Finally found the good thrift shop!

Today I had to go out to the far side of town to return the NAS purchases I'm not keeping (Caslon Cardigan and Lole Piper raincoat). I moved to my current state about 8 years ago, and for the first five years I didn't own a car, and so I never got into the habit of exploring that side of town. I just almost never go out that way.

I stopped at two thrift stores there today and wow! I've never had such good luck thrifting in my life.

Store 1

Photo 1. The first store felt like what I was used to and I felt lucky to find one item to buy: a pretty patterned blouse by Desigual. I own some scarfs in that brand (which I love) but I've never owned anything else from them. Bonus: this one was half price today, so cost me $2.50

Store 2
Then I headed to the second store and that's where things got out of control (in the best way!). I started trying on tops, and while normally I try on far more than I want to buy, today the opposite was true-- I bought the majority of the tops I tried on. (Pants were another story, but that's where I commonly run into fit issues.)

Photo 2. Orange to red ombre sweater, 100% Linen by Eddie Bauer with navy chinos by A New Day (I'm wearing these pants in all the photos, which is not how I would style everything). The sweater is rather sheer, so needs something under it but I think it is a winner and proof that I don't need to stick to winter colors. And the pants just fit me so well and I find them very flattering. Pants are so hard, so this feels like a win-- and as far as I can tell they are in new condition.

Photo 3. Ivy Ridge top. I find the shape to be really flattering.

Photo 4. Potter's Pot top. I would likely half tuck this but I wanted to show the curved hem.

Photo 5. Daniel Rainn top. I quite like the cut of the neckline on this. I have some reservations about the print (maybe a touch too boho) but I'm wanting to experiment and thought I liked the shape enough to do so. I'm guessing I'll try half tucking this one too.

Photo 6. Talbots tee with green and blue belt. I need to add more holes to the belt, but I am smitten with the colors and pattern.

Photo 7. Banana Republic top. I love the color and drape of this one.

The total cost of everything from store 2 was pretty close to the price of the NAS cardigan I returned, so this seems like a worthy way for me to experiment with quite a few new-to-me styles. I know that not everything will be a win as I try to style these and integrate them into my life. But I do think they will integrate into my draft style words of relaxed, creative/artistic, playful.

And next time I'm looking for new-to-me clothes, I know where I'm looking first.

All feedback welcome!

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4 months ago

Dee

Veteran

Oh Jenny H such a great score, fun variety of patterns and colours and they all look terrific, nice pants too. That Desigual top is fab and quite the bargain too. I've been doing some thrifting myself lately and I'm finding some really great stuff as well.

MsMaven

Lucky for you--some great tops in flattering colors and styles. I especially love the first one.

kkards

Nice! I agree the orange is a good color for you. But can we talk about the genius design of the shirt in #3, love the twist and the way the pattern and the vneck play up that detail. Really so good, and it looks great on you.

Jaime

(website)

This post is just delightful! I love thrift hauls (obviously) and the smile on your face is contagious. The Desigual is particularly great on you, but they all have something fun to play with, whether color or cut. Yay!

DebD

Active Member

As a fellow thrifter, I'm cheering for your success today! My favorite of the bonanza is the Ivy Ridge top, for all the reasons kkards stated. Would the greens and blues of the belt match those of the top? Also love the orange ombre sweater and the BR berry-colored top. Interesting that one is a warm tone and the other a cool tone, yet they both look great against your skin. Patterned tops and pants are winners, too!

nuancedream

Brava!! I love to see a successful thrift shopping haul. Pre-loved for the win!!

Jenni NZ

These are great! I really like Desigual (don’t actually own any but have some similar patterns) and the Talbot’s tee in pic 6 reminds me of the first two items I ever put in my YLF Finds in 2017, below! I never actually buy from Finds since I live halfway across the world and exchange rates are not favourable, plus international shipping, but after over 7 years on YLF the pages of Finds I have are a good indication of my style preferences, so I enjoy them for that reason.

Boden

Eugenie Broderie Jersey Top

View Info

Top Pick

Poppy Lace Top

Star

Fabulous tops! I especially love 1 and 3. I thrift most of my wardrobe. Just yesterday I found a sleeveless black trapeze dress (with pockets), incredible cut and a good weight from a Scandi brand for 75 euro cents (!). It was final sale day before new stock comes in.

Suz

What a score! You did really well. I particularly love the Desigual top and the next two tops are also super -fab on you.

Angie

Fashion Stylist

Good for you, Jenny H!

The tops in pics #1, #2 and #3 are my faves!

Try top #3 with a skirt

Great scores! 1 and 3 are my favorites! I love it when you find a lot of things instead of one single item that will get lonely in the bag, haha.

Firecracker (Sharan)

What a great haul, and I love the title of this post. All of the tops, and the pants, look fab on you. I think the ombre sweater is super cool looking and flattering hues on you.

Joy

The thrifting experience was delightful . I love all the tops on you.

slim cat

Good collection - fun pieces to play with! I like bargain shopping - Marshall's was my mostly successful store to shop. Pic #1, #3 and #4 - my fav but all are interesting.

Brooklyn

Well done. These look great. I think #3 is a stand out.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

LOVE! You look fabulous in all of these. #3 is my especial favorite, followed by #2 and #1.

The boho top in #5 has a William Morris sort of feel. I think you could pair that with a fun denim jacket or a blazer, and rein in the boho just a little.

I hope we'll get to see a style lab of more outfit ideas

I love thrifting, because it's a new way to experiment with style, color, and new ideas. If an item doesn't work out, I launder it, make it look as nice as I possibly can, and I sell it, give it to my sisters or mom, or I donate it back, so that it can enjoy a new life with someone else.

ChristelJ

Such vicarious delight in seeing your finds! All good ones. Gosh the print in #1 is gorgeous. I would be thrilled to find a linen sweater like #2. I really like the top in #5 because it's a bit different, and I could see it half tucked.

I'm a big thrifter so I know the joy of finding a shop that seems to suit one's vibe. I have a favorite tiny charity shop where I just found a like-new, current maxi dress for $4.

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