Thrifting for Winter Clothes

Winter clothes shopping often costs quite a bit of money and may leave you and your wallet feeling stressed by the end of it depending on where you live and what items you need. We at the Fort Drum Thrift Shop are here to help you save money and stay warm with our winter shopping tips!
Why thrift winter clothes?
Winter clothing is generally more expensive than clothing for warmer seasons as it is made with more expensive materials and more material in general. If you live in an area with cold and/or wet winter weather, you’ll also need more layers and weatherproofing than someone that lives in an area with mild and/or dry winters. The more you need, the greater the price tag! Thrifting what you can will help keep that price tag low while also giving clothing a second chance at life in your wardrobe. The environment and your wallet will thank you!
What kinds of winter clothes can I find at thrift stores?
A better question would be what can’t you find! Thrift stores stock all kinds of winter clothes! This list is not comprehensive but can give you a good idea of what you’re likely to find.

• Jeans
  
• Leggings
  
• Hats
  
• Scarves
  
• Mittens/gloves
  
• Long sleeved shirts
  
• Sweaters
  
• Light jackets (perfect for layering)
  
• Thick insulated outerwear (think water resistant puffers)
  

Tip #1: Make a list of what you have already and then decide on what you need based on where you live and your own preferences.
Does it snow or rain a lot during winter in your area? Invest in something water resistant. Are winter temperatures mild in your area? You might be better off with fewer layers but with warm materials like sherpa or wool. Remember, your outerwear can be bought bigger than your actual size to make room for comfortable layering!
Tip #2: Shop out of season when possible.
Even thrift stores are subject to seasonal shopping trends, so finding in-demand winter items during winter months can be hard. Plan your winter thrifts out of season in either spring or fall when chances of finding winter clothing are not only higher, but shopping will be less competitive.
Tip #3: Look for neutral colors and stay stylish year after year.
While some prefer comfort and practicality over fashionability, there’s no reason you can’t have it all! Fashion trends come and go and so do color schemes. If you’re worried about staying stylish for years to come, opt for neutral or timeless colors when possible! Black, white, gray, navy, and brown tones are all classic colors that will never go out of style and are easy to pair with other items already in your wardrobe.