How To Style Thrift Store Clothes

Girl wearing plaid thrift dress in Woodruff Park

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to define your fashion style is by shopping at thrift stores. Thrift shopping and buying second hand used clothing, if done properly, can really set you apart from the crowd without breaking the bank. Figuring how to style thrift store clothes can be a breeze with these 4 basic tips.

Pair your pieces with clothing you already have in your closet. If you found a unique sweater, throw it on with your favorite pair of jeans or skirt. There’s no rule that says you have to thrift your entire look.

Accessorize and accessorize some more! You found a simple dress at a thrift store, now grab a hat, some chunky jewelry, or a scarf to tie your look together. A blanket scarf like this one can effortlessly complete your entire look.

Mix high with low. If your thrifted piece was a great bargain, pair it with a designer garment. Nobody has to know that the $1 silk blouse was not as expensive as that big name tote that coordinates with it so well.

Try out a trend. If you’re in love with a season’s trend, buy it. Just coordinate the trend with pieces from the thrift store. It will balance your entire look and you didn’t have to buy a ton of clothing to stay on trend.

For my thrift store look, I decided to mix trending pieces with classic accessories from my closet. The tartan dress was an $8 find at a local thrift store. I replaced the matching belt that was attached to the dress with this old faux leather belt from my closet. The red croc boots, this season’s trend, were a recent purchase and you can catch them on sale right now. With a bit of patience and open mindedness, you can style your thrift store clothes in a breeze.

Do you enjoy shopping at thrift stores? What other tips do you practice when styling your thrift store clothes?

Black woman wearing thrift tartan dress by water fountain.
Curly haired black girl wearing red tartan dress
Wearing a red plaid dress from thrift store in Woodruff Park
woman wearing red plaid dress and red boots and black belt.
Curly haired black woman wearing red tartan dress and red boots and black belt.
Black woman wearing red thrift store dress
How to style thrift store clothes
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20 Comments

  1. Leslie
    January 25, 2020 / 9:40 pm

    You hit all the tips that I follow when thrifting and styling. It is something that I enjoy doing. You slayed your look by the way!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 27, 2020 / 11:40 am

      Thank you! Thrifting is so much fun.

  2. January 26, 2020 / 2:11 am

    Thanks so much for this post! I sometimes find really great pieces at thrift stores but they sit in my closet because I don’t know what to do with them. These are some great tips to make any piece fancy and stylish!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 27, 2020 / 11:40 am

      You’re so welcome. Hoping the tips help you pull out those thrifted pieces and put them to some great use.

  3. January 26, 2020 / 9:58 am

    These are some great tips! Love the look and how you put it together.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 27, 2020 / 11:02 am

      Thanks a lot! It was so fun to put the look together.

  4. Kendra
    January 26, 2020 / 9:43 pm

    I love how you styled this! Perfect for wintertime. I absolutely love thrifting!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 27, 2020 / 10:59 am

      Thank you so much. Definitely perfect for the winter.

  5. January 27, 2020 / 11:30 am

    I used to love thrift store shopping when I was a kid. It was my favorite way to spend the weekend with my Mom. We got breakfast and hit up our favorite thrift stores and estate sales. This was back in the 90’s. As an adult I hardly ever go, I don’t have the patience.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 29, 2020 / 6:37 am

      I totally understand the lack of patience these days. I literally have to schedule my thrifting sessions.

  6. Francesca
    January 28, 2020 / 2:07 am

    Mixing high and low is such a great tip! I love the way you styled this outfit. I rarely thrift but may pop into a Goodwill this weekend thanks to you!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 29, 2020 / 6:36 am

      Yay!

  7. January 28, 2020 / 2:06 pm

    I’m in love with your boots!! I’ll definitely use these tips next time I go to the thrift store.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      January 29, 2020 / 6:36 am

      Thank you and happy thrifting.

  8. January 29, 2020 / 6:00 pm

    I love the dress and boots! Great tips about thrifting!

    • ChiChi
      Author
      February 11, 2020 / 6:39 am

      Thanks so much!

  9. January 30, 2020 / 6:04 pm

    I love how you styled this. I would have never know that it was thrifted.

    • ChiChi
      Author
      February 11, 2020 / 6:42 am

      Lol. That’s what my mother always says.

  10. January 31, 2020 / 8:30 am

    I really love the dress silhouette and pattern. You paired it well with the boots. I want the entire outfit

    • ChiChi
      Author
      February 11, 2020 / 6:41 am

      Thank you! It seriously is my favorite new thrift find.

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