Thrift stores are a common choice for people all over the world for one reason or another, which is why there are quite a few of them globally. According to IBIS World, there are roughly 28,500 of such businesses in the US alone; and the number is likely to increase, considering that it’s been growing by an average of 3.5% for the past five years. Gitnux pointed out that roughly 16% to 18% of Americans choose to shop in thrift stores.

You can never be sure what you might come back with after going thrift shopping. Even if you have a specific goal in mind, the abundance of all sorts of items might make it quite tempting to grab an additional knick knack or two.

That’s part of the charm of secondhand stores—you might enter looking for a couple of vintage glasses and spot a designer bag, which has ended its days in a place far less fancy than people would have expected it to.

Winnipeg-based content creator Ashley, going by the name of Msfili on TikTok, is known by her followers to be quite successful in thrift finds, including a designer bag every now and then. Some of her successful outings have resulted in a Michael Kors bag for 10 dollars and a Coach bag for three, just to name a couple, showing that it is possible to win the thrift lottery from time to time.

Ashley was even able to hunt down a Christian Dior outfit from a 2003 collection; however, she told Bored Panda that it wasn’t her most successful secondhand shopping experience, nor the only Dior outfit she was lucky to stumble upon. “The most impressive thing I have thrifted would have to be a 2005 Christian Dior runway bag. I paid $8 for it. As much as I loved it, someone offered to purchase it from me for $900 so I couldn't say no to that return on investment.”

The avid thrifter added that she often finds brand name, designer, and luxury items at stores selling previously owned items. “The thrift store is a Mecca and isn't limited to anything specific. It is a treasure hunt every time you go and sometimes you end up finding amazing things,” she said.

For those who are willing and able to look for thrift store gems—let’s be honest, it might feel like torture for people less keen on digging through piles of clothing or browsing endless rows of shelves—there are tips that can help locate them even easier. Forbes suggested taking the location and the size of the store into consideration when going thrift shopping, as the bigger ones or those in slightly more upscale areas are likely to be fitted with better goods.

Forbes also pointed out that timing is important—learning when the stores offer discounts might come in handy (whether it’s signing up for a newsletter or asking a quick question to the staff). When it comes to timing, it revealed that the end of the semester is typically a good time to shop secondhand for those living in college towns.

The reasons for thrift shopping differ with each person; however, some of the main ones globally, according to Statista’s 2022 data, are affordability and value (factor number one for half of those surveyed) followed by a variety of choice and uniqueness, and sustainability (with 40% of the respondents seconding each of the statements). Last but not least is the thrill of the hunt, which motivates roughly 35% of people to go thrift shopping.

Considering that money doesn't grow on trees, it only makes sense that affordability is one of the main factors motivating people to opt for secondhand items. Often providing good quality pieces for a price way lower than they would be originally, such items arguably allow people to save up to $1,760 a year, on average, according to Coupon Follow.

It’s not only the price tag that motivates people to choose thrifted items, but the variety of the items themselves. It allows people to create their personal style without having to rely on fast fashion, which often makes people look somewhat similar because of the prevalent fashion trends it follows. Moreover, choosing to buy pre-loved items over fast fashion is the more environmentally friendly thing to do as well.

“By offering secondhand clothing options, thrift stores can encourage people to shift their shopping habits towards more sustainable fashion choices, which can help reduce waste and promote environmental conservation. And of course, who doesn’t love saving money by paying less than retail?” thrift store enthusiast Ashley told Bored Panda.

With people becoming more aware of their impact on the environment, quite a few of them are willing to take action to minimize the adverse effects. Forbes’s 2019 survey pointed out that 93% of people surveyed in the US and Australia admit to being concerned about the environment. In addition to that, 77% say they would want to learn more about a sustainable lifestyle.

Thrifting is one of the great ways to take action towards a greener future. It can help prolong the life cycle of an item and save it from going to the already overflowing landfills. Secondhand items can also be upscaled by altering them to create something you love without having to buy new (and spend loads of money as well). If you’re in need of inspiration on how to do that, check out Bored Panda’s article about a woman, named Caitlin Trantham, transforming her thrift finds here.

Even though clothing is the thing that’s thrifted the most, people look for other kinds of pre-loved items as well. Coupon Follow revealed that books are second on the list, followed by furniture, decorations, accessories, and kitchen utensils respectively.

No matter the item people are on the lookout for, they are likely to find it at one of the secondhand stores, which is why there’s even a day dedicated to celebrating them—August 17th, known as the National Thrift Shop Day.

“Many people believe that thrift stores are strictly for needy or low-income people, but thrift stores are accessible to people of all income levels. They offer a variety of options and a unique shopping experience which is appealing for people from all walks of life,” secondhand store aficionado Ashley told Bored Panda.

“Additionally, while some people may choose to shop at thrift stores out of necessity, others may do so for environmental or ethical reasons, or simply because they enjoy the unique shopping experience or choose it as their means to make money. Ultimately, I think that everyone should be able to shop where they choose, without judgment or stigma.”