Thrifting for Special Events: Finding Unique Formal Wear

Elegance is not standing out, but being remembered.
– Giorgio Armani

Thrifting for special occasions can be like an exciting treasure hunt, offering the chance to find one-of-a kind pieces that make a statement. Whether your formal wear is for a wedding, dinner, party, or graduation, thrift stores are brimming with fancy apparel that can help you create a unique and stylish look without breaking your budget. With a bit of patience and the guidance in this article, you can uncover high-quality formal wear that rivals anything you might find in high-end boutiques.

Finding the Right Thrift Store

Not every thrift store is going to have the right selection of formal wear in stock, so a bit of research and effort can really pay off in your search.

In general, wealthy neighborhoods typically get higher-quality donations, and sometimes that might include designer formal wear. Stock in formal clothing is likely to be higher after key dates when people tend to dress up, so January for Christmas and New Year’s parties, and June after graduation events. If you’re not in a hurry, checking thrift stores during these periods has a higher likelihood of yielding good results. 

In some cases, stores may host special events where they bring out their best stock or offer increased discounts, so watch for announcements on social media and in email campaigns. Signing up for newsletters can often pay off well for apparel thrifting!

Identifying High-Quality Apparel

You’re planning for a big event and need to look your best, but besides the overall look of items you find, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the quality.

Check for obvious damage first. High-end garments (the type you want to show off!) tend to have impeccable stitching and sturdy seams. Verify that wear is minimal, there are no stains (especially ones that can’t be easily removed), hardware (like zippers and buttons) is in good shape and works well, and there are no tears or other issues. If there’s beading, embroidery, or perhaps even unique buttons, verify that nothing is missing and that all elements match.

Fully lined dresses and suits are often a sign of better quality. Check for labels too, both the brands and the materials used in the garment. Look for labels from reputable designers and brands known for formal wear. Materials like silk, wool and cashmere are common for formal wear and can often be identified by touch, but make sure the label listing materials backs up what you feel.

Get the Perfect Fit

Once you’ve found a great, well-made garment that will be a great addition to your outfit, it’s time to invest the time to make sure it will fit you.

If you can, try the garment on. It’s best here if you’re wearing layers or something underneath that’s representative of what you’ll wear to the event. Whether you can try it on or not, know your measurements and check the dimensions of the item. Having a tape measure with you makes it easier to verify the size.

If the fit is close and you have a trusted tailor (or you can make adjustments yourself), alterations will help bridge the gap between something that looks like it generally fits and something that looks like it was made just for you. Perhaps some of the money you save thrifting vs. spending retail can go towards tailoring.

Not Sure What to Wear?

If you haven’t been to an event similar to where the formal wear will be used, we can offer some general guidance that might help.

For weddings, women might look their best in a gown or cocktail dress. Lace, satin, and silk are great fabric choices. If it’s a daytime wedding, consider pastel colors; for evening, choose darker shades. Men should generally seek well-fitting suits, tuxedos, or perhaps even a 3-piece suit. Wool and linen can be great choices (depending on the season), and don’t forget a crisp dress shirt, stylish tie, and dress shoes.

For balls and formal events, women might choose a full-length gown with embellishments. Fabrics like chiffon, velvet, and taffeta can add a bit of luxury. For men, a black tuxedo is always a great choice. Pair it with a white dress shirt, black tie, and leather shoes.

For cocktail parties, women can opt for a shorter cocktail dress. Look for unique designs that stand out; bold colors, metallics, and interesting patterns can help. For men, a blazer and dress pants is typically the best choice, paired with a dress shirt and interesting tie.

Completing the Look

The guidance above will help the most with formal apparel, but depending on the event type, accessories might help to complete your look.

Vintage and consignment stores can often be a good source for unique accessories, like belts, gloves, hats, and jewelry. Don’t be afraid to try pairing vintage accessories with more modern clothing. Try out some bold pieces too, perhaps a colourful tie or necklace to complete an otherwise simple ensemble.

After the Event

If you no longer need your thrifted apparel after the event is over, you might just be able to recover some of your costs by reselling what you purchased. 

Before you take that step, make sure the item is clean and in good condition. This might require washing or dry cleaning the item, as well as performing any minor repairs before you offer it for sale.

Once it’s ready, do your research. See what similar items are selling for online, perhaps by checking for similar sold items on eBay or a site like Poshmark. Once you have a target price in mind for each item, take great pictures of it in natural lighting, then get it posted on your favorite resale platform, whether it’s Depop, Poshmark, eBay, or another platform from our top buying and selling preowned clothes list.

Conclusion

Formal events are a great way to celebrate and have fun, and by following the guidance in this article and our best thrifting tips, you’ll be able to stand out from the crowd in an outfit that’s easy on your budget. In fact, with the right resale strategy, you might even be able to turn a profit!

We hope you have a great time at your next formal event in your thrifted formalwear.