Fashion Fun: Thrifting with my Teen Daughter
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Setting the Scene: My Teen Daughter Asked me to Take her Thrifting
I was more than eager when my daughter asked me to take her thrifting. I loved thrifting and antiquing with my mom when I was her age and I was excited to continue the tradition with her.
Thrift store shopping isn't just about cheap clothes—it's an adventure of exploring and finding cool stuff. I always prefer to shop for home decor and furniture than clothes, but she had her heart set on finding fun vintage clothes. I wasn’t exactly sure how she would react when we stepped into Goodwill, but she made a beeline for the clothes and started her search.
Bonding Through Fashion: Why Thrifting with my Teen Daughter Matters
Thrifting creates a special bond amidst eclectic garments and vintage accessories. It’s a chance to connect with my teen daughter on a deeper level, and watch her explore and evaluate original pieces. I enjoyed seeing what she was drawn too and learned very quickly that anything I suggested was an immediate no.
As we navigated the aisles together, I focused on showing her pieces that might be good for me - and let her lead on what she found interesting for herself.
At the end of the day, she was left more disappointed than feeling like she scored anything unique. She was determined to find some vintage t-shirts and sweatshirts and came up empty handed. We left with a nice pair of low rise, flare jeans that probably could’ve come from my closet circa 1999.
We spent time talking about how I usually approach thrifting with an open mind to what I might be inspired by at the shops versus on a mission to find a specific item.
Below are my tips for how to approach thrifting as a fun and bonding adventure with your teen.
Getting Started
Setting Expectations: Discussing Goals and Budgets
Communication is key as we discuss our thrifting goals and establish a budget for our shopping spree. By setting realistic expectations and agreeing on spending limits, we ensure a stress-free and enjoyable experience for both of us. This also fosters financial responsibility and teaches valuable lessons in budgeting and prioritizing purchases.
It’s easy to get carried away at a thrift store by all the great finds and deals, but setting a budget makes sure that you don’t get carried away in the moment.
Navigating the Thrift Store Together
Exploring Different Sections: Clothing, Accessories, and Beyond
When it comes to thrifting we are usually looking for classic and timeless pieces, a cute outfit for a dress up or spirit day at school (our Taylor Swift outfits all came from a thrift shop).
Patience and endurance are key when you see the racks of clothes. It's easy to rush through, but oftentimes the best items are the ones that are stuffed behind other items. It’s also great to keep you focus on closet staples vs. the novelty of all the different items.
Unearthing Vintage Gems: Timeless Pieces with a Story to Tell
Amidst the racks of clothing, it’s all about finding pieces that transcend time. A classic blazer, a neutrally patterned button-down blouse, classic sweaters. It’s easy to get pulled into adding another activewear piece or fashion top, but it’s always so much fun when you stumble across a classic silhouette from a quality clothing brand you can give new life.
Identifying Current Trends: From TikTok to Runway Inspirations
Thrifting offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the fashion curve by spotting emerging trends at a fraction of the cost. From TikTok-inspired looks to runway-worthy styles, we keep our eyes peeled for pieces that capture the essence of current fashion trends. Whether it’s a wide leg jeans or a pair of chunky boots, thrifting allows us to stay fashion-forward without breaking the bank.
I absolutely love picking up the latest trends at a thrift shop to see if it’s a style that will become a staple for me or just something I don’t ever really wear.
Embracing Creativity: Remixing and Styling Unique Pieces
Thrifting isn’t just about finding pre-loved garments—it’s about embracing creativity and reimagining them in new and unexpected ways. Armed with a vision and a touch of ingenuity, we experiment with mixing and matching pieces to create one-of-a-kind ensembles that reflect our individual personalities. Whether it’s pairing a vintage blouse with modern denim or layering accessories for added flair, the possibilities are endless.
Fostering Individual Style
Encouraging Self-Expression: Letting Your Teen’s Personality Shine
Thrifting empowers my teen daughter to embrace her unique sense of style and express herself authentically. As she sifts through racks of clothing, she discovers pieces that resonate with her personality and reflect her individual tastes. From quirky patterns to bold colors, thrifting encourages her to celebrate her individuality and express herself confidently through fashion. And I love witnessing her carving out her own unique style.
Finding Fits That Flatter: Body Positivity and Confidence Boosts
In the inclusive space of thrift stores, my teen daughter learns to embrace her body and celebrate her curves. As she tries on garments of all shapes and sizes, she discovers the beauty of finding fits that flatter her figure and boost her confidence. Thrifting fosters a sense of body positivity and self-acceptance, empowering her to feel comfortable and confident in her own skin. It also quickly shows her how different sizing is between brands and gives less power to the size on the tag and more emphasis on the fit of the clothes.
Making Sustainable Choices
The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion: Why Thrifting Matters
Amidst growing concerns about the environmental impact of fast fashion, thrifting emerges as a sustainable alternative that reduces waste and promotes conscious consumption. By giving pre-loved garments a second chance, we actively participate in the circular economy and reduce our carbon footprint. Thrifting isn’t just a fashion choice—it’s a statement of our commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living.
I absolutely love taking her thrifting over buying her cart full of clothes from fast fashion retailers. Especially when I know some fashions she will only embrace for a few months.
Teaching Sustainable Shopping Habits: Valuing Quality Over Quantity
Thrifting instills valuable lessons in sustainable shopping habits, teaching my teen daughter to prioritize quality over quantity and invest in pieces that stand the test of time. As we carefully select garments with craftsmanship and durability in mind, we prioritize longevity over fleeting trends and cultivate a wardrobe of timeless essentials. Thrifting encourages us to adopt a mindful approach to fashion consumption and make choices that align with our values.
Budget-Friendly Fashion
Maximizing Your Spending Power: Stretching Your Dollars at Thrift Stores
Thrifting allows us to stretch our dollars further and maximize our spending power without sacrificing style or quality. With affordable price tags and frequent sales, thrift stores offer unbeatable value for budget-conscious shoppers. By scoring designer finds and high-quality pieces at a fraction of the cost, we indulge in guilt-free shopping sprees that leave our wallets—and wardrobes—happy.
And I can’t encourage you enough to try thrifting for costumes, theme parties, spirit days. We absolutely love creating looks from a thrift store for Halloween this past year and the Taylor Swift movie.
Celebrating Bargain Finds: The Joy of Scoring Deals Together
There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with scoring a bargain find at a thrift store—a feeling of triumph and delight that transcends the mere act of shopping. As we celebrate our thrifting victories together, we bond over our shared love for fashion and appreciation for a good deal. Whether it’s a designer handbag or a vintage coat, each bargain find becomes a cherished addition to our wardrobe and a fond memory of our thrifting adventures.
In our most recent trip we scored big time with jeans. We calculated that we purchased four pairs of designer jeans that would’ve retailed for over $700 combined for only $100. What a steal!
Documenting Your Thrifting Adventures
Capturing Memories: Photography Tips for Your Shopping Spree
As we embark on our thrifting adventures, we document our journey with photographs that capture the essence of our shared experience. Armed with a camera or smartphone, we snap candid shots of our favorite finds, quirky displays, and memorable moments. From striking poses in the fitting room to candid shots of us browsing the aisles, our photographs serve as visual mementos that immortalize our thrifting escapades.
Sharing Your Haul: Inspiring Others with Your Finds on Social Media
And of course, you know my daughter loves creating her haul videos for her friends. Our thrifting haul isn’t just for our eyes—it’s meant to be shared with all her friends too!