1. Plan ahead

Make most of your time at the thrift store with strategic planning. Consider saving some references beforehand, for example with a moodboard on Pinterest. Understand what you’re going for: Streetwear? Minimalist? Bohemian? Planning ahead will help you to visualise what you want. Treat this as a wishlist, and then set a budget to avoid overspending.

2. Know your body proportions

Understanding your body proportions is a top priority as it can elevate your whole look. First, measure your torso vertically and horizontally, then determine your body shape. Whether it’s hourglass, pear shape, rectangle, or inverted triangle, identifying your figure helps you to pick the ideal cutting or measurement for your body. For example: when I shop, I look for pants that are mid-rise or low-rise to elongate my torso.

3. Find a good vintage store

Not all preloved stores are vintage stores. Bundle clothes often arrive in bulk and unsorted. Going through them requires more time and effort, which is not everyone’s cup of tea. Meanwhile, vintage stores offer the best curated branded items and carefully selected apparel. The other advantage of thrifting for vintage: the value increases over time making it a great investment if you ever think of reselling it in future. In the Klang Valley, vintage stores like udou, Fifth, Spiral (all in Taman Paramount) Retro Future, Beyond Encore (SS15), Okgo Store (SS18) and Bang Bang Vintage Store (KL) are a great place to start.

4. Prioritise essentials

Are you buying with intention or buying on impulse? If the longevity of clothes is your main concern, consider a timeless design or archival pieces from vintage stores. In my opinion, jackets and pants are must-haves for your wardrobe essentials. Straight cut jeans for everyday wear, tailored trousers for special occasions, and linen pants for a more relaxing look. These are all versatile and will be easily styled.

5. Start early in the morning

The early bird gets the worm. A smaller crowd in the early morning helps to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Increase your chances of picking rare finds, as many thrift stores restock their new pieces early in the day. You’ll have more time and energy to think about an outfit while thrifting or be inspired by how you could style it.

6. Check for quality

Look carefully at what you’ve selected. Check pinholes, materials, stitches, colours, and textures. Check for the durability of the clothes, paying attention to the thinning and few weak area spots such as the neckline stitches and armholes. Be aware of the materials too. Think about wearability and sustainability. Will it sustain for another few years or will it end up in the landfill in a few days? If you’ve found an archive piece from a designer brand, you might be able to check the year of manufacture. If it’s still in good condition after many years, that’s a good sign.

7. Browse slowly

Rushing only slows the process of thrifting. Most individuals give up while having a ‘quick’ look. Slow down, let the creativity flow through your mind. Thrifting is supposed to be a fun and creative experience. Yes, it’ll take time, but it’s called “hidden treasure” for a reason. There isn’t an ideal time period for thrifting but personally, I would set aside a good three to four hours, looking through every section.

8. Style it your way

There’s a huge difference between wearing and styling. If you feel like you’re missing something with your thrift finds, try layering them or mixing them. You can also try visualising your day-to-day routine. Grabbing a coffee on a Sunday morning? Pair a pinstripe shirt with linen pants or short chinos with loafers and you are good to go. Heading to the gym? Those baggy sweatpants and a windbreaker jacket could make for the perfect athleisure look.

9. Look out for accessories

Accessories enhance every outfit. So if you think your thrift finds are too simple, maybe you’re skipping this essential step. Look for a good tie, scarves, necklaces and even bracelets. When thrifting, I like to look for vibrant colored neckties with unique patterns, tennis bracelets, and necklaces with distinctive pendants. The right accessories elevate a simple look.

10. Tailoring is a choice

Found a pair of pants that you like but they’re too long or wide? Alteration is your friend. Repurposing an oversized garment is not only sustainable but will also flatter your body proportions. The same goes for shirts. Clothes should fit you. Take your pieces to a tailor and let them work their magic. That tailored piece will feel even more unique to you, especially if it’s vintage.