The story below is from our May/June 2021 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
If you keep an eye on celebrity style, you might say that secondhand fashion is having a moment.
Maybe you’ve spotted photos of Kendall Jenner in ‘90s Jean Paul Gaultier, or Meghan Markle in a swingy ‘60s trapeze coat. Even Princess Beatrice opted for a throwback look at her wedding last summer, floating down the aisle in her grandmother’s Norman Hartnell-designed dress.
It’s safe to say that “old” is the new … well, new.
There was a time when pre-loved fashion–vintage, consigned or thrifted–was sometimes considered a touch gauche. If you shopped at charity thrift shops, many people assumed you did so simply to scout out a bargain.
But those mindsets are changing.
Socially-conscious shoppers–even very fashion-forward ones–increasingly steer toward pre-loved style as a more ecologically sustainable and ethical choice. Sarah Jessica Parker famously told The Edit that she’d committed to buying only secondhand clothing for her son after watching The True Cost, a documentary detailing the harsh labor conditions under which fast fashion can be made. And a mounting body of research suggests that younger shoppers are powering a surge in resale, with 80% of surveyed Gen-Zers stating they saw no stigma attached to secondhand fashion, according to a recent consumer survey by GlobalData.
So what if you want in on this socially-conscious movement, but you’re not sure where to start? Here are the tricks and tips you need to venture into the world of pre-loved fashion, right here in the Roanoke Valley. It might just revolutionize your wardrobe!
Never been thrift shopping?
Start at the shallow end.
Traditional charity thrift shops are full of jaw-dropping designer finds and rare vintage pieces, often for less than the cost of your daily latte. There’s a catch, though: unearthing those gems can mean pawing through long racks of cast-off garments, many of them dusty or damaged. It’s the kind of shopping that appeals to the intrepid style-searcher–someone who really loves the thrill of the hunt.
If that’s not you, though, there are still ways to find killer secondhand steals without getting your hands quite so (literally) dirty in the process.
For starters, begin at consignment shops and smaller secondhand stores. These tend to command a slightly higher price point than true thrift shops, but in exchange, you get cleanliness, curation and a staff that’s ready to help, often in a space that feels less cavernous.
Take the Discovery Shop, for example–a neat-as-a-pin shopfront benefitting the American Cancer Society, located in the Townside Festival Shopping Center near Montano’s.
“You don’t have to work that hard [to shop] here,” says store manager Amy Peck. “One customer told me once that she loved to shop here because someone had already shopped for her.”
At the Discovery Shop, donated clothing is curated by an all-volunteer staff–unwanted donations are passed on to the Roanoke Rescue Mission, Peck says–and then it’s organized by garment type, size and color, streamlining the hunt.
To keep shopping simple, try popping into your favorite store on your lunch hour. After making a speed-pass through the racks, you can treat yourself to a single fun find, probably for less than the price of a lunch out. Do this a few times a month, and you’ll have a radically different closet in no time … without feeling like you’ve spent much effort getting there.
Give yourself permission to go bold.
The magic of secondhand shopping is that it allows you to encounter truly unique pieces that you wouldn’t spot in your average mall franchise. And because it offers those options at bargain prices, you might just find yourself willing to take a few bold new style risks.
“It kind of gives you the opportunity to evolve your style … because it’s not just what’s trending or what’s popular that you’re exposed to,” says Katelynn Lewis, owner of New to Me, a favorite consignment shop in Grandin Village. Her racks have featured everything from classic cardigans to vintage sundresses to Jimmy Choo stilettos, giving shoppers permission to develop a wardrobe that’s a little bit different.
Think, for a minute, about the styles you’ve always wanted to try, but perhaps felt a little too shy to purchase. Maybe you’ve got a secret yen for gauzy silk caftans glittering with embroidery, or swishy vintage skirts or eye-popping electric colors. These are the kinds of items you might not try on (or even see) in a department store, but they’re the exact sort of pieces that will leap out at you from the racks at a secondhand shop, where low prices lead you to a more experimental mindset.
“You’re not taking a financial risk,” says Peck. “You’re paying five bucks for it, so if you get it home and it stays in the closet for a couple of months and you don’t pull it out, bring it back … We’ll give you a tax deduction!”
Give a boring wardrobe a boost with vintage pieces.
Adwoa Aboah, Kim Kardashian and the Olsen twins all rank among the A-listers who’ve recently stepped out in vintage ensembles. But you don’t have to be on the red carpet to inject some old-school style into your wardrobe. Increasingly, vintage pieces are for anyone.
“A lot of people get that misconception that vintage [means] you’re going to go out to dinner looking like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,” says Jason Hoffheins, owner of RetroGetgo, a vintage clothing shop that makes its home inside Black Dog Salvage on 13th Street, and online on Etsy. “But there are lots of vintage items that are perfect for casual, day-to-day wear.”
While ‘90s “mom jeans” are a quick ticket to a hip weekend wardrobe, an easy way to add whimsy to your office attire is to incorporate “secretary blouses” from the ‘70s and ‘80s. These affordable, machine-washable pieces are a cinch to find at vintage clothing shops and thrift stores, often boasting unique patterns, bright colors and a pretty tie at the neckline–a lot more fun than your usual ho-hum white work shirt.
Hoffheins prefers vintage Western-style snap shirts for an easy, lived-in everyday look.
“It’s the quality. There’s something about the softness and the comfort that comes with something vintage that’s been worn a lot,” he says. “Several of my Western snaps are paper-thin, and it just feels good.”
Discover your signature high-end piece … for less.
Looking to elevate an otherwise ordinary ensemble in seconds? There’s no easier technique than throwing a Louis Vuitton Speedy over your arm, or topping off your look with a timeless Burberry trench.
And here’s the kicker: you can probably snag those signature high-end pieces at a fraction of their retail price if you’re willing to consider secondhand. Upscale consignment boutiques like the Golden Shoestring–tucked behind the Jiffy Lube on Franklin Road in South Roanoke–make these types of items their specialty.
“We want to be able to offer some exclusivity, some items that are one-of-a-kind,” says Lee Robison, who has owned the boutique since 2012.
Robison sources pieces locally and from up and down the East Coast, in one instance driving to West Virginia to pick up a collection of Hermés scarves. “I see things with thousand-dollar new tags on them,” she says. “It’s hard to keep my composure!”
Give your own old clothing a second (or third!) chance at life.
But the very best part of owning a secondhand piece might be the moment when you pay it forward. After you’ve loved an item for a season, consider passing it on–either by donating it to a charity shop or consigning at a local boutique.
“Don’t just shop consignment, but consider consigning yourself!” Lewis says. “Keep [those] things out of the landfill.”
You’ll close the circle and invite another savvy shopper to enjoy the treasure you found, all while supporting a more sustainable approach to style.
Tips from the Author
Over the years, I’ve collected vintage and designer pieces from dusty thrift shops, consignment stores … even fellow vintage collectors on Instagram. Along the way, I’ve learned a few things.
First – never turn down a pretty silk scarf. They often sell for around a dollar at thrift stores, and they give you endless ways to remix outfits (tie them around your waist, your throat, your ponytail … or let them trail elegantly from the handle of your handbag).
Second – don’t be afraid to shop for shoes in these spots. You’ll frequently find brand-new kicks at bargain prices; just turn them over to check the soles for wear. I’ve snagged several favorites that way, from the grassy-green Kate Spade pumps you see here (spied at New to Me) to the jaunty vintage spectator shoes (found at the Discovery Shop).
Third – incorporate personal pieces for a more meaningful wardrobe. The red Diana Spencer-era frock I’ve pictured belonged to my mother, and the octagonal straw bag belonged to a dear friend’s fashionista mama who has since passed away. I feel the presence of those folks every time I wear their items.
Finally: don’t be surprised if your favorite pieces find you. I stumbled over a cream-colored Dior vest at a thrift shop years ago, nabbing it for just $5. Since then, I’ve worn it with ripped jeans to a college sports bar, with a floaty chiffon skirt to a fancy dinner, and everywhere in between. It’s become a signature piece, but I couldn’t have looked for it if I tried… That’s the serendipity of secondhand shopping.
The story above is from our May/June 2021 issue. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!