At the Thrift Store: Eye Your Selections

Check your items out carefully before you buy them. Are all the buttons on? Does the zipper work? Is the garment free of stains, tears, pills, and other signs of wear? Re-fastening new buttons on at home is usually no hassle if you're good with a needle and thread, and may even add a unique touch to something you thought was already cool. A broken zipper will probably cost you more to repair at an alterations shop than you paid for the item. Stay far away from stained clothes; unless you're as handy as Heloise, chances are even that tiny speck won't come out no matter how many times you wash it or what you apply to it.