something you've been looking for. 
6. Think creatively when shopping the housewares sections. Remember, anything can re-imagined, and a can of spray paint goes a long way with old furniture. 
7. Bring cash, just in case the store doesn't accept credit cards.
8. Ignore the number on the size label and try on everything you pick up. Lots of secondhand clothes may have been stretched or shrunken, plus measurements for sizes vary by manufacturer. 
9. If you happen upon a high-end designer piece, grab it. Even if it doesn't fit or isn't your style, you can always give it away (who wouldn't be happy to receive vintage Prada) or sell it on eBay. 
10.  Check out stores in other neighborhoods and not just those close to home; you never know what treasures you can find if you just drive a few miles out of the way. 

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