My SB Thrift Tips!

If you didn't know, I absolutely love thrifting. I think it is a great way to find high quality clothes and be sustainable at the same time. Many trendy stores that teens shop at are terrible for the environment and are all around unethical due to their exploitation of workers. By thrifting, you are preventing clothes from filling up the landfill and decreasing the demand for new clothes. Also, you can find some really unique pieces for a fraction of the original price. Since I thrift so much, I thought I'd share some of my tips and my favorite places to go thrifting in SB.

---

TIPS!

1. When browsing, look for materials/colors.

Sometimes it gets very tedious looking through every single rack, especially if you're at a larger store. Instead, scan the racks for a color you like or a material that catches your eye!

2. Always look at the jewelry section

You can find high quality earrings, rings, necklaces, or bracelets at the thrift store. If you go to a thrift store in a wealthier area, be even more sure to check out the jewelry.

3. Go in the morning/ when the store opens

You will always find the best things if you are there before everyone else. I have found that when I go later in the day, I rarely find anything because it is so picked over.

4. Look at the "put back rack"

Most thrift stores have a put back rack next to the dressing rooms. If someone picked out the clothes on this rack, there is something good about each item. I have found so many cute clothes from the put back rack.

5. Ask the store employees when the clothes get restocked

Some stores only restock on specific days, so you should try to go in the morning on the days that they restock. This way, you can have first pick at the new clothes.

6. Look in sizes other than your own

Sometimes clothes will be put in the wrong size section, so it is worth it to look there. Also, petite or large sizing could make something labeled as a certain size fit like another size.

---

THRIFT STORES IN SB

1. United Family Association Thrift - aka "Magnolia"

Pros: I can almost always find things here, and the prices are amazing. They have 50 percent off sales on most holidays, which means that you're getting things for close to nothing. The 50 percent off sales mean that shirts are $1 and pants are $2, which you can't beat. Make sure to go earlier in the day!

Cons: It is very small and not very tidy. The isles are very close together, which makes it hard to move around, especially when there are a lot of people shopping. It also gets very hot, and there is only one dressing room. I'd recommend wearing leggings and a tank top, so that you can try things on over your clothes.

2. Alpha Thrift

Alpha thrift has locations in Goleta and Downtown Santa Barbara, and I've had similar experiences at both.

Pros: I have found some great things at alpha, including one of my favorite pair of jeans and my future prom dress that retails for $400. I usually find things if I go on weekdays. Their stores are very organized and neat. All the clothes are organized by color and size, and they have multiple large fitting rooms. I think Alpha is great because they donate most of their profits to kids with disabilities.

Cons: They don't restock on weekends, so it is usually very hard to find things then. Also, it is definitely pricier than most thrift stores. Shirts are around $7, dresses are $10, and jeans are $8.

3. Assistance League of Santa Barbara

Pros: Their prices amazing, and you can find some very high quality clothes there. Most of their donations come from a wealthier part of SB, so you can find expensive clothes for cheap. Also, make sure to go right when they open because everything get picked through very quickly.

Cons: They are only open on Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays only for a few hours. Also, the ladies who run assistance league are usually older, and they are required to donate to the stores, so many times there is a lot of older styles that aren't appealing to young people. However, there are still a lot of really cute things for younger people, especially if you go early.