What was your best thrift store buy? - YouLookFab Forum

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What was your best thrift store buy?

fathenry

Veteran

In the last few months I discovered the thrift store by my house. Boy, was I excited to find some key pieces I'd been seeking for a while. What was your favorite thrift store bargain?

My thrift store buys:

French Connection Denim Jacket - splurge, $12
Steve Madden Red Pumps - my interview shoes, $8
Camel Clutch - my everyday purse, $4
Navy Gap full skirt (new with tags) $12
Banana republic turquoise tote $4

$40 over two months, not bad. (Not related but also found: $25 stainless microwave).

Shopping

24 replies

Latest reply was from Louise

Christie

Recently (including last summer because I found the first Clark's sandal then, and then duplicated recently) ... here's the highlights that I've found ...

3 pairs of Clark's sandals (2 wedge, 1 in a style just like the famous Brulee)in brand-new condition, each were $12

1 Sofft round toe 3" pump, brand new, $8 ... look a little boring on the rack, but on ... I loved the vintage vibe.

2 Old Navy knit maternity dresses, brand-new with tags, for $6 each (a fab price for a comfy dress that will only be worn this summer. I know it will pill, stretch out, etc ... and then I'll use them for swimsuit cover-ups or nursing night gowns.)

Kut From the Kloth skinny jeans, $12

White denim jacket, $6 ... LOVE this!!!!

And for my kids ... several pairs of Arizona brand jeans for my slim daughter (has to wear slim sizes) $5 each. And some darling brand new See Kai Run shoes for my new baby boy for $3.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

WOW you guys have had some great scores there!

I very rarely see any brand name clothes in my local stores, but I have to say my collection of $4 dresses (about 5 of them so far!), would be my best buys - I have really expanded my dress collection and its made my wardrobe much much better.

Other than that, my pure wool $4 scarf I bought last week - its come in very handy in these past few days!

April

Veteran

When I was in college there was a thrift store that I went to every week. It was huge and run by a religious charity, and it was back in the days before vintage dealers scooped up all the good stuff, so you could still get amazing things for next to nothing.

I got a white, very fitted, dressy jacket (blazer) from Yves St. Laurent Paris. It was so beautiful, and so beautifully made. I'm sure I paid about $7.00 for it. <sigh>

Tara

(website)

Veteran

I absolutely LOVE thrift store shopping so here is the list:

- Hot Options denim jacket - $10 (St Vincent de Paul). Featured in the following posts:
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....5590112706
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....3956232642
http://picasaweb.google.com.au.....3557119266

- Scooter Zebra print sneakers, $7 (St Vincent de Paul).

- Black and pink cuff bracelet, $5 (Salvation Army Store). Featured in the following post:
http://picasaweb.google.com/11.....7325129618

- Numerous handbags ranging from $2-$5

- Near brand new Diana Ferrari wedge platforms - look awesome with jeans, $9

I often get more wear out of my op shop buys than my new full priced items. I get a huge sense of satisfaction from what I get for so little. The only things I don't often buy are pants (the fits are often a bit strange and usually mainly from the 80s and 90s), and knitwear because it's often not in the best condition. But I get so many tops, dresses, shoes and handbags, as well as other accessories, that update my look and make me feel fab without breaking the bank!

fathenry

Veteran

It is nice to see that others have found this as a good option as well.

I was always afraid that I would choose something "out", but now that I have more style confidence I trust myself to find current-looking pieces that work for me.

MNsara

Veteran

My favorite thrift store score was a brand new Hermes scarf for $4.95 It still had its price tag and was actually current at that time (two years ago). It's like this:

http://its-all-goode.com/Legende-Moghole-SW1.htm

I haven't worn it -- yet -- but I'm thinking about it!

This is the same store where I got an older Hermes scarf (half of it was sun faded and weakened) for $2.95. Needless to say, I head straight for their scarves if I stop in . . .

Maya

Veteran

The only time I ever had luck thrifting is when I found a Kate Spade bag for $4 (I have since sold it for $51). I felt it was dated. It was the nylon Sam (w/ tab).

I want to go thrifting next time I'm on the Upper East Side. I bet those rich people give away some real treasures!

Lisa

Veteran

This was actually at a garage sale but my best find is a pair of Gucci slip on sandals for $5.

Dusty

(website)

I find good stuff all the time. My best find, though was a new with tags Donna Ricco dress for $12.

Rosie

Veteran

OK, I'm a complete novice thrift store buyer. I paid way more for my two purchases today than any of this, but I'm completely in love with them!! While to me they were both real finds, these brand new Rupert Sanderson yellow shoes for $63 will be hard to beat for a while, considering they are over $500 shoes!

http://gallery.me.com/rmunger#.....olor=black

user:ylf
pword: 2010

agrace

I have not had a lot of time to thrift shop much lately but last fall I bought a Burberry silk tie for my husband for 99 cents. He has really enjoyed it. I've gotten the most use out of a Gap cream colored corduroy pea coat but have also found a J.Crew velvet pencil skirt and Nine West peep toe flats among other finds. I really need to get back to the thrift stores!

marianna

Veteran

I found an Orla Kiely handbag in perfect condition at the Salvation Army. I bought it for $10, then sold it on eBay for $70.

Tara

(website)

Veteran

I went op shopping at the St Vincent de Paul store at lunch and got:

- An adorable, full leather pair of brown, tapered square-toe pumps with a really nice stable heel. Fully leather upper and lining, slim ankle strap, about a 2.5inch heel. They're lovely, plan to wear them asap! $7

- A light turquoise/green Rivers knit sweater, $7

- A fitted mushroom/grey colour blazer/suit jacket, Events (quite an expensive store), $10 (an AU size 6, I'm usually an AU size 10 but I have a small waist, it just buttoned up and looks quite fitted but still works. And for that price, can't complain!)

Total price: $24! A successful shopping trip I must say!

Katiepea

(website)

Veteran

I've only really discovered op-shops this past year and I have to say that there are some real bargains to be found! I would have to say that by far my two favourite purchases have been so far....

*My black cue (fairly expensive brand) skirt for $4 (I was wearing this in my last WiW post - not bad eh'?) and

*My (so real looking it's fake) cropped Levi denim jacket that I think was either $4 or $5. Bargain, bargain, bargain!

I must go out and about again and see if I can find any more bargains. I'd really love either a red, yellow or green handbag in particular.

Sarah Baker

(website)

I've been an avid thrifter for years! Some highlights:

--3 pairs of never-worn Ferragamo loafers for $3 a pair;
--An Hermes scarf for $200--wish I could find one for $2.95!
--Countless scores of Gap and Banana Republic clothing for me, my daughter, and my husband over the years;
--Countless vintage scores over the years;
--My husband dresses almost exclusively in Brooks Brothers--guess where he found it all? LOL

anne

Veteran

I'm not really in love with op-shopping, but have done it a bit these last few years. My best recent find is a fitted strapless red dress (got the K rating from Angie!) for $8

Secondhand Shopaholic

Wow, you mean most favorite item THIS WEEK? I have so many favorite items, I started a blog to talk about them - ha ha.

But in this post I show a beautiful Ann Taylor dress that epitomizes my love for secondhand stores - it's a classic, timeless, quality beauty that I absolutely love.

All I need now is a place to wear it....

http://secondhandshopaholic.co.....s-diaries/

Ele

(website)

Wow, some of you have scored awesome stuff. Orla Kiely for $10!?

I don't really thrift, but I do vintage shop. Some of my best/favourite finds have been:

- A 60's wool boucle suit that was several sizes too large for me, so I took the jacket, cut some extra panels from the skirt and turned the whole thing into a retro cape.
- A patterned silk Nina Ricci skirt from the 70's (it's a maxi- shhh don't tell Angie). Actually this was a Christmas gift from my Mum, so I've no idea how much it cost, but she insists it was a steal.
- A brass egg-shaped evening bag that probably hails from the late 60's/early 70's. Actually that *is* my Mum's, but I love it just as much (and got to carry it for my high school grad).
- Various silk scarves, evening bags and necklaces, some of which have "names" (Burberry, Oleg Cassini) and some of which are just nice. I don't really remember what I paid for anything but I'm quite cheap so it can't have been much!

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

I don't thrift, but I do occasionally drop into a consignment store that features only upper-scale stuff. Best deal there wasn't in the same price league as your finds, but it was a steal nonetheless...a full-length, fully-lined (in gorgeous quilted satiny stuff), cashmere coat for $110. Retail would have been at least $800. It also happened to be a similar colour to my McClure (former guide dog), which proved to be both an effective neutral and a sentimental lure.

Anonymous

I've found many wonderful buys at thrift stores, but the best was not meant for me. I found and bought 2 pair of new condition, dark premium denim Paige jeans with slight boot cuts at $3 a pair at a local thrift store that benefits Catholic Charities. They were way too big for me. I considered consigning them but ended up giving them to a friend for her teacher daughter. On line they were listed in the $200 range. My hands just felt the quality as I went through the rack and I thought of Michelle's post about feeling the fabric.

Kristine

Veteran

I haven't found anything really high end, but some of the good deals...

H and M cotton fatigue jacket, $6
Banana Republic, chocolate brown s/s dress shirt, like new, $7
Express editor pants, white, $3.99 (unfortunately they wrinkle!)

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

It's not even my find, but my husband found an antique silver chain mail reticule (tiny purse), and bought it for me as a wedding gift. It's the perfect size for an ID, key and a lipstick, and very unique!

rae

(website)

Veteran

It's been a looooong thrifting road for me, but some things that stand out offhand are:
- True Religion Joey jeans for $7
- Hudson jeans for $18
- Gentle Souls loafers for $5
- Cole Haan Air flats for $8
- Chanel blazer for $12
- Benetton suit for $24
- My favorite Ben Sherman Blazer for $1
- My favorite navy/teal striped Ben Sherman shirt for $2.50
- Marc Jacobs dress for $1

Man, I love shopping secondhand...

Louise

Veteran

If Ebay counts as thrifting I got some Clarks boots for £12 inc P&P. I had lusted after them in store the previous winter but talked myself out of them because they had 3 inch heels and were £55! I was so chuffed to find them on Ebay and the lady had only worn them once so no heel or sole wear x