Thrifting A Corporate Wardrobe
I started going to thrift stores more often during my senior year of high school. At the time, I was the new student body president and I needed more grown-up looking clothes. Think blazers and slacks instead of ripped jeans. The local thrift store was the first place I found high-quality professional clothes. At the time, they even had petite selections (holy grail) for shorter women like me. This helped me feel more like an adult and more people began to take me seriously.
When I needed more professional clothes in college, for professional events and presentations, I remembered my time at the thrift store. For people on a budget, thrift stores can be an amazing option to expand your professional wardrobe.
I feel like there are a lot of misconceptions about thrift stores. When people think of thrift stores they imagine retro clothes and old furniture. While this is true in many cases, a thrift store can as be filled with classic clothing you can wear to work or conferences. Buying clothing from a thrift store can also help the environment!
The reason why I like going to thrift stores is because they often have older clothes that were made when clothing was nicer and more durable. I have several pieces from the thrift store that will probably outlive some of my new clothes. The truth is, they just don’t make clothes like they used to. But, if you still want high-quality clothes on a budget, thrift stores are a wonderful option to consider.
I think it’s necessary for us to have conversations about how and where we’re going to find professional clothes when we have a limited budget. Nice professional clothing can increase your confidence and credibility. Your clothing could impact your ability to get a job or be taken seriously. We know clothing doesn’t make a person, yet our appearance does influence other people’s perceptions. Clothing is another tool we can use in order to help us accomplish our goals. But, we can also have fun with the way we dress, even if it’s in a corporate setting.
Here are some of my helpful tips for people who are interested in shopping at thrift stores to improve their professional wardrobe.
Shop Around
When you're shopping at a thrift store it's best to have options in terms of what stores you go to and which clothing items you want. I already knew about a couple of Goodwill stores and smaller thrift stores in my area. But when I went to college in a new city, I had to figure out which thrift stores to go to.
I would recommend you start with the local thrift stores closest to you. Keep your eyes open when you’re traveling around your neighborhood. However, I would also research other thrift stores in your city that may provide better options.
I've also found other people have useful advice about which thrift stores to go to. When I was in college, one of my professors mentioned a thrift store she loved. I really admired her style, so I felt like this would be a good recommendation. When I went to the thrift store with one of my friends, we both found a lot of awesome pieces.
I would definitely suggest that you ask people if they have any recommendations about thrift stores they like. A lot of the stylish clothing people are wearing was bought at a thrift store.
Buy Out Of Season
I don't think thrift stores are a good place to shop if you need something specific in a short time frame. Let’s say you need a long sleeve navy dress in five days. A thrift store may not be your best option.
One of the keys to shopping at a thrift store is to buy out of season. It's possible for you to find a lot of wonderful winter coats in the middle of the summer. At this point, those clothing items could have an even more significant discount to them. This means you can have a lot of staple pieces for your professional wardrobe at a significant discount. I've done this several times in the past and it's always beneficial. The key is to look for high-quality clothing and clothing that has a classic design. At the time I didn’t have a lot of professional clothing, so I was open to finding any staple items. Over time, you can build a corporate wardrobe full of clothing for each season and occasion.
Try Online
Over the last couple of years, I’ve heard a lot of people talking about a company called Thread Up. Thread Up is an online thrift store where you can buy and sell clothes.
Much like shopping IRL, when you decide to shop online, you get your best results when you explore several options. Here’s a list of companies that have great items where you can find professional thrift clothing.
Shopping at a thrift store can be a strategic way for you to build your professional wardrobe. It may take more patience, but you can find the diamond in the rough. I encourage you to consider shopping at a thrift store, the results just may change your mind.
