How to Improve Your Style: How to Thrift

This is part of my How to Improve Your Style for Men series

Last year, I updated the majority of my wardrobe, with over half of the new items purchased from thrift or vintage stores. Thrifting is a great way to find quality pieces at affordable prices, especially for those on a tight budget. Some of my favorite thrifted items were bought at a fraction of their retail cost. For example, I bought my favorite pair of pants, Momotaro Japanese denim jeans, for $25 at a Crossroads Trading thrift store in San Francisco, while they retail for $315. Additionally, I found a Loro Piana cashmere sweater in perfect condition at the same store, which retails for $2,000, but I got it for $30.

I love thrifting because the pieces are unique and hard to come by, making it unlikely that others will have the same item. Thrift stores offer a variety of items from different eras, some of which are one-of-a-kind.

One drawback of thrifting is it can be time-consuming. For example, if you are searching for a specific trench coat, you might spend an entire day at thrift stores and still not find it.

Knowing how to thrift is a bit of an art. Here are a few tips I have for thrifting:

• Thrifting is like a treasure hunt. Although you may need to sift through a lot of junk, discovering a hidden gem is always very rewarding.
• Learn how to evaluate garment quality. My upcoming blog post will delve deeper into this topic, but the main takeaway is to avoid synthetic materials, familiarize yourself with reputable brands, and pay attention to details such as hems, buttons, zippers, and finishing.
• Know what can be tailored easily. Simple alterations like hemming pants and shortening T-shirts are common and cost-effective. However, more complex alterations such as adjusting the waist of jeans or modifying shoulder pads in a blazer can be pricier. In these cases, you’re better off purchasing a garment that fits properly.
• Don’t be afraid to shop in the women’s section. This is one tip my most stylish guy friend shared with me. Clothing is not gender-specific, and no one will be able to tell when you wear it.
• Every thrift store is different but many restock early in the week. If you can, try avoid thrifting on the weekends and go on Monday or Tuesday after the restock instead.
• Thrifting can be impulsive. I typically enter a shop with a clear idea of my wardrobe needs and focus on finding items to fill those gaps.

If you’re in NYC, my top thrift spots are all near Morgan Station on the L Train: Beacon’s Closet, L Train Vintage, and Urban Jungle.