I went thrifting. You are not surprised. Let’s take a look at what I found on my bargain hunting trips this time around.
Byblos blazer ($8)
I may be dating myself quite badly by saying this, but I remember when Byblos was a thing. And by “thing”, I mean a designer brand that used to turn up on the advertising pages of Vogue on the regular. This jacket looks like it was from an even earlier era. It might count as fashion memorabilia at this point, but I ain’t got room for that in my closet. Needless to say, I passed.
Zara blazer ($8)
I also passed on this Zara blazer, although I’ll probably regret that next Halloween; this would have made an excellent Brandon Flowers-circa-Sam’s Town costume.
Fei top ($5)
I rarely leave Anthro behind, but this shirt was too weird for me. You can’t even see the back tie here. Back ties are evil.
Rich & Skinny jeans ($8)
Sadly, way too small.
YSL tie ($5)
Hey, check it out: sometimes, I thrift for other people too. This tie was too gorgeous to pass up, even without considering the label attached to it.
J. Crew top ($5)
A plain navy top is never wasted in my closet. Along with cream, white and black tops, it’s a staple/building block for many an outfit.
Nougat cardigan ($7)
Loved the colour of this cardigan, as well as the unusual closure.
Guinevere cardigan ($8)
To be honest, I’m not sure about this cardigan, but my no-Anthro-left-behind policy kicked in to make me buy it. It fits small, and as a result it looks best worn buttoned up, as a top. (The reviews on the Anthro site seem to support this conclusion.) I’m not sure how versatile that makes it. The print is cute but maybe a little too twee? Gah, I don’t know, you guys! Help me decide?
14th & Union scarf ($5)
Loooooove this scarf. Love it. Love the colour, and the softness of the material, and the generous size. Love everything about it.
F&F scarf ($6)
I also love this scarf as well, especially the mixed print thing happening here.
brooch ($18)
This brooch was hella overpriced for a thrift store ($24 before discount), but I bought it anyway because (a) I have been looking for a clear rhinestone brooch in a similar design for ages, and (b) this price was still cheaper than what I would pay at the antique mall.
Banana Republic tank ($10)
I’ll come right out and admit it: I totally overpaid for this top. I decided not to use one of my 30% off coupons (because I was not buying enough to make it worthwhile), and it was overpriced to begin with. I decided to get it because the quality seemed decent, the condition seemed like-new, and I thought the colour (a light aqua) would work nicely in my wardrobe. Finding decent quality plain shells can be surprisingly hard, so that totally swayed my decision-making here.
Elie Tahari trench ($20)
Do I need another trench? Probably not, but this one was very cute (and black! totally different than my Burberry one!) and in great condition, and the price was decent.
Tory Burch skirt ($5)
Do I need another pencil skirt? Eh, no. But I love me some tweed, especially $5 designer tweed.
Yoana Baraschi dress ($7)
Yoana Baraschi has become one of my auto-buy brands. I love her aesthetic, and the quality is usually great. This dress fit great, was an unusual colour, and was only $7 — how could I say no?
Last week, I went to Red Deer for a two-day work conference, and naturally that required me to over-think a bunch of outfits. I’m not going to pretend that this is any kind of travel capsule, because I made no special efforts to mix and match; I just wanted to feel (a) good in whatever I wore, (b) appropriate for the occasion. Ready to check out some horribly lit selfies? Well, alrighty then!
Blazer, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, J. Crew Factory; jeans, William Rast (thrifted); shoes, Stuart Weitzman
I wore this for dinner and drinks with some colleagues (and clients) the night before the conference started. We went to a hipster-y joint in downtown Red Deer (To The Lost), which turned out to serve excellent handmade cocktails … and the food was not bad either. (That’s an understatement actually. It was delish.) The vibe was quite chill, so this outfit ended up being a good choice — casual, but with some dressier elements. Speaking of which, I really like the quality of this J. Crew Factory lace tank. It was something like $18 on clearance, and well worth that price; the lace is very nice and looks more expensive than it was. I bought it less than 2 weeks ago, so you might still be able to find it in stores if you’re interested.
Blazer, Anthropologie; dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, Stuart Weitzman
For the first day of the conference, I went with comfort (my trusty Joe Fresh tube dress) and dressed it up a bit. I picked this particular blazer because it’s a heavy knit (comfy and warm) with a cotton lining (extra warmth) — perfect for the chilly temps inside the conference hall. I added a fancy necklace for some visual interest, and my comfiest heels. Pretty basic, but fail-proof.
Jacket & dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, J. Crew Factorysans jacket
The conference dinner was hosted at a restaurant located on a ranch, so again, the vibe was quite laid back. I picked a maxi dress because I thought it would hit the right balance between casual and dressy, and added a leather jacket for a bit of edge, plus warmth.
For the last day of the conference, I knew I wanted to wear a couple of recent thrift scores — this pretty wool scarf and brooch. The rest of the outfit was basically just “background”, but it still hit the conference trifecta: warm, comfortable, and polished.
For those not familiar with Alberta geography, Red Deer is a midsize (by local standards) town halfway between Edmonton and Calgary. The only time I usually stop there is when I’m traveling to Calgary, and then usually only long enough to hit up Gasoline Alley (a commercial strip on the edge of town where one can fuel up the car — and oneself, with donuts from the famous Donut Mill). On this trip, I realized that there was a Value Village and a Salvation Army a few blocks from my hotel so … well, you know where I’m going with this. I couldn’t let the opportunity slip, so during our scheduled “free time”, I took myself off for some thrifting.
How did Red Deer’s thrift scene compare to the Edmonton’s? It was not quite as exciting (few places are, to be honest), but it wasn’t bad either. I didn’t find much at the Sally Ann, but the VV had a few treasures.
DVF “Cezanne” dress ($12)
I rarely find DVF here in Edmonton, so this was a bit of a surprise. I had to double check that this was, in fact, an authentic dress since it didn’t look like something you’d expect from the brand. The inside tag looked legit though.
legit DVF
I googled the name of the dress (helpfully noted on the inside tag, which I wish more brands would do), and this proved to be a CDN$400 piece. Hard to believe — it’s cute, but the quality seemed meh to me. For $12, it was tempting but I ended up passing on it because I don’t need another casual dress, and there was nothing special about this one except for the label.
J. Crew skirt ($8)
This J. Crew skirt was also a decent price, but the wrong size so I had to pass.
Trina Turk dress ($25)
Ditto for this Trina Turk dress, although the price was a bit steep in any event.
BCBG dress ($40!!!)
This BCBG dress took the cake, however. Forty freaking dollars for a simple cocktail dress? Holy crap. I thought my local VV was bad, but this is another story. I was amused, however, that they priced BCBG higher than DVF.
Liz Claiborne shirt ($12)very Anthro-esque
I loved the print of this Liz Claiborne shirt, which struck me as very Anthro-esque. The fabric was a lovely silk as well, but it was still a pass for me. The size was too big, and the style too 80s for my taste — though alterations might fix both problems. Considering the price, I didn’t feel like taking a gamble on my rudimentary skills.
Guinevere Verdant Paisleys cardigan ($10)
In the end, the only thing I bought was this Guinevere cardigan. I was a bit iffy on the colour and print, but I loved the soft wool and decided the cardigan might be a good topper for a few things in my closet. If nothing else, it shall count as my Red Deer souvenir.
Speaking of souvenirs, on the way home, I made a quick side-trip to visit the (even smaller) town of Lacombe, and checked out its secondhand/thrift/antiques scene. [The thrift store did not yield any treasures, but the consignment store (surprisingly large and well-stocked) had a few, including a pair of made-in-Italy Jenny Kaye leather flats which, unfortunately, were not my size.] I stopped into the cutest little antique store where, sadly, the prices on Royal Albert teacups were no bargain, but where I did pick up this cute geegaw:
desk ornament?
This little adventure off the beaten track (aka Highway 2) reminded me of an idea I’d had years ago to do a day-long “antiquing” tour of small towns around Edmonton. I’m more convinced than ever that it would be a lot of fun; now, I just have to find some partners in crime … Stay tuned.
It’s been a hot minute since my last thrifting update, but I’m a woman with a one-track mind, and that track is all thrifting, all the time. (I also work sometimes, and there are some kids running around here somewhere that sometimes need stuff from me, and I write a bit now and then … minor details, ok?) I have decided that “stress thrifting” is a thing, and while it may not be as cute as those dogs they send to old people’s homes to cheer up the residents (is ANYthing cuter than those dogs?), it is serving me well. Particularly on days when I hit the thrifting motherload … which, frankly, is bound to happen more frequently, the more often one goes. It’s a law of thrift or something.
Anyway, enough jibber jabber — take a look at my recent finds:
Kenneth Cole shoes ($17?)
I lied … first up, some things I didn’t buy. These T-strap shoes (sandals?) were cute, but not quite my style. My outfits usually have so much going on, I like to keep my shoes simple.
B. Makowsky bag ($40!)
I rarely find nice leather bags when thrifting, so this B. Makowsky gold hobo was a standout. A metallic bag is surprisingly versatile, so I recommend it to people wanting an alternative to black for an everyday sort of bag. The leather on this bag was in pretty good shape — very soft, lovely to the touch — with just a bit of rubbing/scuffing on the hardware. Too bad VV wanted FORTY freaking dollars for it. Now, $40 for a good leather bag is not bad, but it seems a bit ridiculous at a thrift store. Similar bags are selling for $30-60 on eBay, for reference.
OK, gripe over. Let’s talk about things I actually bought.
Print ($5)
I don’t only thrift for clothes, you guys! I bought this print of the countryside around San Gimignano (still in its wrapper!) by an Italian photographer initially because S. Gimignano is one of my favourite places in Tuscany (which is my fave area of Italy), but I think I won’t be keeping it. I’m going to frame it and give it to my mom for Mother’s Day. She loves S. Gimignano as much as I do, and I think it will be a nice memento.
Banana Republic pants ($8)
These BR Sloan pants might not seem like the most exciting thrift find, but trust me — they were. I love Sloan pants (and have worn them at work almost exclusively for the past 2 years), but I am beyond fed up with the fact that they never seem to go on decent sale (in Canada, at any rate). I am not paying $60+ for a pair of pants that, frankly, could be better quality. (I just love the style, sigh. Non-baggy knees, FTW.) Anyway, finding a pair of Sloans in my size, in good condition (i.e. not shrunk), in a colour I actually need (navy) is a small thrifting miracle.
Adriano Goldschmied Stevie cords ($4)
My other Holy Grail brand for pants is Adriano Goldschmied. I adore the Stevie cords; one of the few downsides of losing weight last year was the fact that my old pairs of Stevies no longer fit. I was beyond pumped to find a new pair, in a gorgeous forest green colour — and they were 50% courtesy of Goodwill’s daily deal.
Joe Fresh ($7)
My inner colour magpie couldn’t resist this psychedelic floral. The inside tag is cut off so I can’t be sure of the fabric content, but it feels very nice and soft and silk-like (even if it’s probably polyester).
Stuart Weitzman pumps ($9)
Stuart Weitzman is one of my fave shoe brands for its high comfort level. For $9, these peep toe pumps were a no-brainer. I’m not a huge fan of peep toes generally (I find them uncomfortable), but the cut-out on this pair was pretty small, and didn’t seem to pose a danger to my toes. The shoes were in fantastic condition save for a few small knicks on the inside part of the heels. (The leather is finished so that it looks intetionally distressed, which threw me off for a second when I first saw them.)
Lida Baday blazer ($8)
Lida Baday is a fancy Canadian designer, so it’s always great to find her (made in Canada) pieces in thrift stores — far better than spending hundreds of dollars on them at Holt Renfrew. This blazer has a lovely, sleek, waist-defining cut so I had to buy it even though I have a bazillion blazers. Had to, I tell you!
Baraschi dress ($13)
I also love Yoana Baraschi pieces, and I couldn’t resist this beautiful lace print. (I’m starting to sense a theme here — when did this turn into Adina’s favourite brands list?) Even at full price ($13), this was a great deal … except for one tiny detail. This is a size 14. I hemmed and hawed over it for a while, then decided to get it and take my chances: I will see if I can get it altered to fit (without ruining the dress entirely), and if not, I will pass it on to a friend. Stay tuned.
Edited to add: spoiler alert: I found a new tailor, and I can safely call this dress an unqualified success. Pics to come!
Bill Blass scarf ($4)
Cute polka dot impulse buy.
Eileen Fisher dress ($11)
I know veteran thrifters (especially re-sellers) love Eileen Fisher pieces, but this was actually only the second time I’ve ever seen the brand in one of my local haunts. I’m glad that VV hasn’t caught on that EF is a thing, because I was able to get this for $11 without using one of my precious 30% coupons. I had to have it because it’s a beige version of my grey tube dress, which I’ve worn a ton. This one is also a fantastic lightweight knit (made of Italian yarn, so — fancy!) and a good length on me (almost ankle-length). Can’t wait to wear it!
Vanessa Bruno sweater ($7)
I know this doesn’t look that exciting in this photo, but this sweater is amazeballs, you guys. As soon as I touched it, I knew it was special. The wool/alpaca blend feels and looks so luxe. I took a look at the label and vaguely recognized the name as one of those high end but lesser known brands. When I looked at the inside tag and saw that the sweater was made in Italy, it confirmed that I had stumbled upon a winner. I didn’t even bother trying it on before I bought it. Luckily, it fits like a dream.
Escada dress ($9)
Hands down, one of my fave thrift scores ever. This Escada dress is in perfect condition, and fits beautifully. It makes me feel a bit like a 1940s femme fatale. Priceless.
Prada dress ($7)
This cute, flirty Prada wrap dress was a nice score, and also a bit of a lesson. I almost passed right by it. The Goodwill dress rack is jam packed, so it’s sometimes almost impossible to make enough room to properly see each dress individually. I usually just scan for interesting prints, and look for labels I recognize. In this instance, I could barely see the print (the rack was extra packed that day), and the tag was literally hanging by a thread and turned backwards. I don’t know what compelled me to stop and take the extra effort to turn the tag around, but I’m glad that I did. That was lesson #1: sometimes, it pays to take your time.
Lesson #2 happened at home. One of my weird thrifting-related hobbies is looking up the things I find online. I like to know their original retail price (remember my weakness for statistics), and see how other people have worn them. Well, imagine my surprise when I found an all-black version of this dress on eBay listed as having a MSRP of US$2,500. Needless to say, my jaw dropped a considerable distance. The lesson is … retail prices are whack. And also, do your homework because sometimes even if you think you know, you have no idea what you’ve actually found.
