The official thrift/discount store bragging thread

Today: 1 Charvet shirt, 1 Battistoni shirt.

Originally Posted by 83glt

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Today: 1 Charvet shirt, 1 Battistoni shirt.

Outstanding. Shirts are the one thing I've never had any luck thrifting. The "best" label I ever ran across was a couple of Armani's but they'd been startched to death and had bad ring around the collar.

The ring is epidemic in the thrift shirts down here. Do you see it where you're at? If not, I'm thinking it might be regional because of the heat?

Originally Posted by EBTX66

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Outstanding. Shirts are the one thing I've never had any luck thrifting. The "best" label I ever ran across was a couple of Armani's but they'd been startched to death and had bad ring around the collar.

The ring is epidemic in the thrift shirts down here. Do you see it where you're at? If not, I'm thinking it might be regional because of the heat?
No, I see all kinds of disgusting stains on shirts. Frankly I'm quite surprised at what Goodwill/SA managers think consumers will tolerate. Some of it is just nasty. But, there are lots of perfect shirts as well, and even the odd NWT shirt. I basically look at the cuffs, points of the collar and the collar itself to make sure it's not worn or colored. Then I check the pits and look for any other stains, marks, tears, etc. If it passes the test and is a reputable/quality make in my size, it comes home. I find a lot of shirts that pass this test actually, but the vast majority don't. If you dont' find a single shirt, maybe it is the heat. It would make sense that shirts down there are more susceptible to sweat staining.

Originally Posted by EBTX66

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Yesterday at lunch:
I found four unworn ties at the local Goodwill - $6.88 for the lot. They only have a small tag identifying them as "Italian silk, handmade in Boulder, CO" (???). I've never seen that tag but they are all really beautiful and well made.

Carrot & Gibbs

Usually I'm not too big into the thrifting game, but I found myself outside of my normal area and decided to take a look in the store. Ended up with a pare of lightly used black C&J Weymouths - 10E. Perfect size. Now comes the big decision - B&S forum, or keep them and rotate with my AE PAs.

Couple months back, I also picked up a pair of RRL jeans with a green tag. Having issues getting any details on them - will have to post pics later.

If anyone wants Hermes ties, there are 8 at the Chelsea Goodwill on W 25th near 6th Ave. I hate that Goodwill b/c their prices are ridiculous. In this case, they want $20 a tie - $160 for all 8. I don't think I paid $20 total for the 5 Kiton ties that I've thrifted over the last few months. The clerk said "you won't find a Hermes tie for $20". Maybe, but I still couldn't justify it. They are all very nice ties though, nothing too loud or obnoxious, very nice patterns and colors.

Today at a Salvation Army I was going through the racks of suits, and my heart almost stopped when I saw a Gieves & Hawkes label! But I was quickly disappointed when I looked on the other side of the lining and saw another label indicating that this was Gieves & Hawkes for Bloomingdales?!??!!! wtf? Anybody heard about this collaboration before? Must have been short-lived... Anyway the suit was nothing special. I didn't know G&H had sold out! Further down the rack was a beautiful blazer made for Everard's - surgeon's cuffs, highest quality throughout, pick stitching, fully canvassed, bemberg lining, etc. etc. - obviously heads and shoulders above any department store or JAB crap. Unfortunately it was a bit beat up, so I had to leave it... Point is I would have expected the Gieves & Hawkes to be of similar quality to the Everard's -- but it was no better than a Mani for Macy's or a Stafford or a Brooksleaze or Today's Man (you know what they say about Today's Man -- it's Tomorrow's mistake!)

Originally Posted by amerikajinda

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Point is I would have expected the Gieves & Hawkes to be of similar quality to the Everard's -- but it was no better than a Mani for Macy's or a Stafford or a Brooksleaze or Today's Man (you know what they say about Today's Man -- it's Tomorrow's mistake!)

Licensed; some made by Hickey Freeman.

Originally Posted by EBTX66

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The ring is epidemic in the thrift shirts down here. Do you see it where you're at? If not, I'm thinking it might be regional because of the heat?

A bath in Oxy-clean will remove those easily. So don't let them deter you.

^^ +1. I've come across many nice shirt that would probably have otherwise been snatched up if not for the collar stain. Of course if they're nice, I buy them as I know I can get the stain out. I use Vman's stain removal method and it works wonders.

Found a Barney's merino wool sweater at an estate sale today for $2. Seems to be in great condition and fits me pretty well, so I'm happy.

Originally Posted by heisenberg

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Ended up with a pare of lightly used black C&J Weymouths - 10E. Perfect size. Now comes the big decision - B&S forum, or keep them and rotate with my AE PAs.

Not a hard decision--keep them! If you don't want both sell the AEs, but I'd keep both.

Originally Posted by mack11211

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A bath in Oxy-clean will remove those easily. So don't let them deter you.

AGH! I wish I would have know that. I passed on a Canali shirt that was marked $2. It was in perfect condition but it had really ugly ring around the collar, so I passed.

Every once in awhile I get a weird itch to go way out of my way to visit a store here or there on a hunch. Today was one of those days.

I found a Delfino soft leather two-tone briefcase for $3, a Monterrey straw Panama hat $4, and a Pilgrim vintage Homburg hat $5.

^