Pro Tips For Shopping Markets And Thrifting

Hello!

Shopping can be a chore, recreation, a workout, a mission, or … an art form! I find grocery shopping to be a chore, but when it comes to shopping for home goods, clothes, and/or accessories – it’s a balance of both recreation and art! Think of it as a fashionable marathon – not a sprint.

Over the years, I’ve developed my own way of shopping at flea markets and thrift stores, and I want to share it with you. I’ll give you some tips on what to bring based on your needs, wishes, and the venue.

The Basics

A Crossbody Bag

Being hands-free is key when shopping at flea markets and thrift stores – for both safety and convenience. Trying to juggle a purse and items you want to pick up and examine can be challenging. There is the potential to drop it, or you must put your purse down (and risk forgetting it!) Some people like backpacks, for me, I tend to knock into everything, and my biggest fear is breaking (and buying!) something, especially in tight spaces. I don’t want vendors keeping their eyes on me for the wrong reasons, ha! With a cross-body, I also know that my wallet and valuables are close to my body.

Measuring Tapes (metal, flexible, or both!)

As an interior designer, a tape measure is my most essential tool, so I’ve been carrying one (or two) for ages in my purse. If you are shopping for furniture or artwork, it’s a great thing to have handy to make sure your new find will fit into your space (and most importantly, can you get it through your door!!)

There’s nothing worse than having a piece delivered to your home only to find out you have no way of getting it inside, or that piece of artwork you love can’t fit above the mantle you selected it for! So, make sure you have those key measurements with you: doorways, hallways, room sizes, stairwells, etc. DM me if you have any questions.

When it comes to buying clothes, a soft or flexible tape measure is indispensable. When there are no dressing rooms or it’s bone-chilling cold and the last thing you want to do is get undressed, it will come in handy. You can measure the garment you like and compare it to your body measurements. Remember, your body measurements will be ever changing, so being able to take your measurements on the spot is essential in good decision making!

You may ask yourself, “Heather, what do you mean by body measurements?” With the different ways to buy vintage and second-hand clothes (Etsy, eBay, IG Lives, Facebook) knowing your measurements is key!! I found a great tutorial showing the different areas to measure from Shop Modig: Modig Vintage Clothing Measuring & Fit Guide (shopmodig.com). Take a look!

Other measurements I recommend are your biceps, wrist, and shoulder to waist. It’s a must for me as I have larger arms and wrists and it will weed out a lot of clothes for me. There are dresses that may have been made for juniors, the shoulder-to-waist measurement is important due to those garments having a higher waistline. You also may wish to measure your arm length (from shoulder to wrist) as some vintage sleeve lengths may end up ¾ length on you!

You can benefit from the mistakes I’ve made over the years buying clothes without truly understanding how the measurements worked. Vendors will measure clothes “on the flat”. When measuring the chest, waist, and hips, they measure across the garment and then double that number. For example, on pants or a skirt, a 15” on the flat will become a 30” waist. Now how do we apply that to your measurements? To ensure the best fit, your measurements need to be at least 2” smaller or more. I made the mistake of ordering a dress based on thinking that since my waist measurement was the same it should fit. Ha!! It was way too small. Lesson learned! I should have allowed room for my actual body.

Another trick I have learned is to measure clothing articles I own and compare them to a piece I’m interested in. I now know I need a 30” waist for items that sit at the natural waist to fit properly. Of course, there will always be nuances, so don’t hesitate to ask questions of the vendors. If they are a reputable vendor, they’ll want to make sure you are getting a piece that you are happy with (and be proud to share its history with you!) Knowing a good tailor is a wonderful thing, as they can customize to your body! Monique aka @laretrogirl is one vendor on IG Lives who verifies if alterations can be made. So, question, question, and question if you can’t try it on!

My final recommendation is to dress in close-fitting clothing, so that you can try pieces on over them. My go-to outfit is a tank top with a cardigan (or jacket) over it, skinny jeans or leggings, and slip-on shoes. For the most part, I’m able to try on a lot of clothes without having to go into a dressing room, find a bathroom, or get undressed in the cold. I think you could wear a skirt with biker shorts underneath too. You’ll find that most vendors have some kind of mirror available as well – avoiding the dressing room all together.

Cash & Apps

Cash, as they say, is King (but how about Queen for us ladies!) at flea markets and vintage shows. You can wheel and deal easier when you have cash readily available versus a credit card or app that may charge the vendor a fee. If you don’t have cash, many vendors still have other options such as apps (like Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal), credit cards or even possibly personal checks. Be ready with several different payment options in case you are at a venue that has spotty Wi-Fi or connectivity issues.

Bags, Bags, and More Bags

I always like to bring at least one packable (foldable) shopping bag with me in case I find some new treasures (and I nearly always do!). You never know when a vendor might not have a bag to package your item. If you are shopping for bigger items for your home, you might want to bring along a collapsable shopping bag on wheels. You can easily haul around heavy pieces without wearing out your shoulders and arms (or leaving it behind as you check out other vendors!).

Miscellaneous

Most flea markets are outdoors. The essentials will vary depending on the weather and where you are in the country (or world).

• All Seasons: Hand sanitizer, glass wipes, pen, water and a mobile phone battery charger, and of course your measuring tapes.
• Sunshine: Sunscreen is a must, and a brimmed hat if you are really sun-sensitive (I’m like a pale ghost and fry in the sun!)
• Cloudy/Rain: Umbrella, poncho, or raincoat, waterproof shoes if you have them, and sunscreen—yes, even on an overcast day, you can burn!
• Chilly: Layer up! It may start out cool in the morning but warm up later in the day. Scarves, gloves, and hats may also be necessary.
• Winter: In colder climates, the markets may be indoors, and you will still want to layer up (or run really fast into the venue) so you don’t have to drag around a heavy coat.

Most of all, have fun, discover new things, get out of your comfort zone, and meet new people. Ask questions of the vendors—many love to share the history of the pieces and designers they bring to the shows. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt!

Au revoir,