The Ultimate Ukay-ukay Guide to Shopping Thrifted Clothes and Shoes

Every Thrift shop is chock-full of quirky, unique items — trendy clothes and shoes that were considered popular many years ago. To avoid looking dated, choose pieces that are timeless and simple. These are items that you can wear at any time and occasion, such as plain black dresses, flats, dress shoes, and pencil skirts, among others.

We know that sometimes, used clothes and shoes need a little TLC to make them look like new, or at least more decent. And that’s okay. However, we need to know the difference between mendable flaws and irreparable ones. Check the clothing’s stress points, like knees, elbows, and underarms, for signs of wear and tear. For shoes, check the soles and heels. If it looks like they can’t withstand a few wears and washes, then it’s best to put the item back in the rack. If a leather pair shows signs of cracks, wrinkles, or peeling, for example, it’s not worth your buck anymore.

One thing to remember about ukay-ukay shopping (thrift shopping) is that the items sold at thrift shops were discarded for a reason. Most of the time, it’s due to stains and foul smell—which means if the previous wearer or store owner couldn’t get them out, then most probably you can’t either. Again, check the stress points. If they look yellow-ish (eww!), don’t ever think about buying them. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Germs and bacteria thrive in moist environments, so steer clear of items made of absorbent material, like suede. While it’s possible to disinfect used clothes and shoes, it’s difficult to completely rid them of germs. If you don’t want to catch other people’s body or foot odor, choose leather, vinyl, or other similar materials. Besides, they are machine-washable, easy to sanitize, and more comfortable to wear, so it’s a double win.

Thoroughly washing clothes and other stuff bought from a thrift shop is a must. And it doesn’t only mean tossing them into your washing machine. Take note that these items may have been sitting in the store or storage room for days or even months, so there is a good chance that bacteria (or molds) have grown in them. Sanitize clothing by soaking them in warm water with alcohol for about five minutes. As for leather shoes, you can use a clean towel dipped in alcohol to wipe the insides, and then anti-fungal spray to further sanitize. Foot powder is also a great alternative. Let it sit for 2 days or more to get rid of lingering odors and germs.

Check out our List of Clothing Stores in Metro Manila or browse the Women's Clothing category of the Yoorekka Directory.