I thrift/shop secondhand for everything! Almost all of my furniture is secondhand (couches, chairs, tables, lamps, and a bunch of art and knickknacks), 95% of my clothing is secondhand. I love that you promote this, and agree with everything!
I take people in my circle shopping and teach them how to find 'the good stuff'. Hooray for you, hooray for me! Awesome, article and thank you for being pretty much a public service, Virginia!
Wonderful post, thank you! I appreciate your positive, expansive stance that “there’s enough for everyone”. I have a favorite thrifting story rather than a favorite find…. My daughter’s university had a tradition of wearing all white to graduation. We went to numerous, expensive boutiques and couldn’t find anything she liked. So. We popped into a large Goodwill and she found a top and trousers she loved, within 15 minutes. She took the trousers to a professional for alterations and looked like a million bucks in her “custom trailered” outfit that cost a total of $60 including the alterations :-)
How wonderful! And isn't it fun to think of what life those items lived prior to your daughter? How many experiences they've had? I love thinking of the full life cycle of an item and the life it lived before it entered my own!
Thanks so much for all the great tips! I thrifted my holiday table scape. Nothing of real value, but the most beautiful gold edged dishes that have a dainty gold rose in the middle. I’m currently out of work and thirsting is saving my sanity while I hunt for a job I can also hunt for fun finds! My most recent dark burgundy croc bag by Claudia Firenze is getting a lot of wear. It’s so pretty!
I found that peggy mach bust at Goodwill for 15 before I'd seen that both you and Athena Calderon had it. I google imaged it so I knew it was worth something. Listed for 500 on ebay and when it sold in less than 10 minutes I knew I'd listed it too low. 🤪. Still it was my best thrift find so far and it really lit the thrift fire for me. I don't usually sell just collect for me. And I have way too much 😉
It's a slippery slope...I started out collecting for me and then began selling only when I no longer had space for everything. These days I do a lot more thrifting for me or just to share what's available out there (I often will take photos and videos and share on social media but not buy — it helps scratch the itch for me without me needlessly buying). I cannot BELIEVE you found the bust at Goodwill! I got mine on an online auction and I had to drive two hours to pick it up (with some other items) but I paid around $40 or $50 I think?
It was kind of like hitting a $1000 jackpot on the nickel slots in Vegas, haha. You are now hooked on something that you will probably never be able to replicate again, but know just... maybe! :) I love all you are doing here, thank you!
Great tips! My best ever thrifted clothing item would be a full length Gene Shelly black beaded wool dress that was $18. Best accessory find: 2001 Prada sunglasses that were $1.99. My favorite furniture find would be my 1920s Burl wood bar that still has its original key. My favorite painting would be my massive antique landscape painting that was $12.
I have always loved thrifting and vintage and is my main way to shop! My favorite find has to be two large 70s chairs from holland, a pair of dining chairs from Denmark, and a pair of floating Danish side tables!
I thrift/shop secondhand for everything! Almost all of my furniture is secondhand (couches, chairs, tables, lamps, and a bunch of art and knickknacks), 95% of my clothing is secondhand. I love that you promote this, and agree with everything!
I take people in my circle shopping and teach them how to find 'the good stuff'. Hooray for you, hooray for me! Awesome, article and thank you for being pretty much a public service, Virginia!
Wonderful post, thank you! I appreciate your positive, expansive stance that “there’s enough for everyone”. I have a favorite thrifting story rather than a favorite find…. My daughter’s university had a tradition of wearing all white to graduation. We went to numerous, expensive boutiques and couldn’t find anything she liked. So. We popped into a large Goodwill and she found a top and trousers she loved, within 15 minutes. She took the trousers to a professional for alterations and looked like a million bucks in her “custom trailered” outfit that cost a total of $60 including the alterations :-)
How wonderful! And isn't it fun to think of what life those items lived prior to your daughter? How many experiences they've had? I love thinking of the full life cycle of an item and the life it lived before it entered my own!
I can’t believe I’ve only started following your Substack after all this time. I’ve loved your content since day 1.
Thank you Allan!
Hi Virginia. Excellent article! I haven’t been thrifting for a few weeks, and now I’m ready to head back out there this week. Thanks!
Sending you all the big thrift energy in the hopes that you find some goodies!
Thanks so much for all the great tips! I thrifted my holiday table scape. Nothing of real value, but the most beautiful gold edged dishes that have a dainty gold rose in the middle. I’m currently out of work and thirsting is saving my sanity while I hunt for a job I can also hunt for fun finds! My most recent dark burgundy croc bag by Claudia Firenze is getting a lot of wear. It’s so pretty!
If it’s gorgeous and brings you joy, that’s value enough! Love the sound of all of these finds :)
I found that peggy mach bust at Goodwill for 15 before I'd seen that both you and Athena Calderon had it. I google imaged it so I knew it was worth something. Listed for 500 on ebay and when it sold in less than 10 minutes I knew I'd listed it too low. 🤪. Still it was my best thrift find so far and it really lit the thrift fire for me. I don't usually sell just collect for me. And I have way too much 😉
It's a slippery slope...I started out collecting for me and then began selling only when I no longer had space for everything. These days I do a lot more thrifting for me or just to share what's available out there (I often will take photos and videos and share on social media but not buy — it helps scratch the itch for me without me needlessly buying). I cannot BELIEVE you found the bust at Goodwill! I got mine on an online auction and I had to drive two hours to pick it up (with some other items) but I paid around $40 or $50 I think?
It was kind of like hitting a $1000 jackpot on the nickel slots in Vegas, haha. You are now hooked on something that you will probably never be able to replicate again, but know just... maybe! :) I love all you are doing here, thank you!
Great tips! My best ever thrifted clothing item would be a full length Gene Shelly black beaded wool dress that was $18. Best accessory find: 2001 Prada sunglasses that were $1.99. My favorite furniture find would be my 1920s Burl wood bar that still has its original key. My favorite painting would be my massive antique landscape painting that was $12.
ooooh I need to see this burl wood bar!
I have always loved thrifting and vintage and is my main way to shop! My favorite find has to be two large 70s chairs from holland, a pair of dining chairs from Denmark, and a pair of floating Danish side tables!