The official thrift/discount store bragging thread

[k4lnamja]

Originally Posted by EBTX66

There is ALWAYS time for thrifting. Just think about it: I bet a guy broke up with his girlfriend last night and she dropped his 7 Kitons off at the thrift store this morning. They're just sitting there, waiting for somebody to find them...

That happened to someone I know. He purchased a year old lexus gs300 (2002?) for $5K or something very little compared to what it was worth. The lady found out her husband was cheating, sold it to the first buyer, who was my friend, and rubbed it in his face. My friend basically got a $40K car for a fraction of the price. Talk about luck.

 

[EBTX66]

Originally Posted by k4lnamja

That happened to someone I know. He purchased a year old lexus gs300 (2002?) for $5K or something very little compared to what it was worth. The lady found out her husband was cheating, sold it to the first buyer, who was my friend, and rubbed it in his face. My friend basically got a $40K car for a fraction of the price. Talk about luck.

That would be like hitting the Lotto. The big question would be to keep it or flip it, buy a cheaper ride, and pocket the difference?

 

[Jan_]

After reading this thread for some time I got the idea to look for stuff myself. Yesterday and today, four stores in Berlin, two brought nothing, two delivered four nice shirts (brands unknown, but quality is fine) for EUR 7.50 and this one for EUR 19:

Obviously it could have my age. Padded shoulders, one little moth hole (but that's fixable), one size too big (sleeves and length both 1" too long), but no signs of wear and no need to slim it since the drop is okay. Will see whether I shorten the sleeves (at the armhole, of course).

The padded shoulders make it look terrible. Any ideas?

Anyway, I think I begin to like thrifting...

 

[k4lnamja]

Originally Posted by Jan_

After reading this thread for some time I got the idea to look for stuff myself. Yesterday and today, four stores in Berlin, two brought nothing, two delivered four nice shirts (brands unknown, but quality is fine) for EUR 7.50 and this one for EUR 19:

Obviously it could have my age. Padded shoulders, one little moth hole (but that's fixable), one size too big (sleeves and length both 1" too long), but no signs of wear and no need to slim it since the drop is okay. Will see whether I shorten the sleeves (at the armhole, of course).

The padded shoulders make it look terrible. Any ideas?

Anyway, I think I begin to like thrifting...

Nice find!

Gentleman,

As seen in the pic above, what is the point of having sleeves that can be unbuttoned on a jacket? I mean it's not like I would ever unbutton it while wearing it out, right? Just curious.

 

[EBTX66]

Originally Posted by Jan_

After reading this thread for some time I got the idea to look for stuff myself. Yesterday and today, four stores in Berlin, two brought nothing, two delivered four nice shirts (brands unknown, but quality is fine) for EUR 7.50 and this one for EUR 19:

Obviously it could have my age. Padded shoulders, one little moth hole (but that's fixable), one size too big (sleeves and length both 1" too long), but no signs of wear and no need to slim it since the drop is okay. Will see whether I shorten the sleeves (at the armhole, of course).

The padded shoulders make it look terrible. Any ideas?

Anyway, I think I begin to like thrifting...

It is pretty easy for a tailor to take the padding out of the shoulders. If it's really heavily padded then it can make the shoulders too loose but since you plan on having the sleeves shortened at the shoulders your tailor is already going to have that area opened up. It probably won't be cheap - though you guys may have more tailors than we do - but for a Kiton it is well worth it. Great finds!

 

[Mopp]

Found a well fitting pair of AE's and a Hermes tie.

 

[catside]

Originally Posted by k4lnamja

Nice find!

Gentleman,

As seen in the pic above, what is the point of having sleeves that can be unbuttoned on a jacket? I mean it's not like I would ever unbutton it while wearing it out, right? Just curious.

When you are going to perform surgery at a whim, you unbutton them and roll your sleeves up. Then you do your cutting and sewing without blooding your Kiton.

 

[catside]

Nice Made in England tweed, a Harris pattern that I did not have and fits. Also a nice JCrew tweed waistcoat, fits nicely. Passed couple of beat-up Aldens, and a nice but large for me CJ PoloRL loafer. Not in the mood for flipping. I left something for the next guy. Hopefully thrifting spirits do not punish me. Also a 42 Zegna overcoat. It was "Soft" , 25 bucks, and I did not like it. Again not in the flipping mood.
No Kitons! Never seen them or RLPL or anything like in the wild. Live in a trad area though.

 

[Jan_]

Originally Posted by k4lnamja

As seen in the pic above, what is the point of having sleeves that can be unbuttoned on a jacket? I mean it's not like I would ever unbutton it while wearing it out, right? Just curious.

Either catside's answer or for all the non-medicos: Just to show that you wear some high quality stuff and not just decoration. It goes like this: "O I forgot to button my sleeves after washing my hands..."

Originally Posted by EBTX66

It is pretty easy for a tailor to take the padding out of the shoulders. If it's really heavily padded then it can make the shoulders too loose but since you plan on having the sleeves shortened at the shoulders your tailor is already going to have that area opened up. It probably won't be cheap - though you guys may have more tailors than we do - but for a Kiton it is well worth it. Great finds!

The padding is only light on a second look (not 80s style). For shortening at the shoulders I pay around EUR 35-80 (depends on the tailor), which I don't consider as too much.

BTW: I saw a navy DB from a brand called "The Label" from UK. On a first superficial look it had some quality signs, on the net I found them to be sold retail for around GBP 150, so I guess they're nothing special. Anyone here knows more?

 

[k4lnamja]

Originally Posted by EBTX66

That would be like hitting the Lotto. The big question would be to keep it or flip it, buy a cheaper ride, and pocket the difference?

We were in our early 20's so he kept it to "impress" the girls! Haha
Sadly, it worked

 

[Hoofit]

Originally Posted by catside

Passed couple of beat-up Aldens, and a nice but large for me CJ PoloRL loafer. Not in the mood for flipping.

I my experience if condition is good, you should never pass CJ up. Especially if it is cordovan PRL. I dont know if this was, but there are plenty of us on SF, that would love to trade for them if they are not your size. Just my thoughts.

 

[mco543]

Today I found a great Barneys New York black/white houndstooth wool robe thats made in England for $6.00. It has a black shawl collar and black piping and trim on the sleeves and pockets. Pictures are coming later on.

Any ideas as to who would've made it

 

[83glt]

Originally Posted by Jan_

After reading this thread for some time I got the idea to look for stuff myself. Yesterday and today, four stores in Berlin, two brought nothing, two delivered four nice shirts (brands unknown, but quality is fine) for EUR 7.50 and this one for EUR 19:

Obviously it could have my age. Padded shoulders, one little moth hole (but that's fixable), one size too big (sleeves and length both 1" too long), but no signs of wear and no need to slim it since the drop is okay. Will see whether I shorten the sleeves (at the armhole, of course).

The padded shoulders make it look terrible. Any ideas?

Anyway, I think I begin to like thrifting...

Congratulations! That looks to be a very fine sportcoat. Also, that fabric will make it very versatile. Also impressive is that you found it on your very first thrifting adventure! Few here have ever found a Kiton anything, let alone a sportcoat, even after many years of thrifting. Good for you!

I have had some success having shoulder padding removed. I think the most important thing is to find the right tailor to do it. Shortening sleeves and length is no problem, I do it on probably 75% of the jackets I find.

Maybe my next vacation will be to Berlin!

 

[hmmurdock]

Good day yesterday...unfortunately all will need to find another home. Oxxford grey check suit, RLPL navy sportscoat, two pairs of Alden's Norwegians and the shocker of the trip...a pair of unworn brown pebble grain v-cleat Florsheim Imperials....if only I was a 11.5....sigh.

 

[Nataku]

Had high hopes today by seeing all the cars in line to donate stuff today. Sadly, out of 7 stores, every one was a bust.

I did meet up with member Achilles_ who happened to be in town. We did a thrift trade of sorts. I traded him a nice shirt for a pair of gray flat-front Incotex trousers. Fit looks about perfect, I may not even need to have them hemmed!