Here's How This
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“I always start at the shoes — usually they’re on display, which makes it easy to quickly scan for pairs that catch my eye. Then I head over to the clothes, which is where I spend the most time when I’m out thrifting.” There, she’ll start with the tops before making her way through dresses and pants and even the men’s section for things like oversize hoodies and shirts.
It might be a time-consuming process, but it’s one that’s worth it to Ivangellys, since thrifting helps calm her mind and spark her creativity. “I don't mind spending hours and only finding one thing. For me, it's de-stressing, then I get a little reward for the effort.”
Currently on her wish list? “A good wool blazer in a warm, dark color; some knee-high boots in black or tan for fall; some corduroy pants; and a fleece button-up!” She’s also always on the lookout for shoes and good vintage denim. “There’s just something about nicely worn raw denim that gets me excited. I’ve noticed that vintage jeans fit better overall compared to buying new ones and last way longer, too!”
Of course, not every thrifting trip is successful, but that’s part of the beauty of it. “In the thrifting world, no two days are the same. If one day you leave empty-handed, the next you can leave with a bunch of gems because you hit the jackpot. That's what I remind myself when I feel discouraged.”
Between the joy of discovering great rates and securing the goods, there’s a lot to celebrate at the end of a successful thrift trip. Some have a try-on party of all the new pieces, while others take to social media. Ivangellys is all about the latter. “A good haul cannot go unseen — I love sharing my finds with my friends on social media. Everyone gets just as excited as I get, and it's the best feeling. The thrifting community is the best.”
If you like to visit one store often, it may be worth it to find out when fresh inventory hits the floor and visit on that day to snag goodies before anyone else.
From the creative #thriftflip to the more general #thrifthaul, a scroll through your FYP these days makes it clear that thrifting has become more than just the latest fad — it’s an entire lifestyle. Thanks to TikTok and a whole new generation that values sustainability above all else, thrifting has perhaps never been more popular. But for content creator and thrifting aficionado Ivangellys Gonzalez, secondhand shopping has always been a beloved hobby, regardless of Gen Z’s influence.
To Ivangellys, it’s about affordability and helping the environment, but it’s also a little bit about the thrill of finding gems for unexpectedly great rates. “The fun thing about thrifting is you never know what you’ll find,” she said. “The feeling is kind of addicting, but in a good way. Whatever I take home brings me so much joy, especially if it's a steal of a price.”
With so much experience under her (vintage) belt and a closet full of envy-inducing finds to show for it, we figured Ivangellys would be the perfect person to glean some thrifting secrets from. We tagged along for a day of secondhand shopping through NYC and learned everything from what she brings with her to how she celebrates a successful trip at the end of the day. Prepare to seriously level up your #thrifthaul game.
Ivangellys also loves shopping for home decor and furniture, especially unique conversation pieces. She noted that these make great props for photo shoots!
Ivangellys’s Favorite Thrift Stores:
CELEBRATE YOUR HAUL
If you are short on time and can’t do a deeper dig, narrow down your search to one design element that you can spot through a quick scan, like sleeve length or texture.
Make
a Plan
Leave
No Rack
Unturned
FIND THE GEMS
LEAVE NO RACK UNTURNED
MAKE A PLAN
Find The
Gems
Celebrate
Your Haul
I don't mind spending hours and only finding one thing.
For me, it's de-stressing,
then I get a little reward
for the effort.”
Thrifting is usually a solitary activity for Ivangellys, but she’s always on the lookout for things to buy her best friend. Then at the end of the day, she’ll FaceTime with her to celebrate the finds.
The thing about thrifting is there is no shortage of gems to be found. As Ivangellys noted, “the options are literally endless and affordable.” In the past, she’s scored everything from a one-of-a-kind St. John couture jacket to $7 Valentino heels (that were originally $700!), while more recently, she’s found Dr. Martens and vintage bandanas for her dog Arlo.
The Best Deals
In the thrifting world, no two days are the same. If one day you leave empty-handed, the next you can leave with a bunch of gems because you hit the jackpot."
When you spend as much time thrifting as Ivangellys does, it’s only natural that you start to develop a system. Even if she’s just scanning, she never skips a rack or goes out of order in case she misses out on something good.
Ivangellys will tell you that a successful thrift trip starts before you even leave the house. It’s all about planning your route and packing accordingly. Before she sets off, she’ll map out the stores she wants to hit up, subway stations and all.
“I take the subway and make sure to go to the furthest thrift store first and make my way back to the closest one to my apartment or train station.” Alternatively, if you’re hoping to score bulkier items like coats or boots from a specific store, you may want to make that your last stop.
Next, she ensures she has all her essentials packed. “I have a dedicated thrift bag that’s made out of thick canvas — you never know what you're going to pick up, so it's good to have a reliable and sturdy bag, especially one that’s washable. I carry my hand sanitizer for after the shopping, disinfectant wipes for during shopping, measuring tape, and notepad and pen just in case I have a list of pieces I want to get. I also like to bring headphones to listen to podcasts.”
Dobbin St. Vintage Co-op
“The staff is super friendly, and they keep up with their inventory on social media, which I depend on when I can’t make a trip to the store.”
Alberto & Sons Antiques
“One day, I was eyeing a woven bracelet, but it was out of my price range — I asked if they negotiate prices, and to my surprise, they do!”
Beacon’s Closet
“This is my favorite thrift shop! It’s dog-friendly, so I am a frequent shopper there. The brands the shop carries are both well-known designers and small luxury brands.”
Urban Jungle
“You can get lost here for hours — it has racks and racks of clothes.”
Le Point Value
“Jeans, jeans, jeans! This is where the best selection of pants and jeans are. There are amazing vintage Levi’s here.”
Thrifting Pro Scores
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Here's How This
Senior Editor: Stephanie Nguyen
Producer: Cassie Doyle
Associate Producer: Hannah Lee
Art Director: Becky Joy
Photographer: Matthew Kelly
Digi Tech: Sam Kang
Wardrobe Stylist: Alexis Badiyi
Prop Stylist: Jojo Li
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