In addition to my Tuesday Night Thrift adventures with Nicole, I did manage to squeeze in some solo thrifting time this month. Not a lot … but not that you can tell from the results. What can I say? The Edmonton thrift scene is just too good, you guys. Too good not to take advantage of, at any rate.

Meadow Rue skirt
Meadow Rue skirt

Now, I did exercise some restraint — not a lot, but some. This orange, linen Anthro skirt did NOT come home with me, for example.

Left: Ralph Lauren dress; right: Michael Kors dress
Left: Ralph Lauren dress; right: Michael Kors dress

Neither did these dresses.

Maeve dress
Maeve dress

This dress was a huge disappointment — so beautiful, so terribly small.

ModCloth dress
ModCloth dress

This was also cute, but too body-con for my taste. First time I’ve seen ModCloth in a thrift store here.

Misook cardigan
Misook cardigan

Misook is a brand I know of only through the thrift re-seller community. Apparently, it’s a good seller on eBay? I can’t imagine anyone lusting over this pistachio confection, but I’ve been a Jon Snow on more than one occasion.

Adrianna Pappel dress
Adrianna Pappel dress

I loved the colours of this dress, and I might have been able to live with the horizontal ruffle action, but the florettes around the neckline are absolutely too, too much. Pity.

Ted Baker dress
Ted Baker dress

Another cute Ted Baker dress that was a style miss for me. Gorgeous colour though.

Moschino jeans
Moschino jeans

Moschino jeans … with buttons (snaps? shudder) going down the pant legs. No.

I had the chance to go thrifting with a friend this month — and it was her first time! Luckily, the starts aligned, and she found some great pieces …

Lane Bryant dress
Lane Bryant dress

… like this adorable summer dress from Lane Bryant.

ModCloth dress
ModCloth dress

And there were more cutre dresses (with pockets!) to be found. We both loved the kooky print of this ModCloth dress. My friend loves the brand, and was thrilled to see the price tag on this dress: under $10 (before our 30% off coupon). Score.

eShakti dress
eShakti dress

I introduced her to eShakti, and she loved the way this dress fit (she must have a twin out there somewhere) and the cool details. Made to measure is even better at thrift prices.

I also managed to, ahem, do okay for myself.

Banana Republic sandals
Banana Republic sandals

These BR metallic gladiator sandals are brand new, and will be hella cute next summer. Made in China, leather upper.

Cartonnier jacket
Cartonnier jacket

Do I need another jacket? No, but this was (a) Cartonnier, and (b) mustard yellow. So, basically a “must buy”.

Tabitha jacket
Tabitha jacket

I was less sure of this Tabitha jacket, but I thought the neutral colour and cropped length might have potential. Made in China, 49% wool, 35% viscose, 16% poly (100% acetate lining).

Rag & Bone jeggings
Rag & Bone jeggings

Mustard yellow? Check. Stretchy, skinny leg? Check. Made in the USA? Done and done.

left: Pilcro; right: Paige
left: Pilcro; right: Paige

When it comes to casual pants, my cup (closet) overfloweth … but that never stops me from buying more great pairs. The tan Pilcro chinos on the left are beyond comfy — I can’t wait to wear them on slouchy weekends all next summer. The contrast waistband and panels are a cute touch. Made in China, 99% cotton, 1% spandex.

The Paige jeans on the right are cute, but I might have left them behind, to be honest, if I didn’t see that they were still selling on The Bay website for three hundred freaking dollars! Fancy pants alert! I paid $9 for mine, and will find a way to get a few wears out of them, I’m sure. .

AllSaints blazer
AllSaints blazer

I needed a black blazer to replace my worn out (thrifted) J. Crew one. This AllSaints version looked promising, and was hella cheap. It might be a looser fit than I prefer for dresses, but I think it will work with pants. Made in Turkey, 89% wool, 9% polyamide, 2% elastane (100% viscose lining).

Maeve dress
Maeve dress

I know this is a skater dress, which is a style no-no for me, but it was far too cute to resist — and the colour palette is right up my alley. I have no doubt I can re-sell it if/when I get tired of it. Made in China, 100% cotton (100% poly lining).

MaxMara dress
MaxMara dress

Impulse buy, because I’m a label snob … but also because it’s made in Italy and classy as hell. (75% cotton, 25% silk; 100% poly lining).

Ferragamo pumps
Ferragamo pumps

These beauties need no explanation. They are simply perfection, in shoe form.

Happy thrifting, everyone!

NOTE: Chapter 11 of A Temporary Engagement is up on the blog — read it here.

8 Comments on Tales From the Thrift: The Finds Keep Coming

  1. I’ve noticed that the VV that I go to usually has a LOT of eShakti dresses in the racks. Most of them seem to be made to order and in the higher end of the sizing spectrum but they are SO CUTE, usually have pockets and haven’t been worn. I wonder if eShakti sends/sells its returns or seconds to value villages??

    • Hmm, that’s interesting. I wonder … but I haven’t heard anything about it. My friend loved the eShakti dress we found, and commented on the quality — it had a lot of nice details (like pockets) that she said are usually missing from plus size clothing.

  2. The energy I have for thrifting has waned as of late, when trying to do it in cold weather with a toddler who hates wearing jackets and going anywhere and then being shifted from a car seat to a stroller…

    THAT SAID.. I think the thrifting situation in Edmonton is way better than here in Montreal. I have yet to see major brands in store as often as you do.

    • We’re pretty lucky here, for sure. But I hear you on thrifting with kids — I can’t do it either. As it is, I’m limited to 20 minutes here and there, when they’re otherwise occupied.

  3. Agreed. Those shoes are perfection. Your thrift posts are my favorites; I enjoy seeing what you purchased and left on the rack. Please include friends more often. This was a really nice change. The thrift stores near me are filled with fast fashion. Maybe because FL is more casual? I need to search out some new ones.

    • I will try to include more “guests” in my thrifting posts, but the truth is that I thrift alone, 90% of the time. I’m usually snatching 10-15 minutes here and there, while running other errands.