The Art of Thrifting by School of Art, George Mason University

The Art of Thrifting By Nargis Behgoman

Copyright © 2021 Nargis Behgoman All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced, or distributed in any form whatsoever without written permission from the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews. Book Design & Photography by Nargis Behgoman Published By BookBaby Publishing www.bookbaby.com

Acknowledgments To my Lord, for all my successes. To my loving family, for encouraging me to always be true to myself. To my Mum, for staying up with me till the wee hours of the morning.

The Art of Thrifting Nargis Behgoman

Table of Contents Introduction....................................................12 My Thrifting Journey.......................................16 Start Your Thrifting Journey............................21 Styling...............................................................28 Words of Encouragment...............................44 About the Author...........................................48

Thrifting allows us to experience an onrush of feelings. It takes us on an incredible journey through time and space.

Introduction What is Thrifting? To put it in simple terms, thrifting is shopping at secondhand stores or thrift stores and buying clothes, furniture, glassware, and much more that is preloved. Preloved just means that the items have been used and are being sold again, and usually at a much cheaper price. To me, thrifting is more than just the simple terms. For one, thrifting is an experience. When I step into a thrift store, I am stepping into another realm. A realm filled with treasures from different eras, rare finds, and, I am not going to lie, some pretty weird and wild things. Thrift stores give everyone access to incredible pieces of art, whether that is vintage graphic tees, brass candle holders, ornate dishes, and more. I have found cookbooks from the sixties and seventies, the most beautiful mirrors, and I completely avoid the underwear section. Thrifting gives individuals access to so much at great prices.

Recognize the beauty and the sweetness that buying vintage brings to your life.

My Thrifting Journey Where it All Started

it gross that I would buy something preloved. I learned later on that when she first came

I started thrifting in my teens, way before it was

to the United States of America as a young

trending on social media. So far back, that

girl, thrifting was the only way she could buy

even a few friends at the time would judge

something “new” for herself. Coming from a

me because I went thrifting. The first time I

war-torn country, and being a part of a large

stepped inside of a thrift store and looked

family, she could not afford to always buy new

around at all of the treasures speckled around

clothes, house décor, and furniture. However,

the store, my heart exploded with happiness.

after I explained to her many times about the

I was a teenager with a few five-dollar bills in

sustainability aspect of thrifting and the

my wallet, and an entire selection of quality

reasons why I love buying vintage items, she

items priced cheaply at my hands. That first

understood me and now she appreciates my

trip to the thrift store, I bought a pink raincoat

passion for finding beautiful and unique things.

that I took on camping trips and wore to the supermarket for more than six years. Buying

Fast forward to over ten years later and I go

that bubblegum pink raincoat was my rite of

thrifting a few times a month to buy essentials,

passage into thrifting. I shopped less at the

snag amazing deals on vintage pieces, and

mall with my friends and more at the thrift

even shop online for preloved items. And let

stores in my community by myself.

me tell you, thrifting online is incredible! It gives me access to things I would not be able to find

My mother thought it was unnecessary,

in my area. Do not worry, I will share all my tips

especially because we had access and the

and tricks to thrifting and how you can find

means to buy brand-new items. She also found

amazing things too!

Buying vintage not only adds a sophisticated flair to your home: it adds character and touches of love.

Start Your Thrifting Journey Look for Thrift Shops in Your Area

from stores with great ratings is absolutely unbeatable. Start with searching up the item

The first step is to look for stores in your area.

you are looking for, sift through the options

The easiest way to do this is through google.

that come up, read the reviews for the stores

Search “thrift stores near me” and you should

(very important), read the description of the

be greeted with a handful of thrift shops in

item for signs of imperfections and wear, and

your area. I find it helpful to look at the reviews

heart what you really like and would want

for each shop, so I know what the shop offers,

to buy. After you have found a few options:

how their customer service is, and what other

narrow it down by the items that have the

services they provide.

best quality, the best prices, and the factors

Look Online for Preloved Items

that you are looking for in the item. Keep going through this process until you finally end up with the best option. This process can be

Technology and the internet have opened up

simple or last even a few weeks. I have taken

so many opportunities for everyone, especially

weeks to buy something because the options

in the thrifting world. My favorite place to look

were just too good. Just be careful though,

for preloved items, especially décor pieces, is

because gorgeous or trending items will be

Etsy. Etsy is not only filled with small businesses,

bought quickly by others.

but it gives everyone access to a multitude of options to buy from and a range of prices.

I also utilize Facebook Marketplace on

It may be pricier than a thrift store, but the

Facebook. If I am looking for something

options are endless and the quality of items

specific, I will search for the item in my area.

Facebook allows you to set a location radius, so you can search for something either in your area or a state over. I stick with my own area, because it is easier to pick-up and I do not have to pay for shipping which can be quite pricey sometimes. You can also negotiate prices on Facebook Marketplace with most sellers, and I think that is a plus. Once again, go through all of the options that come up in your search and go with the one you love the most.

Set Your Intentions Before you start shopping, in-person or online, set your intentions. What I mean by that is make a list of things you really need or want and stick to that list when you go thrifting. What I do before hitting up my favorite thrift shops is, I make a short list of what I need to look for because I know once I step inside the shop, I will be overwhelmed with all the treasures and options around me. However, when I am in dire need of some thrift shop therapy, I go just to look around and buy a few things that make me happy – no lists in sight! I also believe that sometimes we need a reminder that the whole point of thrifting is to not only find incredible things, but to live more sustainably. Reusing, repurposing, and reviving old clothes, knick-knacks, and so on is a better option than buying fast fashion products. Another good reminder is to buy something you know you need and will use. I always tell myself to not buy something for the sake of buying, because someone else may have more need for it.

Thrifted books are preloved adventures, poems, and fantasies. I find they have more spice in them.

Styling How to Incorporate Thrifted Items into Any Home Everyone has their own style, especially when it comes to decorating their home. I have

• Which do I want to see more of in my décor pieces: golds or silvers? • Am I into antique pieces or am I into modern and classic pieces of décor? • What am I missing in my home? A

found the most beautiful vintage décor pieces

centerpiece, a vase, or just something

that have brought life to every corner of my

cute that will bring a smile to my face

home. However, some may find it intimidating

every time I glance at it?

or even useless to try and incorporate preloved items into their home, because it may

These questions will help you figure out where

not fit in with their style. I will provide tips on

you need to start, because if you do not know

how to find treasures that will shower any

what style you like or even what you generally

space with a bit of magic!

like to see in your home, then you will have a hard time deciding what you need or want

Before you go thrifting, you want to figure

at the thrift store. Below are popular styles

out your style, and that is not hard at all. Ask

that have been around for ages, and each

yourself the following questions:

interior design style will have a description and

• Do I like a lot going on décor wise or am I

a vintage item that will compliment that style.

more of a minimalist? • Do I like pops of color in a room,

Whichever interior design style or styles is close to how you want to design and decorate your

keeping it simple with whites and beiges or

own living space, then hoorah! You are a step

grays, or do I love lots of color?

closer to design victory!

Minimalist A minimal style is pretty self-explanatory. The design of the home is simple, clean, and easy on the eyes. Light, space, and neutral colors play a significant role, and any object placed in the room is curated to fit the same clean aesthetic.

Photo The thrifted item in this photo is the lovely vase. It is such a simple piece, and it only cost a dollar from Goodwill. The vase was originally a clear glass, and I painted it with gold acrylic paint to give it a more vintage look. However, clear or painted will work for the minimal aesthetic. This vase paired with the dried bunny tails is a perfect centerpiece for a minimal room.

Parisian This style is elegant and airy. We are talking large windows letting all the natural light inside, classic and contemporary furniture decorating each room, gold accents, and more. The Parisian style is minimal, comfortable, but very chic all at the same time. Something I also noticed about this style is that each room is usually decorated with dried flowers. So, if you are like me and do not have a green thumb, look into drying flowers (yes, supermarket flowers do work for this) because they do bring beauty to any room. You can also buy dry flowers from online shops and Etsy.

Photo Everything in this shot is Parisian-inspired. A gold mirror for this style is a must, and I found the tabletop vanity mirror on Facebook Marketplace. I waited a very long time to find something like this and it is my absolute favorite mirror. I never found out if it was truly vintage, but it is vintage-inspired, and the detailing is magnificent. I found the larger mirror at my local thrift shop, and the dried bunny tails at Trader Joe’s.

Eclectic An eclectic style is characterized by a multitude of patterns, textures, and art pieces. You can combine different styles of furniture, decorate with antique pieces, and play with patterns. Each piece in the home has its purpose in bringing the style together. I personally love to place vintage pieces, like a typewriter, as a decorative piece on a side table to give any room some personality.

Photo I know, you are getting New York City library vibes from this lovely lamp! I found the vintage desk lamp at my local Goodwill. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the great condition it was in and the fact that it worked perfectly. This lamp, along with the basket I found at my local thrift store, are perfect for an eclectic home. They both fit in a room layered with jewel-toned textures, paintings, and patterns.

Southwestern This interior design style combines rustic elements and mid-century touches together to emphasize one’s love for the desert. It involves different textures (especially woven textures), rattan, earthy hues that are super saturated, and wall art. This style is also a bit eclectic because it combines so many different elements together.

Photo The infamous basket wall that essentially defines the Southwestern style is so easy to create, because thrift stores carry so many different styles and colors of baskets. My very simple basket wall brings so much character to my white wall and fits my vintage eclectic style too. It is made up of baskets I found at Goodwill, Hope’s Treasures, and The Closet – all thrift stores around me. I have also seen basket wall sets sold on Etsy shops and Facebook Marketplace.

Modern Farmhouse A style that combines a relaxed farm style with sophisticated vibes? That sounds like the modern farmhouse style. This interior design style is airy, has rustic touches, and is overall chic. We are talking about putting natural elements, minimal modern and vintage pieces, neutral colors, and sleek appliances all together.

Photo Here we have a beautiful vase from a local thrift shop filled with a dry eucalyptus plant. The green and white hues give off the neutral and minimal vibe that a modern farmhouse has in each corner of the home. Almost all thrift stores have a vase section or shelf filled with vases of all shapes and sizes, and sometimes you will get lucky and find the loveliest pieces. I am always on the lookout for ornate vases, and I waited a very long time to come across a vase like this one (a very long time). Patience is key when looking for something specific at a thrift store.

Vintage Not everything that is thrifted is vintage. A lot of things at thrift shops are new and modern. However, thrifting for vintage items is a sport. I have to make sure the item is still in great shape, works well, and will last forever. The vintage style can be minimalistic, maximalist, bright, dark: basically anything you want it to be. The items in the room just have to be vintage or vintageinspired. I, personally, am a maximalist, which means I have a lot going on in the room décor wise. I love dark jewel-toned walls, gold accents, and ornate mirrors decorating the walls.

Photo In this photo, there is a beautiful brass candelabra that I snagged from Etsy. I searched up “vintage candelabra” and there it was, waiting for me to purchase it. The vase is one you have seen already in previous photos and that just shows its versatility. The book pages I skillfully taped to the wall are from an old poetry book I bought from the thrift store as well. I wanted to go for a more romantic mood, so I added red roses and a thrifted book to my vintage table that was passed down to me from my parents.

Thrifting takes lots of time, patience, and perseverance. You have to dig around racks and shelves to discover unique treasures.

Words of Encouragement Have Fun on Your Thrifting Journey So you have reached the end, my friend. All I have to say to you is YOU GOT THIS! You have the tips and tricks to become a successful thrifter at the tips of your fingers, and I believe your journey is going to be fantastic. Remember, patience is key and thrifting is so magical! And do not forget to have some serious fun!

Do not allow others to make fun of your passions. Most of them have no passion at all and are jealous of the fire within you.

Author Nargis Behgoman, a born and bred Virginian and a first generation Afghan-American student, is working towards completing her dual degree in English and Graphic Design at George Mason University. She loves to spend her weekends thrifting, writing poetry, shooting creative selfportraits, spending time with her beloved family, and watching her favorite shows. Find Nargis on Instagram: @nargisatnoon

Thank You!

What is the Art of Thrifting? Thrifting is an opportunity for one to dip their fingers into the past. It is an escape back into time, a hobby for those who enjoy scavenging for treasures, or an honest challenge for some. In this book, you will find tips and tricks to help you start your own thrifting journey, how to decorate your home with vintage finds, and more! If you’ve ever wondered what thrifting was all about, then you’ve picked up the right guide.