Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
How much thrifting are you willing to do to save money? What kind of compromises are you open to making? Where would you draw the line between sensible and ridiculous?
As you think about the answers to these questions, scroll through the Ridiculous Thrifter Instagram page. These chuckle-worthy images show the lengths people are willing to go to for the sake of frugality.
This post may include affiliate links.
RELATED:
Many of these images also feature photos people took during their visits to thrift stores, which is apparently a booming business in the United States. According to Worldmetric statistics, the resale industry made $17 billion in sales revenue in 2019, its best year so far. Experts project these numbers to jump to $77 billion by 2025.
But why are thrift stores so popular? According to 62% of shoppers, it’s about the possibility of finding something “unique and antique.” They are excited by the idea of discovering something one-of-a-kind and, if they’re lucky, with a colorful history.
#4
Der Kommissar 7 months ago
Urologist instructing students at med school on how to give a proper prostate exam
Some people, like TikTok influencer Bridget Brown, shop in thrift shops for sustainability reasons. As she told WhoWhatWear.com, it’s her way of lowering her carbon footprint.
“Thrifting has also been a huge inspiration to me when it comes to fashion—being able to shop for unique pieces that don’t necessarily fit in with the current ‘trends,’” Brown said, adding she shops “80% second hand” and “20% new.”
#10
#12
#14
Little Wonder 7 months ago
There's a facebook group for people who alter these and half the time when someone posts "look, I made Wednesday Addams out of this Precious Moment!" there'll be a comment about how these are HOLY and not to tampered with. Barb, I appreciate you love your collection but these are mass produced c**p like anything else.
Not everyone is a fan of buying pre-worn shoes. Brown, however, prefers it to be the case because they no longer need breaking in. She usually shops for shoes and bags together.
“To some, buying used shoes can seem icky, which is understandable, but the nice thing about buying used shoes is that they are most likely already broken in and stretched out, which makes life so much easier. Bags are also great to look for at the thrift. There are always super-fun and unique styles that are great to elevate any outfit."
#16
Nikki Gross 7 months ago (edited)
That second picture looks like a chest burster from the Alien movie. 😲
#17
#20
#24
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago (edited)
Too simple. I'm pretty sure ghosts aren't bound to haunting items of furniture.
Many of you readers are probably rookies when it comes to thrift stores, so here’s some of Brown’s advice. Her very first tip: be patient.
“The thrift store can be overwhelming and disorganized, so if you’re not patient, you probably won’t enjoy yourself.”
#27
Ambry Petersen 7 months ago
Those pants must be made for warm weather, unless they have a more solid backing inside. They remind me of certain sweaters when I was a kid. The cold winds would find every miniscule gap and hole.
AngelWingsYT 7 months ago
There is one. N its called what the f*ck am i looking at rn
Load More Replies...
Stephen Hutchison 6 months ago
Wow that's in a thrift shop? That was just on the runway in Milan last month. For over $3K
Mary Peace 6 months ago
I'd pay it, because I like them. I like 'different'.
Load More Replies...
Annie Bieber 7 months ago
Very Project Runway. This is ugly as...can you imagine the time it took?
Mary Peace 6 months ago
I like these and if they'd fit me I'd wear them. If there's a draught between the straps, I'd wear leggings underneath, (as I often do anyway).
Jo Hardy 6 months ago
These will have been super- expensive, mostly because 100's of jeans had to die to make 'em
Mary Peace 6 months ago
Those 100s of jeans had come to the end of their happy lives already -- haven't you heard of organ donation?
Load More Replies...
Danish Susanne 6 months ago
I am very much into reuse of things but these are overdoing it in my opinion.
Anna Drever 7 months ago
They’d have to be lined or else your toes are going to get snagged on them every time you try to put them on. 😀
Mary Peace 6 months ago
I'd like to help, but if I have to pay air fare from the UK, that inflates the price rather.
Load More Replies... #28
Donkey boi 7 months ago
Of all the slang that has come about since I was young enough to speak slang, 'yeet' has to be one of my favourites, and I think this image captures why. It looks like it could be an old 12th century English word.
#29
René Sauer 7 months ago
I was thinking that looks like a bus seat. maybe in a city by the sea.
#31
Teutonic Disaster 7 months ago
Ok seriously, if I were to run a second hand store and we found money in an object that we got in stock (and had no way to contact the original owner) that money would go to the tip jar. This is ridiculous.
#32
Teutonic Disaster 7 months ago
When your horse is in the shop but there's a line dance-off happening at the bar downtown.
Being a first-time thrift store visitor could already be daunting, and there’s the added challenge of shopping alone. Brown says it’s best to dump everything that catches your eye into the cart and then sort later.
“A big thing, especially when thrifting alone and not having a second opinion, is sometimes not knowing if something is cool and unique or just straight-up ugly. I will put anything in my cart or basket that catches my eye, and over the course of my shopping, I will go through the cart and look everything over.”
#41
Tucker Cahooter 7 months ago
Obviously, not THE Michael Jackson. But maybe there is a Prince doppelganger with that name
#42
Little Wonder 7 months ago
Three months from now it'll be 10 Stanley Cups for $10 they'll have so many.
Shopping for sustainability is a big thing among Gen Zs today. 26-year-old Clarissa Whiting shared her motivation for thrift shopping with the Columbus Dispatch.
“If ever I need something, I usually will go to the thrift store. It’s really cheap and I like how environmentally friendly it is because you’re just reusing something instead of purchasing a new product.”
#43
#46
Veronica Richard 7 months ago
I volunteer at a thrift store. When we close, at 3 p.m. sharp, I play the song "Closing Time", sometimes several times in a row. I usually get some smiles!
But despite the lucrative returns and support from the younger generation, the resale industry has its critics. Longtime thrifter Tina Koeppe spoke to the New York Times in 2022, expressing her disappointment, stating, “There’s just less and less desirable items.”
“I’d go into thrift stores thinking I could find a few things for my wardrobe or for my family, and it would just be absolute, you know, garbage on the racks. Like stained fast-fashion clothes that nobody wants."
#49
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Amanda Moore 7 months ago
Thankfully as many thrift stores that we've owned and ones we've went to, I've never seen any that dirty or over priced before.
Freya the Wanderer 7 months ago
I support mom-n-pop thrift stores that are directly connected to a reputable local charity.
Wendy Crow 7 months ago
The used $25 Camelback. Replacement tubing are $12 or $15. And often on sale.
M McC 7 months ago
That goodwill and savers are for profit corporations who treat their employees like s€#t!
Mary Peace 6 months ago
Isn't there a difference between goodwill and savers? What you call 'goodwill', we in the UK call charity shops. Some people are paid employees, but most are volunteers, wanting to help the charity and the local community. Also helping the environment because things are being re-used/recycled instead of new items being manufactured.
Load More Replies...
Amanda Moore 7 months ago
Thankfully as many thrift stores that we've owned and ones we've went to, I've never seen any that dirty or over priced before.
Freya the Wanderer 7 months ago
I support mom-n-pop thrift stores that are directly connected to a reputable local charity.
Wendy Crow 7 months ago
The used $25 Camelback. Replacement tubing are $12 or $15. And often on sale.
M McC 7 months ago
That goodwill and savers are for profit corporations who treat their employees like s€#t!
Mary Peace 6 months ago
Isn't there a difference between goodwill and savers? What you call 'goodwill', we in the UK call charity shops. Some people are paid employees, but most are volunteers, wanting to help the charity and the local community. Also helping the environment because things are being re-used/recycled instead of new items being manufactured.
Load More Replies...
Related on Bored Panda
