25-03
My five-step guide to shopping secondhand!
Okay, I realize that it's one thing for me to preach about buying secondhand and express my love for it, but that doesn’t fully reflect my goal—which is to make these habits accessible to anyone who feels a bit lost on how to start. Especially considering that all the thrifter girlies and Facebook Marketplace fiends (like myself) can seem intimidating. I swear we aren’t, though!
Scrolling through Facebook Marketplace or walking into a Value Village can be overwhelming—the sheer volume of items, many of which are a little… ugly, can make it hard to know where to start. So, how do you navigate these spaces with confidence? Well, I don’t think there’s a one-size-fits-all method, but I’m going to share my approach. Give it a try—maybe it’ll work for you!
Step #1 Get Inspired
To start the process, I always begin with inspiration. Because I’m constantly thinking about these things, it’s more of a continuous process—something I’m always paying attention to. Inspiration, whether it is for furniture or clothing, can come from anywhere.
One of the first places I turn to is Pinterest. I find it to be such an easy way to explore different visual styles and energies all in one place. I also follow YouTubers and other creators who inspire me—some of them have styles that are way more out there than what I’d actually wear, but seeing them push boundaries encourages me to think differently about my own fashion and interior design choices.
Beyond the digital world, I draw a lot of inspiration from real-life experiences. Living in Montreal, I’m surrounded by incredibly fashionable people and stunningly designed spaces. Sometimes, I’ll go to a restaurant and find myself deeply inspired by the color of the walls or the type of furniture they use. For example, I recently visited Pichai and absolutely loved how they used simple materials and muted colors to create a cozy environment that allowed the food to take center stage. When it comes to fashion, just walking the streets of Montreal provides endless visual inspiration. Really, getting inspired is a skill that you can develop—it comes from being present and paying attention to the details around you.
Once I find something inspiring, I take a mental note of it, but you could also write it down. Over time, I’ve built a growing mental list of things I like—colors, pieces of furniture, decor ideas, and clothing items. For example, I’ve been obsessed with a top I saw on a secondhand curated site called luckygirlstudios, based in Brussels. On Pinterest, I’ve been fixated on coats with metal clasps. When I visited a restaurant in Toronto, I loved the mix of dark wood and green velvet seats, as well as the hooks at the end of the booth. The other day, I saw a girl on the bus with a stunning, simple brown leather purse—a mix between a hobo bag and a more structured design.
This mental list is something I’m always adding to, and it helps me create a personal mood board that I want to curate or that I am just inspired by creatively. I realize that not everyone naturally keeps track of these things in their head, so if that feels overwhelming, take a picture, sketch it, or write a list with details of what you feel inspired by.
Step #2 Ground Yourself
After spending time dreaming and getting inspired by everything and anything, the next step is an uno reverse—it’s time to filter down your inspiration into what’s actually realistic. I think this is one of the most important steps because it creates a distinction between what inspires you and what will actually work for you. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big and being influenced by a wide range of styles, but in order to be a conscious consumer, it’s important to reflect on what will truly fit into your lifestyle.
For example, if your Pinterest board is filled with gorgeous, expensive white couches, but you have young children, maybe that inspiration should be saved for later. Or, if you love a cute strapless top but strapless tops never stay up on you because of your body type, then it might not be the most practical item to put on your wish list.
For me, there are many things I love and get inspired by but would never buy—and that’s okay. I really love the look of oversized button-ups on other people, but on me, they just drown me out, so I know not to buy them anymore. Another example: my best friend Clara looks amazing in pastels. I admire her soft green, blue, and pink pieces, but pastels don’t really complement me. At the end of the day, if you like something, how it looks on you doesn’t matter—but I know that if I don’t feel comfortable in something, I won’t wear it, and it’ll just sit in my closet.
The same goes for lifestyle choices. I love trying on beautiful long dresses and cool heels I find in thrift stores, but realistically, I walk everywhere in Montreal. I almost always wear sneakers or boots. I also already own one nice dress, and since I rarely attend formal events, I don’t really need more.
The same logic applies to furniture. Right now, I’m in my early 20s and unsure where I’ll settle, so I’m avoiding investing in large or expensive pieces because, for my lifestyle, it doesn’t make sense. These are just a few examples of how I take inspiration and approach it realistically, making sure it fits my actual life.
Step #3 - Analyze the Details
Now that you've narrowed down your inspiration to pieces that realistically fit your lifestyle, it’s time to analyze the details. Look at your list and pay close attention to what exactly draws you to these items. Is it the style, color, shape, clasps, collar design, or fabric texture? Does it have a specific fit, drape, or structure that you love? Identifying these details helps you understand what you're truly looking for.
This step is crucial because, when thrifting or browsing Facebook Marketplace, you’ll often find pieces that seem similar to your inspiration but are missing key details. If you buy something just because it’s close enough, you might realize later that it doesn’t actually align with your vision. To avoid this, pinpoint the exact elements you love so you can make intentional purchases.
Here are some examples of the details of items on my wish list:
Spring/Fall coat with metal clasps
I love the metal clasps on this coat, but I’m also drawn to how the collar closes all the way up. Additionally, I like the navy blue color, the boxy shape, and the slightly worn-in, workwear-inspired look. This type of coat had been on my wish list for about four months, and on a trip to Toronto, I thrifted one that was exactly what I wanted!
A top with a fitted waist and softly draping fabric
This top has been on my wishlist for a while. I love how the fitted section extends all the way to the bottom of the bust, and I’m drawn to the light, breezy material—I’d want something made of soft cotton or a similar fabric. I also love the boat neckline because it allows the draping to sit elegantly.
Wooden frame with an interesting design
I really like this picture frame and the mirror, but specifically, I love that they are made of dark wood and have a vintage look. I also enjoy wacky shapes—I don’t mind if it’s symmetrical or asymmetrical, big or small, as long as it has an interesting design.
Once you’ve identified the details you love, it’s helpful to write them down—either in your Notes app or a dedicated list. You can jot them down next to each item category so you have a quick reference guide.
Over time, this process will become second nature, but in the beginning, having a written list and easily accessible inspo photos can be really useful. That way, when you're scrolling through Facebook Marketplace or wandering through a secondhand store and feeling overwhelmed by all the options, you have a resource to turn to. Your list will help you quickly determine whether a piece aligns with your criteria and if it’s truly worth buying!
Step #4 - Create a List of These Details
Now for the fun part—shopping! While this is one of the most exciting steps, remember to be patient. You’ll come across many pieces that are almost what you're looking for, but keep your details in mind. If something doesn’t meet your criteria, that’s okay! That’s why having an active list of treasures you’re hunting for is so helpful—it gives you multiple things to search for rather than fixating on just one.
When you finally find something from your list that fits your vision perfectly, congrats! That’s likely going to be a piece you’ll cherish for a long time.
If you never end up finding the exact piece you wanted, or by the time you do, you’re no longer interested in it—that’s okay too! Allow yourself room to grow and evolve. Don’t buy something just because you once wanted it. Stay present and keep your current lifestyle in mind. If something no longer works for you, it’s completely fine to put it back or remove it from your wishlist—this will save you money and prevent you from accumulating items that won’t get the love and use they deserve. But in most cases if you are patient enough, from my personal experience you will be able to find everything you want!
This method might not work for everyone, but if you are new to secondhand shopping trying it out might help you feel more comfortable in these spaces, Which ultimately is my goal.