Your guide to thrifting this season's hottest trends
Autumn has arrived and with it comes a new batch of trends. I understand the want to keep up with the latest fashion craze - trust me I do - but here at Vanilla Darling we are all about finding a balance between trendy and timeless. A great way to hop on the wave whilst also finding unique pieces for an affordable price is good old-fashioned thrifting. This can involve going to your local thrift store or scrolling through your favourite second-hand shopping apps like Depop, Vinted, Poshmark, and Whatnot.
Now as a long-time thrifter, I also understand that it is easy to get distracted. Hours can be spent sifting through the racks of your local thrift, but this is not always the ideal situation for your time or wallet. This is why I have decided to compile a bit of a checklist for your next thrift trip. The list is not exhaustive, however, hopefully, it will provide you with a more focused idea of what to look for.
1) Midi Workwear Skirts
Midi skirts aren't exactly new additions to our feeds. We have seen many variations of the garment in the past few years from silk and satin, to plaid, to patterned chiffon. Whilst all of the options are easily thrift-able (keep an eye out in the intimates section for slip skirts), the variation that I am loving this season is a bit more sophisticated. Straight-cut and pencil-style workwear midi skirts were an essential of 90s minimalistic dressing.
With the return of the quiet luxury aesthetic this fall, this is a great way to play into the trend without breaking the bank. Paired with a neutral sweater, tights, and Mary Janes or loafers, these skirts are a great way to dress like a grown-up while still feeling extremely chic. One of my favourite ways to wear them would be with a leather bomber jacket, a black turtle neck and, dare I say, a black beret.
This look is extremely reminiscent of 90s Calvin Klein:
Where to look at the thrift
Check out both the womens skirts section and the womens suits section - you might find a skirt with a matching blazer!
Online
For those of you who like to thrift from the comfort of your own home, here are some Depop listings I have sourced for you:
Women's Grey Skirt
CA$49.00
Size 28"
Brand new
Shop: orange_rose
Women's Khaki and Black Skirt
CA$33.00 CA$31.35
Size Small
Like new
Shop: psyche111
Women's Skirt
CA$30.00
Size 28"
Shop: liaxox
Women's Skirt
CA$55.00
One size Used - Excellent
Shop: sophiaahegedus
2) Neutral Trousers
Another fall closet staple that can be easily sourced from the thrift store is a classic pair of trousers. Khaki, grey, black, you name it - they probably have it. Probably one of the most well-rounded pieces on this list trousers can go with nearly any outfit. Paired with a well-fitted white tee, loafers, a belt, sunnies, and a bag, you can look completely put together with the simplest staple pieces.
Here's a bit of Pinterest inspo to get you in the thrifting spirit:
Where to look at the thrift
Check out the womens pants section of course. This is also another opportunity to check out the womens suits section and possibly find a matching blazer for your mans. Also check out the mens section if you are looking for a baggier or more low rise fit.
Online
Here is what I have found in my search of online thrifting platforms:
Source Unknown Women's Trousers
£45.00
Size Small
Used - Excellent
Shop: rosejslater
GEORGE London Fit Straight Leg Khaki Dune Workwear
C$15
Size: 14 Petite
Shop: _missfoofoo
Aritzia Sunday Best Charlie Full Length Trouser
C$70
Size: 00
Shop: ceanner
3) Leather Loafers
Now onto a bit of a more controversial topic - thrifted shoes. Although its not for everyone, or perhaps because its not for everyone, you can usually find a good selection of footwear at your local thrift shop. Regardless of how you feel about it there are arguably 3 benefits to second hand footwear: 1) it sustainable 2) they're already worn in 3) they're a hell of a lot cheaper than buying new.
One of the most recent runway pieces to viral was the Prada loafer. Unlike many other designer trends that make their rounds on your Instagram, Tiktok, and Pinterest feeds, it is easy enough to achieve this same style without buying an outright dupe.
A classic staple of preppy style, loafers can go with nearly anything and are a great way to make any outfit look instantly more chic. Next time you want to throw on your sneakers with an outfit, I challenge you to try a pair of loafers instead.
Where to look at the thrift
Given their timeless popularity you are likely to find a pair in your size within a couple visits. But here are my suggestions to make sure they stay in your closet:
1) Buy a colour that will match either your most frequently used bag or belt. For example: if your most frequently used bag is brown leather, opt for brown loafers. This way you will always look cohesive.
2) Try to stay away from platforms. Now I can hear a few of you screaming at me through your screen right now but hear me out. Although you may love the way that platforms make you look now (an inch or two taller) think about a couple years down the line when platforms are inevitably "out". If you won't care and like what you like by all means, get the platforms. However, if you're second guessing it, you are better off going with a flat bottom.
4) Wool and Cashmere Sweaters
Sweaters, in all styles, are the ultimate fall staple. But the unfortunate truth is that fast fashion titans have been neglecting sweaters as of late. Its not that they aren't making them, but there has been a notable decline in the quality of sweaters over the past years. Now maybe this is a bit of an exaggeration. After all, I wasn't alive in the 90s and can barely remember the early 2000s. All of my references come from, celebrity photographs on the internet. Perhaps the cable knits from that era appear more luxurious as a whole simply because they were being worn by affluent celebrities that could afford them? But with the rise of fast fashion and the emphasis on churning out new styles every few weeks (yes I talking to you Zara), it makes sense that the materials being used in our modern day cardigans and crew necks really are just cheaper too. The unfortunate fact of the matter is that a sweater made of wool or cashmere looks a hell of a lot cozier than one that is mainly comprised of acrylic or polyester.
So this leaves us with two options: to splurge on a sweater from brands that offer wool and cashmere options, or to thrift them. If a splurge of upwards of $140 on a cardigan isn't exactly in the cards for you right now, thrifting might be the way to go.
Where to look at the thrift
The women's sweater section can unfortunately be lacking often times. However, if you dig you can typically walk out with some good finds. Keep an eye out for brands such as LL Bean, Polo Ralph Lauren, the Gap, and Irelandseye. The mens section can be a great place to find sweaters as well. By best tip is to always check the tag to see what materials the garment is made of.
Quality materials: wool, cashmere, alpaca, cotton
Poor materials: nylon, acrylic, polyester, raglan
Online
The issue with shopping for these pieces online is many sellers know their worth and will charge a lot more than a thrift store would. Therefore, you are better to go physically thrifting if you are after a bargain. If you are okay with paying a little bit of a premium, check out my online pick here:
100% Merino Wool Sweater Cable Knit Turtleneck
C$85
Size: Large
Shop: Inis Crafts
Vintage Letterman 100% wool long sleeve sweater
C$150
Size: XX-Large
Shop: Pride of the West
Vintage Ralph Lauren Hand Knit Flag Wool Sweater
C$350
Size: Large
Shop: kljake20
Ralph Lauren vintage sweater
C$40
Size: Small
Shop: wendysclosetyyc
Ralph Lauren turtleneck sweater
C$100
Size: Medium
Shop: reutilizzo
5) Riding Boots
One of the fun things about being in your 20s is finally being old enough to see trends from your youth coming back again. Pieces that you would have considered a few years ago to be a dark stain on your past style are now looking appealing for some reason. For me, a perfect example of this is the riding boot.
Refreshed from their last iteration in the 2000s, riding boots are back. Their shaft is slimmer, they're less ethereal, but boy do we still love those buckles. A more sophisticated cousin to this season's clunkier motorcycle boots, my hunch is that these girls will be sticking around for a little while longer.
Online
Please buy these before I do.
Frye tall boots
C$90
Size: 8.5 US
Shop: gelert121
Vince Camuto leather boots
C$56
Size: 8.5 US
Shop: funkess
6) Slouchy Bags
Ladies and gentlemen - the time has finally come. Cast your teeny tiny bags aside. The war against functional purses is finally over and we have prevailed.
Now don't get me wrong, I was a baguette girly through and through these past few years. They're adorable and excellent for when you don't want to lug too much around with you. However, I am welcoming this new era with open arms. A bag with enough room for a full sized wallet? AND its chic? Sign me up.
Yet again we are taking inspiration from the early 2000s her. Like the bags of the era, this season is seeing an influx of purses with minimal structure. Keep it slouchy and relaxed. Popular colours this season are black , brown, and cherry red leather.
Online
Here are the bags that have accumulated in my Poshmark likes as of late:
Coach | Lynn Bronze Soho Hobo Shoulder Bag
C$85
Shop: mysoulepiphany
Coach | Lynn Black Soho Hobo Shoulder Bag
C$120
Shop: luxe_clozet
Brown Satchel Bag w/ Coin Purse Charm
C$30
Shop: myrajesso
Those are all of the items on my fall 2023 thrift list! If you manage to get any good finds please share them with me using #vanilladarling.
Talk soon darlings! Xx
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