Five Things I Always Buy Vintage or Thrift

Old is New: What Items I Always Buy Vintage or Consignment

I rarely make friends with people who have had easy lives. I like people who are worn around the edges. I like people who have stories to tell. I like people who have peaks and valleys. Like people, some items in your closet and home are better with a bit of experience in this world. If I pulled out my favorite items from my apartment, you’ll see most of those favorites are vintage or consignment. I can navigate a thrift, vintage, or consignment store with ease. I especially love to shop for vintage and thrifted items when I travel. I can spot an inviting pattern and a quality leather from across the room. I get a lot of questions about what things to look for when you’re thrift shopping.

Here’s my list of the top five:

Purses

This is probably the most common truly vintage item I have in my closet. I’d say 80% of my bags are vintage. This is because they are always more high quality than anything you will find today. I also love the simplicity of bags made decades ago. I’ve had more new bags break on me than my old coach bags and other vintage cross bodies. There’s something about using a purse than you know another woman used in another lifetime, too. I found this one during my time in San Fransisco.

Coats

To be honest, I prefer the warm weather. I make the colder months more fun by investing in accessories that make me smile on the really tough days. That’s where vintage and thrift coats come in. I have more vintage fur, faux furs, and leather jackets than I actually know. Some I have acquired through my family. Others I have acquired through my shopping adventures. I buy vintage coats because they’re always a little funkier and ladylike than what I can find today. They’re also less expensive, so it’s easier to take a risk.

Statement Shirts

Shirts are always a hard purchase for me. It sounds silly, but there are just so many options. I have more luck when I step into thrift stores because everything is different and totally unique from the next item. I found this one I’m wearing here recently curing a trip to Ashby. I can always emerge from a thrift or consignment store with a shirt faster than a new retail store. You gotta put on a shirt, so it may as well have a story behind it!

Jewelry

Jewelry is a great conversation starter. My most classic and talked about pieces are either from my travels or from vintage shopping. I love that. The real reason I love vintage jewelry is because there is no question that vintage and thrift jewelry is higher quality than jewelry you find at fast fashion stores today. I know because I’ve broken probably a dozen or more necklaces, bracelets, watches and more. My vintage pieces are still alive and kicking. The fact that someone else wore them and they made it into the store is evidence alone. The fact that I, Megan the Clutz, can wear them without breaking them is next-level demonstration of their staying power.

Home Decor

I’ve given a few tours of my apartment over the years. It’s always evolving. I have a bohemian modern lady aesthetic I’ve been curating for years. Like my purses, at least 80% of the furniture and art in my home is vintage or thrift. One of my favorite paintings was found at Class & Trash here in Richmond. I put together a list of my favorite places to shop for home decor here. My bar cart, bar stools, desk chair, chaise lounges, arm chair, kitchen table, and big ass mirror are all found or thrifted items. I love knowing each one has a story and I’ve resurrected it from a potentially boring home.

Where do you like to shop for vintage consignment and thrift? Tell me in the comments!