Thrift and consignment shopping in Los Angeles and what Lorraine bought
This is the 3rd article by Lorraine on her visit to LA.
During my recent holiday in Los Angeles with fellow 40plus manner follower Rita (see article here), information technology was a given that we would get shopping!
As well as looking forward to visiting American retail shops I had read about, I was keen to take a look at the 'thrifting' scene. This was partly out of curiosity, partly considering I do buy second-hand in the UK and partly the desire to option up a bargain. Although Rita is not a thrifter herself, she proved to be a great shopping companion and together nosotros secured some great purchases!
The difference of thrift and consignment shopping between the UK and U.s.a.
In the UK we have many charity shops on our high streets, ranging from chains for the major charities such as Oxfam or Cancer Research, to other shops devoted to raising funds for local causes. Most are small. In recent years the charity shops have smartened up their prototype and are no longer the places normally associated with bad smells and dowdy items.
We also have clothes agencies, which offer 40 or 50% of the toll they secure for your unwanted clothes. They tend to be small-scale and run past individuals and there are usually restrictions as to the age, status and season of the garment.
Charity shops equate to the US thrift stores and our wearing apparel agencies more loosely to assignment stores.
Where to go for thrift and consignment shopping in LA
Rita suggested shopping in Santa Monica, upwards the coast from LA, and nosotros researched austerity and assignment stores at that place. On our first visit, and after a leisurely tiffin at True Food, nosotros went to Wasteland, where I tried on 2 beautiful designer dresses, both new and both considerably reduced, although still more than I wanted to pay.
Not wanting to spend a lot in the first shop nosotros visited, we continued to 1 of the branches of Goodwill, a well-known chain of austerity shops, where we discovered that the better labels were tucked abroad upstairs. Not far away was Crossroads Trading, a consignment store, with a huge selection of covetable items. Information technology was a shop that I would revisit at the terminate of our holiday, equally Rita had a theory that the buyer shared my taste!
My top shopping tips for LA
- Sizes: Be open up minded and effort items on. I was unfamiliar with U.s. sizing and unsure of my size, having recently lost weight, and so just picked out what I liked to try on. As y'all see I ended up with a range of sizes. Fifty-fifty in the same store sizes vary.
- Petite: If you lot are borderline petite (ordinarily 5'3" and nether) it's worth trying petite lines on; going up a size oft works.
- Labels: When thrifting it helps to know your labels as it gives yous take an idea of the retail value of an item.
- Inspect: Check seams and hems, buttons and zips, and look for marks.
- Use the opportunity to endeavour styles you wouldn't normally wear. You may be pleasantly surprised.
- Sometimes the improve labels are in a separate expanse eg Goodwill
- Fabrics: I always check the fabric of an item every bit I prefer natural ones. In addition, interesting texture appeal to me.
- Don't buy the outset things you meet, although if there is just i it'south tempting.
- Don't buy something you lot won't habiliment because it seems a bargain!
Here is what I bought in LA
J Crew, navy and white seersucker, lined skirt: I honey navy and white and this lined, 100% cotton seersucker brim past J Crew is the perfect summer brim – and it has pockets! What's non to dearest? From Crossroads Trading, size 4 and simply $16.50. Worn for a casual afternoon with a girlfriend.
Ann Taylor, foam cotton textured, lined skirt: I was looking for a foam brim and loved the textured, lined, 100% cotton one I found at Ann Taylor, in the sale (with a further 30 per cent off). It was a 6 petite, therefore slightly shorter than I would commonly choose, but Rita assured me the length was fine. Price $34.32.
Ann Taylor, black and white, lined brim: Although not my favourite colour combination, black and white is timeless and this graphic patterned, lined Ann Taylor Loft skirt from Goodwill was make new, with the tags notwithstanding attached. The material is 54 per cent silk and 46 per cent cotton wool. From the petite range, information technology is slightly likewise short, but considering information technology's besides as well big (size viii) it hangs lower on the hips, falling to the length I similar. A deal at $ix.99 (retail price $59)! I besides picked up some sunglasses for $iv.99.
Calvin Klein, cobalt blue lace brim: The beautiful colour and textured 100 per cent cotton lace of this lined skirt defenseless my eye and it was a perfect fit. By Calvin Klein, it was besides from Crossroads Trading.
Ann Taylor, coral lace, lined skirt: I besides vicious in honey with a dusky coral lace skirt that was flattering and hung really nicely, also from Ann Taylor's auction. This was a size 4 and originally retailed at $69.99, reduced to $38.14. I was invited to a tea political party and wore this with a cropped white cardigan and was told I looked very 'ladylike'!
Banana Republic, black and white striped lined dress: This sleeveless apparel is in a cute textured black and white striped 'Italian Textile', 99 per cent cotton wool, with a scoop cervix and pockets by Banana Republic. A size 4 petite, it was also from Crossroads Trading and $sixteen.50. A mail service wedding lunchtime commemoration was the perfect excuse to vesture this.
Vince Camuto, coral lace lined dress: I was fatigued to this dress, which was hanging on the wall at Crossroads Trading, because of the pink lace and orange lining that fabricated it expect coral, my favourite colour. By Vince Camuto, it was a perfect fit (size 8), length and price – $25!
Spotlight past Warehouse, bluish and cream wearing apparel: The pretty china blue and cream design of this prom clothes caught my centre, as well equally the thick 100 per cent cotton wool material. With its full skirt and netting petticoat, I was unsure if the style suited me, as it was not what I would normally choose. However, it appealed to my girly nature and Rita loved information technology! Past Warehouse, a United kingdom label that I like, information technology was from their Spotlight range and a Britain 10. Again from Crossroads Trading the price was $18.50. I wore this for a 75th birthday garden political party and received lots of compliments.
J Coiffure, white cotton cowl neck blouse: Rita was bang-up for me to buy a top and while still in Crossroads Trading I picked out a darling J Crew white cotton blouse with an interesting cloth and neckline, and exposed back zip. A size 6, information technology was mine for $15. Worn with cornflower blue skinny jeans for a recent daytime drinkable, I felt chic and neat!
Earrings: These quartz and gilded earrings were from YaYa'due south, a minor jewellery store and boutique in El Segundo. It stocks unique pieces from local designers at affordable prices. After two visits and several hours I came away with a beautiful pair of earrings. A lovely souvenir of my trip! These have already go favourite items.
And finally, not everything needs fancy apparel to look good. I bought this huge merely cute, naturally beautiful starfish at Fisherman'southward Village, Marina del Rey.
Lorraine
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