For many shoppers, thrift shopping is the absolute last resort for fashion. It's often seen as embarrassing and, in some cases, even degrading to set foot inside a secondhand store. Shoppers commonly fear that the only outfits that come out of thrift stores are ones that were popular during the '70s and '80s: loud patterns, even louder fabrics, and holes in all the wrong places. Although there are some of these items present in secondhand shops, there is so much more to consider about thrift shopping.

Thrifting is a great way to put together diverse and contemporary outfits that are, in fact, fashionable, all while saving an incredible amount of money! To literally put my money where my mouth is and test this claim, I set out on a mission in the name of affordable fashion; I aimed to put together at least three fashionable secondhand outfits with all the cash I had in my wallet: $30.

The end result? I visited three different thrift stores within 10 miles of each other and put together four very different (and very cute) outfits for a little under $26. These outfits (with their pricing descriptions) are pictured below! Take a minute to admire my handiwork.

As stated above, I spent a total of around $26 when the retail prices of these outfits added up to a staggering nearly $195 total. Even just the thought of paying $195 for four relatively simple outfits makes my heart hurt and my wallet ugly-cry. Buying these clothes secondhand saved me $170 and gave me four new-to-me outfits that range from professional to casual!

Not only does thrift shopping save you money, but it plays a role in saving our environment as well! Many articles of clothing and other used goods are thrown away once their original owners are finished with them when these items could be donated for others to reuse. Buying goods from thrift stores and other secondhand stores reduces the amount of perfectly useful products wasting away in landfills. Purchasing recycled clothing also reduces waste and pollution in the process of producing clothing.

Admittedly, thrift shopping is, at times, a little more difficult and frustrating than it looks. Beginning thrifters should be highly aware of the following aspects of thrifting:

1. You may have to hunt through racks on racks to find items you want to try on.

Keep your mind open, though; you may find that you like clothes that have never been on your fashion radar. There's no better place than a thrift store to get creative with your outfits and really broaden your fashion horizons!

2. For those thrifters that hold brand loyalties, you may still be able to find your beloved brand(s) on the racks of a secondhand store.

I have seen (and bought) brands such as Vineyard Vines, Liz Claiborne, and Ralph Lauren at thrift stores. Their prices may be a little higher than the other items in the store, but they are still much less expensive than their retail counterparts.

3. Because there are so many different brands mixed together, some items that are "your size" may not actually be your size.

Don't get discouraged if you take 11 items into the dressing room and only a few items fit/look worthy of buying. This, along with the fact that there is just so much stuff to look at, usually makes it harder to find items in a timely fashion. Give yourself an ample amount of time to sort through the products that you want to look through.

4. Check the items you would like to purchase for stains, rips, holes, cracks, and other damages.

Keep in mind that the items you are purchasing have probably been used/worn before, so they may come with a little baggage. If you truly believe that the price is not fit for the good (damages and all) and you can't leave the store without that particular item, it doesn't hurt to wager the price. Some thrift stores have non-negotiable prices, but some will lower the price of the item marginally if you make your case and ask politely.

5. It's always a good idea to wash the items before you use them.

Even though most stores already do this before the items are put out for sale, it doesn't hurt to wash them again!

Between saving the environment, saving you money, and looking great on you, thrifting is worth every single second spent digging through store racks and shelves. If this article doesn't convince you, try this for yourself! You may be very surprised at what you find!