Thrift shops...

Hello all...
After spending some time browsing the archives...I've come to the realization that some of the people here (a good amount in fact) sift through thrift shops (consignment shops?), often finding a couple gems intermingled here and there. My question: 1. how many of you do this (many might not admit) and 2. how do you find them? Im imagining you just go in somewhat regularily, sometimes finding something, and other times not?. Did friends tell you about them? Are they usually located in the 'better' neighborhoods and are these the ones you go to? Where do you find them? Ive heard people mention Century21 in nyc, is this the same type of thing?
I know the questions are all over the place...but if anyone could give me some insight that would be cool. Ive been surprised by the things you guys have found at them. I have never been in one but think it would be somewhat fun to get some original not-so-common items.

A girlfriend of mine that lives in Paris goes to the wealthier (if there's such a place) type thrift shops and found this old military type coat that she rocks every now and then. Paid nothing for it she says.


Thanks...
e

I hit up thrift stores all the time, I'm 19 and in college so it's a decent way to pick up some nice things. In addition, I use ebay a lot and also visit Marshalls (a step up from TJ Maxx and below Century 21). Last time I was at Marshalls, they had Diesel jeans, Seven Jeans, Paper jeans, a cool Earl Jean jacket, some theory...I was really surprised, I hope they keep that sorta thing coming. Here's a list of things I have found at thrift stores in the last 6 months or so. I go weekly usually, and hit about 2-3 stores in a day. Luckily for me, there's 4 locations that I go to and each 'location' has 2 or so stores in a 2 mile vicinity. Goodwill, Salvation Army, American Council for the Blind...you can pick up some awesome steals there, shirts are usually $2-$6, pants $4-7, suits $10. There's some 'recycled clothing stores' that charge a lot more but usually have better stuff because they buy it from people rather than take donations. Here's the stuff:

-5 Armani Collezioni dress shirts, one check pattern, 3 striped ones, and a solid cream one. All like new.
-Hugo Boss long sleeve polo, gray
-Beautiful burned orange/red/brown Jhane Barnes dress shirt
-NWT DKNY Dress pants, fall 02
-Kenneth Cole NY Stretch Sweater, like new
-cool vintage LaCoste polos
-navy Armani Borgonuovo dress shirt at a recycled clothing store in San Francisco
-Gray 2-Button hugo boss suit
-Taupe Burberry 2-button suit
-Black Burberry DB suit
-Navy/Tan Canali jacket, Fall 02 (my tailor couldn't believe his eyes when I told him where it came from)
-Burberry Charcoal 3-button jacket
-Donna Karan (not dkny) awesome casual sport coat, olive-ish, perfect for wearing w/ jeans, my size exactly (40R).
-Kenneth Cole NY black monk strap dress shoes, absolutely no wear
-Cole Haan brown cap-toe dress shoes, very nice condition

Many other of the 'vintage' pieces I wear have come from thrift shops. They're not big designer names, but still are unique and very rare to come across a similar item today.

wow, NICE finds. The handful of times I have been to thrift shops I haven't turned up anything close to that.

Ebay has definetely become my thriftstore. Picked up a Nautica causual jeans belt for 2.50, a Joseph Abboud white button down for 36 a pair of lucky brand jeans for 23. My wife has had good luck picking up paper denim and cloth and diesel jeans. Haven't tried ebay for higher end dress clothes... maybe in the spring.

I can frankly say that I have made occasional forays into the thrift stores, and also consignments. Some finds I gathered are as follows:

Luigi Borrelli spread collar dress shirt in a fabulous condition
Ermengildo Zegna tie with tags
Hermes tie in new condition
Canali shirt in new conditon with the tags
Longchamp calfskin messanger bag
Gianni Versace Couture tie in new condition
Gianfranco Ferre tie in new condition
Luciano Barbera(The Shirt) dress shirt in excellent condition

I find that eBay can be tiresome as many of the finer items are either already at high starting prices or people usually bid too early, and the prices go up.

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, so permit me to brag. There are several Salvation Army's and St. Vincent DePaul's and Youth Ranches around here, but the best one is......What are you, nuts? You think I am going to disclose to you my favorite thrift store? Not on your life. From my favorite thrift store, I have found the following:

2 Armani suits, brand new, one for $6 and the other for $8;

1 Joseph Abboud suit for under $10;

3 Hickey-Freeman's in near new condition, $15 apiece;

2 Oxxford Suits, $20 apiece (those thrift store employees are getting two darned sophisticated.);


4 pair, Allen Edwards oxfords, brand new or nearly brand new, under $5 per pair;

1 brand new pair of Alden cap toe oxfords, $6

3 pair, Cole Haan loafers for $4 per pair

and last, but not least, the FIND OF THE CENTURY

5 Brioni shirts in exactly my size, still inside the original packages, brand new, still pinned from the factory in all their elegant finery.......

$7 apiece

This is a subject near and dear to my heart, so permit me to brag. There are several Salvation Army's and St. Vincent DePaul's and Youth Ranches around here, but the best one is......What are you, nuts? You think I am going to disclose to you my favorite thrift store? Not on your life. From my favorite thrift store, I have found the following:

2 Armani suits, brand new, one for $6 and the other for $8;

1 Joseph Abboud suit for under $10;

3 Hickey-Freeman's in near new condition, $15 apiece;

2 Oxxford Suits, $20 apiece (those thrift store employees are getting two darned sophisticated.);


4 pair, Allen Edwards oxfords, brand new or nearly brand new, under $5 per pair;

1 brand new pair of Alden cap toe oxfords, $6

3 pair, Cole Haan loafers for $4 per pair

and last, but not least, the FIND OF THE CENTURY

5 Brioni shirts in exactly my size, still inside the original packages, brand new, still pinned from the factory in all their elegant finery.......

$7 apiece

Click to expand...

I'm gonna hunt you down and find that thrift store....


Seriously though, I think I get a lot of good finds because I am an addict and go bargain hunting at least once a week. I have seriously considered making an ebay business out of it considering all of the good finds that I see that aren't my size.

Speaking of good buys, here's one: Valentino Slacks I was stupid though and forgot I had class when the auction ended, so I missed out. I really liked those too...

Speaking of good buys, here's one: Valentino Slacks I was stupid though and forgot I had class when the auction ended, so I missed out. Â I really liked those too...

Click to expand...

I bet the winner will take some better pictures and resell it on eBay. When will sellers learn to take better pictures?

True. I make a nice side business of buying poorly marketed high-end clothes on eBay and turning around and marketing them better and making a profit. It's fun.