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Thrift Finds WIW

Roxanna

Veteran

Hi all,

In an effort to combat pandemic ennui (I feel like I'm living the same day over and over!), I've been wearing some of my thrift finds on recent Zoom meetings. These were all bought on a recent thrift shop before we entered lockdown again in Toronto, and I'm having fun playing around with them.

Grey tweed blazer with ribbed collar and cuffs - this is actually a 2 piece suit from Canadian designer Iris Setlakwe that i snapped up for $15. Made in Canada, beautiful wool, and I like the urban edge that teh collar and cuffs add (not to mention the comfort!) I can't wait to wear the matching pencil skirt to work ..

Midnight blue velvet blazer - I have a collection of thrifted velvet blazers and they are all exceptional quality. This one is no different - luxe velvet, princess seamed, and french seams on the inside. The military style is unique, too, though I might change the buttons.

Vintage wool intarsia cardigan - gosh i love finding impeccably made cardigans - this one is made form Shetland wool and 'hand knit and framed in British Hong Kong." The pattern is perfectly matched up, and the double breasted styling and subtly gathered sleeves are design details I love. Honestly, sweaters like this are a fortune now, and this was $15.

Finally, this St. John knit blazer is so comfortable and perfect to thrown on for Zoom calls. I'd been searching for a St. John piece for ages, and picked this one up at Value Village for $8. It's timeless and mid weight, and teh quality really impeccable, so i look forward to wearing this a lot.

A few more things I've picked up that I will save until my next post. For me, clearly the thrill in thrifting is the thrill fo the hunt, and then enjoying the quality of such luxe clothes when i put them on every day.

Also a shout out for these Gap tees as a perfect first layer. they are midweight (not too light or heavy), feel like jersey, and have welted cuffs and waist for structre, while not being clingy. perfect for those with shorter torsos. I've been wearing one every day.

What have you thrifted lately that you love? Or - what is your favourite workhorse in your closet - old or new?

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Pointelle Crewneck T-Shirt

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Pointelle Crewneck T-Shirt

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Pointelle Crewneck T-Shirt

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Pointelle Crewneck T-Shirt

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Pointelle Crewneck T-Shirt

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Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Brooklyn

Veteran

You find the BEST things at thrift stores. Love the velvet jacket and the cuffed jacket. Wow!

I have been making a determined effort to thrift this year and I’m finding it hard going. Like trying to find a needle is a very crowded haystack. That said, I found a teal blue colour block skirt and a green peacock scarf. Also a gold biker style jacket (not sure whether I will actually keep this it’s a bit OTT for me).

Roxanna

Veteran

OMG Brooklyn - a GOLD biker jacket?! We must see - it sounds right up my alley

It does take some hunting - but for me, that is the fun

Runcarla

Veteran

Thrifted fabric for a waistcoat!

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Roxanna, first, your hair and skin look so good.....

Second, I'm with Brooklyn and the faves. The military blazer and cuffed St. John are KILLER. I can see the cardigans work well with skirts and high rise pants!

.....waiting to see the mugs and wraps that match...

Jane

Veteran

Such great finds! The cardigan is beautiful. That is such a great photo of you in 9 and I bet you look picture perfect on a zoom.

I love my Oxfam / Dolce & Gabbana skirt particularly! I am nodding with you as I do find that it is the hunt that is the fun.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Wow Roxanna you find the best things! I have tried to thrift again this year but had no luck. I did look in 6 different thrift stores for the silvery or grey pants I was after, with no luck, and in the end got some from the back sale room of my favourite boutique. Cost $70 though not $15.
My faves of this latest haul of yours is the intarsia cardigan and I think the St John jacket- is that the black and white one in pic 6? I would wear that in a heartbeat!
If you ever get tired of it, please PM me to send it to NZ

slim cat

Veteran

Great find - you are so lucky! Fab fit and style. Military blazer is something special ( I like the buttons ).

Janet

(website)

Veteran

The cuffed blazer is my favorite! And the velvet jacket is pretty great too — I’m with you on changing out the buttons.

I haven’t been in a secondhand shop in nearly a year. The last thing I bought that I know I’m keeping (I’m not counting the seafoam puffer because I haven’t committed) is these Chucks (new, from Zappos). I’ve not been a big shopper this year, but I have certainly contributed to the stock at a nearby charity consignment shop!

Converse Converse

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Cardiff girl

Veteran

Boy do I agree with you,l feel like it’s Groundhog Day here and I am developing a serious eBay habit.
You have scored some great pieces there,l am afraid that being British the cardi is my favourite!

Anonymous

Wow - you really have great thrift shops in Toronto ! Nothing of this quality or provenance shows up here . I love love the cuffed blazer ! And - I’ll have to examine those gap t’s a little closer when I get in front of a computer . They sound perfect !

Anonymous

And yes to Groundhog Day . I never know what day it is anymore - regardless of what I’m doing . I’m stuck in some weird time warp I think .

Joy

Veteran

Great finds! I a. Itching to go thrifting but they are closed. My favorite is a mult- colored beaded wool skirt. It is a great holiday piece and has gotten lots of wear. I need to pass it on now as it has a waist.
, or put it a holding zone in case my glucose meter is changed and I can wear it again.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

YAY! I love this post. First of all I feel like I got a good look at my own hair, or at least hair goals. I have been thinking of getting it cut professionally before we enter another lockdown and basically shorter all around except for the long part. I know you know what I mean !

And the finds! Wow. The suit jacket, the St. Johns, the vintage sweater (vintage sweaters are the best sweaters) are all fantastic on you. The combination of olive and cooler neutrals also intrigues me. Love the contrast on the St. Johns and can't wait to see the full suit set. It is especially fun to find local designers isn't it?
As for me, heh heh, 90s Valentino jacket, brand new white Phillipe Model sneakers, Agnes B. "second skin" top, vintage cashmere Polo olive sweater (not sure I can wear color though) are a few I will keep and also plenty for family and resale. Hope to actually take some pictures soon!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I really love the new cuffed blazer and also the military jacket in velvet -- so luxe! You do a great job with your thrifting. And make such good finds!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Good gracious, this is inspiration to get myself to a thrift shop! Thanks so much for posting. These are all drool-worthy pieces. I want that velvet jacket.
Chuckling at CG owning up to cardi love.

ETA a question: Back when I was gearing up for this kind of shopping (before the pandemic) I got lots of helpful advice. Several people mentioned the difference between thrift shops where lots of inventory is out with very little selectivity and higher-end second hand where fewer things make the cut. What kind do you go to, and what part of town is it in? (I wouldn’t recognize the name of the borough, but maybe you could give a little description).

kkards

Veteran

If the thrift/consignment shops near me sold this kind of stuff i’d be all over thrift shopping as well...alas, they do not.
Having serious envy over the blue velvet jacket

Anonymous

That velvet jacket and grey blazer are great on you! Good scores!
I went in a couple consignment shops over the summer, but don't think I even tried anything on. I'm just not comfortable being in stores like I used to and honestly don't see myself spending hours browsing even when it's safe.

Synne

Veteran

Great finds! Love the velvet jacket. A bit of Prince flamboyance, so cool! I have also done some fab thrift finds lately, mostly coats.

Roxanna

Veteran

Thanks for all the sweet words all - and I love hearing about your finds! These photos aren't all styled so i will be sure to take pics when I ahve actually styled them up.

@Angie - thank you for the sweet words! You know there are coordinating shawls and mugs for each - I will take pics next time

@FI - I shop at Value village, which is like a thrift department store, not a consignment store. LOTS of inventory and 90% is downmarket, but I like sifting through for the gems. I shop in an urban part of town that is not high-end at all - but has a lot of volume and turnover. This means that there are gems to be found, and because it is not high-end, the labels are generally marked pretty low. But as experienced thrifters will tell you, you can never go in looking for a specific thing - you will never find it - you just have to go and be open to what you find. and you have to go frequently, or at least be willing to hunt through the aisles and spend some time. Definitely not a hobby for everyone

@Jaime you know I need to see your purchases!

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I absolutely love these! The details in all of these jackets are incredible!

The velvet jacket is particularly wonderful! Pre-pandemic, I can’t recall the last time I saw a military-style jacket in a retail store, that wasn’t kind of watered-down and bland.

With the exception of underpinnings, hosiery, and fitness gear, I think 90% of my wardrobe is either OBG I’ve dug out of “the archives”, or purchased at secondhand shops or websites. I’ve had some lucky scores on silk sweaters, fitted black tees, and a couple of J Crew Tippi sweaters purchased secondhand on Poshmark and ThredUp. These have been in constant rotation lately. I have a small capsule of vintage St John jackets that I’ve worn frequently this fall.

I haven’t taken many outfit photos this year, but here are a couple I wore October/November:

1-2: I wore these a socially distanced cast cookout party, in October. The entire outfit was from Goodwill: Free People blouse, Renuar ponte pants, Alexandre Birman “shooties” (1/2 size too large, and padded out with gel cushions).

3: Cashmere joggers, and the aforementioned silk sweater, both from GW. Schultz shoes from Poshmark. Silver collar necklace from a costumer friend who was doing a clearout.

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Helena

Veteran

Gorgeous Roxanna, and thanks for the tip on the t-shirts, those are really smart (must restrain self!). I hear you on the Groundhog day effect ... I have said already, I am one step away from marking the days on the wall so I register the passage of time properly!!

RobinF

Veteran

Nice items! I love the velvet, so pretty and great fit.

I don't have much luck at thrift stores, probably because I don't go very often but I am also hard to fit. However, I did get a metallic bronz-ish/gold-ish blazer one time that I love. I have never gotten the sleeves hemmed so don't wear it as often as I would if they were the correct length. I really need to do that.