We have all heard the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” Many of these so called “treasures” can be found in thrift stores.

Thrift stores are shops where people can go and peruse through clothes, shoes and other accessories that people have donated. It could be last year’s fashion, or it could be something from 1963. You just never know.

Some of the appeal in thrift store shopping comes from the hunt.

People might have to search and search to find something really special. It may take 15 minutes, or it may take an hour, and you could walk away with nothing.

Then there are the “thrift store professionals.” Those people who always seem to be able to find the most trendy items for the most exceptional deals.

Cassie McGough is definitely a “thrift store professional.” McGough, a European studies and German junior, has been going to thrift stores since high school.

She said she goes at least once a week and has gotten anywhere from one to 20 things on one trip.

McGough is never looking for anything in particular, she said. She is open to anything that jumps out at her.

“That is what is so great about thrift stores; you’re always surprised, you can go in there and find a bag, a belt or some dress that you couldn’t even have pictured in your brain could exist,” McGough said.

She said she found her high school prom dress at a thrift store for $25. The dress was at least 40 years old, floor length, made of velvet and had beautiful beads and embroidery. McGough said that was probably the best deal she has ever gotten. She said she has also found several handmade dresses while thrift store shopping.

“Some mom made it for her daughter in high school 30 years ago, and it’s just fun to relive those stories,” McGough said.

She can spend anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours thrift store shopping, she said. McGough wears at least one item a day that came from a thrift store. Her closet is made up of what she refers to as a “happy half” of thrift store clothes, she said.

McGough said it isn’t just the bargain prices that attract her to thrift store shopping. She said she loves the history behind each piece she finds.

“The ’50s might have been my favorite era, and it is so nice because you can relive it on a daily basis because of thrift stores,” McGough said. “It’s like opening up a history book.”

Thrift stores are not all full of gems though. You will definitely stumble across a fair share of humorous and ugly items. McGough’s best advice for thrift store shopping is, when in doubt try everything on.

“With thrift stores something can look beautiful on the hanger, and terrible on, or hideous on the hanger and wonderful on,” McGough said.

McGough said she recommends thrift store shopping to everyone, if only for the experience.