Hello les filles,

Last week-end I styled two young ladies with limited budget so to make the most of it we went to some thrift stores (amongst others).

They always are kind of a mess with the clothes coming out from everywhere, the tiny aisle, the unidentified smell, somewhere in between musty and sanitizer… I must say the experience can be quite surprising for a rookie.

That’s why, if you are wandering without a purpose, you can quickly get dizzy and walk away without a thing (or with a grandma jumper you’ll never wear ^^).

Two options:

• meticulously check each item in the store, one by one. It may take you hour but you may find THE gem in the boutique.
• look for an item within a category you know there will be as thrift store have classics.

Here is my inventory of thrift stores must-haves.

The army jacket

It fits the tall girl and curvy girls alike.

Petite ladies shall lookout for a small one that may have belonged to a smaller soldier or they’ll look lost in it.

You can blend it in almost any casual outfits and use it to “break” sexy looks.

To make it look “lighter”, I suggest you roll up the sleeves and wear it opened. Remember fashion is not here to really keep you warm (just kidding, erm, kind of ^^).

If you are looking for color mix ideas I covered this for you here!

Here, the pretty parisienne Emeline Laurence pairs her army jacket with a relaxed chic striped shirt.

The jean jacket

Either you go for a super tiny one à la Hedi Slimane of for an oversize one à la Thelma et Louise. In betweens are boring.

All of Thelma’s sexynnocence in one outfit

Aim for the denim fabric with a beautiful fabric, forget about anything stretchy or too monochrome.

Madame Virgule balance her super oversize jean jacket with skinny jeans and snake low boots

You can go for some ornament! Personnally I fall for anything studded, faux-fur lined or embroidered <3

Super tiny jacket over loose lumberjack shirt at Asos

Something with leather

Thrift stores are full of leather: jackets, skirts, shorts, bags, boots… probably santiags if you read me from the US ^^

And this is good news because you can get this expensive fabric for a much cheaper cost. Plus the leather will have this cool used style. What is more to ask?

Beware of the state the leather is in. It shall not be stained (like by water) or scratched.

Often a fitted piece will not suit you, but hey, just bring this almost perfect leather skirt to the tailor to make it completely perfect!

An old picture with a bit of me, a lot of Place des Vosges and my beloved burgundy seventies boots found at Aux comptoirs du chineur

The little flower dress

No matter what the decade, there a little flower dress.

Easy to wear just as, just tailor it to your body, for instance with a belt if needed or shorten it if you feel it is too long.

Vintage looking flower dress flower dress from Rouje

The printed shirt

Aaaah the eighties print… if you were missing them, rejoy, they are waiting for you at the thrift store.

Ok some are kind of dubious, but that’s the beauty of ugly. Worn with basics they’ll add a hint of hipsterism to your look.

And if you are suspicious about them, then prefer other decades! They are also there.

 

Lady Moriarty, the best in vintage picks with an actual gorgeons print. I suggest you scroll her tumblr to the bottom if you are looking for top-knotch vintagspiration. 

Long or short jeans

Without a hint of elastane <3

So YES, they are hard to get into,  YES, they are like a natural bypass when you sit for lunch, but YES they make the best bottom ever.

Life decisions.

The most difficult part is too actually find you perfect jeans match. It requires patience. But hell, you’ll be rewarded with compliments. If you are aiming for a 501, check my tips here.

If you feel like you want to be comfortable, you’ll also find lots of low waist cool boyfriend jeans options.

501 jeans cut as shorts: a thrift store’s classic

Something with glitters

Glitters may fall but do not get old. So if you spot a glittery thing that have not lost a single sequin in a thrift store, you can predict they’ll hold on there for the next decade.

Jackets and little dresses are just perfect for partying like it is disco time.

Or during daytime on casual outfits!

 

Here a the casual glitter style mastered by Maryjane Claverol who displays a whole collection on her blog. 

Scarves

Hermès looking ones, soft ones from the seventies and bandanas are to be found by boxfull.

Dig there until you fall in love at first sight.

Then be creative and tie them not only around your neck. Please your waist, bags and head with scarves (not all at once ^^).

The amazing Lady Moriarty with a basic outfit twisted by prints and red pops

Printed T-shirts

Rather than buying a faux-old print in a fast-fashion store, or 1000 dolls Viva Coco one at Chanel, you’ll get a much cooler metal band or promotional one for less than 10 euros. Plus authenticity.

Ok, ok. It may be oversize, but improvise! Tuck it in your mini, cut the sleeves for a bad gal muscle top… Options are always here!

Disclaimer, I am not sure this bright white T-shirt is vintage. But this look by Collage vintage is amazing!

And you? Do you buy in thrift stores? Or do you think this is “so adorable”? 

Cover collage: Death by elocution, unknown