How to Shop a Thrift Store

...and find the most valuable things

I believe good design should be accessible to all. But most of us can’t afford a professional interior designer, nor can we afford a designer-made piece fresh off a showroom floor. Which means that if we want good design — well-made, quality pieces of furniture that look good and will stand the test of time, or cashmere sweaters made to last — we have to hunt for it.

That’s where thrift stores come in. Thrift stores, op shops and charity shops around the world are full of treasure. I know this, because I’ve found a lot of it.

I have spent years thrifting. And I am very, very good at finding expensive, gorgeous, well-made pieces for very low prices. This post aims to show you how to do it, too.

To date, I’ve made hundreds of thousands of dollars flipping furniture, home accessories, art and the like for a profit. I’ve sold vintage to everyone from AD100 interior designers to Jimmy Fallon. But I’ve also bought a lot for myself. I’ve purchased Christian Dior capes and Nina Ricci suits. Goyard trunks and Oscar de la Renta scarves.

As I’ve honed my techniques, I’ve taught others how to hone theirs, too. Due to the success of my book Big Thrift Energy, I have traveled throughout North America, speaking to large audiences about how to shop secondhand. I’ve appeared on morning shows, radio segments, NBC News, and spoken to outlets as wide-ranging as The Economist and Elle Decor about shopping vintage.

So here, I’ve tried to narrow my tips down as best I can into something of a Hero post — a comprehensive document you can bookmark and turn to, again and again.