The official thrift/discount store bragging thread

[usaa]

My best day of thrifting ever! I found all of these in one day at two stores (pictures forthcoming when my wife returns with the camera).

Just found the mother lode of shoes - the first 5 are clearly from the same owner, all are in used but excellent condition except the Santonis, which are like new; alas, only the last three of the bunch fit so the rest will eventually have to go on ebay:

Ferragamo black captoe
Ferragamo black wingtip
Ferragamo black tassel loafer
Church's dark brown suede oxfords
Santoni chestnut captoe
AE Park Avenue in black
AE Sanfords in black
AE Chester in burgandy
Mezlan mid-brown captoe

Total cost: ~$87

Also, after a bunch of near-misses, usually due to a small hole or stain or slight fitting problem, I finally found a suit that I felt worth buying - it is a great heavy wool, navy with light white windowpane from Brooks Brothers, $25. I've been wanting a windowpane suit so this is perfect. Had to leave behind a brand new Hickey Freeman with Loro Piana 120's fabric - the dreaded long jacket that is hard to spot on the rack but always rears its ugly head in the mirror.

 

[Staatsoper]

Some good thrift finds over the last couple of months, capped by a luxurious Loro Piana black deerskin carcoat with cream cashmere lining--$34.99. $4K, new, I guess-- gaaaack.

Also a camel with windowpane Oxxford sportcoat-$7.99, two Oxxford "Collector's Item" suits (blue glen plaid and grey birdseye)-$24.99 each, a new-condition H Huntsman for Barney's dark blue gabardine suit-$11.99, a Lorenzini NWT grey dress shirt-$9, a Brioni burgundy crepe blazer-$6.99, an Aquascutum made in England 100% cashmere blazer-$2.99, NWT 100% cashmere Armani black label Navy blazer-$15, a white linen Lorenzini formal shirt-$3.99, several shirts by Brioni, Ascot Chang, Thomas Pink, Turnbull & Asser and Hilditch & Key ($2.99-$6.99), some NWT Thomas Pink pajamas ($3.99), a mint ca. 1950 ecru Mallory fedora (a 7.5, my size!), various ties by Brioni, Hermes, Charvet, Turnbull, Talbott Best of Class, Kiton, etc. And a NWT belting leather & canvas briefcase by Hartmann, $29.00.

But my favorite find came from eBay--a slim 3-button Henry Poole suit (dating from after their return to Savile Row), blue herringbone in excellent condition, that fits perfectly--$101.

I had it on for a concert recently, along with a Hilditch shirt and a T & A tie. A friend looked me up and down, smiled pleasantly, then said, "Where's your monocle?"

 

[usaa]

Speaking of staatsoper - I tried thrifting in Vienna but never found a good place; they were all small and either full of junk or way too expensive. The opera itself, on the other hand, is a perfect analogue for thrift shopping - 2 or 3 euros for standing room, it's hard work for a long performance but your view is as good as any in the house if you get in line early enough. Great city!

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by Staatsoper

... a mint ca. 1950 ecru Mallory fedora (a 7.5, my size!)...

Fantastic find, and very rare in that large a size. It sounds like you've been doing very, very well!

 

[horndog]

Just picked up a pair of Allen Edmonds 'Hersey' in excellent condition. 300 retail, paid 21.

 

[mbell]

I had some pretty good luck last week:
RLPL shirt $6
Billy Reid shirt $6
Billy Reid navy cotton pants $7
Canali charcoal suit, partially lined, very light $20
Hilton for HG Thrash suit, silvery grey. $20
Zanella pants, patterned brown $7
Cashmere camel colored overcoat $15.
Brooks Bros tie $2
Valentini black cotton pants $7 This is the first I have seen these fabled pants in person. They really are quite nice even in cotton.

And a few questions- Is anyone familiar with Billy Reid? The shirt I found is pretty good, but the pants seem to be quite fine. I'd say the pants are almost on par with the Valentinis. The store I was at had several shirts, but this was the only one I liked. Pictures of the pants below. I did some research and it looks like Reid might be a regional clothing store or something. All the Reid stuff I saw was made in Italy.

Pictures of the cashmere coat and labels are below. Any thoughts? It looks like it might be reasonably old, but it is in very good shape.

I'm not sure if the Hilton suit is anything special, but I liked the fabric and it fit well. I tried to do some searches but mostly brought up the skinny rich girl instead. Anyone comments on Hilton stuff in general? Is regular Hilton the same as Nick Hilton?

mike

 

[AlanC]

^The cashmere coat looks like quite the find.

 

[Spudbunny]

A pair of Polo loafers which say inside "Bench made in Maine" ($9.99).

Am I right to assume that means Alden made them?

 

[Connemara]

Originally Posted by Spudbunny

A pair of Polo loafers which say inside "Bench made in Maine" ($9.99).

Am I right to assume that means Alden made them?

Maine? Nah, Poland Spring is the maker.

 

[distinctive]

USAA-what size are those santonis?

 

[mbell]

Originally Posted by AlanC

^The cashmere coat looks like quite the find.

Thanks. It is kind of silly for me to have another heavy coat here in Texas, but it really is a beautiful piece.

I find a lot of nice heavy clothes at thrift stores here in Austin. I guess people move here from someplace colder and dump their heavy stuff when they realize they don't need it. I need to force myself to stopy buying it.

mike

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by mbell

Thanks. It is kind of silly for me to have another heavy coat here in Texas, but it really is a beautiful piece.

I find a lot of nice heavy clothes at thrift stores here in Austin. I guess people move here from someplace colder and dump their heavy stuff when they realize they don't need it. I need to force myself to stopy buying it.

mike

What size is it?

 

[AlanC]

Mike, I understand completely. My closet it stuffed with great coats I don't get to wear but once in a blue moon because it never gets very cold here.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by AlanC

Mike, I understand completely. My closet it stuffed with great coats I don't get to wear but once in a blue moon because it never gets very cold here.

Sounds like a job for a covert coat ....

 

[AlanC]

Originally Posted by DocHolliday

Sounds like a job for a covert coat ....

Why, why yes it does!