I’m a big fan of thrift store shopping. The bargain-hunter in me is so pleased with the world when I leave a store having spent a total of $75 on clothes that, purchased retail, would’ve cost me ten times that amount. The environmentalist feels good about not purchasing new things and about re-using the things that are already waiting for a good home. The historian is fascinated by the past that thrifted clothes might once have inhabited and the people who, in that past, might have inhabited them. And the consumer in me- the one I try to keep tamped down!- glories in the fact that I get to be a total greedy pants and not break the bank or my rules about financial and ethical limits.
To indulge our thrifting love, my roommates and I took our first big trip to Unique Thrift Store a few weeks ago. Unique is famous in Chicago for its massive amounts of clothing, accessories, toys, furniture, and books. It’s basically a one-stop thrifter’s heaven. The Unique at 51st and Kedzie is particularly massive, and I ended up spending most of my time in the blazers and coats sections, with just a few minutes left over to wander around the skirts and dresses. I took along my camera, so included are some photos of us playing in the store and of some of the pieces I acquired during our trip and the second one we took a week later (I know, it’s crazy, but we couldn’t resist, and this time our friend Katie China came along). A number of my favorites have already shown up in recent posts because I couldn’t wait to wear them!
Among my most prized finds were a knee length suede BCBG coat for $8, a black wool overcoat with a fur collar (shown below) for $10, bottle green JCrew corduroys for $13.99, a red and black skit pencil skirt for $2.49, a Dooney and Bourke vintage satchel bag for $11.99, and a silk scarf by Coach for $1.99.
Kelli in leapord print faux-fur. I actually seriously contemplated getting this coat, but decided that being neither a stick figure nor a startlet in rehab meant it wasn't quite for me.
My love of Amelia Earhart continues with this mid-calf length leather and fur coat. Alas, it was too big!
Yes, it's a leapord-print turtleneck sweater dress. And yes, I love it. I've decided my prohibition of animal prints must end! And for $2.98, who can complain?
A faux-fur vest doesn't offend my non-meat eating self, and the price ($3) doesn't offend my wallet, either.
This skirt was $1.99 and I've already found five or six things I want to wear with it. Woohoo!
I'm straight Peggy Olson in this dress, but I wore it to school and not to the offices of Sterling-Cooper.
One of my favorite purchases- a vintage floral bag in orange, cream, and gold. It looks like the couch of someone's very cool grandmother. And it only cost $2!
White and gold clutch ($2.99), Dooney and Bourke mini-satchel (a steal, I think, at $11.99)
Blue and White Striped Sweater, $2.99
Black wool overcoat with fur collar, $10
Red and black knit pencil skirt (or if fits like a pencil on me, anyway!): $2.49.
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