Before you head to a thrift store, there are some things to do. First, make a BOLO (Best Of Loos) list. Evaluate your wardrobe to determine what you really want. Second, try not to touch anything you do not plan to buy. And lastly, try to avoid shopping in areas known for their high- end brands. Read on for more tips to thrift store shopping. Hopefully, these tips will make your thrift store shopping trip a success.

Make a BOLO list

One way to save money while thrifting is to create a BOLO list. This list is made of brands that you are on the lookout for. Each reseller has their own BOLO list, and it is helpful to make one for yourself. Make a list of brands you like and are always on the lookout for. Include names of designers and brands you want to find when you’re thrifting. By making a BOLO list, you will know exactly what to look for and avoid being disappointed when you don’t find what you’re looking for.

The most successful eBay sellers have thousands of BOLO items in their warehouse. It takes time to build up this list, so keep it short. You’ll be glad you did! While you’re thrifting, you may find something that you’d like to sell, but don’t need the item right now. You may not have the time or patience to research the item. You can find similar items online, and even trade them for a higher price.

Evaluate your closet

You may think you can just wing a closet clean out. While it’s definitely possible to scrounge together a few items, doing so can be less impactful. Taking shortcuts and getting distracted will only make your process less impactful, so it’s best to follow a strategy to get the best bang for your buck. Forbes magazine has developed a five-step strategy for closet organization that should result in an optimally-sized and edited edit. When you’re done, try to sort everything into three distinct piles, starting with obvious things (such as old socks and underwear).

To save time and energy when thrifting, organize your closet before shopping. Take inventory of what you already own and decide which pieces you’d like to replace. If you’re building an outfit around a certain piece of clothing or a particular event, you can start with that as your base. If you don’t have a particular item in mind, use a general color palette and season to get inspiration. Alternatively, you can draw inspiration from other items in your closet, such as shoes, jewelry, and accessories.

Avoid touching items you don’t intend to buy

When thrifting, you should always be gentle with the items you are eyeing. Unlike big box stores, thrift shops don’t have a staff to help you. Always be sure to wipe down your cart before touching an item. Also, keep your hands to yourself and avoid touching other people. Only touch things when you need to! Try to have fun while thrifting. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your shopping trip:

Avoid buying designer shoes

If you’re looking for new designer footwear but can’t justify the cost, consider thrifting. Often, you’ll find designer shoes at a fraction of their retail value. And by thrifting, you can save a bundle by buying quality shoes that will stand the test of time. After all, when you’re buying a pair of designer shoes, you don’t want to end up with buyer’s remorse.

Before you make a decision, remember that designer shoes are an investment. This investment is measured in Cost Per Wear (CPW), which is the cost of the shoe divided by its number of wears. In general, designer shoes tend to last longer than cheaper pairs. And you’ll be more comfortable wearing them, as well. And if you’re still not sure, you can always estimate the Cost Per Wear (CPW) of your shoes to get a better idea of the worth of a pair of inexpensive, high- end shoes.

Avoid buying off-season clothing

Many thrift store shoppers buy off-season items to stock up on winter coats, scarves, and dresses for next year. Then, when the new season arrives, they don’t need to buy new clothes again. Another reason to buy off-season is to avoid making duplicate purchases. Some items are just too seasonal to be bought out of season, however. Some examples include sweaters, jackets, and knits. The best time to buy these items is during their off-season phases, so you’ll have a better chance of finding cheaper alternatives.

Although thrift stores have a lot of good stuff, it’s better to shop two seasons ahead of time. That way, you can search for winter coats and baseball mitts in the summer, and summer coats and winter dresses in the winter. Don’t buy secondhand swimsuits and underwear, because they are not always good deals. You may get a bargain on a Wilson’s Leather bomber jacket for $5 during the spring when everyone else is buying sun dresses.