When senior Jade Shanette goes thifting, she often goes to Thrift City or Goodwill, where she shops the racks for summer clothes like jumpers and dungarees.
Raider Echo: Why do you thrift?
Jade Shanette: I think it’s different. You put your own style to it. It’s not like what people do in the store. If that shirt doesn’t fit you, and those jeans don’t fit you, you can cut them, rip them, [or] style them any kind of way.
RE:What brand do you look for when you thrift?
JS: Levi’s, Lee, Hollister jeans, [and] nice vintage blazers.
RE: What is your advice for first time thifters?
JS: Do it, but put your swag to it. At first when I started thrifting, it did not look right. It looked horrible. I was trying to be something I wasn’t. Put your own style on it. Don’t try to be what everybody else is trying to be.
During the summer after her sophomore year, senior Carolyn Okonkwo began shopping at thrift stores. She describes her style as “Vintage. And a splash of retro.”
RE:Why did you decide to start thrifting?
Carolyn Okwonko:It’s something that everybody else doesn’t do, so it’s like something of your own. I like shopping, and I like finding new things and new ways of dressing. It lets me express what I am in a way.
RE:What do you look for when you go thrift shopping?
CO: Quality. If I see some high waist Tommy Hilfiger jeans or some Levi’s I can cut up and make into something, then I’ll look for that.
RE:What is your advice for people who are new to thrift shopping?
CO: I feel like thrifting is a way for people who like that type of style to find different clothes that are for themselves. If it’s not you, then don’t do it. It’s going to be hard, and you aren’t going to like it.
Choir teacher Brandon Ritter began shopping at thrift stores a few weeks ago.
RE:Why do you enjoy thrifting?
Brandon Ritter:I love saving money. As teachers, we don’t make a whole lot, but we dress nicely.
RE:Where do you go thrifting?
BR:If I’m going to buy anything, it’s usually going to come from Texas Thrift. I‘ve tried a couple other places, but they were what I expect from a thrift store. They’re hot inside, kind of dimly lit, smell kind of funny.
RE:What do you look for when thrift shopping?
BR:Usually, I’m looking for work clothes. Nice dress shirts, nice pants that are cheap. I have to dress nice anyways so might as well be affordable.
RE:What advice do you have for first-time thrifters?
BR: You have to go often, because the inventory changes all the time. Be ready to wait especially if it’s a place that does have a fitting room, because sometimes the line can get pretty long. But you just have to remember that if you find something that fits you, you’re getting such a great deal that, to me, it’s worth spending the extra 10 minutes so that you can try it on.
Senior Stacey Pin describes her style as “Grunge, Indie, [and] a little bit of everything.” When shopping, she enjoys finding vintage clothes she might have to pay hundreds of dollars for in retail, but only pays a buck or two at thrift stores.
RE:What do you look for when you thrift shop?
Stacey Pin:Whatever I find interesting. Whatever I can picture myself in, then it’s a good find.
RE:What was the coolest thing you have discovered at a thrift store?
SP:The coolest thing I ever found was a beaten up sports bike jacket. [It cost] $300 [at normal stores], [and I got it for] $5.
RE:What is your biggest turn off of thrift stores?
SP: When you find something awesome, but you actually look at it and it’s ripped, stained and [has] stuff is missing off of it. It just kind of kills the mood for me.
RE: What is your advice for people who are new to thrifting?
SP:Don’t try too hard to look for what you might find at a brand name store. Look around, and if something catches your eye, just go for it. Have no regrets about it.