It’s National Thrift Shop Day and we’re in the mood to celebrate all things thrift! Whether it was decades ago, or a more recent find, you always remember your first thrifted treasure. Today, our stylish staffers are sharing their very first thrift discovery that got them totally hooked on shopping secondhand. Plus, check out their best shopping hacks for thrifting on thredUP!

Kesha, Merchandiser

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at thredUP.

I was born and raised in Georgia but I’ve lived in all sectors of the US (East, West, Midwest, Down South) as well as overseas. In terms of style, I’m a Georgia peach with the style of a New Yorker!! I have a master’s degree in Fashion Merchandising from The Academy of Art San Francisco. My secondhand career started from creating an online vintage boutique/brand called Karomel Sundae Vintage Clothing which I later transitioned into wardrobe styling (my side hustle).

I’m the merchandiser at our Pennsylvania warehouse, where I supervise a team of assistant merchandisers. We ensure accurate pricing for premium brands as well as authenticate designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Hermes! I’m also responsible for conducting brand training, correcting pricing, and engaging with customers.

What was your most memorable thrifty find?

I bought a men’s 1940’s three-piece suit from one of my favorite vintage/secondhand shops in Brooklyn, NY a couple of years ago. I used this suit to style a photoshoot that was later featured in a magazine!

What’s your best thredUP shopping hack?

Because I am an avid thrifter, I know what kind of brands I gravitate toward for different occasions. I usually search for items by brand name as well as keywords (for example, I will search wide leg jeans or silk top) on thredUP.

If I’m not totally sure about an item, I add it to my favorites so I can easily come back to it!

Why do you think secondhand first?

There are three main reasons why I think secondhand first. One, I don’t want to spend my hard-earned money on companies that do not value their workers. Two, buying secondhand reduces my carbon footprint and contributes to less landfill waste. Three, I love expressing my creativity in the way that I dress! The best way to rock totally unique looks is to buy secondhand clothing.

What percentage of your wardrobe is thrifted?

Before Covid-19, my closet was at least 99% thrifted, but I’ve been watching too many fashion hauls on YouTube. My closet is around 97% thrifted now. I regret most of my Covid-related non-secondhand purchases, haha!

Sophia Liu, Product Designer

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at thredUP.

I’m a product designer, and I work with my team to improve the shopping experience on the thredUP website and app. Lucky for me, my job requires tons of research, browsing, and testing out new features on the app, so I get lots of opportunities to keep my eyes peeled for cute items.

What is your most memorable thrift find?

I snatched a Mara Hoffman silk skirt for $40, which retails for $334. This gorgeous skirt has traveled with me around the world and is a closet go-to especially for the summertime. I love getting to try high quality designer brands at a fraction of the price.

What’s your best thredUP shopping hack?

Use filters and save your searches! I have a saved search filtered by all of my favorite brands, and another filtered by natural fabrics like cotton, silk, and cashmere. Sometimes browsing all of the items on the site can be overwhelming, and my saved searches are a great starting place.

Why do you think secondhand first?

I started thrifting as a teenager to experiment with fashion. My sister and I would shamelessly browse racks of used clothing at Goodwill and treasure hunt for vintage or trendy items I’d never buy at full price. I knew my money went towards providing jobs to people in need, but little did I know how much I was also helping the environment in this world of fast fashion, carbon emissions, water pollution, and textile waste. Now, with thredUP, I no longer have to rely on physical thrift stores. I can search for just about every brand I love, and get my shopping done  on a crowded subway car on my way to work (pre-covid times, of course). I love fashion and choosing used allows me to extend the life of pre-owned garments and feel great about my impact on the planet.

What percent of your wardrobe is thrifted?

75% and growing. Last year I made a resolution to only shop secondhand, and it has transformed my closet for the better. I’ve learned to embrace the idea of slow fashion and really think about the longevity of garments I buy. I choose fabrics that wash and age well, and find colors that work well in my wardrobe. Because it’s also affordable, I’ve been able to invest in long-lasting pieces like cashmere sweaters and upgrade basics like denim jackets and over-the-knee boots. I’m so much happier with the state of my closet now, and being able to pour my love for fashion into building a sustainable wardrobe is extremely fun and rewarding.

Denise Kan, Visual Designer

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at thredUP.

My name is Denise and I’m a graphic designer! I grew up in Southern California and Taiwan. I moved to the Bay Area to study graphic design at California College of the Arts. My interests include dabbling in photography, baking, and caring for my two rescue dogs.

As a visual designer at thredUP I work on creating content for our social media channels and also contribute to our marketing teams as well. Plus, redesigning the interiors of our Oakland HQ!

What was your most memorable thrifty find?

My most memorable thrifty find has been a green bomber jacket from Free People that I got from thredUP! It’s very versatile and I wear it with everything.

What’s your best thredUP shopping hack?

I search by my favorite brands and my size filters! I usually only like purchasing things that are in new-like condition or new with tags as well. I’m also constantly using the favoriting feature and keeping tabs on my history.

Why do you think secondhand first?

I believe in investing in circular fashion and reducing my carbon footprint. Ever since I was in high school I always loved the unpredictable and spontaneous nature of not knowing what rare piece of clothing or vintage you can find while thrifting. It’s also a lot more affordable!  

What percentage of your wardrobe is thrifted?

I would say about 85-90 percent of my wardrobe is thrifted. I rarely buy new clothes, I only really like to buy new shoes or swimwear.

Kaila Taylor, Copywriter

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at thredUP.

My name is Kaila and I am a copywriter on thredUP’s Integrated Marketing team. Basically, I’m responsible for all the messaging you see related to thredUP! I studied Journalism and French at San Francisco State University (go Gators!). I’ve also been in the resale industry for almost three years and in fashion for almost seven. I’ve been an avid thrifter for about 10 years and counting.

What was your most memorable thrifty find?

My most memorable thrifted find is a sleeveless Nanushka maxi dress that I found on thredUP. I panicked because I saw it was in someone else’s cart at first, but when I checked back hours later it was still available. Score! It ended up being my birthday dress.

What’s your best thredUP shopping hack?

I always tell people to check the new arrivals section every hour in order to see the best of the best before they get snatched up! It definitely requires some determination.

Why do you think secondhand first?

I think secondhand first because it reduces my carbon footprint and it’s honestly a way more exciting way to shop. You have to have a vision and I enjoy the thought exercise that goes into styling thrifted outfits. Plus there’s no chance anyone could have the same look as you and you save tons of money!

What percentage of your wardrobe is thrifted?

Currently my wardrobe is about 80% thrifted and that number only increases with time. I’m excited for the future of my closet!

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