When you find the exact pieces you had originally sought out for on a thrifting trip, the success feels immense. I recently had this feeling when I embarked on a quest of finding thrifted shorts for this summer. After cleaning out my closet, I realized that I only had three pairs of shorts, which was not nearly enough for the humidity and heat of western PA in the summer. Therefore, one of my thrifting trips was designated for the purpose of searching for shorts.
Sweet Summer Shorts Success
Boy, did I succeed! It always makes me nervous when searching for pants of any kind, let alone shorts. When I set out on this trip, I knew what I was looking for, however I didn’t expect to find much on my first trip. However, I was delightfully happy to be proven wrong! I found 4 new pairs of shorts that are different from one another, fit perfectly, and super cute!
Now, I know what you’re thinking: five pairs of shorts? That’s it? This is what you consider a successful thrifting trip? Let me be clear: yes. The reason I consider this successful is because these shorts are quite versatile. They can be styled in multiple ways with a variety of pieces. I found shorts that are neutral enough for them to be styled in multiple outfits, while also standing out. To me, that is quite successful when finding any piece. Summer shorts can be difficult for me to find, so finding this many pairs of shorts that work for me while thrifting is an A+ in my book!
Tips for Searching for Thrifted Shorts
As it should be, everyone’s style is different, and everyone has different styles and fits that work best for them. Therefore, when it comes to thrifting for clothes, it can be difficult to give extremely specific details and tips on what to look for. This obstacle also arises, because it is most likely, if not guaranteed, that the same piece will not be found twice while thrifting. Every piece is different when secondhand shopping, so I am unable to suggest specific articles of clothing. However, I can give some general tips that I found worked for me when searching for thrifted summer shorts! This can really be applied to any clothing!
1. Have styles and types of fit in mind when looking
Before I went thrifting, I made a mental list of what styles of shorts I was specifically looking for. This helped immensely. While looking through the racks, it helped me narrow down exactly what I was looking for so I didn’t become too overwhelmed. You know what is best for you, so looking for those specific features will help you immediately spot a pair of the perfect shorts when you come across them!
2. Be Open
While you know what styles and types of fit you’re looking for, it can also help to keep an open mind. This is confusing, I know; especially right after I told you to make a mental list of what you’re looking for specifically. However, having an open mind when looking can mean many things. Perhaps most of the shorts you have found are the style and fit that you were looking for, but maybe you’re drawn to another pair that you usually wouldn’t pick for some reason. Is it a different type of style that you would like to try? Is it a color that you don’t normally wear? It’s always beneficial to try new things, and perhaps you’ll find something new that works for you as well!
3. Search through the entire rack if able
This is more important than people might think. When it comes to clothing in a thrift store, usually everything is one of a kind. There are not multiples of everything. There may be exceptions every now and then, but most likely there are not multiples of an item. The reason why I bring this up is because you will miss a wonderful piece of clothing that might be perfect for you if you do not dig. You won’t find it elsewhere. Also, many pieces are buried amongst the racks and racks of clothing. Due to these reasons, it is important to search through those racks as much as you possibly can. Some of my favorite pieces that I have found didn’t jump out at me; I had to dig. If possible, dig through as many as you possibly can, because you never know what you will find!
4. Try them on
This is also important! If you are able to, I recommend trying on the shorts that you have picked out in a dressing room. I know that sometimes it’s easier to just pick them out, take them home, try them on, and then re-donate them if they don’t work. I get it, because I’ve been there. However, if you have time and there is a dressing room available, I highly recommend trying them on. This way you can narrow down the pieces you love and work for you while also not spending the money on pieces you are unsure about. Though thrift stores are cheaper, of course, three bucks is three bucks!
Picture the pieces you have at home that you can wear the new pieces with
What do you already have at home that will work with those pink, high waisted shorts you just found? What about these denim ones? Black leather, perhaps? Try and make a mental inventory of your closet at home so you can thrift some summer shorts that will go with those pieces you already own.
A Gallery of my Thrifted Shorts Haul
Here is a gallery of my thrifted summer shorts haul that I am ridiculously proud of! I joke, but in all seriousness, I have only had these shorts for about a month, and I have already worn them all multiple times! I also wanted to include the denim shorts that I already possessed before thrifting, because these were actually secondhand as well! These three pairs are the last in the gallery. Let’s get to it!
Pink
White
Red
Khaki
Denim
I hope these tips and outfits give you some inspiration for this summer season! Have you thrifted any summer shorts that you are obsessed with? I would love to hear in the comments below!
If you loved this article on thrifted fashion, check out one of my fall fashion hauls here!
