On Thrift Findings and Being Found

An overly sentimental trip to the thrift store and what I found, and better yet, what found me.

I went thrifting.

I have had this longing recently to find my way back to the disorganized and let’s face it, possibly dirty (yikes) racks of the stores where peoples’ throw-aways have come to live. I have missed that feeling of expectation mixed with overwhelm mixed with possibility that I feel when I enter into a vintage or donation store.

Since moving back to Kentucky, I have not only literally returned to my roots, but I’ve also found something bubbling deep under the surface. This nostalgia feeling that I haven’t quite been able to place that feels as if it’s grasping at something familiar but it’s a bit hazy and I haven’t been able to see this “thing” quite clearly yet.

I honestly didn’t feel the best on this particular day and Art had taken a shorter nap than usual (it always happens this way), so I truly was just looking for something to get us out of the house for a bit. Not to mention, the 105 degree heat index making it a bit difficult to find things to do, I decided I would tackle the closest Goodwill. Just for shits and gigs.

I will say, this was my first time tackling the crowded racks of Goodwill with a toddler in tow and it is not for the faint of heart. While Art can be pretty easily pleased with a bit of peek-a-boo or a couple of veggie straws to snack on, his desire to run wild down the rows of clothes and get lost is at an all-time high these days and mommy saying “stay with me, please!” runs straight through one lobe and out the other side. There is too much to explore and it needs exploring NOW!

So for my first time back in a thrift store in a possibly a year — if not two — was maybe not my most focused attempt, it was what I feel was a successful effort, all things considered.

This bag spoke to me. I decided to hit the outer aisles first and I’ve really been wanting to up my accessory game lately so I perused through the bags first. The soft and supple leather was in pristine condition and the almost brassy studs really gave that edgy look we’ve seen a lot of recently in the fashion world. The brand is Gianni Bini, which is not like finding a Prada or anything, but still, I was pleasantly surprised with the structure and quality. The most important part, for me anyway — wearability. The shoulder strap is thick and comfortable and there is plenty of space to wear on your shoulder, even with a bulkier sweater or coat. Score.

I had put a few other tops in my cart, mostly quick picks as I was partially focused on entertaining Art, but as I pulled this shimmery textured top out, I had a single thought: this could be really cool or really unfortunate. Lucky for me (I say lucky this time because I really was not confident in this find), I really love it. It’s more flattering than I thought and while it looked simply like a square on the hanger, it hugs your body and the texture and coloring is really fun. Very 90’s but I’m excited to style it. Stay tuned for me sauntering the streets of New York in this for fashion week.

wearing the thrifted top here with these pleated baggy jeans from Beaumont Studios (definitely size up if you want a baggy look), these square toe boots, my thrifted bag, and saint laurent sunnies.

Lastly, this vintage Gap lime v-neck sweater was an immediate full-body yes.

It was truly perfect condition, a thick ribbed material, and in a color I maybe wouldn’t pay full price for but I think will be really fun to experiment with. I can see this with a leather trench in the fall (as seen below) and yes I might even go crazy and match with lime sunglasses as well!! It seems without fail, any sweater I love at the thrift store has some small defect, but not this friend. She is perfect.

really digging a bigger cuff on jeans lately, these i’m wearing are from abercrombie in the long length. the trench is from Elie Tahari via Saks but a couple of years ago. here’s one i like on major sale. loafers are miista that i lucked out and got for a fraction of the price at nordstrom rack. found them on poshmark if you want the exact style.

After successfully checking out with my three finds and keeping a 15-month old from crying for the solid 45 minutes I was in there, I realize what that feeling that I’ve been searching for has been.

As I mentioned here, I haven’t been on social media this month, and while there are things that I truly do miss, one thing I don’t miss is the constant influence from others. You start to wonder if you like something simply because someone you follow is wearing it or because you saw so-and-so post that it was cool. That “thing” that was bubbling deep down was a desire to come back to my own sense of style in a way that feels unique and true to me, as I felt I originally had when I first started blogging.

A thrift store gives you opportunity to find unique items that maybe only you would see potential in. From there you get to create a new story for the garment. Anyone can go to a thrift store, but what we will be drawn to might be vastly different and that’s what is so cool. I forgot how authentic thrifting feels for me.

The one-of-a-kind smell, the overstuffed racks, the carts that never wheel properly, all apart of the experience of going in with an open mind, trusting that maybe you won’t find anything at all but that maybe actually you will be found.

Honorable mention for some online thrifting I’ve done recently:

This cross pendant that I cannot stop wearing from the beautiful wild world of Ebay. Chunky, bold, yet sleek.

sidenote added later: I already had this article written earlier this week then just yesterday read this interview with stylist, Anna Santangelo on the substack Magasin and she talks about giving pieces second lives and how they all have stories and it was a cool read after just expressing similar sentiments in this post!

Anywho, that is all from me today.

Talk soon,

Marah

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