LIFESTYLE

By Autumn Rendall

Second hand shopping isn’t just a choice that’s good for the environment, but it can also be great for your wallet and style. After years of thrifting, and being an avid fan of Buffalo Exchange, here are a few tips I’ve picked up along the way.

Look through the whole store

The great thing about Buffalo Exchange is how organized the store is, so if there’s a usual item or size you like to thrift for you can just head straight there. While it might be tempting to just stick to the area you usually go to, my advice is to look through every section of the store so you’re able to see each item. This hunt is how you can find the absolute gems, as opposed to just stumbling upon whatever caught your eye first. Also, you might fall in love with some item you didn’t expect to. Maybe you never search through the long dresses section just because they’re not really your style, but during your hunt you find the coolest pair of overalls!

Go into the store with a plan

While I do love some good spontaneous retail therapy, going to Buffalo Exchange with a plan of the kinds of items you’re looking for can help you really help you A) buy clothes you’ll actually wear and B) feel more grateful for the purchases you do make. Go through your closet at home and think about what pieces of clothing you feel are still missing from your wardrobe. A quality pair of go-to jeans? A denim jacket perhaps? Then once you go to Buffalo Exchange, you’ll really be on a mission to find the perfect items that you’ll be so excited about once you do.

Make sure you’re getting a good deal

Even though it’s a second hand store, so the items are cheaper than they would be at their original price, Buffalo Exchange’s prices are typically more expensive than a traditional thrift store due to the quality and relevance of the items. If you’re on a budget, and you want to make sure the items of clothes you purchase are a solid deal, I suggest looking up the brand that’s on the tag and finding the original price of the item. Once I found a dress that originally ran for about $120, but at Buffalo Exchange it was only about $17.

Also, to make sure you get your money’s worth on whatever you buy, don’t purchase an item without thinking of at least a couple of things in your existing closet that you could pair with it. It can be hard to resist one piece that is from a short turnaround trend, but your style and wallet will thank you for it.

Some quick extra tips:

• Go on unconventional days since there will be less people

• Try on whatever you’re buying

• Don’t just settle for purchasing an item because it fits

• Check the condition of whatever you’re buying

Happy shopping Coogs!