Chicology Magazine

Need a side hustle this summer? This might just be the one you’re looking for if you want to use your creative visions to create pieces of your own fashion. Thrifting is a way to give something a second chance, but thrift flipping is a way to give an item a second chance to be transformed into something else! If this is something that seems fun to you, you’ll love thrift flipping! You’ve probably seen these thrift flip tutorials and results popping up on your fyp recently. Buying second-hand from thrift stores or similar places and changing them into your vision! The rush you’ll feel when finding that perfect piece at just the right price, letting you use your creativity to enhance this newfound treasure. It’s a low-cost and low-risk side hustle. You only need creativity and a few supplies like scissors and thread to enjoy! Many people have decided to jump on the bandwagon of moving to minimalism as they’ve seen the consequences of over-consumption. Thrift flipping is a way to change thrifted items into fashionable pieces while being eco-friendly. This helps reduce waste on the planet and support the fashion industry through upcycling and repurposing. A side hustle in thrift flipping can let you help the planet, enhance your skills, and earn some money while doing so! Using social media platforms to bring in customers to your store makes it easier to reach people across the globe without needing a large inventory.

Want to know how to stay ahead of the crowd when beginning to thrift flip? Shop at local thrift stores and markets to get insider info on when new arrivals will come from staff or find hidden gems! Shopping locally lets you support a local business in your community and your own business, like a circle of helping small businesses grow! 

Now…here’s how to get started! Set a budget that you’re okay with not risking losing too much money at the beginning of your store launch. Research other thrift flipping businesses and see what sells best, taking notes on how you can put your own creative twist on it yourself. Avoid buying clothes with major damage if you’re not confident in being able to repair it. You can practice your skills by fixing small holes or restitching small areas, increasing the item’s resale value for when you go to sell it yourself! Make sure you clean the clothes before you start working on them; it will help freshen up the look and remove any previous staining or discoloring. After making your chosen item fit your vision, you’ll want to make sure it’s insta-post ready! Use natural lighting and show multiple angles to attract customers. It’s even better if you have a mannequin to display your items on to showcase how your item will fit and fall on a person without having to wear the item yourself. Using a mannequin will bring your business up a level, setting you apart from others on online markets, but this investment isn’t advised until you’ve made a solid number of sales or have a steadier flow of income. 

Let’s look at some specific people who’ve thrived in this area for inspiration! Let’s start with t-shirts! You can take a basic tee and turn it into so many things like scrunchies, tote bags, cosmetic bags, tube tops, and going-out tops like camis! These can be made using a sewing machine or by hand sewing the pieces together. You can even make tops out of items like old jeans! Some ideas that are really cool and artistic are making a patchwork jacket out of thrifted materials like blankets, denim jackets, and other jackets! Halter tops, tube tops, and tank tops will be big sellers when you start this summer since people will be looking for unique pieces to wear to music festivals, pool parties, or similar outings. 

Wanna grow your side hustle’s potential? Start wearing some of your thrift flips out around your friends! It’s a great conversation starter and will increase your customer reach locally by word of mouth. Don’t forget to mention how you made it, especially if it was hand-sewn alterations to the item, as this will boost the probability of people buying a piece from you. Friends and family members are the best people to start selling your products to, as they will want to support your new ambitions! Have your friends model your pieces around town while hanging out with their other friends. This instantly increases your business recognition as you’re reaching an audience outside of your own circle through a happy customer. Once you’ve sold a few pieces, don’t feel scared to ask customers to leave reviews or posts about their purchases. This will increase trust with other potential customers about the quality of your work! You can even expand your creativity by making bedazzled designs like Cyrenescloset on Instagram, bringing a new look entirely to your thrift find!