It’s been a hectic month, which means lotsa thrifting-as-stress-relief … but I actually haven’t bought a lot. Most of what’s recapped here was actually bought in June, when I went a little a lot overboard. The deals, they are just too good, you guys.

But first, a few things I didn’t get.

Lucian Matis skirt
Lucian Matis skirt ($5)

I totally squee-ed a little when I found this Lucian Matis skirt. Does anyone else remember his season of Project Runway Canada? It was the only one I watched, I think, back in the days I still had time for TV (sigh) and I loved Lucian … not least because he’s also from the Old Country. Anyway, I think he’s still a pretty big name in Canadian fashion these days. This skirt was way too tiny for me to even try on (maybe a runway sample?) and a little too 90s-vibed, but it was an exciting thriftspot nonetheless.

Kors blazer ($6)
Kors blazer ($6)

Talk about a walk down memory lane! I think this was a vintage Kors blazer, from MK’s pre-diffusion line days. It was too comically large on me, but I think it’s a vintage piece that could definitely work on the right woman today.

vintage brooches
vintage brooches

These were not thrifted (but, rather, purchased at the Strathcona Antique Mall) but they were pretty and I wanted to include them in the round-up anyway. They were each $15 or less.

D'Orlan brooch ($3)
D’Orlan brooch ($3)

This teeny bee brooch, on the other hand, was thrifted, and a bargain at that. I didn’t realize it was a signed D’Orlan piece until later. Fun fact: back when we first started dating, my husband used to call me “Bee” — apparently, because I was always buzzing with energy. Things change a lot in 8 years (and two kids later) is all I’m gonna say about that. [In fact, I could use a nap right about now.]

milkglass vases ($2 each)
milkglass vases ($2 each)

I already have two of these little vases, but I figured I could use two more — they will make perfect table decorations at some future dinner party.

Hello Kitty luggage tag ($3)
Hello Kitty luggage tag ($3)

I could not NOT get this, you guys. And I am NOT sharing it with my daughter.

necklaces ($6 and $5)
necklaces ($6 and $5)

I did not set out to buy turqouise boho necklaces but here we are. I found these on separate occasions, and while the style is not right in my wheelhouse, I think these are fun additions to my casual summer wardrobe.

Italian bags ($2.50 and $4.50)
Italian bags ($2.50 and $4.50)

Two Italian-made leather bags in perfect condition? For under $10 together? Yes, please. I bought these as gifts (for my mom and for a friend) and I think they were hits.

Maeve dress ($4)
Maeve dress ($4)

Not entirely in my current style wheelhouse, but too cute to pass up nonetheless. [Damn you, Anthro!] Also, it was $4 (at VV’s 50% off sale). How could I not buy it, you guys? No, really: how could I not? Tell me how to resist the lure of cute dresses that cost less than a latte. Made in China, 100% cotton (with cotton lining).

mystery label ...
mystery label …

The label on this dress confounded me, but the details were cute (and read as very Anthro-esque to my eagle eyes) so I took a chance because I was in a rush, and didn’t feel like dithering in the aisle at Goodwill for another 10 minutes.

Coquille dress ($7)
Coquille dress ($7)

And what do you know? It IS an Anthro dress. I have a sixth sense for Anthro, I’m telling you. Made in China, 100% silk (with poly lining).

Tulle top ($6)
Tulle top ($6)

I’m a sucker for butterflies. This one replaced a solid yellow/chartreuse top that had ruffles on it. The care label was cut out so I don’t have deets on this top, but I’m guessing it’s 100% poly.

DKNY blazer ($5)
DKNY blazer ($5)

The fit of this blazer was really good, and I thought it might be nice to have a pinstripe version. No gonna lie, I haven’t purged any of my older blazers to make room for this one. Made in China, poly-viscose-elastane blend (the extra stretch is nice).

J. Crew blazer ($8)
J. Crew blazer ($8)

I’m also a sucker for tweed. This “English tweed” cloth was too gorgeous for me to resist. It was a size 10, which meant that I had to take a leap of faith and trust that alterations were possible and economically feasible. Made in China, 88% wool, 12% polyamide (with poly lining).

Ted Baker blazer ($20)
Ted Baker blazer ($20)
gorgeous lining
gorgeous lining

Yes, that is the THIRD new blazer I bought (having purged zero). I fail so badly at following rules. Anyway, how could I resist new-with-tags Ted Baker? Just look at that gorgeous lining! Made in Malta, 55% wool, 44% acetate, 1% elastane (with poly blend lining).

Citizens of Humanity ($4)
Citizens of Humanity ($4)

I have a lot of casual pants, but here I am — adding a new pair. Citizens of Humanity (in the Ava style) for under $5 though. That’s all I’m gonna say. Made in the US, cotton-modal-lycra blend.

Stuart Weitzman sandals ($12)
Stuart Weitzman sandals ($12)

I spent an entire summer looking for a pair of yellow sandals. Two years later, I finally found one. The heel is quite a bit higher than I would have hoped for casual wear, but I will take new Stuart Weitzmans any day of the week. Made in Spain, 100% leather.

Elie Tahari dress ($4)
Elie Tahari dress ($4)

Impulse buy I will probably regret, but it was only $4. Bought this before the rules came into effect (lololol!), but I have been downsizing my dress collection so I feel like I’m even on this score. Made in China, 98% polyester, 2% elastane.

James Perse shirt ($6)
James Perse shirt ($6)

I’m tentatively thinking of replacing my worn-out chambray shirt with this grey (non-chambray) James Perse one, but I want to wait and see how versatile this version is first. One thing I was disappointed to see was that this shirt was not made in the US, as I had assumed from the fact that it’s JP. I didn’t check until I got home, and lesson learned. I probably would have passed on it had I realized that in the store, to be honest. Made in Vietnam, 100% cotton.

Club Monaco dress ($4)
Club Monaco dress ($4)

Too cute to pass up for $4. Story of my life, eh? Made in , 97% wool, 3% elastane (with acetate-rayon-elastane blend lining).

Club Monaco dress ($6)
Club Monaco dress ($6)

Here’s another one. Made in China, 98% poly, 2% elastane (with 100% poly lining).

Moulinette Soeurs dress ($9)
Moulinette Soeurs dress ($9)

What’s that, another Anthropologie dress? Sigh. Ok, fine. Toss the rule book out of the window. Made in China, 55% silk, 45% cotton (with poly lining).

LK Bennett dress ($14)
LK Bennett dress ($14)

Wait! Bring the rule book back. This retro-style dress definitely qualifies as a “special piece” — and it was new with $375 price tag still attached. Made in China, 100% silk (with acetate lining).

Akris dress ($7.50)
Akris dress ($7)

You guys, this was probably a $1,500-$2,000 dress originally. I want me a piece of that, even if I’ll need two pairs of Spanx to fit into it comfortably (fingers crossed). Definitely a “special” piece. Made in Switzerland, 100% silk (with 100% silk lining!).

All in all, I … mostly failed miserably at following any sort of thrifting rules. But I had fun and bought a bunch of cool things, for not a lot of money, and that’s a pretty good score at the end of the day. How was your (thrifting) month?

12 Comments on Tales From The Thrift: Now With 110% More Thrift

  1. I won a couple of Boden dresses on eBay this weekend for less than £6 all in. Did I need them? Nope. But I’d tried both of them when they were available from Boden a few years ago and declined based on not needing them at full price. Too cute to pass up seems to be a mantra I can also live by 😉

    • Whattttt??? Amazing! Your eBay mojo is unreal. I would love to get me some Boden dresses but they rarely show up in thrift stores here 🙁

  2. Is there an emoji for “I bow down to your brilliance?” Because I need one to comment on this post. Amazing thrifting, esp that Akris dress!

  3. I just got that same Maeve dress last month at goodwill! I’m always fascinated by how the same items will show up at different thrift stores at the same time, as if the items are being bought by the same type of people and those people all decided they were done with it at the same time. (same, same, same, I need to learn some new words apparently.)

    • Haha! That’s amazing — I love coincidences like that. I think there is a cycle with clothes in terms of how often they turn up in thrift stores. I think it does depend on the brand — for example, I’ve noticed J. Crew pieces showing up much more quickly than, say, Anthro. It would be very interesting to look at that from an empirical perspective. And then, there are also the “missed the return window” finds. I love those 🙂

  4. I have those Ava jeans from thrifting (but I think I overpayed at $6 :)) and I love them. I now enjoy good thrifting through your posts because we don’t have anything good to speak of where I live.

    • Oh, that sucks — I’m sorry to hear it! It’s been a much more slow-going month and I’m also indulging in some vicarious thrift thrills thanks to IG. So I feel ya!

  5. Please throw out the rule book because none of us can obey! You were on fire this month (or last). Anyway, love “Tales” . Keep ’em coming!
    What did I get…a couple of Madewell (j.crew) tops and a pair of beautiful Paige jeans on eBay. Total $60. I work in a factory, but I like clothes that will last a while.

    • Nice eBay scores! Good quality clothes are a part of self-care for me … they can make you feel good/comfortable/confident no matter your surroundings, and that matters … whatever your surroundings.

  6. The label is an image of the golden rectangle / golden ratio. It’s a principle used in design (architecture) and you can find the proportions in many historic buildings throughout the world.

    I don’t know what brand it is but I thought I’d share what I did know 🙂

    • The brand is Coquille, which someone on Instagram was kind enough to tell me. But you are correct about the golden ratio. I don’t know a lot about architecture (my husband would be horrified to read this) but eagle-eyed IG peeps were all over it. So I learned something new 🙂