When I was younger, I was a self-confessed prep girl. I wanted nothing but the best brands and the girliest clothing. My mom never bought me clothes as gifts, because she always said how hard I was to impress. It’s funny how much someone’s style can change over time. Today you can catch me in a $5 hoodie and $3 oversized flannel from the thrift store. My mom is finally happy, to say the least.

Sophomore year of college, and it’s not like a thrift shop is all I can afford, but recently it’s all I’ve been wanting to shop at. I’d like to thank my friends for introducing me to the fun and creative experience related to thrift shopping. Digging through racks of worn clothing might not sound fun to you, but finding unique pieces and reimagining what it could look like cropped or distressed, with a cool pair of shades brings out my imagination and enjoyment.

The great thing about thrifting is you never know what to expect. I recently found a stand out, red Champion hoodie for $5 at a hole in the wall shop in central North Carolina. With all the hype around trendy streetwear, it was exciting to come across this find. But it’s not all about finding quality brands for less, clothes with no tags are sometimes the best. My friend picked up a 70’s style no name graphic tee and turned it into a cute outfit. I like to pick out worn down flannels from the men’s section and call it a day.

When it comes to walking into a thrift shop, here are some tips to get you through.

Keep an open mind, because some items may scream “nightmare” to you and make you turn away quickly.

Be patient. The best pieces might take a while to find in an abundance of random clothing.

Try things on. You may see something that is marked as your size and looks like it will fit, but those racks get confusing sometimes.

Bring friends! My friends and I love to go thrift shopping together. Friends are a great resource to let you know if something you think is cool is actually just not worth your time.