Author: Goodwill Team Member

Happy spring! April showers might bring May flowers…but, in my world, rainy days also bring some fantastic Goodwill finds. When it’s pouring outside, one thing that always cheers me up is grabbing a cup of coffee, meeting a friend, then seeing what sunshine we can find inside my favorite thrift store.  Here’s a look at my latest spring-inspired haul along with some thrift shopping tips that will keep you from leaving the store disappointed.

Tip #1: Shop during or after a storm (as long as it’s safe to go out)! When the weather is rough, but stores are still open, staff is able to work swiftly to sort through donations and get them on the floor because they have fewer customers to assist. And because all the other shoppers are hunkering down at home, you get the pick of the litter as soon as new items hit the shelves! With so many rainy days in the spring, now’s the perfect time to take advantage of this tip. Go to Goodwill on a torrentially rainy day (not just light drizzles) for the best selection and least competition. Don’t worry if you forgot your umbrella! During my thrift haul today I found this classic umbrella that just had to come home with me. Its wooden handle makes it feel a little more special than a regular plastic one. Your local Goodwill might have some unique raingear, too!

Tip #2: If you love something, buy it! Don’t talk yourself out of it just because you didn’t go shopping with that specific item in mind. Most seasoned thrift shoppers have a story or two about stumbling upon their favorite find at an unexpected time. That’s why I didn’t even hesitate when I saw this blazer. It’s not what I came in for, but blazers are so expensive brand-new that when I saw this one, I instantly tried it on. It’s perfect for my 9-5 job and it’s a fun layer to go over summer dresses so they can work for spring! I couldn’t even wait to get to the dressing room to make sure it fit.

Tip #3: When in doubt, put it in your cart. You can always put it back on the shelf if you change your mind before you leave the store. I was on the fence about these running pants at first, but I put them in my cart while I poked around the rest of the store anyway. Sometimes when I do this, I reassess at the end of the trip and feel comfortable leaving the item behind. But when I was done browsing this morning, I checked in with myself about these pants and felt confident that they were a great choice. At only $9 for brand-new, comfy jogging pants, they are just the motivation I needed to get moving with a new exercise routine this spring. Good thing I put them in my cart when I did—they were the only pair in my size!

Tip #4: Bring a sewing tape measure and know the sizes/colors of specific things you need. One item I had been searching for was a basket or bin that could fit into an empty nook in my bedroom for craft supply storage. When I have specific needs like this I make sure to keep measurements of the space I have to fill on my phone. I also bring along a sewing tape measure (it rolls up so tiny!) so I can check to see if items are the correct size right there in the store. You may also want to bring color swatches or pictures of a certain things you’re trying to match. If you shop prepared then you’ll never take something home that doesn’t fit or leave something behind that could have.

Tip #5: Shop in the middle of the week. Not only will the store be less crowded, but that also means that the good stuff hasn’t been snagged by someone else. This Goodwill haul adventure I’m sharing today took place on a Wednesday so I had plenty of time and space to browse around. Wandering along, I was shocked when I noticed this Soma water pitcher peeking out at me from the top shelf in the kitchen section. I have had this same exact picture on my Amazon wish list for months and here it was waiting for me at Goodwill for only $2 (it retails for $40). Would it still be there if I waited until Saturday to shop? Probably not!

Tip #6: Donate something every time you go. Not only does this keep your home from becoming too cluttered, it’s also good thrifting karma to give as you get. I’ve been looking for a colorful, light-weight bag to add to my wardrobe for a while and I feel like this one might have been waiting for me as a reward this time for clearing out some old bags on my last visit. I love the unique clasp and bright colors. It’s so perfect for spring!

Tip #7: Learn the discounts. What day of the week do things get marked down at your local Goodwill? What’s the color of the week? Do seniors or veterans receive a discount? These are quick questions to ask staff that can help you save money. Some Goodwill stores even offer you a discount coupon when you make a donation! Keeping the color of the week in mind, I was able to get this bright Old Navy sweater for half-off. I love the weight and fit of it. It’s so flattering and will take the edge off of cooler spring days while still feeling cheery thanks to its lively color.

Tip #8: Check the return racks outside of the dressing rooms. These racks are filled with items that have caught the eye of other shoppers so they’re always stuffed with great pieces. It’s almost like someone has pre-shopped for you, selecting the cutest of the cute to try on. When clothes don’t fit just right or the color doesn’t work for the other shopper the way they had hoped, where does it go? On the return rack! Fantastic finds like this flowy Lauren Conrad blouse will often be hiding there so don’t pass it by. I really think this might be my new favorite shirt. It’s a favorite color of mine and the gold buttons make it feel so fancy!

Tip #9: Shop out of season! Years ago, I never would have dreamt I’d be buying this wooden Christmas tree in March, but I’ve since learned the merit of shopping out of season. So even though it’s springtime now and I’ve got pastels and picnics on the brain, I couldn’t pass by this perfect little tree with its rustic charm. How cozy will this look in December nestled amongst evergreen boughs with stockings hung nearby?

Shopping secondhand, reusing items and do-it-yourself projects are all a great way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. It’s also more fun to find something unique at a Goodwill store and give it a second life. On your next trip to Goodwill, consider donating plastic shopping bags. All bags are either recycled or reused by Goodwill to keep them out of landfills.

Well, we’ve waited through a long, cold winter and are finally on the other side of the snow! I invite you to join me in celebrating the season with a spring closet cure. What’s that, you ask? It’s a quick wardrobe refresh in which you pull out (and donate!) anything drab then add in a selection of new-to-you pieces that highlight one fashion trend for the upcoming season.

To start mine, I did a little research to find out what was hot on the runway and for street style then chose one trend from those that worked best for me (Don’t worry—I compiled a list to share with the best up-and-coming styles!). Bonus points to you if you can work in a few current trends, but today I’ll just be focusing on one: ice cream hues! That’s right, I scouted out a combination of twelve tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes in dusty pastel colors that will get you in the mood for a trip to your corner ice cream parlor now that spring has arrived.

I chose this particular trend for several reasons. One, because pastels work well for my coloring. But also because a broad trend, like a color scheme, allows me to put together a small collection of pieces that each fit together so I can make the most of my money by mixing and matching. Of these twelve pieces, every top works with every bottom so the combinations feel almost limitless (especially when you start adding in accessories). Plus, they’re all bright and cheerful so they feel right for the next few months where flowers begin to bloom and we need some light colors to brighten rainy days. That makes this trend, at least in my book, a triple scoop of gelato perfection. It’s not just me, though—runways from New York to London are colorblocking pastels, too.

If you’re going for this sweet trend, make sure you include a purple! Pantone’s color of the year is Ultra Violet and while that is a darker shade of purple, designers like Victoria Beckham and Michael Kors are including soft lavenders in their current lines so any shade will do. Especially stylish, according to British Vogue, are looks made monochromatic by stacking one particular pastel on top of itself head-to-toe. I went for this mood with a milky strawberry sweater dress, tights, and flats in my last outfit, but then couldn’t resist the urge to top it with a blue jacket à la Eleven from Stranger Things. It is the rainy season after all! I don’t want to be caught unprepared.

One thing that was super helpful to guarantee versatility with these outfits was finding shoes that were super neutral. The heels I chose are a faint brown reminiscent of my favorite ice cream flavor: mocha chip! This pale color can match just about anything and the kitten height means I can wear it frequently without tripping myself up too much. Finding some vanilla tones that are anything but bland accomplishes that same goal: The cream-colored lace top in picture three and the floral dress in five add some texture and variation to this little capsule wardrobe. The vanilla bean handbag in four is also from Goodwill, by the way!

These deep raspberry pants reminded me of strawberry sauce drizzled over a sundae and sort of function as the cherry on top of my pastel pieces since they will carry well through every season. One outfit that won’t necessarily translate to colder seasons is number four, but since everything else will, that’s fine by me. Some people may consider millennial pink the flavor-of-the-week, but it’s still well represented on the runways so I’m sticking with it at least through the summer!

In just this one Goodwill trip, I was able to find some pieces that are perfect for me from places like Banana Republic and Target because the pale pastel trend just happens to feature colors that I’m already comfortable in. I’d say that’s the key to finding fashions that make you feel your best: knowing what feels right to you. Before you head out shopping, identify what styles—whether that means the shape of pieces, their fabrics, or their colors—that you can feel like yourself in. Do this by sifting through your closet and looking for similarities between your current favorites. Florals always feel right to me, too, so I made sure to include this fluttery garden-inspired dress which matches my other finds. I love that it brings a sweet lemon sorbet yellow into the mix.

Now it’s your turn to seek out a spring closet cure! One trick that can help you build outfits you love is to simply think piece-by-piece. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to visualize a whole outfit at once. Start by just choosing a top or bottom and adding the rest of the look one piece at a time. If you’re feeling stuck, think about contrast. Pair a loose top with hip-hugging pants, dark bottoms with a pale top, or Converse sneakers with a tulle skirt. Contrast creates a sense of balance that leads to great looks. Since you’re thrifting everything, you won’t be spending a fortune for this refresh and you’re keeping your closet sustainable at the same time!

By shopping at your local Goodwill this spring, you can give someone in your community and your wardrobe a fresh start. And remember, if dusty pastels aren’t quite your thing, make sure you check back in for a full fashion forecast that can help you find a different trend to try!

Looking for your perfect prom dress? With help from Goodwill, you don’t have to spend a lot to look great. A little creative thrifting can go a long way!

Find a Goodwill store near you >>