Goodwill as a Go-To
yes, I mean the DT Berkeley one- here’s how.
Thrifting isn’t edgy anymore and hasn’t been for a while. It’s full on mainstream, and that’s great! Shopping second hand is better for the planet and exponentially expands your options. You’re giving these clothes a new life, and in turn you get to mess with funky new styles you might not want to invest in just quite yet! Take that, fast fashion. But, as the trend has exploded so too have thrift boutiques and those PRICES, gurl. As much as we love our Indigo and our Mars, our poor wallets do not. Hot Take: That ain’t real thrifting–that’s just picking.
(Disclaimer: I’m not throwing shade on those kinds of stores or anyone that shops there as I myself am a huge fan. But that’s shopping vintage, shopping curated- we talking cheapass thrifting here ;) )
Now, Goodwill and Savers, those are the true OG’s and loves of my life.
Thrifting to me is about digging through shit and finding gems, picking out something, deciding if it’s cute or ugly, and going with it anyways, or finding something dreamy but realizing it’s way too big. It’s a whole ass adventure and as with all arts, practice makes you better.
So how do you get the most out of thrifting? Below are my tips for how to make your local Goodwill work for you. Just remember: The best part of thrifting is the creativity it inspires. Chances are, the dopest finds are when you don’t wear a piece the traditional way. And yes, @all Berkeley students, the Downtown Berkeley Goodwill is GOLD.
PART I: HOW TO LOOK
Don’t discount a single section of the store. Most of my best finds have come from the men’s racks, and guys can definitely wear pieces from the lady's blouse racks. I’ve also found gems in the shoe section, the tie section, and the endless row of gaudy dresses. You just need to flip through all those hangers, which brings me to..
Give your Goodwill the time she deserves. You’re not going to walk in and see a wonderment of a piece right in front of you. You need to dig, and that takes time! I usually give myself 2-3 hours to truly comb through the racks.
Go in with a general goal. If endless disorganized racks overwhelm you, trust me, you’re not alone. Before walking in, pick an article of clothing you want to purchase and limit the store within your head. What are you looking for: A warm jacket? An easy basic you only want to spend a max of $5 on? Anything fun and unique? Keep that mantra in your head while you scope.
Look out for TEXTURES. Silk, corduroy, velvet, suede. An easy way to skim is by running your hand over all the clothes. You can tell by touch if there’s a secret quality piece in there! Don’t be afraid to feel the clothes and definitely check the tags for material details. When a piece is quality in texture, chances are you can get away with a slightly odd fit or design. Trust: DT Berkeley Goodwill has yielded over five 100% silk tops to me.
Just because something doesn’t fit in store doesn’t mean it’s game over. The easiest modification is to snip it- sweaters, cardigans, t-shirts, button ups, polos, jeans, etc. If it’s got a cute design but weird fit or some weird stains, crop that shit!! Even if it’s more oversized or seems just wrong, you might still be able to make it fit! Wow what a lovely segue to part two of my tips.
PART II: HOW TO MODIFY THE FIT
The biggest betrayal is when something catches your eye and you know in your heart of hearts that it’s beautiful but when you pull it out it’s massive. We’ve all been there and let me tell you, I feel your pain. BUT!! I strongly believe that there is no such thing as too big. While some pieces are cute and oversized as-is, others need some tailoring to even stay on. Here are my two most used tricks to make anything fit.
The first technique is to “dart” your pants waistline, and essentially all you’re doing is taking in that excess fabric and sewing it in a way that disguises it. The second is to take in the shoulders of a top and works similarly to the first trick. It’s great for any top that has that shoulder seam, and it’s especially good for blazers.
→ You’ll Need:
A sewing needle
Thread that matches the fabric (or a fun contrast color)
Scissors
Pins (safety pins can also work)
Pen/marker
Badabing badaboom you’re ready to go. Hope that helped expand your perspective of how wondrous your local Goodwill can be- I’ll see you among the racks ;) and please, leave some for me.
Words by Karina Sun
Illustrations by Haruka Enokido