How To Shop Secondhand & A Few Of My Favorite Buys

I love secondhand and vintage shopping! I've been building my wardrobe this way for years since my mom first took me thrifting as a little girl. Not only is it a wonderful way to find amazing, unique pieces, it's also my favorite way to add high quality items to my wardrobe that would normally be out of my budget. These items include gorgeous blazers, designer shoes, luxurious cashmere and more and today, I want to share my tips with you. These are the things I do to find the best things at the best price possible and they're tips I've honed over many many years of secondhand and vintage shopping both online and in person. 

WHY SHOULD YOU SHOP SECONDHAND & VINTAGE?

Before we jump into my tips, let's go over why I love secondhand and vintage shopping. 

• It's a wonderful way to participate in the slow fashion movement and it's a great way to help reduce fashion waste. When I'm shopping each season, I've made it a habit to check secondhand options first and I'm always happy when I can find exactly what I'm looking for.
• You can find some amazing, high quality pieces at a fraction of their traditional retail price (like my cashmere cable knit sweater that I found brand new, with the tags on for only $20!!)
• It's a great way to find designer items without breaking the bank like my Louis Vuitton purse that I picked up from eBay for under $200 and my Ferragamo boots that I found brand new, in the box on eBay for only $100.
• You can find 100% unique pieces that can take your wardrobe to the next level and really highlight your personal style beautifully. Especially when coupled with tailoring and other tweaks, vintage and secondhand items really help set your wardrobe apart. 

MY TOP TIPS

Now let's go over my top tips for shopping secondhand. These are the things I do to find not only the best items, but also the best price possible and they are things I've been using for many years. 

START WITH A PLAN | I always recommend shopping with a plan but when shopping secondhand and vintage, this becomes even more important. Not only is it essential to identify the holes in your wardrobe before shopping, it's also important to get as specific as possible with what you're looking for. For example, if I want to add a blazer to my wardrobe, I won't just blindly start shopping for blazers either at the thrift store or on ebay etc. Especially when shopping online, just searching for blazers will result in millions of listings that can take ages to sort through. To avoid wasting time and potentially buying something you don't need, I recommend being as clear as possible with what you want. So, instead of just a blazer, maybe you want a greay, herringbone blazer with elbow patches. The more specific you can be, the better. Once you have a clear search in place, add in all of the filters to help narrow things down even further. You're going to want to add the material, the color, your size range (we'll touch on this more in a bit), the location (be sure to select items that are closet to you to avoid expensive shipping costs) etc.   

TRY COMMON MISSPELLINGS | This next one is especially true when searching for clothes on eBay where spelling errors are common. Ebay doesn't have autocorrect or spell check so brand names are often misspelled. To help find hidden listings that may not be coming up in regular results, try common misspellings. For example, when I was looking for a pair of Ferragamo boots, I tried common misspellings and was able to find a beautiful pair of boots, brand new, in the box, never worn for only $100 simply because they misspelled the brand so the listing wasn't coming up in most results. 

KNOW YOUR MEASUREMENTS | Next, I think it's important that you know your measurements. The length of your foot in inches, the width of your shoulders, waist, hips and thighs. Your inseam. Your outseam. All of these measurements are so important for shopping secondhand and vintage because often times you can't go by just the size alone. I also recommend comparing a garment's measurements to a piece you already own and love. 

ASK QUESTIONS | eAlong the same lines as knowing your measurements, you want to ask as many questions as possible. If the measurements aren't included in the listing, ask for them. Also, don't hesitate to ask for pictures of a tape measure on the piece so you can really see where the measurements have been taken.

Also, you want to ask as many questions as possible for everything else. What's the size, the age, where did they buy it, when did they buy it, why are they selling it? Does it have any flaws, tears, stains? Have they had it tailored? Also, if the photos are poorly lit, don't hesitate to ask for new photos in daylight. Never feel like you're being a nuisance for asking tons of questions. You'll be spending your hard earned money on something and you should feel 100% comfortable with the item before you buy it. Also, in my experience a trustworthy seller is more than happy to answer any questions you have. If they give you push back, I wouldn't buy the item. 

AUTHENTICATE DESIGNER ITEMS | If you're buying a designer item, you're really going to want to ask questions and then use the answers to authenticate the item on your own. I love PurseForum for this. You can also usually have an item authenticated at the boutique or designer store once you purchase it. If, in the unlikely event you purchase a fake, eBay and most other sites should protect you and you will be able to get a full refund. Also, places like TheRealReal.com are wonderful at authenticating everything in house so you can shop with assurance. 

SHOP IN AFFLUENT AREAS | My mom taught me this next tip and it never fails. If shopping at a consignment shop or secondhand store, try to go to the stores in affluent areas. These shops tend to get better donations and are also more likely to receive items that are brand new. By doing this, I've been able to get a $200 cashmere sweater, completely unworn with the tags still on for only $20!

SHOP OUT OF SEASON | I love this next tip for anywhere I'm shopping but it's particularly useful when shopping secondhand. By shopping for cashmere, wool and other cold weather items in spring and summer your able to find some amazing items at a wonderful price because nobody else is looking for them. Also, the start of a new season is the perfect time to shop for the previous season because many people will be cleaning out their closets to prepare for the new season. Plus, you'll have fewer customers searching for sweaters and blazers so the prices tend to be lower. I've gotten some of my best deals on blazers during the summer like my beloved Ralph Lauren blazer that I picked up for under $20 just by searching on eBay in July.

NATURAL > SYNTHETIC | I like this a general rule of thumb when shopping anywhere, but especially when buying things that may have been worn before I recommend choosing natural fibers over synthetics. Not only do natural fibers last longer so you're more likely to find pieces in better condition, but certain fabrics like wool and cashmere are even self cleaning to a degree so they're less icky and also easier to clean once you get them home. Also, they're sometimes easier to remove unwanted smells and such from. 

KNOW WHEN TO WALK AWAY | Along those same lines, know what can and can't be repaired and what issue can be resolved easily - such as stains. Generally speaking I try to avoid stains - especially those around the collar, armpits and wrists. I also avoid anything that needs major repair and instead stick to things that need minor alterations at the most. This is especially important when it comes to alterations. I have a larger video all about tailoring coming up but in the meantime, you want to keep in mind that a tailor isn't a magician and they won't be able to alter things by more than a few inches in either direction. Also, you'll want to always check if there is enough extra fabric for any alterations you may need - especially if you want to lengthen the sleeves or pants of an item. 

SET ALERTS | Nobody wants to be a slave to shopping and setting alerts for things I'm looking for have really helped me stay on top of new listings without having to spend forever on my computer. Alerts were particularly helpful when I was looking for a pair of Gucci loafers. I knew I wanted the 1969 loafers in tan, preferably unworn or very gently worn because I was planning on wearing them a ton, and I wanted them under $100.

I searched over a year for them before they finally popped up in my alerts. The alerts helped me nab them before anyone else and get them brand new in the box, never worn for only $100.

SET A BUDGET, AND STICK TO IT | Set Setting and sticking to your budget is important anytime you're shopping but I think it's important to include it when secondhand shopping too. Especially depending on your personality, you may become very competitive in an auction and lose sight of what you want to pay and instead only focus on winning. 

To help avoid this, I love services like MyIbay that will bid for you after you set your max bid. That way, you can't go over budget and you don't have to wake up at all hours to win an auction ending at 3am just because it's a good deal. 

CHECK THE RETURN POLICY | Sites like ebay used to not allow returns but now some sellers do, also some thrift stores don't allow returns. To avoid being stuck with a purchase that doesn't work, I recommend always checking the return policy. 

SOME OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP SECONDHAND & VINTAGE

• eBay - great for just about everything and the best site for deals

• ETSY - best for vintage like silk scarves and unique finds but a little pricier. It's also more curated than eBay so sometimes I'll find something in ETSY and then search for it on ebay before making a purchase. I've been able to stay within my budget a lot easier this way.

• POSHMARK - good for lower end items, often trendy items - think Zara, TopShop, Baublebar, And Other Stories etc

• TheRealReal - they exclusively offer designer items and do a wonderful job of authenticating things before they're listed. I've had good luck with them in the past, but that that last time I purchased from them, the item was not as described and it had stains on it. They handled it very well though and the return process was very easy. 

• local thrift stores, goodwill, vintage shops

How To Spot High Quality Clothing | Easy Things To Look For

One of the keys to a wardrobe that lasts, is filling it with high quality clothing in cuts and colors that suit your personal style and lifestyle. So, as we continue our slow fashion mini series, I want to share some of things I look for to ensure I'm getting the best quality possible. As we delve into these tips, remember that cost is not always an indicator of quality and I hope these tips will help you spot the highest quality garment - regardless of the price. 

SOME TOP SIGNS OF GOOD QUALITY CLOTHING THAT WILL LAST

HIGH QUALITY, METAL ZIPPERS| First up, I like to take a look at the zipper on a garment and only select things with secure, metal zippers. Specifically, YKK zippers which are regarded as the best in the business. Also, unless an exposed zipper is key to the design of a piece, I like my zippers to be neatly concealed with no fabric overlap for snags.

LINING | Next up, I like to look for lining - especially in more structured pieces like coats, blazers, skirts and pants. I love this feature because it usually means the piece was constructed with more care since it's an added step that takes time.

Also, the lining helps stretch the life of a piece because it creates a barrier between your skin and the fabric. Last but not least, I love when the lining is a natural fiber like silk.

EXTRA BUTTONS & THREADS | Another thing I look for (especially when buying something new) is extra buttons and threads either sewn into the care tag or placed in a small bag in one of the pockets. These additions are usually an indicator that the garment has been built to last and was designed to be around long enough to need repairs. Plus, these small touches make repairs a lot easier when you don't need to track down the exact thread or buttons used. 

NATURAL FIBERS | In my last video, I shared a few of my favorite natural fibers, why I love them for a lasting wardrobe and how I spot the highest quality of each. These fibers are also one of the top things I look for in high quality clothing. While this certainly isn't the only factor when it comes to longevity, it certainly helps and I've great luck with these especially when shopping second hand or vintage.

STRONG, NEAT SEAMS & THREADS | Strong, neat, even stitches and seams done with strong thread are an absolute must for quality clothing. Before making a purchase, I always take a look at the stitching for any snags, obvious fraying or loose threads because these signs are an indication that the piece was assembled quickly and sloppily and they will only get worse with time. Next, I like to tug gently on the seams and make sure they don't fall apart of course and that they also have a good about of give without losing their shape. After all, our bodies aren't stationary and our clothing should move freely with us. Another thing I like to do is hold the stitching up to the light. If a ton of light comes through or I can clearly see to the other side, I'll pass on the piece.

FINISHED SEAMS & HEMS | Much like the point above, finished seams are a strong indicator of quality. All of the seams on a piece should lay flat and have no puckering or other irregularities. If the piece passes that initial test, I like to flip it inside out and take a peak at how the seams and edges have been finished. Unfinished edges are a sign of very poor quality. Serged edges (the common loopy egde that you see on most clothing) are better than unfinished edges, and they can last a long time but they aren't the best. These edges are pretty simple to do with a serging machine that does everything for you - sew the seam, finish the edges and cut off the excess fabric. French seams on the other hand, are the best of the best. These are much more complicated to do and are usually a true indicator of quality. 

Puckered, uneven seams = poor quality

Straight, even, reinforced seams = good quality

Serged Edge

French Seams

EVEN PATTERNS | When shopping for patterned clothing like stripes, florals and plaids, I like to make sure that everything lines up properly. This is a great way to spot how much care and time was taken in the construction and how expensive the fabric may have been for each piece because you can't just use any piece of the fabric to make the garment. 

SECURE, STRAIGHT BUTTONS | You know how much I love great buttons and swapping cheap buttons for higher end buttons can elevate an entire piece. When it comes to quality though, I like to look a little deeper and make sure that the buttons are all perfectly in line and firmly secured. I make sure there aren't any loose threads, sloppy stitching, or other defects. Then, I like to pull the buttons slightly and make sure they don't unravel and I check if they've been reinforced by a smaller button on the back. This last touch is one that you'll usually only find in very well made pieces. That last thing I check on the buttons is that the buttonholes all line up with the buttons, are sewn well, and that they aren't too small to accommodate the buttons.

Even Stripes

Neat Buttons

EVEN, RICH DIE | Like I mentioned in my last video, some fabrics dye easier than others but I still like my pieces to have a rich, even dye throughout and I won't buy something that's faded or blotchy. If I'm shopping second hand though, I'm a little more forgiving in this department because you can have some pieces re-dyed. 

WELL-CUT | Last but not least, I like things to be well-cut and offer a tailored fit even without tailoring. When creating clothing, the more tailored the piece, the longer it takes to sew. Something that already looks good off the rack was likely constructed with more care and time than something that has a one size fits all feel. This is especially true of my blazers and coats and I won't buy either unless they have a structured defined shoulder and the sleeves are the same length. 

On My Radar No 48

Happy Friday from humid Charleston! Since I've been trying to embrace my natural hair texture and finally learn how to work with my waves, humidity has been one of my biggest obstacles. (That and the fact that my hair takes over 10 hours to air dry !!!).

So, as I spend another day testing different products and remedies for frizz, I'm also filming some new videos for when I'll be in Maine, and preparing for our trip to Vacationland. In the meantime though, here are a few of the things that have caught my eye this week.

VICTORIA BECKHAM X OLD MASTERS | I love how Victoria Beckham incorporated classic paintings into her showroom. It's such an unexpected way to appreciate the old masters and the juxtaposition between her modern designs and these classic paintings is just wonderful. 

SURPRISING WAYS DEHYDRATION AFFECTS US | As a former classic vocalist, dehydration is my number one concern and this article about the surprising ways dehydrating affects us is very informative. 

DIY CURE FOR DARK CIRCLES | I love a good DIY, especially when it comes to beauty and this cure for dark circles looks like it actually works!