Thrift shopping has always been a fun and affordable way of shopping; however, it can become overwhelming with all the different stores and the amount of clothes in a thrift shop. Whether you have  been thrifting for years or you have not been at all, there is something useful in here for you. Raleigh has some great places to thrift, and by following these tips, you can experience a thrifting adventure.

• Dress appropriately: You want to dress comfortably because you will probably be out shopping for a while. You always want to dress for what you are shopping for. If you are looking for a nice shirt, wear the jeans that you are planning to wear with the shirt so you can see how they look together.
• Make a plan: When you go into a store, you do not want to be wandering around and wasting your time trying to find appealing items. Try to think of some items that you have been looking for before you go into the store if you are trying to save some time. This will be time effective and also make it seem not as overwhelming.
• Expand your horizons: Look in a variety of sections because you do not want to limit yourself and you might find something amazing. Junior Julia Smith advised, “Get creative and don’t be afraid to check every rack in the store. There are no limits in fashion, and it serves no point to subject yourself to a certain size range or gender. My favorite find is a men’s windbreaker that came straight out of the 80’s.”
• Ask the store when they restock: The best things in the store usually go first. What you need to do is plan ahead. If you ask a certain thrift store when they restock, you can come in on that day or the following days to look at the newest items.
• Look over anything you are planning on buying: Check any and all clothes for missing buttons and pieces, stains, and loose strings before checking out. Make sure that you also test electronics so you know that they work before you decide to buy them.

  Below is a list of the some great thrift stores in the Raleigh area, in no particular order.

• Bargain Box: Located in Cameron Village, this store is very organized and has a good collection of clothes. However, for a thrift store, it can be  a little over priced.
• FiFi’s: This store is also located in Cameron Village, but this one is a very upscale type of thrifting. It is  more of a consignment shop then a thrift store.
• Pass It On: Right off of Oberlin Road, this store carries mostly women’s clothes, but they also have great jewelry as well.
• Goodwill: The one on Wakefield Commons Drive is one of the best Goodwill’s in this area. This certain Goodwill is known for its friendly staff and great selection.
• Uptown Cheapskate: Found on Avent Ferry Road, this location has many great reviews.

  Thrifting is a great way to enliven your closet, obtain pieces that are unique to your style, and collect pieces that no one else has. Sophomore Jennifer Olguin-Garay said it best, “Thrifting isn’t just shopping; it’s an art.”