Across social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, thrifters have discovered the infamous Goodwill “bins.” Some are looking for one-of-a-kind designer treasures to add to their wardrobe, others are looking for easy clean-up Depop items to sell, or some seek clothing options that are significantly more eco-friendly and affordable than the mall.

Junior Mas Kouakou, a regular thrifter at the Goodwill bins, has gained valuable knowledge from his experience browsing through items. His first word of advice is to go open-minded and expectation-free. “Don’t be picky,” he suggests. If you go in expecting to find “Lululemon leggings, you’re probably not gonna find that, but you might find something worse or better,” Kouakou said.

He believes that embracing the nature of thrifting should start by taking generous time to sift through all the options. Similarly, Kouakou suggests allotting enough time at the bins to expose yourself to multiple rotations of bins: “The bins rotate every hour… if you want to go dumpster diving, get there early,” he said.

In addition, Kouakou recommends coming equipped with a supply of hand sanitizer before arriving at the bins. “There are some not so great things you’ll touch…like underwear. But you know, it’s not the end of the world,” he said. He suggests that thrifters who want another level of protection bring a pair of disposable plastic gloves.

After testing multiple search methods, Kouakou finds that starting at the back end of the bin leads to the most success. “A lot of things get thrown back … just keep just digging,” he said. Whatever gems he finds, Kouakou emphasizes two unbreakable rules to live by. First, never buy skinny jeans or shoes. He explains that the apparel is “beat down” and “won’t last long.”Instead, Kouakou suggests keeping an eye out for regular jeans, tee-shirts, and sweaters, all items that can appear nicely in various sizes and fits.

“Just try to be yourself when you dress. You can definitely take inspiration from others but never try to appear as someone else,” Kouakou said.