It’s a well-known fact that the fashion industry continues to drain resources and produce waste. Each year, the volume of water produced by the apparel industry amounts to 79 billion cubic meters. That’s 32 million Olympic swimming pools. Over 10 million tons of clothing items ended up in American landfills in 2015, and the number only continues to grow.

One simple and easy way to avoid contributing to this waste is to buy secondhand clothing. I personally buy most of my clothes from resale stores, not only helping my college student budget but also being friendly to Mother Earth. To a thrift newbie, I know buying mostly secondhand might seem daunting. So here are my best tips for those new to buying secondhand:

1. KNOW YOUR STYLE

Thrifted: Jacket, tank top, denim shorts & sunglasses

If you come away with anything from this blog post, it is to know your style before heading into the thrift store. Are you a classic minimalist or a boho babe? What color palette do you typically wear? Do you like keeping it casual or dressing it up?

Keeping your personal style in mind will prevent you from buying pieces that do not fit in well with your current wardrobe. It will also help you feel more determined and less overwhelmed when looking through racks and racks of clothes.

2. KEEP AN OPEN MIND

Thrifted: Jean jacket

Although sometimes it is helpful to come in with an idea of what you want to find, you should always keep your mind open to other possibilities. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone in looking for one thing in particular and walked away with something completely different that I absolutely adore.

Don’t keep your mind too open though. Always, always, always try your items on before purchasing. You never know how a clothing item is going to fit on the rack, especially in a thrift store.

3. chop and change

Thrifted: Mustard hoodie

Sometimes, you find an item that has potential but needs some tweaking. Don’t be afraid to turn some mom jeans into shorts or an oversized hoodie into a crop top.

If you know how to sew, even better! The possibilities are endless, and since you likely bought the thrifted item for a low price, you are free to experiment as much as you want. Click here for more tips about how to upcycle clothes.

(Another tip: Clean your bathroom so it doesn’t end up looking like mine)

4. DON’T FORGET ACCESSORIES

Thrifted: Earrings & shirt

For the longest time, I completely overlooked the accessories at thrift stores. I have no clue why! I have found so many cute and unique earrings, sunglasses, belts, etc. at thrift stores. Better yet, most accessories are extremely low price, so you get quite a bit of bang for your buck.

Thrifted jewelry also makes for great gifts for your other people. You can purchase a great quality piece for the fraction of the price! And they will be sure to love whatever you pick out for them.

5. Try Consignment

Thrifted: Urban Outfitters dress

If the typical thrift store scene isn’t for you, try going to a consignment store. Locations like Buffalo Exchange curate secondhand clothes from buyers, making it less of a treasure hunt and more similar to a typical retail experience.

I should also note that consignment stores are a bit more expensive that typical thrifting. Where you can find a shirt for $2-5 at Goodwill, a shirt at a consignment store is anywhere from $10-20. I usually only choose consignment if I am looking for an item for a specific event or have a little extra cash to spend.

Good luck, and happy thrifting!