Southeast Missouri State University student publication

Kare to Thrift owner and SEMO alumna shares thrifting tips

Friday, October 29, 2021
SEMO Alumna Karis Gamble models for her resale thrift business Kare to Thrift. Her shop uses Instagram and Facebook to promote her unique, thrifted clothing items and show how they can be styled.
Photo submitted by Karis Gamble

Growing up, SEMO mass communications alumna Karis Gamble thrift shopped regularly with her father before it became trendy. Today, Gamble continues to thrift, and after her mother commented on her overflowing closet in June of this year, she decided to start the resale thrift brand Kare to Thrift.

“[Kare to Thrift] is a ‘90s throwback resale closet,” Gamble said. “I sell everything, but I really focus on throwback clothes.”

Gamble describes her personal style as “old school news anchor,” since she gravitates toward brightly-colored blazers, shoulder pads and hoop earrings. In Kare to Thrift’s Instagram videos, Gamble’s particular vintage style is showcased through casual high-waisted denim ensembles and colorful business attire. Gamble dances to upbeat music and models her thrifted finds for sale.

Kare to Thrift operates on Instagram and Facebook, but Gamble said the majority of her customer base is more active on Instagram. After Gamble posts a clothing item on her page, customers message her about purchasing the piece before price and shipping are decided upon. As a St. Louis-based brand, Gamble said many of her local customers pick up their purchases in person.

Before selling clothing on social media, Gamble hunts through countless racks in numerous thrift stores to find inventory for Kare to Thrift. Gamble said finding the product is a lot more difficult in a thrifting business than in a regular clothing store or boutique.

The logo for Karis Gamble’s shop Kare to Thrift features a clothing rack with two empty hangers. When thrifting, Gamble will hunt through entire racks of clothes to find products for her brand.
Photo submitted by Karis Gamble

Despite this challenge, Gamble has found ways to optimize her thrifting experience and gives her personal tips for beginning thrifters.

“When you first walk in, think about your style and think about something that is not your style,” Gamble said.

Gamble typically starts with the shirts or jackets section and combs through the entire rack, scanning for items that fit her style. She said it is important to look through every single item, as there could be “hidden gems” anywhere.

For beginning thrifters, Gamble highly recommends starting with the jackets because of their versatility.

“They have so many jackets,” Gamble said. “You don’t even have to look hard. You can always find a good jacket, a good coat [or] a good vest.”

In Gamble’s opinion, the most difficult section to thrift from is the pants section because of inconsistent sizing. Unless someone knows their exact pants size, she said it is hard to pick out a pair that fits correctly. To combat this problem, Gamble recommends looking for pants with stretchy waists, belt loops or buttons, so the wearer can manipulate the item to fit how she desires.

SEMO Alumna Karis Gamble models for her resale thrift business Kare to Thrift. Her shop uses Instagram and Facebook to promote her unique, thrifted clothing items and show how they can be styled.
Photo submitted by Karis Gamble

Some of Gamble’s favorite finds include rompers and sundresses, since both styles look good whether they’re loose-fitting or tight-fitting. Upon finding a dress, she first thinks about whether the item would look good with a jean jacket or blazer over it. Thinking about how to style pieces is vital to Gamble’s thrifting process.

On the Kare to Thrift Instagram, Gamble showcases “thrift hacks,” in which she styles items in new, unexpected ways. In one video, she buttons two different flannel shirts together to create a new top. In another video, she turns a pair of elephant pants into a one-shoulder bodycon dress.

“[To achieve these looks], you’ve got to twist, lock, knot and pull,” Gamble said. “Add belts or tuck. Make the clothing work [for you].”

Gamble recently added personalized style sessions to Kare to Thrift for anyone looking for a customized wardrobe.

“[The style sessions] open their eyes to something new and open my eyes to something new,” Gamble said. “It’s bringing people together.”

SEMO Alumna Karis Gamble models for her resale thrift business Kare to Thrift. Her shop uses Instagram and Facebook to promote her unique, thrifted clothing items and show how they can be styled.
Photo submitted by Karis Gamble

One of her main goals of Kare to Thrift is to show customers something they have not seen before and inspire them to try new styles they might otherwise avoid.

“Fashion is how you express yourself and portray yourself to others,” Gamble said. “You dress how you feel, and you look how you feel. If you’re having a bad day and you put on some good clothes and feel nice, you’re probably going to feel better.”

Shop Karis Gamble’s hand-picked thrifted clothing items at Kare to Thrift’s social media.

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