Have you ever found yourself in need of professional clothes but are on a tight budget and can’t afford to buy brand new name brand attire? We’re here to help! This article will talk through some alternative, sustainable options to help you look polished and unique in your next professional opportunity!
Professional attire of any kind can be expensive, especially if it is brand new. Thrift shopping offers a fun and affordable way to find professional attire that is unique and in good condition! There are many awesome places for thrift shopping that are worth checking out here in Tucson. See below for a few of them:
While these are just a few of the options in Tucson, if you are not from here, it also could be a good idea to check out different thrift stores in your hometown!
There are various things to keep in mind when thrifting to make the most of your venture. See below for ten different tips to utilize to ensure you are being strategic when shopping.
Ten Tips for Your Thrifting Trip(s)
1. Determine What You Are Looking For
- It can be helpful if you have a goal in mind for what kinds of attire you need. For instance, you may have plenty of shirts but need pants and/or shoes. Setting clear goals can help you save time and be more intentional while you are thrifting.
- If you need a refresher, you can find a breakdown of the most common professional attire here.
2. Consider Your Available Time and Budget
- Thrifting is a more invested process so make sure you have a good amount time to dedicate to your thrifting adventure
3. Do Research on Possible Sales or Discount Days
- A lot of thrift stores have various sales and discount days, this could be helpful when determining how to get the most bang for your buck when thrifting
4. Plan Your Trip
- There are plenty of different thrift stores in any place you may be so make sure you make some kind of plan if you are wanting to hit more than one thrift store
5. Ensure You Have Eaten and Have Plenty of Water
- Make sure you are physically prepared to spend an extended in thrift stores looking for different professional items
6. Remember that Patience is Key!
- Finding things when thrifting takes time and is a process, make sure you are in the mood to actively search, try things on, and dedicate time to find unique items
7. Wear Something Comfortable
- For convenience when trying on different items, wear something comfortable that you can easily put on and off (trying things on is essential when thrifting)
- If you are unable to try things on in the moment, be sure to inquire about return policies before purchasing your items
8. Carefully Inspect all Garments before Purchasing
- While most thrift stores do a good job of intaking quality items, it is important to still do a thorough inspection to identify any potential tears, stains, or defects
9. Think About the Potential for All Items
- You may not see the potential for a stand-alone garment, but consider what kinds of things you could pair it with to make it stand out
10. Have Fun with It!
- Thrifting allows you to find unique and sustainable options! Have fun with it and remember that you can use your attire to demonstrate pieces of your personality! Consider fun patterns and/or colors that can help you stand out from the crowd!
Thrift Shop by Macklemore is a great song to start your thrifting venture, but really listen to whatever you enjoy to help set a positive tone while you shop.
University of Arizona Campus Closet
Different thrift stores are great places to find affordable and good quality professional attire. However, another great resource that is available to you as UofA students is the Campus Closet. The Campus Closet is on the first floor of the student union and provides students with free, good quality casual and professional clothes. Go check it out when you have some time!
Other Potentially Helpful Resources:
