The official thrift/discount store bragging thread - Page 3446

I don't know about authenticating the fiber itself, but I'd just look for corresponding quality indicators in the jacket. Vicuna is so expensive I'd be really really skeptical if it wasn't A) a well-known high-end brand a la Oxxford, Kiton, etc. and/or B) obviously really well made, handsewn, etc.

Hansderhund - showing us how a man should dress.   well done.   i'm now officially a fan.
 

Going to dissent here. If the piece is current, it will likely be one of the brands you mentioned...as I recall only Loro Piana has license to harvest the wool and you will likely see some indication of that.
However, you are more likely to find an older piece. I have found several vintage pieces, and most of the high end brands of today weren't around in the 50's-60's when vicuna was more prevalent.
Agree on the fact that the piece should be obviously well made. But the test for me is the feel of the fabric. Even a piece from the 50's should have an amazingly soft hand if it is 100% vicuna.

I've never handled vicuna, but this seems like sound advice. Also, I always assumed it would have a fundamentally different "hand" than anything else. Again, I've never handled vicuna, but using cashmere as an analog, I know cashmere instantly when I feel it because it feels so different from any other material.

 

Vicuna is ~12 micron in diameter, while the finest wool/cashmere blends are 12-13, so it will feel similar to Super 200s+.  And it will be woolen rather than worsted wool.  Basically, if you can't believe how soft it is, it might be worth the middling amount of money you're going to invest to "confirm" what it's made of.  Especially if your store accepts returns.  Otherwise, it could be a luxurious skeet blanket if it turns out to be something unremarkable.

I just, hopefully, gave myself a bit of good thrifting karma. I picked up a pretty worn pair of Gucci loafers, and while the inside was a bit less than perfect and there were a few scuffs and dings and the soles were pretty worn, they would still fetch some money on ebay. But I saw a duder with his cart piled high with suits. So, instead of paying for the shoes, I gave them to him. He seemed a bit confused that I would do that. Hopefully this kind gesture (or was it? see below) will pay dividends.

 

 

below:

 

I can't be the only completely hopeless hypocrite here, right? I saw that the guy was likely a flipper, and I couldn't hide my disgust. I gave him the shoes the shoes as I sign that I knew what he was doing, and that I disapproved of his actions. But wait a second ... wasn't I going to do the same thing? Didn't I just sell some things on ebay? My cart is never piled high (mostly because I never find anything of worth in that kind of quantity), but I should definitely lump myself into the same category as that guy. I started thrifting in order to dress better, but I also am fond of money, so I'm at a loss.

 

But perhaps I'm just a bit bored at work.

 

 

Oh, I did pick up some good records for a change. None are in minty condition, but I'll be putting these in my collection, so a bit of album cover scuff is fine.

 

Aretha: Young, Gifted and Black

Herbie: Man Child

Weil: Deutsche Grammophon recording of Seven Deadly Sins

Stockholm Phil doing Mahler's sixth

yeah man, i think everyone in this thread hates (other) flippers too.

I found my first Vicuna top coat about 2 weeks back, and it was indeed veeeeeerrrrrryyyyy soft. It also had the other indicators of being a fine garment, pick stitching on every seam, silk lining, hand sewn button holes etc. Unfortunately it had about 30 moth holes in it. Judging from the font and type of tag, I guesstimated it to be from the 50's-60's. Broke my heart, that one did.

Went out today and found.......nothing. Passed on a nice Zegna knit sweater that had a bunch of pulls and some questionable stains that I didn't really feel like fucking with, my first T&A tie that was god awe-full. Then I found a sweet Dunhill DB 6x2 navy blazer. The good stuff too, made in Italy, fully canvassed, double vented in my size........and dry cleaned to death!!!!

Right, which is why I said:

Wow, thank you all. I wasn't sure if people were going to go for the hat. Today was freezing and windy and I take public transport/walk to work, so a hat is a must. I prefer a "real" hat to stocking caps though it can be impossible to wear some hats with jeans. Anyway, thank you all, that made my day

Info on the Paul Stuart Tweed Suit

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ocooney

Going to dissent here. If the piece is current, it will likely be one of the brands you mentioned...as I recall only Loro Piana has license to harvest the wool and you will likely see some indication of that.
However, you are more likely to find an older piece. I have found several vintage pieces, and most of the high end brands of today weren't around in the 50's-60's when vicuna was more prevalent.
Right, which is why I said:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Orgetorix

A) a well-known high-end brand a la Oxxford, Kiton, etc. and/or B) obviously really well made, handsewn, etc.

Ok. I recant my dissent.
I agree with you.

O.k, Hansderhund gave me some inspiration this morning to bust out some of the hats I've been hording. I knew I had a shoe problem, however, I didn't know my hat fetish had gotten so out of control because they were all relegated to a top shelf in my closet and I just kept adding to the pile over the summer. Doh!!!

Thrift fit, though less classy than Hansderhund (I've yet to be in the possession of a solid gray or navy suit).
Hat, vtg Dorfman-Pacific brown beaver fur, thrifted by me.
J Press check shirt from EvilAbed, this has become my new favorite fall shirt, check out those colors!
VTG tortoise shell AO eyeglasses, ebay
Vtg hounds-tooth plaid topcoat
Cardigan from Asos, gift from my wife a few years ago.
Balmain knit tie, thrifted
Levis cords, not thrifted
socks from topman, target? I can't remember.
Vtg Florsheim royal imperial walnut longwings




With the HF cashmere topcoat from last week and a Stevens gold bond beaver hat

Bonus, in a chair I "thrifted" from the curb about a decade ago. Yes I have too much time on my hands.