How to Thrift for Clothes as a Student

Written by Ikrah Nawaz, one of our Brand Ambassadors.

Resourceful, careful, and not wasteful. Here’s your guide on how to recycle your old clothes and thrift for new ones…

How to thrift as a student

Thrifting is the perfect way to buy stylish garments for all kinds of occasions on a budget. Now we're in the 2020s, it's no surprise that you can thrift shop online at places like Depop and Vinted. Have an occasion coming up? Just hop online! You’re bound to find something. You can literally see something in a store one day and find it from a seller the next. It really is that simple.

These days, you can thrift anything, whether it be online or in a charity store. It’s never been easier to be a student looking for stylish outfits on a budget. Your garments may be pre-loved, but the assignment was understood.

Tips for thrifting for clothes as a student

• Think about the location

Where a thrift store is based can affect the items it stocks. For example, you're much more likely to come across high-end brands in upscale neighbourhoods (more on this below), while style also tends to vary from place to place. However, if you're shopping online, this allows you to access a variety of items from all over.

• Be patient

Timing does really matter. Some physical thrift shops have specific new stock days or even end-of-season sales, so be sure to figure out your favourite shop's schedule and take advantage. Heading out on a weekday morning can also offer a less chaotic experience and allow you to get a first look at things.

• Know what you want

Take a look at your current wardrobe before diving into thrifting. Knowing what you've got already and what you're missing can guide your shopping experience. You can consider how each new item will integrate with your current wardrobe and whether it's really a good fit or not.

• Examine your items for quality

Before tapping your card, get to know what you're really buying first. Have a good look at the clothing item to spot any missing buttons, holes, or stains. Additionally, inspect each label to see if high-quality fabrics have been used - this can indicate an item's durability.

How to thrift designer goods

Designer and luxury brands can be out of your radar as a student; nevertheless, you can thrift shop for these at a reduced price, too. The best places for designer pieces are:

• Depop
• Ebay
• Vinted
• Vestiaire Collective

Aside from online, designer garments and items can be found in charity stores, too. Charity shops in affluent areas tend to have a wider selection of designer pieces. Places such as Notting Hill, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea (in London) house some exclusive luxury garments.

Cow Vintage has opened stores in a few UK cities, including Manchester, Nottingham, and Birmingham. They stock vintage trainers, clothing, and streetwear, whilst allowing customers to sell or exchange their unwanted belongings for cash or store credit. This is the perfect opportunity for students to either make money from their unwanted things or exchange them for something new.

How to recycle old clothes

As a student, it’s easy to buy unnecessary garments, fashion pieces that only stay in style for short periods, and outfits which you’ll only wear once. Fast fashion is taking over, and when you take into account the number of events we attend, from house parties to casual nights out, it’s we who are the most influenced by it.

Many of us are guilty of needing a new outfit for almost every occasion, whilst forgetting all about the mountain of other garments which exist in our wardrobes. As we’re the advocates of these quick ‘impulse buys’, perhaps we should start addressing them. If you get to the point where you realise you’ve got a whole load of outfits that you’ll never wear again, what do you do with them?

The easiest way to get rid of your unwanted clothes is to donate or sell them. This helps to reduce waste compared to just disposing of them. If you choose to sell your clothes, it gives you the opportunity to gain some extra cash, which I’m sure every student can appreciate.

Other benefits include:

• Keeping materials out of landfills
• Helping to conserve energy
• Reducing costly consumerism
• Supporting people living in developing countries

Where/how can I donate my clothes?

There are various places to donate your old or unwanted garments, including charity stores, car park donation bins or home charity collections. If you’re unsure of where to donate, widely accessible charities include:

• The Salvation Army
• Macmillan Cancer Support
• Oxfam
• Barnados
• British Heart Foundation
• Cancer Research UK

These are recognised nationally and have numerous store locations where you can simply walk in and donate your pre-loved clothing. This is the easiest way to donate.

Donating from the comfort of your own home is also an option. icollectclothes is one of many companies that provide this service. Their website allows you to choose (from a selection) a charity which you’d like to donate to, then you simply book a collection time. Student schedules can be super busy, so if you don’t have time to visit a charity store (or you just have way too many clothes!), this option may work best for you. It’s a nice feeling knowing that your impulse buys and one-time outfits could now benefit someone else.

What can I donate?

A lot of things can be donated, from jackets, T-shirts, shorts, jeans and other clothing. Aside from garments, shoes, bedding and cutlery, books can also be donated. So, if you’re moving back home for the summer and don’t know what to do with your unwanted stuff, you can simply donate it!

Before donating any garments:

• Ensure they are clean so that they are instantly wearable
• Secure attachments such as fur, hoods and zips, ensuring the garments are in a resellable condition
• Restore any broken zips or missing buttons
• Think about what condition you would want something to be in, with respect to it being pre-loved

If the clothes are unwearable, pop them in a dedicated textile recycling bin (typically found at your local supermarket).

Where can I sell old clothes?

Selling your clothes online has never been so easy! There are now many apps which have simplified this process, meaning that anyone can do it. You can make some extra cash in just a few photos.

We’ve gathered a list of the best-rated apps to sell your garments:

• Vinted – This app requires no fee from the seller; only the buyer incurs charges, meaning all profit is yours. Here you can sell all garments from vintage to fast fashion picks. High street brands such as River Island and Zara tend to sell well on here.
• Depop – Depop is very popular for pre-loved clothing and shoes. Vintage garments sell particularly well on here.
• eBay – eBay has been widely popular for many years and still has millions of users. You can auction your garments off and could even get more than what you bargained for.
• Facebook marketplace – This is a service provided by Facebook; however, it serves well for those who would prefer to sell locally. It’s completely free to use and works well for getting rid of large quantities of clothes or books, etc.

Sorted your clothes? Sort your student accommodation!

Learning how to thrift for clothes and recycle your old ones as a student can help you with your budgeting, but there are other things you can do, too. Choosing bills-included accommodation at UniHomes means you'll know exactly how much you'll be spending on your house each month - and how much you'll have left to splash out at your favourite thrift stores.

Browse student accommodation options today to get started.