As the weather starts to cool and you’re trying to find your sweaters from last year, you may find that they aren’t your style anymore. 

Thrift shops offer the opportunity to enhance your wardrobe in an affordable yet stylish way. Tucson has dozens of thrift and resell stores including Buffalo Exchange, which was birthed in Tucson 50 years ago, Goodwill and vintage resale stores.

With trends coming and going, it’s hard to stay up to date on what is considered “in style.” Through thrifting, customers can curate their perfect wardrobe no matter the season without breaking the bank.

Plato’s Closet, a favorite of many UA students, allows customers to bring in freshly washed and gently used clothes and sell them for cash. Many sellers often opt to spend the cash on Plato’s collection of shirts, pants, dresses, shoes and accessories from trending brands including Alo, Lululemon, Ugg, Princess Polly, Dr. Martens, Nike and Coach.

These items range in price. An Alo sweatshirt was recently on sale for $30 and a pair of Nike Jordans was going for $50. 

Located around the country and with three Tucson locations, Plato’s Closet promotes the ideas of sustainability, convenience and affordability.

“I think we have a great balance of finding pieces that work for anyone in our community,” said Rebekah Herklotz, store manager for Plato’s Closet Tucson East.

Plato’s Closet sells items 50-70% off their original retail value and buys items at 30-40% of that. For instance, if an item originally sold new for $100, it would sell in Plato’s for no less than $50 and if you were the seller of that item you would likely earn between $15 to $20. 

“We do have a little bit of wiggle room if the item is in better condition or new with tags,” Herklotz said. 

New inventory is put out daily.

Olivia Lopez, a senior and fashion minor at the UA, said she enjoys shopping at Plato’s Closet.

“They sell pieces that are on trend, which makes it an enjoyable shopping experience,” Lopez said.

The cheapest items are usually tank tops and shorts ranging from $3 to $5 with other designer items such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Prada bags being sold for around $1,000.

“The fact that you can go out and sell your clothes for cash and then buy almost brand new items is really great. It’s really great for the environment, as well,” Herklotz said. 

Herklotz said that it’s a great way to keep your wardrobe fresh adding, “It is a cheaper option so you can constantly buy new stuff.”

Tori Sausman, a UA senior, enjoys thrifting and describes her wardrobe as her ultimate self-expression. 

“I enjoy thrifting because I can hand curate my wardrobe to my personal style,” Sausman said. 

As a member of a sorority, she finds that a lot of girls are wearing the same clothes. She enjoys standing out with her fashion choices and explains that thrifting allows her to maintain her own unique wardrobe.

“I like to have pieces that nobody else has, have fun colors and patterns to match my personality and turn pieces that many might deem ugly into pieces I hold close to my heart,” she said.

She likes to find bold pieces thrifting that she can pair with basics she already owns to create the perfect outfit. 

To anyone who has not experienced thrifting, Sausman would say, “it is more cost effective, entertaining and a versatile way to build a personal wardrobe. Anyone can thrift, it’s all about looking for what you want and love.”

Lopez said affordability is one of the main reasons she started thrifting. 

“I think there are a lot of benefits to thrifting,” she said. “As a college student I don’t have a ton of money so it’s a more affordable option to buy clothes without getting brand new clothes.” 

As a fashion minor, Lopez enjoys staying up to date on trends and unique pieces.

“I have found some unique vintage pieces that have added some character into my closet and have helped me step out of my fashion comfort zone,” she said.

Plato’s Closet — 5616 E Broadway Blvd Park Place mall; 7306 N. Oracle Road; and 5373 S, Calle Santa Cruz – is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Sunday hours are from 11 a.m. -6 p.m. for Park Place and until 7 p.m. for the Oracle Road and southside stores.  

Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism