The official thrift/discount store bragging thread

[Mr. Moo]

Originally Posted by EBTX66

I have got to learn control myself better in that initial rush I get when I find something...

This is most important.

 

[Nataku]

Today was a pretty "blah" day, but wasn't a total waste of time. I did notice the Salvation Army jacking their prices up to the Goodwill level. I used to love the Salvation Army because of $2 shirts and $3-$4 trousers. Now the majority of the trousers are $6.95 and shirts are around $4.95. Ugh.....

- Theory flat front gray trousers (Made in the USA - I know some of their newer stuff is made in China and I can definately tell the diference)

- Fairly recent Canali tie

- Levis Capital E collection Hesher jeans. Dark wash, no fake distressing. Looks like they were barely worn.

- NWT salt and pepper mills from Habitat (a home store in the UK, I think)
- NWT decorative ceramic jars from Herbert

 

[Mr. Moo]

What is the deal with the Salvation Army? None of the ones around me have stores...

 

[Orgetorix]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

What is the deal with the Salvation Army? None of the ones around me have stores...

None of the stores around me have anything in them.

 

[Nataku]

Originally Posted by Mr. Moo

What is the deal with the Salvation Army? None of the ones around me have stores...

That's odd. The main center in Minneapolis that houses the rehab center has a store on the ground level. Perhaps they're just Salvation Army offices?

 

[83glt]

Originally Posted by pejsek

Well, perhaps I should explain. My impetus for thrifting has long been to ferret out old bespoke pieces. I find a lot less of these things than I used to. I don't mean to be snotty, but these things just aren't the same (though the Mackintosh comes close with its amazing construction and archaic details such as straps for riding).

I realize this is the age-old thrifting conundrum--things were always better back in the day. And, yes, they really were.
I was just joking with you. But as I recall from some of your posts you have had some epic finds in the past. Of course, I believe you've been doing this a lot longer than I have, so I will defer to your experience. I can only imagine of a time when one could routinely find quality bespoke.

 

[tsaltzma]

Kinda slow thrifting this week... not much on the clothing front, but a couple nice ones -

Zanella, Versace, and Brooks Brothers dress slacks

Brooks Brothers single breasted cotton trenchcoat, great shape but missing lining

Aquascutum wool trenchcoat

2 Bowties and a set of bracers made in england - unknown maker

 

[EBTX66]

Originally Posted by Nataku

... I did notice the Salvation Army jacking their prices up to the Goodwill level. I used to love the Salvation Army because of $2 shirts and $3-$4 trousers. Now the majority of the trousers are $6.95 and shirts are around $4.95. Ugh.....

I've only started visiting the Salvation Army stores in the last couple of weeks. They have a much better selection than I anticipated but I was stunned by how expensive their stuff is: they're suits are $34.99! I saw a decent pair of shoes but they were $39.99. Their shirts are $12.99.

St. Vincent DePaul's is also $34.99 for suits (40% off every Tuesday) but there shoes tend to stay at $9.99 or lower. Around here Goodwill is actually one of the cheapest at $14.99 for suits and $5.99 for shoes. I've found that it's the independents like Value World and Thrift Mart that are the cheapest but I think those are run for profit. Very odd...

I did pick up a nice Zegna sportcoat at SA for $9.99 that turned out to be 50% at $4.99.

 

[luftvier]

My best find so far was about 15 or so Rooster knits and Wembley plaids. I think I paid $.50 each. That, and a nice Swank tie clip to accompany.

Round these parts (Philadelphia), it's really a hit or miss venture. Moreso miss.

 

[Nataku]

Originally Posted by EBTX66

I've only started visiting the Salvation Army stores in the last couple of weeks. They have a much better selection than I anticipated but I was stunned by how expensive their stuff is: they're suits are $34.99! I saw a decent pair of shoes but they were $39.99. Their shirts are $12.99.


It really varies by which area the stores are in. The MSP metro area stores get their merchandise from all over the Twin Cities and the surrounding suburbs. This distributes the good stuff from the wealthy west suburbs all over, so everyone has a fair shot at the nice stuff. Everything gets picked up and brought back to their main distribution center which also houses their main store and the rehab center. The people pricing the clothes are rehab workers and the prices are usually pretty normal with the occasional lewd drawing or message written on the price tag. They have a couple "overseers" who tell the workers to "up" their prices a couple dollars when the big whigs want them to. Usual prices used to be $2-$3 for shirts, $3-$4 for trousers and suits were between $8-$12. Now prices seem to have gone up a few dollars per item. Ugh....

The only things priced by the store workers are things that are donated directly to the stores and that they go through. This is where our local stores get the outrageous prices. Say a manager is going through donations and finds an ancient Burberry trench. They think "Ooooh, Burberry! This is expensive!" and staple a $90 price tag to it and stick it in the front window.

 

[Stewie]

At least you guys are in an area that has decent stuff. The thrifts out where I am (40 mile east of LA) have junk. I've never seen anything of high quality (Kiton, Brioni, etc.) High quality to these folks is maybe Burberry and Polo (including Chaps!) Maybe I just have poor luck. I was in LA earlier in the week and found a Zegna suit, vintage silk hawaiian shirt, so I know there's good stuff out there. I do keep looking, since I got the addiction anyways from many years of selling vintage stuff anyways

 

[Johnny Zircon]

I am a thrift / op shopper of long standing - totally relate to the issue of who 'gets it' and who doesn't -there are many thrills to the craft, and one is enjoying a look (complimented or not) that would cost at least hundreds, perhaps more than a thousand retail, but set you back all of $40 bucks or so.

Recently spent a couple of days on a treasure hunt across the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia (usually reside Sydney, Australia). We drove from Sydney and therefore had our own car to come and go as we pleased. http://melb-opshopping.blogspot.com/ provides an incredible and generous service to plan such an expedition: It provides
- addresses, telephone, hours
- op shops listed by suburb
- treasure map: south of the yarra
- treasure map: north of the yarra
for Melbourne op shops.

Didn't actually score 'big time' or particularly choice pieces, but as an exercise of the hobby it was great, and a fantastic way to explore a city - the routes we chose cut across geographies and demographics in an interesting way, and you interact with real people at a basic level in their own environment. Too much to relate in a simple post, but enjoyable.

Picked up 5 business shirts (2 french cuff), a black leather 3/4 length coat* (suitably battered) to add to my collection , a red linen or silk tailor-made jacket*, a short jacket by Body Glove, a French Connection ski style jacket* (for street wear), a couple of superior (Ganton - double mercerised cotton) polo shirts, a London Fog cotton coat* (that goes well with a Polo jacket and jerkin I was travelling with) and a couple of hoody tops. * = pictured. Spent about $100 all up.

 

[EBTX66]

Originally Posted by Nataku

...prices are usually pretty normal with the occasional lewd drawing or message written on the price tag...They think "Ooooh, Burberry! This is expensive!" and staple a $90 price tag to it and stick it in the front window.

That's hilarious!... I agree about the brands: I seem to have real good luck finding Canali, Corneliani, and, especially, Zegna. Yet I've seen ancient Armanis with linebacker-sized shoulder pads and button stances that top out at the crotch that seem to disappear in one day.

I did pick up a solid wood, handmade and painted in London child's chair for $2.98 for my son. They must have missed that one.

Originally Posted by Stewie

At least you guys are in an area that has decent stuff. The thrifts out where I am (40 mile east of LA) have junk...I do keep looking, since I got the addiction anyways from many years of selling vintage stuff anyways

I would have though LA was packed with great stuff? I guess I'm spoiled since I can get from one end of Dallas to the other in about 30 mins or so. If I lived in LA I'd go broke putting gas in my car: there must be hundreds of stores.

Question: I came across an altered but never worn custom made early 1960's mohair and silk Rat Pack/Mad Men, 46R, in perfect shape for $40. I took it to my tailor and the quote for alterations made my eyes water: sleeves, waist/seat/crotch, jacket sides, lower collar for $100. I'm used to having to do work like that to Zegnas, etc. but IYO is something like that suit worth putting the money into it?

Originally Posted by Johnny Zircon

...Recently spent a couple of days on a treasure hunt across the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia (usually reside Sydney, Australia).

I bet I'm not the only one who dreams about what thrifting must be like in other countries. My dreams usually involve thrifts in Paris that are crammed full of Hermes ties and bespoke Lanvin suits. I'd even like to make a thrifting trip to NYC (technically another country to a Texan

) but there's no way I could sell that one to my wife.

Sounds like we need to get to Melbourne. I've been wanting to anyway so I could catch a footy game at the MCG: I'm a retired forward pocket for the Dallas Magpies: Collingwood's USAFL affiliate.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Found a Charvet tie at one of the Houston Goodwills yesterday. The thing looks unworn.

 

[YoungAmerican]

Had a great day today.

Six lovely 60s bow ties -- the kind without any butterfly shape at all. Three bucks apiece, left some more there.

And then... a 1940s double breasted tuxedo in midnight blue, with black faille lapels, fits me *perfectly*. Perfect condition save a couple of missing buttons (inside button, sleeves). I'll get some new buttons and wear this to formal events for the rest of my life.