Luxury Thrifting
How to hit the thrift store and walk away with winning high-end pieces sure to elevate your style.
"You can spend a dollar on a jacket in a thrift store. And you can spend a thousand dollars on a jacket in a shop. And if you saw those two jackets walking down the street, you probably wouldn't know which was which.” —Helen Mirren
Here is a bizarre secret: for years I never bought any clothes at thrift stores because I thought they were all previously owned by dead people. Ridiculous, I know. Now I know better. Clothing in thrift stores comes from everyone’s closet, as it’s really just another stop along the fashion life-cycle.
If you’re into luxury or luxury minimalism, thrifting goes hand-in-hand with your stylish aspirations. Not only does it allow you to affordably build an abundant wardrobe, you’ll do it sustainably, often as you support a worthy charitable endeavor. And to top it all off, the items you acquire will be more unique and often better made than store-bought finds, which in turn can encourage even more ingenuity in mixing up distinctive outfits.
If you’re ready to explore the world of luxury thrifting, keep these tips in mind:
Go during off hours - The true gems are buried among the lesser finds, so scouting takes time. It’s more fun to complete this process when the aisles are clear and the dressing rooms are open. You can even call ahead and ask if there’s a certain day of the week they re-stock, if you’d like to increase your chances of scoring winning garments.
Forget sizing and sections - When I go thrifting I look over the entire shop, including Men’s, Women’s and Children’s sections. I pay no attention to sizes because sometimes an XL shirt looks perfectly Boho while the best oversize jackets are in the Men’s area, not the Women’s. The only thing I rule out are pieces that are obviously too small, of course. But sizing on vintage pieces is all over the place, so the only way to know how something is going to look on you is to try it on.
Gravitate towards color - I know my ideal color palette so rather than focus on size, I scan racks by color and texture. A little self-knowledge goes a long way. Do you love brighter pieces, bold patterns, or timeless neutrals? The more you know yourself the faster you can determine if there are items you would definitely wear, and the less likely you are to get overwhelmed by the entire selection.
The Voilà Trick - To prevent any dithering over a purchase, I always put on the garment completely, buttoning all buttons and cinching all belts, facing AWAY from the dressing room mirror. Then, when the piece is fully on, I turn and reveal the look, just as everyone would see it when worn out on the street. This little trick gives me the full effect. My rule is that if it’s not a clear yes it’s a no and back on the rack it goes.
Work It - While I haven’t ever taken the hobby this far myself, you could always volunteer at a favorite thrift store and get first dibs on any luxury brand donations as they arrive. High quality goods remain sought after because they’re often better made than current inventory. And popular styles are sometimes discontinued, so earlier versions become hard to find.
So is luxury thrifting antithetical? I think not. For style mavens the niche offers an affordable avenue to express creativity and style. Happy thrifting!
Barbara Wayman is the author of Living An Extraordinary Life: 9 Transformational Strategies to Live Your Best Life Now.