I’m an expert thrifter – my top three tips for finding treasure while shopping, including staying true to your style
SAVE and vintage shopping can be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start, but one thrift expert offered her top three tips just for her.
Sarah Pruitt, CEO and founder of Selcouth Wares, recently joined The US Sun on a thrift excursion to the popular thrift store Beacon’s Closet in New York City.
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To find the best deals and quality items from a thrift store, Pruitt offers three top tips.
CHECK GOOD CONDITIONS
Before buying an item, it is important to make sure that it will last longer than a few days.
“I want to make sure that used items are in good condition,” says Pruitt.
This can be done by looking for holes, blemishes, broken seams, or thinning of the material.
This is especially important if you plan to upgrade the item and make it your own.
DON’T FORGET YOUR OWN STYLE
“The main thing to look for is to focus on your true inspiration and vision,” says Pruitt.
The thrifty queen uses her finds to create more unique outfits at home, stitching pieces together, mixing patterns and textures.
“It’s easy to see… when you start selling things that people are buying and looking for,” she says of selling her creations.
“But you need to be honest with what you’re doing.”
For Pruitt, the idea behind her entire brand is to stand out.
“It’s an opportunity to dress for yourself and be authentic.”
FIND DIFFERENCE AND Bold
The third tip that Pruitt gives shoppers is not to be afraid of unusual patterns or bold patterns, but intentionally seek them out.
“I look for texture, color and pattern. A lot of times, it’s wacky and outrageous,” she said.
“Probably only one in ten will buy it. But I wanted to create a really authentic piece and find the right people to style it and take it on.”
In this way, Pruitt notes that she can give “a new life to forgotten textiles.
“I will think about the materials I have at home and how to recycle them. Even if I don’t have a plan, I can wait weeks or months until I find the right material. If I think it has potential, I will follow it.”
SAVE SUCCESS
Pruitt’s business, Selcouth Wares, is an online vintage store focused on creating one-of-a-kind garments from the 60s and 70s for its customers.
She launched the website in November 2022, after leaving the company to pursue her passion.
“Leaving a stable job is scary and risky, but sometimes [you] Pruitt said.
“I’m so glad I did. Trust the process.”
The frugal woman started thrift shopping with her mother before finding a creative style.
Now, she calls this process “therapy.”
Prices for Pruitt’s unique finds vary depending on how many individual pieces she has to make the final product.
For a fun blazer, her base cost is $25. She then added five hooks to the outfit for $20 each.
To profit from the final item, Pruitt listed the blazer at $250.
“If I upgrade more for a shirt, the perceived value will be different. People will pay less for a shirt than for a blazer. So it feels obvious to each item, she revealed.
Selcouth Wares also has more affordable items, with some shirts listed at $25.
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