The Art of Thrift

Hey Strangers. 

When I was a little girl, my mother bought most of our clothes at the thrift shop. She had a gift for finding pants that would fit us exactly, and to this day she claims it was a gift to her from God. We wore striped corduroy, purple patterned jeans with patches, I had this one Scottish looking pair of trousers in red and green plaid. Not only that, but we would get up early on summer mornings and go out to look at our neighborhood’s garage sales. Military bases (at least in my mind) are kind of famous for them. We’d get up, nose about the neighbor’s things, buy something small, and maybe buy a lemonade. My parents and all of my sisters did this, as frequently as we got the opportunity.

Frankly? I loved it.

Now that I’m grown and into Cottagecore, one of the things that I think appeals to people in the movement is the return to simplicity, and creation by one’s own hands. Hobbies include drying your own tea leaves, starting window box herb gardens, and patching sweaters and socks. But another aspect that is inherent to the Cottagecore movement is scrappiness. You make your own breads and flatbreads, saving money at the supermarket. You learn how to make veggie stews, sauces, and curries to save on meat. You patch those old clothes, partially for your own enjoyment, but also because as always, there might not be money in the budget for new ones. Sometimes though, it’s unavoidable; You have to shop. This post details ways to find bargains in person, rather than online. (I might do a separate post on that later.)

As a side note, Cottagecore is in no way the only aesthetic movement with these values, nor the only one to benefit from sales like these. Punk, for example, has an emphasis on sustainable industry and diy, and many art movements can benefit from the oddities found at these kinds of events. There are hundreds of others. Don’t be put off by my use of one movement, I promise you these kinds of sales are versatile and can help anyone.

At the time I’m writing this, it is winter in the United States. Not many people have these kinds of sales during this time of year, however! This is the perfect time to start researching events in your area because as soon as springtime begins, so do the yearly sales.

Garage/Yard Sales

Everyone knows that garage sales have deals on everything from chainsaws to poodle skirts, but did you know that many areas have designated days when entire towns set up garage and yard sales? Look up Facebook pages, city engagement pages, or ask your local librarians or city hall clerks about upcoming event days. Not only this, but look in the towns surrounding you, and you might find some really interesting things. It’s entirely possible to find good quality shirts, jackets, pants, and boots for under five dollars. It’s also possible to find leather goods, old photos, patches, high quality books, film rolls, and other things that no one ever thinks to look for. Treasures abound when we open our eyes.

Estate Sales

Estate sales generally take place after a death has occurred and a collection of items needs to be removed from a home. These should be treated with respect and the acknowledgment that someone has died, but they are also a wonderful opportunity to honor the legacy of their owner. You can find anything from dinner sets to artworks, books to linens. Clothing, bedding, and furniture at a reasonable price. Research estate sales near you. 

Rummage Sales

Rummage sales are unique (they’re not uncommon, just unique). Often churches will hold these kinds of sales, as will thrift shops trying to purge their inventory for the next year or season. Whereas it’s not uncommon to find quality items for a few dollars at garage sales, rummage sales often have a huge amount of inventory with pieces for as little as a quarter. It is possible to buy an entirely new wardrobe of decent quality items for under ten dollars. As mentioned, churches often have sales like these, as do thrift stores. Call around and monitor community and business social media pages to find sales near you. 

Flea Markets and Farmers Markets

Flea markets and farmers markets are not even remotely the same thing, but the reason I’ve listed them together is because they both offer access to a range of more specific items, with more variation in price. Flea markets are often a good place to find interesting items, such as lamps, maps, paintings, globes, Persian rugs, antique chess sets, film rolls, silverware, and things far more strange than that. 

Farmers Markets often have baked goods, canned goods, fresh produce, honeys, syrups, teas, and sometimes cheese and other dairy products. Some may sell crafts, such as jewelry and small artworks, as well as certain clothing items and leather pieces. Because of the quality of the items, the prices on these will vary. Some will be at bargain prices while others might be fairly expensive. Still, it’s a lovely way to spend a weekend morning before breakfast. (And you’ll have to, like many of these sales, they often begin as early as 6 AM.)

Conclusion

These kinds of sales are a way to curate your life, whatever you want it to look like. They give you new knowledge about quality and style. They provide the opportunity to learn the art of bargaining; when to go all in, and when to gracefully accept a price or walk away. And just like those thrift store visits with my mother, or the family weekends spent together at garage sales, they’re an opportunity to connect with your loved ones—albeit in an odd way—as well. Happy thrifting!

–Mabel