Stop Thrifting "Meh" Outfits When You're Overwhelmed

because -- I get it! -- narrowing down all your options can be the hardest part!

Let’s be honest: we’ve all walked into a random thrift store with the best intentions, and —$24 and an hour later — walked out with a cart full of “meh” things.

Maybe you needed a blazer for work, or you're hunting for a pair of linen trousers for summer. But then you're faced with racks upon racks of options, and suddenly you’ve got arms full of “maybes,” and you’re no closer to finding what you actually want.

I get it! One of the most universal stages in one’s thrifting journey is over-buying stuff you don’t need as you figure out how to narrow down all the options.

The thing is, absolutely everything we could ever want or need already exists secondhand, and that’s great for so many reasons (including, I get to yap about this stuff as my job?!) but, one thing I’ve definitely learned from buying and selling vintage for nearly 20 years, is that narrowing down all those options can truly be the hardest part.

We've gotten so used to traditional add-to-cart commerce, and the secondhand market — as innovative as it's getting! — is never going to work exactly like a retail store. There's no “work blazers” section, or influencers linking you to the perfect “date night outfit.” It's beautiful chaos, which is exactly what makes it both electrifying and completely overwhelming.

But here’s what I've figured out after thousands of hours sifting: you can absolutely make magic out of that mess if you have the right approach.

I'm talking about making a thrift list that actually works (there's a touch of manifestation involved in this: where art, science, psychology and magic meet…) speed-scanning techniques that help you spot gems without getting overwhelmed, and questions that prevent those “seemed like a good idea at the time” purchases.

I'll walk you through my specific methods, the little tests I do to prevent regrettable purchases, and the tips that have led to some of my best finds. These personal parameters come from years of honest self-assessment about secondhand shopping — and I’ll teach you how to develop your own “rules” so you're only picking up pieces you'll actually love to wear.

Imagine this: now you walk into that same thrift store with intention. You know exactly what you're looking for and why. You move through the racks with purpose, quickly identifying what deserves a closer look and what you can skip entirely. You leave feeling energized rather than drained, carrying exactly what you came for—plus maybe one perfect surprise that you actually love and will wear on repeat.

What if thrifting became less about accumulating and more about curating pieces that genuinely enhance your life and wardrobe? The good news? You've got this — and I'm here to help! Let's dive right in: