Don't be fooled, I took these photos a few weeks back on the last truly warm day...now it is snowing outside!
BLAH!!!
My handmade statement necklace looks like it was meant to be part of this wild dress. The vintage dress (I'm guessing late 1960's - early 1970's) is handmade and originally about 2 sizes too large for me but I managed to take it in on my own without ruining it.
So how do you wear a bold print vintage maxi?
Let's look at some visual suggestions from my bloggy friends...
the Queen of all bold pattern vintage maxi dresses herself...Vix
This woman hasn't met a vintage bold print maxi dress that she didn't like, and all vintage dresses love her.
What did we learn from Vix?
Bold goes with bold...so bigger necklaces, more bangles and definitely faux fur.
Let's see how Curtise styles her obsession with vintage maxis...
Oooh! Vintage tapestry carpet bag alert!
Curtise shows that a little topper, jacket, sweater or vest can break up that bold pattern and give the eyes a place to rest.
Here are some vintage dresses I've worn and how I've styled them.
One thing is for sure...you need to have some confidence to carry off bold patterns.
Strut around like you own the place...
Because darlin's...
in this world the one that leaves the biggest impression
In many cases you will have to do a double take...many of these photos look so contemporary it is difficult to believe they are wearing vintage.
Vintage Vixen - Vix is a reseller and quite simply the Queen of all things vintage. She is brilliant at sewing, crafting and decorating. Really the only thing you will ask yourself after visiting her blog is, "Just what can't this woman do?"
Her style isn't for the weak of heart or those who are bothered by bright colours. As Vix famously wrote,
"Whoever it was that said less is more was obviously mathematically challenged. Any fool will tell you that less isn't more, less is definitely less than more,or it was last time I looked."
She has by far hands down the best collection of vintage maxi dresses I've ever seen and one of the coolest quirkiest houses to match.
It's Not That Deep - When Sheree shops vintage or consignment it is difficult to even imagine the pieces she chooses are vintage. Would you ever guess these pants are vintage? Such a contemporary take on styling vintage pieces.
The Secondhand Years - Curtise buys almost exclusively at thrift and vintage shops. She has a great eye and pretty much everything she has, I want. The fact that we have the same colour of hair and almost the same body type makes me think I could walk into her closet and wear all of her clothes.
Wouldn't that be cool if you could just switch closets with someone for a week?
Adore to Adorn - Nancy is another gal that takes a vintage piece and effortlessly makes it look chic and hip. She doesn't have a ton of vintage in her closet, but what she does have are brilliant buys that work well with her unique sense of fashion.
My Edit - Both a seller and collector of all things vintage Yentina can pretty much make a paper bag look good. Her insane sense of combining old and new to create something entirely fresh keeps me returning to her blog again and again.
The Citizen Rosebud - Grunge meets vintage, meets cool. Bella is all that and more. A reseller of vintage and thrifted items she always scores the most unique pieces and combines them in a way that makes her look like she has walked straight out of Hollywood.
Bag and a Beret - What do you get when you mix a divinely gifted artist with thrifted/vintage clothing? Melanie. She is wild, she is crazy and essentially fearless when it comes to fashion. Her ability to combine patterns and colours show off her brilliant artistic skills. Oh! and added bonus...she is hilarious!
Chronically Vintage - Jessica is a reseller and also a bit of an expert on vintage items. She knows her history and researches many of the vintage pieces she wears. She really understands how to dress her body and makes great use of small vintage details in each of her outfits.
Melodic Thrifty & Chic - Anna's is the layering master. I especially love her menswear inspired looks. She is brilliant at combining thrifted, vintage and new into an eclectic detailed fashion collage.
Porcelinas World - Porcelina has a very European sensibility to her vintage outfits and some wonderful party looks styled from vintage pieces.
Just Another Wardrobe Experience - This German gal has a way of looking like she just walked off the set of a classic 1950's movie, without looking costumey. She has the most wondeful extensive collection of full skirts and a brilliant eye for purchasing classic vintage pieces.
You see that vintage can be whatever you want it to be. I've become an avid fan and collector and I cherish each unique piece I own.
Figure flattering and uber sexy this design has never really fallen out of fashion. This is evident in the photos I have chosen above of Marilyn Monroe and Rachel Jensen. They almost look like they are wearing the exact same version of the classic black pencil skirt.
Vintage versions were high waisted, long and sleek and fell to or just below the knee.
Although I don't have a vintage version of my own yet, I do adore my modern versions which can fall at the knee or above but still have the same curve hugging fit.
The pencil skirt is an important wardrobe basic and everyone should have at least one in their closet.
( I don't dare count the number I have!)
I wrote a full article about them for my wardrobe staple series and also explained how to choose the perfect pencil skirt for your body type.
Here is how I would style some of the vintage skirts I came across online through Etsy...
Let's talk about vintage blouses and in particular, my favourite style of vintage blouse, the pussy bow blouse.
Wikipedia says that the name literally comes from little kittens that had a bows tied around their necks. Hard to believe that name stuck through all these years.
I haven't been lucky enough to find any vintage blouses to purchase for myself. I think they are harder to come by in good condition.
That doesn't mean there aren't some great pieces out there as I found these beauties for sale online.
Created way back in the 1890's by such designers as Omar Kiam pussy bow blouses became popular in North America in the 1960's and were favourites of Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.
I find them super sexy as Joan from Mad Men shows us here...
Although I don't have any vintage versions of this I do own two vintage inspired reproductions put out a few years ago by H&M.
And I've also created a similar idea by using a scarf.
One thing to keep in mind when styling these blouses is if you are petite like me, closing off your neck with the top done all the way up will shorten your visual height. If you are able to find a top more like the one Joan is wearing, or my H&M reproduction, where it has a lower neckline before it ties, it won't visually shorten your body.
If your neck is very short anything that cuts it off isn't a good bet. If you have a long ballerina neck you can wear 10 scarves and a pussy bow and still look great. You lucky swan you! ; )
Having great style is being aware of your body. We all have faults. If you can learn to accent your good qualities and camouflage those you don't care for as much it will you will look better, feel more confident and distinguish yourself from the crowd.
Finally, a Polyvore set on how I would style two of the vintage blouses I found online contemporary.
So you think you might want to start wearing some vintage pieces but aren't too sure where to start?
I'm going to break it down for you showing you how to style separate pieces of vintage items for a contemporary modern look.
This article will address styling vintage pieces, not items thrifted or consignment items since those are often current pieces and would be styled as you would any other contemporary piece.
I consider vintage clothing to be made between the 1920's - 1970's. Prior to the 1920's clothing is considered antique and after the early 1970's it looks too recent for my taste and would be defined as retro rather than vintage. This article will show you how to style vintage pieces with other items from your closet.
Let's start with pants or trousers.
Pants weren't really popular for women and weren't worn en masse until after the sexual revolution and second-wave feminism in the late 1960s and 1970s. Therefore they are much harder to come by when shopping vintage.
A couple of styles I have been lusting after that would work very well in today's fashion environment are the palazzo or wide leg pants from the 1940's and popular again in the 1970's.
In the 40's they were thicker and often made of wool.
When they came back into vogue again in the 1970's they were thinner and looked like a long skirt when standing still. Notice that both styles have a very high waist, elongating the legs.
Some ideas on how I would style a great pair of sexy palazzo pants I found on Etsy.
It just so happens that Sylvia from 40+ Style also has a great post up about this style of pant that has come back for Spring 2014.
Cigarette pants, the precursor to skinny jeans were made famous by Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe.
High waisted and body skimming this style is very popular today (albeit with a lower waistline), now known as ankle skinnies or capris when not as fitted.
Here is how I would style some 1950's original cigarette pants for winter that I found on Etsy.
Be aware that this style can shorten your body. A ballet flat would work well if you are long and lean already. Everyone else will benefit from wearing these with a heel to help elongate the body.
Next week I'll introduce you to styling vintage tops.
One of the best things about vintage clothes is they never go out of style. While trendy wardrobe pieces don’t necessarily work for everyone, vintage silhouettes are flattering on every body type. You can pick and choose among the many unique vintage styles from different eras to find the ones that fit your personality.
What is a vintage store?
Unlike a thrifts stores vintage stores carry truly timeless unique pieces of fashion. Items that have stood the test of time and are unmistakably classic. Sometimes you can be lucky when shopping in a thrift store and stumble across vintage items, but it is far easier to go directly to the source and shop at a vintage store where items have been curated with a discerning eye and knowledge of fashion. You pay for the convenience. Prices are elevated compared to thrift stores.
Why bother buying vintage?
Vintage is a way of standing apart from the crowd and a fiercely individualistic way of dressing. You need never worry someone else will be wearing the same item as you. These are truly one-of-a-kind memorable pieces and you should be prepared to stand out rather than blend in when you wear them.
Buying vintage helps save the planet. Recycling helps to save the environment.
Preserving history. Wearing vintage provides a sense history. You're not just wearing clothes, you're wearing memories. This is especially true if the piece comes from a family member.
Quality. Vintage items are generally much higher quality in both fabric, attention to detail and construction than anything mass produced today.
Buying vintage can be an investment with payoff. Pristine designer pieces will, if kept in perfect condition, like a fine wine, increase in value over time should you choose to divest yourself of that piece at a later date.
Where do I find the best vintage stores?
Research online but also ask around. Once you've found a great store ask the owner if they know of any others.
Travelling or annual vintage shows and fairs offer the opportunity to visit many different vendors at once. They provide a wonderful opportunity to discover new shops and understand the type of inventory they carry and if it suits your style and budget. If it is a local store you can then choose visit the actual store at a later date.
Etsy online is a wonderful place to buy vintage items. I'm very wary of buying any clothing online due to fit. Most online vintage stores will not allow returns so be aware when you purchase via Etsy.
How do I avoid looking like I'm wearing a costume?
Dressing entirely in vintage sometimes makes you look like you just walked off a 1950's movie set. While some people love this (count me in!) other people want to remain current. Simply style one piece of vintage with other current pieces from your closet. The only way people will know that you are wearing vintage will be because they haven't seen anyone else wearing that same item. A pretty great reason to continue buying vintage if you ask me.
How do I choose vintage pieces for myself?
Knowing your body type is paramount. If you have an hourglass shape items from the 1940's and 1950's are ideal. If you are long and lean 1930's and 1960's are suited to you. A little bit rounder around the edges? 1950's or 1920's if you can find them. Often though you can find suitable pieces from every era to suit every shape. You just have to be willing to look.
Shopping in vintage clothing stores can be a bit intimidating at first. Like you've entered another realm of the universe. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping vintage:
Take a tape measure and don't pay attention to sizing.
Old sizing does not compute with today's vanity sizing, instead measure your waist ( the smallest part of your torso, just under your ribcage) and remember that size. All of the vintage shops I've visited have their pieces listed by waist size. If you take your tape measure with, you can quickly measure items on the racks to be sure prior to trying them on. This will save you loads of time. Be aware...vintage dresses have zero stretch and were meant to fit very snug (except for the 20's and 30's). The bodice can fit tightly, but make sure you can breathe! : )
How much should I pay in vintage stores?
This can vary greatly from the store to the item of interest. If it is a designer gown in pristine condition expect to pay what you would for a new one. A general rule is don't pay more than you would for a new item of the same quality.
Check over your items carefully.
That means looking well at the seams, buttons, zippers and checking that there aren't any holes or stains (especially in the armpits). An easy way of detecting holes and stains is to hold the piece up to the light. These are old garments so be aware of areas where the fabric looks frayed or thinned. If you spot a problem be sure to point it out when making your purchase. You should be able to get an additional discount.
Find a good tailor.
Some items might need a bit of TLC or nipping and tucking once you purchase them. Search out a reputable tailor that knows how to treat delicate vintage pieces.
Many of the dresses from the 1950's were worn with girdles so the waists seem impossibly small. Often these have a bit of extra fabric at the seams so a good tailor can take them out for you. Make sure there is extra seam allowance prior to purchasing if you plan on having it taken out.
No returns.
Every vintage store I've been in has a strict no returns policy.
Cash is king.
Sometimes I'm able to make a better deal when purchasing if I pay with cash. Also not all stores will accept credit cards. Be sure to ask prior to browsing so you aren't disappointed.
You snooze you lose.
Each one of the items in a vintage store are considered one-of-a-kind. If you leave that piece behind don't expect to see it again and it probably won't be there a week later should you change your mind.
Get friendly with the store owner.
I've met some fantastic and quirky store owners and sales people via vintage shopping. They know their inventory and are passionate about what they do. They are happy to talk to you about the pieces they carry and sometimes even know their history. Often times they keep "special" pieces for the right/favourite customer. Very good stores will see the potential of creating a long lasting relationship with you and are willing to do what it takes to keep you satisfied and coming back.
Here are some of my favourite vintage pieces I've aquired since I got hooked on vintage.
1960's reversible cape
1940's dress
Same dress styled differently.
1950's blazer
All vintage pieces except the hat and belt.
Same blazer styled modern.
1950's dress, 1940's hat, 1950's gloves
1970's hat (1970's is borderline vintage for me, but I make the exception for truly classic pieces that suit my style)
1950's dress
1960's dress
My Mom's confirmation dress
1970's skirt
1940's dress
Vintage 1950's handbag and 1960's Ferragamo shoes.
Mom's graduation dress
1950's vintage bag
Vintage dress 1950's
Vintage handbag 1950's
Ferragamo 1960's shoes
Vintage handbag 1950's
Vintage 1950's black handbag
Do you shop vintage? If so, do you have any personal tips you'd care to add?
Consignment stores are probably where I find most of my secondhand clothing. They are basically an upscale version of a thrift store and often carry current fashion trends.
The merchandise selection has been curated for you in consignment shops. You are less likely to find shabby pieces with holes or damage as the store owner checks for these problems before accepting the items to resell in the store.
Be aware that you pay for convenience, they are more expensive than thrift stores on average but take less time to browse and generally have a better, more organized selection.
What are consignment stores?
Consignment stores sell other people's items and then provide a percentage of the profit back to the seller. This is usually 30-50% depending on the store and the item.
Where do I find consignment stores?
Online or by word of mouth. I will often ask when I'm in a consignment store if they know of any other ones in the area.
How much should I expect to pay at consignment stores?
In general expect to pay half of retail, less if they are having a sale.
Are all consignment stores created equal?
No. The store owner decides what they will accept to sell and some are more discerning than others. Also the mark-up can vary dramatically between stores. Some stores only sell very high end designer merchandise whereas other stores will sell mid to lower price ranges. You need to visit the stores to see which one best suits your budget and taste.
Can I make money selling my clothing in a consignment store?
Yes. Just remember the percentage you will get from the sale will be dramatically less than if you'd sold the item yourself. Also some stores offer a better percentage if you turn around and spend whatever money you earn in their store on other merchandise.
What should I look for when trying to find a good consignment store?
Most store owners take pride in their stores but I've been in some that don't. Those generally are stores that accept questionable merchandise for resale, are dirty and disorganized. They can also smell. I visit these stores once and never return.
Look for well merchandised stores with a quick inventory rotation. Each time you go into the store it should almost feel like a new store. Quick inventory rotation means they have good merchandise priced appropriately.
Friendly staff. This is true anywhere but especially true in consignment stores. If you are looking for something special they can keep an eye open and then put it aside until you are able to make it in.
Good staff are also skilled at knowing their current inventory and can save you time by pulling things in the store that are suitable for you.
Over enthusiastic sales staff using pressure sales tactics drive me out of a store. I appreciate the staff when they are available when I need them and honest and when I ask their opinion. They won't hesitate to tell me I could do better.
Things to be aware of at consignment stores.
There is a strict no return policy in effect.
Some stores don't accept credit cards. Be sure to ask prior to browsing the store.
Some stores don't know the value of their merchandise. This is rare to find, but can sometimes hold true, in which case you get the best deals on high end products for very little money.
Be sure to check over your merchandise carefully before you purchase. If you find any flaws you can often ask for an additional discount.
Most consignment stores demand that the merchandise is cleaned or dry cleaned prior to selling. Some however don't pay attention to this rule. Smell the clothes before you buy them. You may end up having to dry clean the item after purchasing. Make sure you mention this at the time of purchase. You may be able to get a discount.
Here are some of the quality pieces I've purchased the last 18 months from consignment stores.
Often called Contents Sales and sometimes called tag sales, the full contents of the house/estate are to be liquidated. Sometimes houses will be demolished after the sale so you can even buy the fixtures and appliances.
Don't make the mistake thinking this is just an upscale garage sale...this is a whole other breed. Well organized and highly competitive true collectors and vintage buffs eliminate the middle man and go straight to the source.
Estate sales are held inside the house and are a window into how other people live. You can find everything at these sales.
No joke.
Half used perfume? Yep.
Partially used make-up? Uhuh.
Creepy?
A bit, but fascinating too.
Morbid?
That too since often the homeowners have recently died or have been admitted to a long term care facility. You get over this phobia after going to a few sales. My first sale freaked me out. A pro told me that it all has to be sold so it might as well go to someone that treasures the items.
How Do I Find An Estate Sale?
Estate sales are often run by professional companies. You can find these online, in the newspaper or by word-of-mouth.
Be sure to sign up for their newsletters. They will alert you to upcoming sales. Also most companies post photos online of items they will have at that Estate Sale. Take the time to go through them to see if they have pieces you are interested in.
You can still find regular people holding their own family estate sales often advertised in the garage sale section of the newspaper or online. These are generally disorganized but you can sometimes get some great deals.
What Do I Need To Know Before Going?
Strategize. Often there are multiple sales each weekend. Go through the online photos to decide which one to attend first. You can map the different sales by neighbourhood. It'll save you time and gas.
Sometimes you can get the price of pieces in advance if you email the owner of the company. This will help you decide if you feel the items are correctly priced or overpriced and just how early you need to make it to the sale.
Know what pieces you're interested in by previewing online. Once you get in the house you can head directly to the room where the items are. Everything is stored where you would find it normally in the house however sometimes they will take more expensive jewelry/silver/flatware and put them in glass cases in a different room where they can keep a closer eye on it. On your way into the house ask the person at the door where certain items are in the house if you are looking for something special you saw online. The people working the sale generally know which rooms have which items.
You'll need to get up very early and dress for the weather.
Bigger sales will require you to line up to get a ticket in advance. You don't pay anything for the ticket, but you do need to have one to enter the house. Handing out tickets is a way of trying to control the number of people that enter the house and the order by which they enter. A form of crowd control.
Often tickets are handed out at 6:30 in the morning. Once you have stood in line (some people get there literally 8 hours before and stand out in line) and picked up your ticket it'll be a few hours before they open the doors for the sale. Try to get there 10 minutes before they open the doors to make sure that you are ready when they call your number. Sometimes you will need to push your way through the crowd. This is how you have access to the house in the order that the tickets were given out.
Normally they will allow around 20 people in at a time and then wait for a few minutes before allowing more people in. That is not always the case though, so be prepared for an onslaught of people right behind you.
Most sales happen on the weekends.
They are often 2 days. The second day you can get better deals and negotiate more. Somes companies won't negotiate at all on the first day of the sale.
Bring cash.
99% of the time that is all they will accept. Sometimes they offer to accept personal cheques with ID, but that is rare.
It's okay to negotiate.
Some companies are more willing to negotiate than others. You almost always get better deals the second day but you risk losing the items you fancied to other shoppers. Don't expect huge discounts on damaged merchandise though. Pieces are sold as is.
You can often negotiate more if you are buying more. If you have a few items ask them what their best price for the lot would be.
Remember the deal when negotiating...the first person to speak loses, so be patient before trying to counter offer. Also always offer about 15-20% less than what you are willing to pay. This will allow you some room to negotiate. Be respectful though. If you come in too low they won't want to deal with you at all.
Bring a friend.
It is great to have someone with you so that once you enter the house you can split up and cover more ground quickly.
Don't let the mob mentality influence your buying strategy.
Once the doors are opened it is one huge free-for-all frenzy, hectic and crowded. Keep your cool, be smart and methodical and only go after what you really want. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of it all and just start wanting to buy all kinds of things. Only go after items that you really need or truly touch your heart. This is always a challenge for me.
Be prepared to push and grab. Possession is everything.
This is my least favourite thing about Estate Sale shopping but it definitely gets the adrenalin pumping. If you see something you like, grab it right away and hold onto it. Even if you're just thinking about it but not sure. Possession is key and once you put that item down anyone can grab it. Most people just grab lots of stuff they "think" they might be interested in and then try to find a quiet corner in the house to go through their stash and edit out what they don't really want. This is also the time to have a better look at the items to make sure they aren't damaged.
You need 8 hands.
Some companies don't allow you to bring in your own bags to carry items. This means you need to walk around holding everything you are interested in purchasing. Some companies will allow you to carry around large clear plastic bags to stash your loot. Often they indicate on their website what bags you can take.
You need to take it all with you.
Furniture too. This is when it is handy to have a friend along although often the companies will have people that can help you load the items into your car on the second day of the sale. If you are buying any fixtures be prepared to unhook and dismantle them yourself.
Take the "sold" signs offered if buying oversized pieces.
Practical for over sized pieces of furniture they will often have "sold" signs available which are just pieces of paper with tape on them so you are able to mark your item as sold without having to take the piece with you right away. Be wary though, I have seen some people rip off the sold sign and take the item out in their arms. It can be very cut-throat.
You won't be able to try on the clothes.
Unless you are able to try them on, on top of what you are wearing you won't be able to try on the clothes. Most of the time is it too hectic and crowded to try on the clothes. Usually you can quickly find a spot to try on foot-ware and coats.
No Returns.
There is a strict no returns policy enforced.
Make friends.
Hard to believe after this awful Estate Sale experience that I was able to make a friend but I did. Now she will often go early and get me a ticket so I don't need to stand in line and I just meet her there when the sale opens. Thanks Ghada! : )
Also by making friends when you are standing in line you can find out about other good Estate sale companies or just learn about the truly unique people that attend the sales. Everyone has their own story to tell.
Don't Fight.
This is a tough one since often seasoned collectors or resellers can be pushy, rude and intimidating. If you go to enough sales you start to know the people to look out for and what they are interested in. Hopefully it isn't the same stuff as you and you are able to avoid them. The companies that run these sales are private and can be quirky. They can arbitrarily decide that they don't like you and ban you from any future sales.
Once you start going to the same companies' sales they will start to know you and sometimes offer you items for free or give you better deals. Certain items are hard to get rid of, books are one. If you collect them you will have a grand time at estate sales. Most often the second day of the sale the books are all free.
It is Worth it?
It may sound like these types of sales are more hassle than they are worth but I have come to love estate sales. I get excited now when I see a good one is coming up. The glimpse into other people's lives (often like a time capsule) and the chance to discover new neighbourhoods in the city and score totally unique pieces keeps me returning for more.
Here are just a few of the pieces I've picked up at Estate sales the last 6 months.
Vintage coat - $35.
Vintage hat - Free.
Vintage clutches - $5 each.
Antique couch $450, all frames and mirror around $30
Vintage binoculars $4, books free.
Vintage suitecases $45.
Davis & Whiting vintage purse $10, brooches and jewelry $15.
I recently went to an amazing estate sale where I picked up three vintage dresses, four designer gowns, one sequined beaded top, two pairs of vintage shoes, two pairs of vintage gloves (one opera) two vintage hats, three bracelets and a bunch of feathers for crafting all for $84. The gowns and a couple of the dresses are at the dry cleaners and I will need to do some alterations on some of them before I can wear them but they are all incredibly unique and reinforced my love of estate sale shopping. I can't wait to show them to you!
Have you ever gone to an estate sale? Did you buy anything? Do you have any tips to add?
A few years ago if you would have heard someone bragging how they'd just purchased their outfit for a few dollars via a thrift store you would have felt sorry for them thinking they were too poor to go out and buy something new.
Not today.
Now people are proud to eschew the fast fashion trend in favour of thrifted, consignment or vintage items. It is an environmentally friendly, economically sage, and fiercely original way of dressing yourself that can provide you with high quality timeless pieces.
I truly believe that people of any age can dress very well by shopping secondhand first.
There are four distinct places where you can buy second hand clothing; thrift stores, consignment stores, estate sales and vintage stores. Each of these is environmentally friendly and easy on your pocketbook.
You can also buy secondhand clothing online via Ebay, at garage sales, rummage sales or through online resellers, however I will not be addressing these in this series.
What is a Vintage Store?
Vintage stores often focus on clothing from the 1920's -1970's but each store varies in what eras they chose to carry.
What is a Consignment Store?
Consignment stores are resellers of (often) higher end quality pieces that people bring into their store to sell for them.
What is an Estate Sale?
Estate sales are the entire contents of a house put up for sale. Often this is when the owners have died or moved into a long term care facility.
What is a Thrift Store?
Thrift stores often support charities or the community and their inventory is supplied via donation.
For secondhand shopping my personal favourites are vintage or consignment stores. The selection has been curated by someone with a discerning eye for style and quality. You are less likely to have items that are damaged or smell (sometimes that can be and issue when you buy from thrift stores or at estate sales).
Consignment and vintage stores are generally higher priced than estate or thrift stores, but are also less time consuming as the inventory has been preselected with quality in mind.
Through this series I will explain the pros and cons of each of these options and how to incorporate secondhand pieces into your existing wardrobe with style and panache.
To begin we will explore the least expensive of the four, thrift stores.
What you need to know about thrift stores All thrift stores are not created equal. Some upper class neighbourhoods will have higher end products as items are donated by the general public. Ask around and go online to read customer reviews of the stores. Better yet, visit them yourself to form your own opinion.
Expect to pay 80-90% less than what you would retail. Sometimes even less.
You will need to visit the store often. Inventory changes daily and each item is unique.
You should be prepared to spend a few hours looking through most of the racks at each item. Sizing is often off and things can be disorganized.
Sometimes articles can be damaged or smell. Look over your items carefully. Be prepared to negotiate the price if you see an obvious problem with the item and be prepared to wash, dry clean or stitch/alter you treasures when you bring them home.
An at home remedy for bad thrift store smells for items that can't be washed is to blot a 50/50 mix of distilled vinegar and water all over and, after it dries, dab some cheap vodka on the underarms. Another option is simply to hang the item outside for a few days. This works every time for me.
Some stores hold weekly sales so ask a sales associate. You can often score items at an additional 50% off but the store will be very busy and hectic that day.
When you go, dress appropriately. Some stores don't have change rooms, in which case you need to be prepared to try the item on top of what you are wearing.
I will be the first to admit that I have to be "in the mood" to thrift shop. I know that it requires time, imagination and the willingness to try on everything I'm interested in.
You must be prepared to think outside of your usual fashion box. It is a challenge to thrift shop for one specific item. Instead search for unique pieces that will work with your aesthetic, body type and what you currently own. You never know what you are going to find but that is part of the fun.
Points to keep in mind when shopping thrift:
Quality.
Sometimes the brand will help you estimate the quality of a piece but I no longer trust that as an indication of how well something is made. Instead, look at the seams (are they straight, finished, unravelling), the quality of the fabric (natural fabrics such as silk, cotton, wool or linen are always easier to wear), if it is properly lined, look closely at the details and workmanship that have gone into creating the garment. If it looks cheap it'll wear cheap. You should never look like you just bought your clothes at a thrift store.
Signs of Wear.
I won't buy anything that has armpit stains, too much pilling or obvious signs of wear (big holes) that I cannot remove or fix.
Tailoring.
I want the piece to fit my body properly. Shoulder seams on my shoulder, cuffs at my wrist. However, simply having an item taken up, or in at the waist is something I can do myself or take to my tailor.
If you find something you really love that only costs you $4 but needs $25 worth of tailoring it is probably still cheaper than purchasing the piece new. Getting to know the prices of your tailor will help you decide what to buy.
Be prepared to walk out with nothing.
This is important. I know it sounds silly but do not be persuaded by your own conscience into believing you must buy something each time you go thrifting. Thrifting and secondhand shopping in general is a quest. You, like Captain Jack Sparrow have set out on an adventure to discover treasures and sometimes there simply aren't any. Just heaps of unsuitable trashy stuff or "fools gold". Don't make the mistake of buying something that is simply "okay". It needs to fill a gap in your wardrobe or a spot in your heart before you bring it home.
Do not buy something because it is "too cheap to walk away from" either. You will end up having it take up valuable real estate in your closet forever and eventually wind up donating it back to the same thrift store you bought it from. If you wouldn't buy the piece at a retail store, do not buy the piece at a thrift store.
Tips to help you buy correctly when thrifting
Take inventory of your closet. This will show you any gaps you need to fill.
Look at what colours you currently own and what looks good on you. This helps you choose complimentary colours that will work together with pieces you already own.
Understand your lifestyle and needs. If you work in a corporate environment you may only need one pair of jeans.
Dress for your body type. Play up your strengths by accenting them and accept your areas of weakness and disguise them.
When shopping in thrift stores look for high quality fabric, tailoring and workmanship in colours that compliment your skin tone and shapes and flatter your figure.
Here are a few outfits I have created with some thrift store pieces.
Tweed jacket- Kasper and sequin top Calvin Klein both thrifted. Shoes purchased consignment.
I had been looking for a tweed "Chanel style" blazer for a while and this was perfect.
The colour is one that I wear often so I knew it would work with other pieces in my wardrobe.
When I bought the jacket I used a little shaver or de-piller machine on it and then hung it outside for 2 days to air it out. There were no signs of dirt so I didn't dry clean it. Dry cleaning too often damages the fabric.
Guess leather skirt - thrifted, Fossil cross body bag - consignment.
A person can't go wrong with an A-line black skirt in leather or a plain cross body bag in brown leather. Certain items are classics in a wardrobe and these are two of them.
This tweed Ralph Lauren skirt was an item I hesitated over at first. The quality, workmanship, fabric and fit were all perfect but the length was a bit odd, stopping at my ankles. In the end I bought it thinking it would still work with items in my closet because it was such a classic colour and cut and I was right.
Another option would have been to take this to a tailor and have it shortened to midi length. I left it this length because it has very unique detailing in the back.
Shoes - Ruche, Top - Theory thrifted, Skirt & tights - H&M Clutch - consignment store Glasses - Firmoo
Another classic piece is a silk blouse in a neutral colour.
And lest you think that my personal style is too "out there" eccentric or artsy for you I present Lynne, thrifting guru from The Goodwill Fangirl showing a couple of her thrifted classic office appropriate looks.
Lynne is a seasoned pro at thrift store shopping and always manages to put together the nicest outfits that make you say, "I cannot believe she bought that whole outfit at a thrift store for $10."
The most important thing I can tell you about thrifting is no one should be able to tell you bought your clothes at a thrift store.
You need to use your imagination to see the possibilities of the pieces outside the context of the thrift store environment. It takes some practice. If the first time you don't do so well, don't give up. Try again or take a friend to help.
In the end you might ask yourself why you ever paid retail.
Have you thrifted before? Do you have any additional tips to add to my list?
Dear Reader: Please be aware that Suzanne Carillo Style Files contains advertising and affiliate marketing links. This means that I may get commission on sales of the products that I link to in my posts.
