This is part one of a series where I pontificate on my thrifting obsession. Adding one-of-a-kind pieces to your wardrobe and home without breaking the bank is GOOD CLEAN FUN.
Thrift store shopping is not so different from life itself. There are treasures to be found, but the process can feel overwhelming. The best way to thrift (and live) is to be specific about your goals, have a plan, and then be okay with that plan going in a completely different direction than expected. You just never know what will come up. You might not get what you were originally after, but the ride can be simultaneously fantastic and hideous.
Thrift Store Shopping Know How
Get inspired.
Check out the stores you like and see what they've got going on right now. Search images of style icons on Pinterest. Read magazines and blogs. People watch! Pay attention to what you are drawn to.
Have a focus.
Know what you are looking for when you walk into a store, and start there. Having a starting point greatly decreases the risk of walking in, saying "no way" and walking out.
Be patient.
Know that you may not have success on your first excursion. These stores are constantly putting out new stuff, so check back regularly. It's a process...
If you are more of an instant gratification person, but you want one-of-a-kind vintage, then I suggest hitting up the resale stores that have done the digging for you. For furniture and art, I like Casa Victoria, Sunset Bazaar and Hernandez Furniture. For clothing, I like the pop-up vintage marketplace A Current Affair. It happens in LA twice a year in the fashion district. You pay an admission fee, and clothes are pricey, but the selection is huge and curated to perfection.
Don't settle.
Only buy what you love. You must be okay with walking away empty handed. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't fit. If it has a stain, move on. There's a lot of crap out there, and the last thing we want is to accumulate clutter.
Try it on.
Sizes mean nothing, especially if the item is vintage. When I'm on my game, I wear a tank and skirt when shopping for clothes so I can try on right there at the rack. (Most places do have a fitting room, Council Thrift does not.) When you try on, you get to test out the zippers and buttons and check for stains.
Location, Location, Location
Shop the right neighborhood and store for what you're after. The Jewish ladies in West Hollywood have a keen eye for statement jewelry, as I always score the best pieces at Council Thrift on Fairfax. If you dress like a punk rebel, maybe avoid Pasadena. The Salvation Army Boutique in Santa Monica has a lot of brands that fit me well, like Club Monaco, JCrew, and Loft. No, those are not designer labels, but I don't discriminate. I just buy what I like. Also, because it's the "boutique", the lower quality stuff like Forever 21 and H&M are weeded out. For furniture, I like St. Vincent De Paul Society. My favorite all-around thrift store is the Out of the Closet Superstore in Glassell Park, and I usually find Goodwill to be stupidly overpriced.
Ask Questions.
Some thrift stores actually have a return policy.
Most places will come down on the price if the item is flawed ("This button is loose, so can you take less?"), or if the date on the tag says it's been in the store a long time.
Goodwill has dollar Thursdays where things with a "color of the week" tag are just a dollar. Other days, items with that color tag are half off. At Out of the Closet, there are discounts according to the color of the tag as well. I find the color hunt to be F-U-N.
Blouses for days...
I've recently been into cyber stalking famous groupies and socialites of the 70s. Next thing I know, I'm coming home with a bevy of silk patterned blouses to tuck into my flare jeans. I believe in a strong connection between style and psychology, so it's not surprising that this blouse craze (and love of belts) has pretty much transformed me into a ladylike grown up.
That said, I'm not the classiest. I curse too much, have bad posture, and often cross the line with my jokes. When I get a compliment on an outfit, I'll respond with something like "I know, right? I love it too! FOUR BUCKS!!!!!". I strive to be the woman who simply says "thank you". My genius plan is to do my tacky bragging here on the blog to get it out of my system so I can start following the aforementioned "thank you" script. Welcome to Blouses for Days. Photography by my 8-year-old.
It's a silk cow turtleneck with the coolest sleeve cuffs!! (Pairs nicely with my redheaded dog)
One of my best gets ever. Vintage Diane Von Furstenburg stretch silk, and it fits like a glove.
This one is cheap polyester, and a size 12, but the gold and navy chain pattern will get me every time.
This vintage silk happy blouse is actually size 14, and I'm in love with the neckline.
The pastel colors and the collar insisted I buy this guy, and my new goal is to find a great sweater vest to wear over it.
I realize champagne is not my color, but I find it stunning, and that's why red lipstick was invented. Bring on the holiday season! This one is a size extra-small.
I like to pair this metallic bow blouse with some sequins because sometimes more is more.
This one feels scratchy, but I'll suffer because I love the sheer white-on-white dot pattern. The tag says it's from a custom uniform company.
To be Continued...