I tried thrifting - here's how it went Archives

Although the current nice weather can’t be fully trusted until further notice, the past couple of weeks have provided lovely blue skies and temps in the positive (sprinkled in with snow here and there, but that’s beside the point). Spring is officially en route, and it has me craving a little wardrobe refresh! I always like to hit the thrift store before shopping for anything new because 1. I save money this way, 2. It’s the more sustainable option, and 3. It allows me to find “one-of-a-kind” items.

Thrifting is always hit and miss; you never know what you will (or won’t) find. For this thrift shopping trip, I was on a mission to find spring items that my wardrobe lacked, as well as keep an eye out for spring 2024 fashion trends.

Here’s how it went.

Is it really a spring thrift trip if you don’t pick up a vintage trench coat? The price on this one was a little steep (just over $40), but still more affordable than buying something similar new.

100% cashmere for $15? Yes, please. Although this Lord & Taylor cardigan doesn’t have much hanger appeal, it was an immediate grab the second I spotted it. It’s the perfect neutral colour and feels soft and lightweight, great for transitioning into the spring season. I can’t wait to style it draped over my shoulders.

When it comes to pleated skirts, American Apparel is the OG. So naturally, when I saw this red American Apparel pleated skirt, it went straight into my cart. It’s no secret that red is the colour of the moment, and pleated skirts are a major spring staple. It’s a win-win.

Again, the hanger appeal really isn’t there. But most thrift store change rooms still aren’t open (rolls eyes), so this will have to do for now. If a trench coat and a button-up shirt were to mix, it would be this shirt (which happens to be from COS)! As a huge fan of staple basics, it’s needless to say, this shirt was a must-have.

At first glance, this cardigan doesn’t scream “spring”; however, textured, 3D design elements are a major trend at the moment, so I’m going to make an exception. With a white flowy skirt or some cream-coloured jeans, it could totally be styled to wear in the spring.

One of my favourite labels to find while thrifting is Ralph Lauren. I love the brand, but it can be quite pricey at retail, so I resort to thrifting! Unfortunately, this skirt wasn’t my size. Still, I had to take a picture and show it anyway because it’s just so cute for spring.

In case you didn’t get the memo, large bags and totes are the bags of choice for this year. L.L. Bean’s Boat and Tote, in particular, remains to be a fan favourite. I was shocked when I saw one (in the colour of the season, nonetheless) at the thrift store!

Never leave the thrift before checking the leather section! You can’t go wrong with a leather jacket in the springtime and this style is so on-trend right now, too!

Conclusion:

Overall, I’d say this shopping trip for thrifting spring fashion was a success. However, I didn’t find many items in fresh spring colours that I’m longing to add to my wardrobe or any denim items, which I also had on my wish list. But that’s just how it goes! There’s always next time.

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Spring is quickly approaching, and we all know what that means. It’s almost time for the closet switchover from winter to spring. Goodbye heavy knits and puffer coats, hello rain jackets and breathable tops! Every year around this time, I like to do some thrifting before I hit the mall in an attempt to replenish my spring wardrobe. I always thrift first, and if all else fails I can do the rest of my spring shopping elsewhere.

I went into my local Value Village to try and find some 2023 Spring trends… here’s how it went!

First up, I found a navy-check rain jacket. It was super lightweight and I loved that it had a waistband to cinch it in a bit. Everyone needs a rain jacket come springtime, and this one was such a cute find!

Next, you can’t really tell in the picture, but I promise this is a sheer top! I’m almost positive you’ve heard by now, sheer is going to remain to be a huge trend this year. I think this particular one would be cute styled with a pair of great-fitting jeans.

I never leave the thrift without checking the men’s section first. Cargo pants are another major trend this year and the men’s section is the best place to find them while thrifting! These ones were definitely not my size, but I still wanted to showcase them to show that you can find precious cargo (lol) at the thrift.

You may just need to use your imagination for this one, okay? Cinched and tailored blazers were seen all over fashion week, so naturally, I was on a hunt for one at the thrift. I’ll admit, this one wasn’t totally the vibe I was going for, however, I did like its synching details. I could just do without those particular lapels.

I so wish this piece was my size. Metallics are another big spring trend this year and this jacket is serving! I loved the side-detailing, too.

You have to check your local thrift store before buying a new long skirt from anywhere else. Long skirts have been going in and out of style for a long time, so of course some have been donated along the way. This one doesn’t look so great just on the hanger, but I can totally picture it being styled super trendy and cute.

Lastly, I had to check out the shoes. I’ve been seeing a ton of pointed heels poking out of long pants, so I thought the shoes to the right would be perfect for achieving that look. The shoes to the left are a silver-lovers dream. We all know by know that silver is super in and isn’t going away anytime soon.

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The new year is quickly approaching, which means New Year’s Eve events are around the corner! New Year’s Eve fashion is super fun with all of the sequins, sparkles, and shimmer typically involved. However, a lot of the clothing that generally classifies as appropriate for New Year’s Eve is typically difficult to re-wear. Which is 1. Not very sustainable and 2. Kind of a waste of money. I’m not saying don’t shop for a new shimmer-filled sparkly outfit to ring in the new year, but I will say before you go out to the mall or shop the look online, hit up a few thrift shops first to see what’s already out there! That way you’ll have a completely unique NYE look that won’t break the bank.

I challenged myself to visit my local thrift on a mission to find clothing that would make perfect New Year’s Eve outfits. Here’s how it went!

During the trip to my local Value Village thrifting for New Year’s Eve clothing, I basically had my eyes peeled for anything that sparkled. I came across this cute sparkly black tank with a cowl neck detail. I also found a pair of black leather pants which paired perfectly with the tank! These pieces paired with some platform heels and a clutch with some sparkle would be perfect for NYE.

I also found this purple shimmery top that could be paired with pretty much any bottoms to make a simple yet effective New Year’s Eve look.

Next, I found this colourful sequin dress that would be sure to turn heads at any NYE event! I thought it paired perfectly with a black blazer I found that had some beading details throughout it – making it totally NYE-approved.

When I came across this gradient sequin dress on the rack, I was super excited to pull it out and take a look, and I was not disappointed! The gradient reminds me of a night sky in a way, so it feels super fitting for NYE. I think it would be great styled with some sheer black tights, black heels, and maybe even an oversized blazer.

I think this silver dress by BCBG Max Azria would be great for a New Year’s Eve house party, possibly even dressed down with a knit cardigan thrown on top to serve cozy-glam vibes. Or simply worn as-is for a general glam look.

This was probably my favourite find of the entire visit. It feels like a modern style NYE dress and looks effortlessly chic with its boxy silhouette. I love the mix of sequin and sheer black fabric too, it just feels luxe. I think it would be perfect for absolutely any NYE event!

The last couple of pieces I found were a leather black skirt with some hardware details, which add a bit of grunge, and another sparkly tank! One thing I learned on this thrift trip is that there is no shortage of sparkly tank tops at the thrift. I picture the tank tucked into the skirt and paired with some knee-high boots and a moto jacket to give a more “cool-girl” NYE vibe.