How to Thrift: Tips and Tricks, Straight From the Experts

Thrifting is a fun and easy way to approach your wardrobe mindfully and sustainably without sacrificing style. It's

also budget-friendly. But when you're a beginner, heading into a secondhand store can be super daunting. That's why we had three experts share their top thrifting tips to get you started.

Thrifting requires different strategies than shopping online. Clicking around on a website is a lot easier than going through rack upon rack of clothing in person. But that's one of the best—and most rewarding—parts of thrifting: It's a challenge, and you never know what you're going to spot on.

We reached out to some thrifting pros to find out how they approach shopping at

thrift stores. When you use their thrifting tips, you're bound to have a great experience.

Tyler Chanel of

Thrifts and Tangles says to start by finding fan-favorite thrift stores.

"Do a quick Yelp search or Google search to find the top-ranked thrift stores in your area," she says. "If you’re new to thrifting, these thrift stores are typically more organized and easier to navigate." By visiting a locally-owned thrift store, you're also supporting your neighbors and putting money back into your community.

We have thrifting guides for many major cities, including

Dallas,

Los Angeles,

New York City,

Austin, and

San Francisco.

Trish from

Trish Stitched recommends creating a wishlist filled with inspiration from your favorite websites and fashion bloggers.

"Going thrifting for the first time can be exciting but overwhelming! Before I go thrifting, I like to create a thrift 'wishlist' with items I hope to add to my wardrobe," she says. "Check out Pinterest and your favorite fashion blogs for inspiration pieces, and look for similar styles in-store. It's also helpful to keep your inspiration photos handy while shopping, and if you find similar pieces, know that you can embellish, cut, and stitch to make your perfect piece!"

If you're often left discouraged after thrifting, you're probably just not going enough.

Dina Younis of

Dina's Days says her biggest piece of advice is becoming a regular at your local thrift stores.

"Go often. Stock changes daily—multiple times a day," she says. "But that’s not the only reason why you should go often. Going often helps you become more comfortable navigating a thrift store, too."

That's right: Thrifting is a skill. Like a muscle, you need to repeatedly work it to watch it grow. While you're there, take your time scanning through the items and you're bound to find something that catches your eye. Before you know it, you'll be going home with the

thrift finds of your dreams.