Five steps to Educated Thrifting...

 

Chanel yellow gold and diamond ring $21,000...

 

 

 

My Chanel-esque gold and champagne rhinestone ring $5...

 

 

 

Hermes scarf in mustard and turquoise tones, silk, hand rolled edge...Around $1,000...

 

 

Pure silk no-name scarf with hand rolled edge in mustard and turquoise tones, with the Chanelesque champagne rhinestone and faux gold flower ring (which I plan to use as a scarf ring), $1.50 and $5 respectively.

Chanel flower ring used...$2,900...

 



 

...Chanel-esque flower ring used...$3.

 

 

Mid century modern engraved starburst hinged bangle online $65...

 

 

 ...Mid century modern starburst engraved hinged bangle $13...

 

Hermes enamelled geometric scarf ring $350...

 

 

...my enamelled geometric scarf ring $3...

 

 

 

Hermes gold scarf ring $150..

 

 

...ummm $3...

 

Hermes scarf...$750...

 

...my scarf...$7.50...

 

 

...cobalt blue pumps online $40...

 

 

...my cobalt blue pumps $9...

 

 

Vintage blue crystal necklace $65....

 

 

...blue crystal necklace from my sister...free...

 

...Review brand fit and flare Interview dress $35...retail $200+...

 

 

 ....Petal skirt satin and tulle Graduation dress $35...retail $129...

 

 

Jacqui-E wiggle dress...$12-ish...retail $200...

..Here's my Hermes-a-like scarf and scarf ring...

 

And while we're looking good for mere pennies on the dollar, I can actually afford to snaffle a genuine Hermes now and again...thanks eBay...

 

Now the question on everyones lips is probably where...and how...

Vintage, antique and thrift stores, that's where.

Now the how...

I call it Educated Thrifting.

 

I've talked here, and here, about knowing what you're looking for, and being savvy enough to educate yourself in the look you're trying to create. In fact, if you put the word 'thrifting' into my search box on your right, a bucketload of posts will come up that demonstrate how the savvy shopper can save money on all kinds of stuff.

 

I've shared often here on the blog, how I've sourced a particular item I'm wanting, by being patient and never passing up an opportunity to check out a charity shop, no matter where I am.

1. Know what you want and be patient.

I've shopped in charity shops in my home town, interstate, in London, Los Angeles, and Paris. They're everywhere, and generally speaking, the more affluent the area, the more likely you are to get lucky.

I swear there must be a slew of designer loving Divas living in my area, because we regularly strike gold at my favourite local charity store.

2. Search out more affluent areas and shop in their thrift stores.

That said, I can also spot a Review or a Kitten D'Amour dress (Aussie designers that my daughter loves) at ten paces. If there's a Chanel-esque camellia to be had in that junk bowl, I'll find it. My practised fingertips can feel a silk scarf from polyester one in an instant, and I don't even bother looking at anything other than silk, unless it's a design or colourway modelled on my favourites. I know a scarf ring from a thumb ring, and sterling silver bangle, from stainless steel.

Get to know what your most desirable treasures look and feel like, so that you too, can find similar treasures for less.

3. Know exactly what it looks and feels like.

 

And it's not just designer copycats that we find with regularity. So you don't have to be sourcing those if that's not you.

As I've discussed so often this year, it's about knowing your body shape, your lifestyle and what suits YOU.

4. Know what will flatter you and give you the look you're after.

I have friends who wouldn't be seen dead in a thrift store. That's okay. More power to them. More for me too, dare I say.

But if you, like me, have better things to do with your hard earned cash, than supporting someone elses business, take thy head from the clouds, and check out your local thrift store. Not just once. But regularly, frequently, and with a mission in mind. Sort through the racks garment by garment, get them out and really look at them, eyeball the labels if that's your thing, and dig deep in that costume jewellery bowl. You never know what you might find.

5. Be persistent and be prepared to dig for your treasures.

That's it. No big secret. And if thrift stores are voodoo to you, well all the more for me I say...lol!

....Mimi...