How to Save Money at Thrift Stores

Last month, actress Sarah Jessica Parker stopped by Tyson's Corner in McLean, Virginia, a major shopping destination in the area. The purpose of her trip was primarily to promote her new line of shoes and handbags. However, guess what else she did while in town? She carved out time in her busy schedule to shop at two thrift stores, which she shared with her Twitter followers.

A growing number of celebrities like Parker are singing the praises of thrift stores. It is safe to say that thrift store shopping has lost the stigma it once held, as a source of shabby, unfashionable clothing. It is now considered much more hip to shop secondhand. After all, you never know what designer brands you will stumble upon for a fraction of the price. Here are some tips for getting the most out of your next thrift store trip:

Know the Layout

Karen Wathen, the blogger behind DC Goodwill Fashionista, a blog run by Goodwill of Greater Washington, shares her affinity for designer brands for less at thrift stores. She recommends that those seeking designer gems first get a handle of their local thrift store's layout. Unlike the traditional department store layout, each thrift shop varies. Some are organized by size, some by color and others by special tagging. Identifying how the store is organized will then allow you to strategically start searching and make a game plan for covering applicable sections. Wathen recommends being thorough and sifting through each piece on the rack. Patience can help you find the best pieces, ones that the impatient shopper has hastily glossed over and leave on the rack.

Bring Your Smartphone

When you find an item that feels luxurious but you're unfamiliar with the brand name, simply snap a pic with your smartphone and search online to determine the brand. Using this method, Wathen discovered a blouse from a brand she didn't recognize that normally retails for $200 on sale at Goodwill for just $4.98. It's important to note that some stores, such as Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, also carry high-end brands whose names aren't as well-known. Doing a little research on the name listed on the tag can help you discover those gems.

Find the Boutique Rack

For those who might be lacking patience or time, Wathen shares that many Goodwill stores feature a boutique rack where the higher-end brands are grouped together, and prices are slightly higher than other items around the store. "You will have easy access to brands like Michael Kors, Burberry and Christian Dior, without having to sift through the racks," she says.

Donate and Give Back

Wathen is a firm believer in good "thrifting karma." Donations to a place like Goodwill can also help support your community and help provide job and job training.

Build Off of Wardrobe Staples

On her blog MoreWithLessToday.com, Lori Felix, who lives in Orange County, California, shares her love for thrift stores and deals, as well as practical bargain shopping tips for beginners. For those new to thrift store shopping, she suggests building your wardrobe with a great fitting pair of pants or jeans. Then look for an accompanying blouse, top, jacket or sweater at your local thrift store. She recommends that you wear those pants the day you go shopping, so you can see what matches well. Plus, don't overlook accessories, such as scarves or jewelry, which are inexpensive at thrift stores. Felix started thrifting when her daughter was in grade school, as a way to stock up on inexpensive costumes and dress-up materials.

Pay Attention to Location

Another strategy that Felix emphasizes is the importance of the thrift store location. She finds the best quality designer clothing in upscale areas. According to Felix, wealthier cities as well as popular travel destinations can be great for scouting out thrift stores with high-end clothing. She shares that hotels will often bring unclaimed clothing and electronics to thrift stores, which means thrift stores near major cities and tourist attractions are the places to go.

Felix's own best thrift store discovery was the time she found seven different St. John knit sweater sets that ranged in price from $7.99 to $9.99 each. The typical retail price for those luxurious sweaters at Neiman Marcus and other high-end stores can be as high as $1,000.

Thrift stores are a great place to satisfy your fashion cravings on a shoestring budget. Strategically shopping at stores in upscale areas, patiently sifting through the entire rack and having a smartphone to help research unknown brands and normal retail prices will help you in your search for second-hand treasures at your local thrift store. And in case you're wondering, according to local sources, Sarah Jessica Parker purchased mainly shoes and handbags during her shopping excursion at Goodwill in Falls Church, Virginia -- top fashion staples for those seeking thrift store deals!

Laura Harders is the founder of Beltway Bargain Mom, one of Washington DC's most popular sites for money-saving tips, finding the best deals and living a frugal lifestyle.