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Thrifting your bucket list

Roxanna

Veteran

I have some items in my 'thrifting bucket list' that I always have an eye out for in case I magically come upon them. One that has always been on my list was this Rick Owens leather jacket that I found while shopping fire my daughter's Halloween costume last week - for $8.99, natch! I had looked at this exact style a few years ago for well over $4,000 CDN.

It is cream distressed leather, with silk lining, made in Italy. It is immaculately put together and can be left open or closed. I paired it with a thrifted skirt and Aquatalia suede boots.

Another item on my thrifting bucket list is a Smythe blazer, which I thrifted a couple of years ago, as well as an Oscar de la Renta dress, which I purchased on consignment. Also the perfect visage grandpa cardigan, which I thrifted last fall (from Eaton's menswear originally.)Photos below.

What is on your thrifting - or shopping - bucket list? What have you found and what after you still looking for?

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Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from RobinF

Anonymous

Great scores! I have just a couple long time HEWIs left on my wishlist. Burgundy sandals and chocolate brown sandals, low heeled, slides, work appropriate, neutral toe (not square).
I'm hoping to find similar to the Sheridan Mia black and cognac ones I wear all the time.
If I find them on consignment great, if I find them retail great too!

nuancedream

Veteran

These are KILLER purchases, Roxanna! Interestingly, there's a vintage Rick Owens orange moto jacket for sale in one of my neighborhood consignment stores that is so tempting, but I already had purchased something else for my birthday. One of my best acquisitions was a very expensive Akris Punto dress that I got from my alteration specialist. She had altered it for another customer who never picked it up so she gave it to me and it was a perfect fit. It pays to make friends with your tailor/alteration specialist.

CarolS

Veteran

Well, now I want a $4,000 leather jacket for under ten bucks...:-D

I have no idea what the local consignment/thrift market is like here -- although I'm guessing not as great as it might be in a more major centre. Still, posts like this one do inspire me to start looking!

Anonymous

What? $9 for that jacket? What an amazing find. I don't know how you do it. I *will* say that you won't find a Rick Owens anything at any thrift store here.

Love that Smythe blazer on you - I have the same one in a bright turquoise blue.

Tanya

Veteran

Wow, that jacket is an incredible find, and it is gorgeous on you! Your other finds are excellent as well.

I don’t thrift, and rarely use sites like Poshmark or eBay, too. When I do, it is only for new-with-tags items, and they typically fall into two categories: a HEWI or similar, or a specific item from the past few years I really wanted but missed out on. What I am currently looking for is a nice sleeved (3/4 or full) midi dress in teal, teal booties and some textured/patterned jackets or pants in teal. In general, more teal but only in some categories.

JAileen

Veteran

Those are nice! I find nice Pendleton things from time to time.

On my thrifting bucket list is this alpaca/wool coat. I actually tried it on at Macy’s and it felt wonderful. But it was so expensive, and I wasn’t sure about the tan. So I didn’t buy it and regretted it ever since.

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Anonymous

Also- I think we're all gonna come thrifting with you

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Those are fantastic!

Seriously, I’ve never seen brands like that at thrift stores in my area! Much less at prices like that. Maybe I just don’t look enough, but I’ve been so unimpressed with the ones in our area that I’ve pretty much given up on it. However, I have made good use of Poshmark and TRR for some gently used or NWT items that I very much enjoy.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

You are kidding me. You found that jacket for $8.99?????

You have the best thrifting karma ever!!

Also, I want to know your online source. Pretty please?

I'm not sure I have specific items on my thrifting (or consignment) bucket list because it's so hit and miss for me. But wow, when you hit the jackpot, do you ever hit the jackpot!!

Roxanna

Veteran

I love hearing all your stories!

Carol, Tanya, Janet, Lisa - I have to go often to find things I like, that fit. Thrifting is fun for me - I love digging through the racks - and usually come way with 4-5 pieces. But I spend about an hour every couple of weeks - so it's not for every body, I know. There is a lot of Walmart clothes to Weed through but I don't mind!

Funnily enough, I have ordered a lot from Poshmark and not had great luck with it here. I think I need to see and feel an item before I commit - three are lots of designer finds that go right back on the rack once I've tried them on. I've made a few too many mistakes going by the photos in Poshmark.

Sun Tiger - those sounds like staples to me!

ND: what serendipity! Now you know I need to see that dress

Lisa- I know you have a small collection of Smythe jackets that you've kept and I love them on you.! Not for every day but certainly fun to put on once in a while.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

KILLER WHITE JACKET! I love the way you styled it with the pleated skirt and tall boots. Pretty and elegant

Photo #7 steals the show. Beautiful!

.

Minaminu

Veteran

wow! it's great to see that your patience paid off and got some really nice pieces!

I guess in my thrift wish list there would be a YSL tuxedo, Balmain blazer and a vintage Dior dress. One can always dream!

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

At this point, finding anything in a thrift shop would be a win. I’ve tried a few times, but only for 5–10 minutes. At a regular store, I’m in the dressing room by then. Idk if I’m bad at thrifting or just not in the mood to buy. I spent nearly an hour in the mall recently, in 3 or 4 stores, tried on several black dresses and a black top, but wasn’t even close to buying any of them. Maybe I should look for them at a thrift store.

Other things on my wish list that I think could be found at a thrift shop:
•Frost pink mock T-neck ski sweater or bodysuit, or other ski sweater in good fibers.
•Classic summer sundresses. Second hand shops here often put racks on the sidewalk in summer time that look like they have good summer dresses, but I’ve never found anything good
•A great big winter sweater in natural fibers that don’t itch. I don’t know if these ever make it to thrift shops; they are quite expensive new.
•A white or off-white fisherman’s sweater in cotton, linen, and/or silk. I’ve had several of these over the years, always loved them to death. I currently have several light neutral sweaters, but it’s not the same thing.

Maybe I haven’t found the right shop, or maybe I need to stick with it a bit longer ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ETA the black dress is a special mission. One of these days, my dad will die. I don’t want to be stuck buying something for the funeral then. I can get used to it being a way to remember him by wearing it now.

Star

Veteran

Great pieces! I too love thrifting and have found amazing items for just a few euros. We get a ton of Italian and Scandi clothing in our thrift stores. It takes time to weed out the junk but it is so much fun when you find a gem. I have not been since covid. No bucket list for now.

rachylou

Veteran

Wow! I’m amazed you found something so specific! I found the one specific Coach silk bomber at Ross three years later. It wasn’t seeking it so much as remembering it. That’s as close as I’ve gotten!

Anonymous

Most excellent pieces! Good for you I don’t have a list but know it when I see it. Shop on!

Anonymous

And all in what appears to be excellent condition.

Once again I am amazed at the variety of colors that look beautiful on you.

madeline

Veteran

I love all your toppers, but that cream jacket is just divine. Your children are adorable. Photo #7: thank you for sharing them with us!

Katerina

Veteran

Roxanna, these are all breathtaking! The latest white leather jacket is beyond sensational. How fun that the search pays off!
I went regularly to charity shops before the pandemic, now I haven’t been there for a while. However, I have never seen such amazing items as yours there. Some years ago, I could find designer scarves and occasionally a bag, but it has not happened during the past five years, perhaps. Sometimes, I find fun and interesting jewelry, vintage costume jewelry, brooches and old vintage handbags, which I love and have collected for years. I find thrifting fun and relaxing, I like the hunting

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Those are amazing deals on fabulous items. Not as priceless as your children.
I rarely find clothing in my size in thrift or consignment stores.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Well your post has already made my day! What a deal on that jacket! That is the kind of score you will never forget! As for me, yes I have a bucket list (Rick Owens was on it, but never achieved Rick Owens leather!, except shoes, long ago sold.) Right now my bucket list is mostly bags - not that I don't have far too many already but I have something specific in mind. There are certain designers I am always thrilled to find too. Squee going to go look at your pictures again .

Runcarla

Veteran

Without a doubt a white sheath dress. It was a HEWI. I found The One at thrift.

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Bijou

Veteran

Bought second-hand online - a Burberry trench. I paid about 1/3 of the new price, so alas not a complete bargain but wow the quality is amazing and it was in immaculate condition, apparently bought on an overseas trip and only worn a few times. It has a detachable wool liner, so when travelling I will be able to stay warm and toasty, the wool lining is too warm for my local conditions but will be so welcome if I go anywhere that really gets cold. I love how it is single breasted, as double breasted coats tend to overwhelm me.

Roxanna, I am in awe of your amazing finds. The new white leather jacket and turquoise dress are stunning.

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CarolS

Veteran

That is a stunning trench, Bijou!

Greyscale

Veteran

WHAT?! Holy cow. What a find!

I’ve had some great consignment finds but they’re generally priced accordingly - $200 for R13 trousers that were $700 new that I’d been drooling over for ages, same for a vintage Alexander McQueen shirt dress (that I never wear…)

Sally

Veteran

The beauty of thrifts apart from sometimes getting a real bargain is that you can find things that are not exactly on trend and in the shops. My best bargain to date was a utility jacket for $3. I really wanted one and this was perfect but slightly small and now it fits perfectly. I can't thrift shop now because it is lockdown here and while I can do a bit online, I prefer to try on and second hand online is hit and miss because you can't return. I was after a fitted denim jacket which is stretchy. I was also after some more stompy boots, maybe docs but that is tricky because they have to be comfortable so I might end up buying them brand new. There are some colours that I would like to get more of such as a bright orange and lime/ chartreuse in cardigans and acessories but that is once again difficult especially if you can't hunt around. I may have to shop online and buy new.

RobinF

Veteran

Wow those are some great items! I don't have much luck thrifting. I don't know if I am not patient enough or if it is this area. I am also hard to fit, so have a harder time with that. I did find a leather jacket once that I love and still have. The tag was marked "unknown" for the fabric but the inside was clearly marked leather. I don't wear it a lot but it is still my favorite thrifted piece.