As fashion has started to take a more vintage turn, thrift shopping has started to make a comeback over the last few years. Old has become the new trendy, and many people are fully embracing it. While it is more common to find thrift stores around the country, there are also flea markets that sell vintage and antique items. Whether you are an experienced thrift shopper or are completely new to the concept, here are some tips for thrift shopping:

1) This is a chance to take risks. If things are pretty cheap and you are still unsure, you can decide that this is the time to take a risk and buy it. Go outside your comfort zone in clothes and make this an opportunity to try different fits, styles, colors, etc.

2) Make sure that you are shopping in the correct mindset. Thrift shopping is different in the fact that it is used and therefore cheaper. It is a greater feeling to find a really nice item that is a steal at a cheaper price than spend the same amount of money you would in a store. Think this through when you buy things because you may end up regretting your purchase later on.

3) Don’t go in with the idea that you are going to find everything you want or find some super cool vintage pieces. Not every thrift shop will have a wide selection or exactly what you’re looking for, and not every thrift shop will have super cool vintage pieces. It is safe to say that a lot of thrift shops around here aren’t going to have a huge vintage collection, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t find some really cool pieces.

4) You will probably have to go to different thrift shop locations if there is something you’re really looking for. If you’re looking for an specific costume piece or an ugly sweater for Christmas, it probably won’t happen with the first shop you visit. If you’re really lazy or can’t be bothered to look around for a long time, this might not be the best type of shopping for you. However, if you still really want to get some cool vintage-y pieces, then you should try online shopping for vintage stuff. There are different clothing sites and apps that sell vintage pieces, like Etsy and Vinted.

5) You can actually make a profit off of these platforms like Depop if you sell your own clothes as well. While it isn’t a thrift store, it is a similar concept with people buying and selling their own used clothes. Depop is an app where you have a profile, you upload pictures of things you want to sell, you can set the price and the shipping rates, and people can find your account and request to buy your things. This is also an interactive app where you can converse with different potential buyers to request price changes. You don’t have to sell anything to use the app, but if you do sell things, you have to give 10% of the profit to Depop. These kind of platforms are steadily becoming more popular, for the people who want to empty their closet and get a bit more spending money for new clothes.

There are quite a few thrift stores around here and that makes it difficult to decide which place to go first. Here is a review of two close locations:

1) Goodwill

There are many different Goodwill locations, but the larger one is in Mundelein. This Goodwill is in a huge warehouse-like space that features more than just clothing. You can find clothes, shoes, bags, books, movies, vinyl albums, CDs, furniture, cooking supplies, and knick knacks. This store has one of the bigger selections of clothes, but this also means that it requires more effort and a longer search. There is a large assortment of different clothes in many different sizes. A lot of the clothes do look a bit worn down, but the price compensates for that. For the clothes, there isn’t a lot that is over $10. If you are looking for cheap clothes, then this is the place for you. There may not be cool, distressed graphic tees, but there is still a lot of potential to find sweaters or jeans for a good price.

2) Plato’s Closet

Located in Libertyville, this store is close by and features a lot of name brands. The location isn’t as large as Goodwill or Salvation Army, but it also is a bit more organized and easier to search around in. The store is organized by category, making for an easier search. The store only sells clothes, shoes, accessories, and bags. The prices are a lot higher than Goodwill with the average price for things being $10 and up. However, there are brands like Nike, Under Armour, Vera Bradley, Uggs, etc. A lot of the selection isn’t vintage, but from a few seasons ago. There is a lot of potential in finding good clothes to add to your closet, but not everything will be the biggest bang for your buck. This is a good store if you are looking for brand clothing that is in good condition and cheaper than they would sell in store.

There are many different locations to visit around here, but these two locations are a good start and have a variety of different prices and styles for everyone.