Let’s talk things I actually thrifted, shall we? The list is — surprise, surprise — not short. All of you guys who were ready to congratulate me on my willpower and discernment on Monday: I’ll understand if you start to have second thoughts on both counts, hah! Impulse thrifting gets the best of all of us at some point, ya know?

St. John raincoat
St. John raincoat

The Goodwill coat section, you guys — it’s the best, I’m telling you. This St. John raincoat was too large on me, but perfect for my mom. She’s so not into designer labels, but it amuses me to find her stuff like this.

Lafayette 148 blazer
Lafayette 148 blazer

I also bought this Lafayette 148 blazer for her, because it was too beautiful to pass up.

Talula leggings
Talula leggings

I can’t say that I’ve ever bought leisurewear at the thrift store before, but these leggings were $3, and I do enough lounging at home to justify them. Made in China, 95% cotton, 5% spandex.

J. Crew pants
J. Crew pants

I probably don’t need bright orange-red pants, but these were 50% off at Goodwill, so why not. Made in China, 58% cotton, 38% viscose, 4% spandex.

J. Crew pants; Left: Anthro top; Right: Nanette Lepore top
J. Crew pants; Left: Anthro top; Right: Nanette Lepore top

The grey pants? Also on sale at Goodwill. I think the colour has a lot of potential — more than red, at any rate. I exercised restraint and did NOT buy the Anthro top on the left (old Adina would have), but decided to get the Nanette Lepore one because (a) it’s made in the US, and 100% silk, and (b) I’m hoping I’ll have a reason (hot date, ahem) to wear it soon. Ooh la la!

Nanette Lepore top
Nanette Lepore top

Another Nanette Lepore top, and this one is going to be a staple, I can just feel it. I love the pattern mix! Made in the US, 100% silk.

Gianni Ferraud coat
Gianni Ferraud coat

Another Goodwill find, bought because I liked the menswear vibe. I don’t know much about the brand but a little Googling tells me it’s from the UK. The quality seems so-so, but for $8, the overall aesthetic was a good enough reason to buy it. Made in China, I think.

Stuart Weitzman pumps
Stuart Weitzman pumps

These SW pumps reminded me of Roger Vivier flats, which I can only dream of thrifting at this point. They’re definitely more eye-catching than your typical black pumps, but sometimes you want your feet to make a statement, no? Made in Spain, 100% leather.

Vince sweater
Vince sweater

This Vince sweater is marked XS, which makes me wonder if it was a men’s size. The style would suggest not … but it’s very loose, to say the least. I can’t say that the quality blew me out of the water (disappointing, but I’ve been underwhelmed by both Vince pieces I’ve found) but I loved the colour, and for $4, I figured I could get enough wear out of it, even just around the house. Made in China (also disappointing, considering the likely original retail price), 100% cotton.

BCBG jacket
BCBG jacket

I spotted this jacket randomly jammed into the cardigan rack, and swooped in like a vulture. I adore it. It’s not particularly versatile but I love the style and pattern – a very “me” piece. Made in China, 100% silk (100% poly lining).

Theory dress
Theory dress

This dress turned into such a disappointment. I loved the fit (especially around the bodice) and tripled checked to make sure it didn’t have any flaws. Well, sometime between the time I bought it and the time I pressed it (after dry-cleaning it at home), it developed a small, faint stain on the front part of the skirt. It’s not super noticeable, but I know it’s there and it bugs me. Not all is lost, however. I plan on taking it to the tailor and having it cut to a (peplum) top if the price is reasonable. Stay tuned. Made in China, 100% silk.

Judith & Charles dress
Judith & Charles dress

This is quickly becoming one of my fave work dresses. Made in Canada, 96% cotton, 4% elastane.

Lida Baday dress
Lida Baday dress

I have similar hopes for this Lida Baday dress. The fit is great, and I’m a sucker for that type of print (Glen check?). Made in Canada, 98% wool, 2% elastane (poly-viscose lining).

In case you were wondering, I did manage to acquire a few Anthro pieces as well. It wouldn’t be a thrift recap otherwise, would it?

Deletta top
Deletta top

No Anthro Left Behind rule in full effect here. Do I need this top? No, but it’s hella cute, and hella cheap. Made in China, 100% cotton.

Postmark top
Postmark top

Sigh. You know the deal. Made in China, 95% cotton, 5% spandex (100% poly trim).

Leifsdottir dress
Leifsdottir dress

I thought this would be a good weekend dress, summer and winter. It would be very simple — and roomy enough — to layer when the time comes. I will say that this is one of the (more recent?) Anthro pieces for which I found the quality to be less than impressive. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute dress … but it lacks that Anthro touch. Made in China, 87% polyester, 11% rayon, 2% elastane.

Cartonnier blazer
Cartonnier blazer

Cartonnier blazers on the other hand, are quickly becoming a weakness of mine. With one or two exceptions, these are dependably good work wardrobe pieces. They tend to be softer/less structured, which makes them more comfortable over a long day at the office. I have high hopes that this one will prove its versatility over the long run. Made in China, 100% tencel (100% poly lining).

This time around, I did much better with finding pieces made in North America, but I am continually disappointed by how few garments (at least those that end up in thrift stores) seem to be made here, comparatively speaking. Even higher end designers seem to have off-shored most of their manufacturing, though you wouldn’t be able to tell from the retail prices. I was re-reading Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion recently, and was struck by some numbers that Elizabeth Cline mentioned. She wrote that a dress that cost $633 in materials and labour to produce (in the US), would likely retail for almost $2,900. Think about that: the dress would have to be discounted by 80% before you hit its real value. Obviously, designers, manufacturers and retailers need to make a profit, but it puts all those flashy sales into perspective, doesn’t it? It also makes me think that the real moneymakers are the mid-level designer brands; there is no way that, say, the Vince sweater above (cotton, made in China) cost anywhere near its likely $200+ price tag to manufacture — more like $20 or less. But it carries a certain cachet, and it’s not so outrageously priced to be out of reach of all but the uber wealthy. A lucrative alternative to the F21 business model?

OK, that’s enough rambling for now. Tell, what did the thrift gods bestow on you this month?

11 Comments on Tales From the Thrift: And Now, the Main Event

  1. I really enjoy reading your thrifting recaps – both what you bought and what you didn’t! Thanks for sharing. Bummer about the stain on that lavender Theory dress – it’s beautiful.

  2. Thanks for sharing! I found your blog through Fran and I just love your posts! Quick question – what do you do to dry clean your clothes at home? I live in NYC and they charge a ton for dry cleaning here!

    • I use the Woolite home dry-cleaning kit. It’s basically just a chemically-treated sheet that you put in the dryer along with your items (up to 4 items, but I’ve put in more if they were small ones); 20 minutes on the delicate cycle, and it’s done. The package I get comes with 6 sheets (so you can clean 24 items) and it’s about CDN$15 or so from Amazon. Dryel makes a similar product also. Just look for “home drycleaning kit” and you should get a bunch of options.

  3. Love this post!! Before you chop up that Theory dress, let’s chat about my secret (not) stain removal technique! Might be worth another try. Love the Lida Baday dress especially but you scored a great collection this month!! Also love how you’re including fabric and manufacturing details. Education and awareness are critical first steps in the movement against fast fashion. 😘

  4. Hi Adina, I’ve always wondered why a lot of clothes, even nice blazers, and dresses and coats, are polyester lined. I try to avoid polyester clothing because they don’t have the best breathability. Since you have a good blazer and coat collection, what has been your experience with polyester lining? Also, do you know if polyester lining is just the standard material used or is it a way took to cut down on materials costs? Thanks.

  5. You’ve probably already addressed this, but I can’t find it anywhere. I’m obsessed with your shoes. I know they’re Clarks but I can’t seem to track them down. Do you know the style name?