The most cost-per-wear bang-for-your-buck items you own

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are mine!

Top: Falconeri Flat-Rib Ultrafine Cashmere Turtleneck (I have this sweater in six colors and wear it at least once per week from September to May)

Bottom: Escada Denim Godet Maxi Skirt (vintage, purchased on Poshmark)

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Green Silk Wrap Dress (vintage, purchased at Secondi)

Jacket/Coat: Cinzia Rocca Chocolate Brown Double-Breasted Wool and Llama Maxi Coat, vintage, purchased at Goodwill)

Shoes: Gucci Black 1953 Horsebit Loafers

Purse: Mark Cross Black Top Handle Bag and Coach Black Willis Bag (both vintage and purchased at Goodwill)

Jewelry: Mejuri Large Diamond Stud Earrings

I'd love to hear your top 5 vintage/thrift shopping tips!

Sure, I’m happy to share!

1. Decide on some rules and follow them to save time, energy, and money. Here are mine: 1) nothing outside my color palette, 2) no synthetic materials, including blends, 3) no stains, and 4) nothing that would require an enormous amount of tailoring in order to fit properly. I also have rule 5) no prints, but will occasionally relax that one for a special piece. Sticking to my rules means I can immediately eliminate 99% of the inventory in any thrift or consignment store, which saves time and allows me to focus on a few specific pieces.

2. Study clothing materials and construction. I can run my hand down a packed rack and pick out the only silk blouse, a handmade mohair sweater, etc. My mother and grandmother passed down knowledge about fabrics, clothing construction, and fit, but I mostly learned on my own. One book I recommend is Secondhand Chic by Christa Weil. Some of the information is outdated, but she does a solid job outlining the “tells” of a high-quality garment.

3. Secondhand shopping is a number game. When thrifting, I visit multiple stores so will plot my route in advance on Google Maps. Once I’m in a store, I visit sections in this specific order: 1) coats & outerwear, 2) blazer & jackets, 3) sweaters, 4) handbags, 5) scarves and belts, and 6) skirts. The rationale behind the order is that I want to maximize the gap between what a thrifted find is worth (because of the materials, construction, and fit) and what I paid for it. For example, I bought a beautiful green Bally wool coat a few years ago for less than $50. Similar coats retail for over $2,000 (out of my budget - I work in education), so that was a great score. On the other hand, buying a thrifted cotton tee for $7 when I could get a new one from Uniqlo for $15 isn’t worth my time, and a Uniqlo tee already fits comfortably within my budget. I prioritize searching through big-ticket items (coats, bags, etc.) to maximize my chance of scoring a deal. I don’t bother looking through jeans or pants because I’m 5’11” and everything is too short, but skirts are relatively easy to tailor. If I have time to kill because my husband is still looking around (he loves to thrift but is much slower than me), then I’ll walk through blouses or dresses.

4. Assemble a team of professionals to call on when a thrifted find needs some TLC. Here’s my team: tailor (Cheryl Lofton), dry cleaner (Parkway for couture, Besson’s for everything else), cobbler (George on U Street), fur cleaning and repair (Miller’s), and leather work (Bedo’s). Minor changes like raising a hemline, swapping out buttons, etc. can make a huge difference. You already saved money shopping secondhand - don’t be afraid to spend a bit more to make a thrifted find perfect for you.

5. Know your measurements! Vintage sizing is wildly different from today’s vanity sizing, but you can thrift online with confidence if you know the dimensions of your body. I use Poshmark, The RealReal, and sometimes eBay.

Interesting, I am a dedicated thrifter, and I have a very similar approach, including starting with coats. I would add: know your stores. I tend to find my gems in the same places over and over.

Thrifted coats for the win! What’s been your best outerwear find?

A forest green Tahari wool coat, bought for $20 at Buffalo Exchange in Philadelphia in 2014. The lining shredded a couple years ago and I spent real $$ to replace it because I love the coat so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Aren't cost per wear and bang-for-your-buck opposites? The greater your bang for your buck, the lower the cost per wear, right?

With that in mind, I'd say the best bang-for my-buck, lowest cost per wear items in my closet are:

a great pair of Citizens jeans that I picked up at an end-of-season sale at a small shop on Cape Cod; mid-wash with a slight flare

Blundstone boots -- paid full price, but they are super-comfortable and have a beautiful worn-in patina

Gola trainers in suede bought on sale in London in March 2020

black velvet pumps from Loeffler Randall -- versatile and comfortable, bought on sale

black silk pants with a slight flair that travel beautifully and can dress up a t-shirt and flip-flops in a hot minute, purchased on sale from Eileen Fisher -- their sales are amazing

LBD from Joseph Ribkoff, incredibly versatile -- I've worn it to funerals and weddings; purchased at end of season sale on Cape Cod (see above re Citizens jeans)

navy v-neck cashmere sweater from Uniqlo -- it never pills and fits beautifully

black boiled wool coat from J Crew -- paid full price but it was worth it; the coat fits perfectly is excellent quality and looks good with dresses, jeans or trousers

Eileen Fisher pleated silk, sleeveless maxi dress -- bought for a wedding and paid full price, but I wear it at least once weekly in the warm weather, so the cost per wear is very low

navy silk Ralph Lauren wrap dress, thrifted at church rummage sale -- it fits perfectly and is always suitable for virtually any work or social occasion, e.g., Easter, Mother's Day brunch, reception at work conference, etc., etc., etc.

black corduroy pull-on pants from Avenue Montaigne -- again, super-versatile, beautiful fabric -- purchased from going-out-of-business sale in Guilford, CT, when we stopped for lunch on the way back from the Cape

lessons for me: versatility is the Holy Grail! Also, always shop at the beach!

Every time someone gushes about Eileen Fisher, I go to look at their stuff and I'm confused. Do you mean this dress? For a wedding?

The thing about Eileen Fisher is that it's very minimalist in cut in doesn't feature 'decoration'. The clothes tend to be unassuming on the hangar or on a skinny model who would look good in everything. Where the clothes stand out is in quality of the fabric and the way it drapes and flatters a body that maybe has lumps and bumps. They also hold up well over time and can be dressed up or down recently. In our early twenties my friends and I all admitted g we all loved to borrow Eileen Fisher cardigans from our moms to wear over our sexy party dresses when it was cold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Top: Vince cashmere sweater
Bottom: Mother jeans
Dress: Theory dress
Jacket: Burberry trench or Barbour waxed jacket
Shoes: Gucci loafers
Purse: Givenchy Pandora bag
Jewelry: Cartier love bracelet

lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are mine!

Top: Falconeri Flat-Rib Ultrafine Cashmere Turtleneck (I have this sweater in six colors and wear it at least once per week from September to May)

Bottom: Escada Denim Godet Maxi Skirt (vintage, purchased on Poshmark)

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg Green Silk Wrap Dress (vintage, purchased at Secondi)

Jacket/Coat: Cinzia Rocca Chocolate Brown Double-Breasted Wool and Llama Maxi Coat, vintage, purchased at Goodwill)

Shoes: Gucci Black 1953 Horsebit Loafers

Purse: Mark Cross Black Top Handle Bag and Coach Black Willis Bag (both vintage and purchased at Goodwill)

Jewelry: Mejuri Large Diamond Stud Earrings

I'd love to hear your top 5 vintage/thrift shopping tips!

Sure, I’m happy to share!

1. Decide on some rules and follow them to save time, energy, and money. Here are mine: 1) nothing outside my color palette, 2) no synthetic materials, including blends, 3) no stains, and 4) nothing that would require an enormous amount of tailoring in order to fit properly. I also have rule 5) no prints, but will occasionally relax that one for a special piece. Sticking to my rules means I can immediately eliminate 99% of the inventory in any thrift or consignment store, which saves time and allows me to focus on a few specific pieces.

2. Study clothing materials and construction. I can run my hand down a packed rack and pick out the only silk blouse, a handmade mohair sweater, etc. My mother and grandmother passed down knowledge about fabrics, clothing construction, and fit, but I mostly learned on my own. One book I recommend is Secondhand Chic by Christa Weil. Some of the information is outdated, but she does a solid job outlining the “tells” of a high-quality garment.

3. Secondhand shopping is a number game. When thrifting, I visit multiple stores so will plot my route in advance on Google Maps. Once I’m in a store, I visit sections in this specific order: 1) coats & outerwear, 2) blazer & jackets, 3) sweaters, 4) handbags, 5) scarves and belts, and 6) skirts. The rationale behind the order is that I want to maximize the gap between what a thrifted find is worth (because of the materials, construction, and fit) and what I paid for it. For example, I bought a beautiful green Bally wool coat a few years ago for less than $50. Similar coats retail for over $2,000 (out of my budget - I work in education), so that was a great score. On the other hand, buying a thrifted cotton tee for $7 when I could get a new one from Uniqlo for $15 isn’t worth my time, and a Uniqlo tee already fits comfortably within my budget. I prioritize searching through big-ticket items (coats, bags, etc.) to maximize my chance of scoring a deal. I don’t bother looking through jeans or pants because I’m 5’11” and everything is too short, but skirts are relatively easy to tailor. If I have time to kill because my husband is still looking around (he loves to thrift but is much slower than me), then I’ll walk through blouses or dresses.

4. Assemble a team of professionals to call on when a thrifted find needs some TLC. Here’s my team: tailor (Cheryl Lofton), dry cleaner (Parkway for couture, Besson’s for everything else), cobbler (George on U Street), fur cleaning and repair (Miller’s), and leather work (Bedo’s). Minor changes like raising a hemline, swapping out buttons, etc. can make a huge difference. You already saved money shopping secondhand - don’t be afraid to spend a bit more to make a thrifted find perfect for you.

5. Know your measurements! Vintage sizing is wildly different from today’s vanity sizing, but you can thrift online with confidence if you know the dimensions of your body. I use Poshmark, The RealReal, and sometimes eBay.

Interesting, I am a dedicated thrifter, and I have a very similar approach, including starting with coats. I would add: know your stores. I tend to find my gems in the same places over and over.

Thrifted coats for the win! What’s been your best outerwear find?

About a month ago I found a slightly different version of this for $45. It’s made with Loro Piana fabric. https://www.nordstrom.com/s/grace-stand-collar-wool-coat-nordstrom-exclusive/8381208

[Anonymous]

I can only answer for 2 categories:

- jacket - I still have my denim jacket from HS, from when we used to put men's Polo cologne on the collars to inhale all day. Brand is Bongo, and I'm never giving it up, even though it is 40+ years old

-jewlery - I am assuming my engagement and wedding band don't count, because those will be pried off my cold dead body. I have a locket my husband gave me the morning of our wedding that I wear every day. We married young, and it's dainty, but I love it

[Anonymous]

I’ll play, I’m bored.

Top: Ivory silk collared shirt from Everlane. Looks good with everything.
Bottom: Paige Leenah jeans
Dress: cashmere sweater dress
Jacket: Reiss black wool coat
Shoes: Gola sneakers
Purse: I’m not a purse person. My basic black crossbody from Madewell is fine.
Jewelry: pearl studs I wear almost every day

[Anonymous]

My incredibly warm, indestructible snow parka from HS is being worn by my now 35 yr old daughter.

[Anonymous]

I know people hate on them, but my Canada Goose coats. I got a knee length one 11 years ago and a full length one 9 years ago. I have a job where I'm outside almost an hour a day, and they have been so helpful in staying warm and not getting sick!

[Anonymous]

I would say my MaxMara coats, esp for winter, my Mom's Hermès Kelly (vintage from the 90s, love the patina), my 4ct diamond studs, Mikimoto pearl necklace (these pearls just glow, it's insane), and my Hermès Carre that I bought myself for my 28th birthday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say my MaxMara coats, esp for winter, my Mom's Hermès Kelly (vintage from the 90s, love the patina), my 4ct diamond studs, Mikimoto pearl necklace (these pearls just glow, it's insane), and my Hermès Carre that I bought myself for my 28th birthday.

Your style sounds wonderful.