Thrift Audit: May 16, Church rummage sale part 2 + yard sales
As I wrote last week, I've been double-dipping on rummage sales — snatching up choice goodies when the doors open, and then coming back to pick the bones on bag sale day. But before I could double back to the rummage sale I visited on May 15, I had a whole town's worth of yard sales to visit, and boy was it worth it. And since the whole day was pretty much a blur, I've lumped everything together in one dizzying post.
As a rule, I don't love yard sale shopping, because you have to kiss a LOT of frogs. And when you've been walking/driving around all day, it becomes harder and harder to leave each sale empty-handed — which leads to stupid purchases. But when there are three yard sales on every block in a small town, I can totally get down with that.
Keep or sell: Sell
One of those "I can't believe it's vintage" moments. This bag looked contemporary and in great condition, but the lining and hardware showed me that it's really vintage.
Good or bad buy: Great buy — I'm hoping to have it listed very soon
Keep or sell: Sell, mostly
I have totally been hoarding vintage baby/kid clothes and I REALLY need to get some more listed. I am keeping the blue-and-white striped shorts for my daughter, but the rest are headed for the shop
Good or bad buy: Good buy, because, how adorable are these?
Keep or sell: Keep
My requisite moment of insanity. To my credit, it was free ... but still. Why did I bring this home? It's faded and stained, but I am kind of in love with this print and want to "do something with it," which means it will sit in a drawer for several years until I get sick of it and give it to the Salvation Army.
Good or bad buy: Bad — even though it was free!
Keep or sell: Sell
I also found this sweater in the free pile — it's in marginal condition, but I'm still hoping I can convince one of my local consignment stores to take it
Good or bad buy: Mediocre
Keep or sell: Sell
This has been the summer of the floral swimsuit. It started with the one I bought in the spring (which I totally ROCKED on my recent vacation), and now I just can't stop buying them.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it's in my Etsy shop now
Keep or sell: Sell
I grabbed this jacket immediately because of the bright colors — it's not my usual style (it has a total Coast to Coast Vintage vibe), but I decided to give it a shot in the shop in fall.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Keep or sell: Keep
The sewing gods continue to smile down upon me. I'm telling you, it's incredible. I absolutely LOVE the colors of this fabric, which is a medium-weight polyester knit that couldn't be easier to sew with.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — I'm already about halfway through making a dress with it!
Keep or sell: ??
The sewing gods smile on me once more — although this one looks to be a bit big for me. I may wind up selling it — I have been toying with the idea of launching a sister Etsy shop for knitting and sewing stuff, but WHO HAS THE TIME. If I'm not teaching in the fall, I may go for it.
Good or bad buy: Good buy either way
Keep or sell: Sell
This kind of looks like a rumpled pile here (and in fact was rejected by one consignment store for being "too wrinkly") but it's super soft and comfy, and I think pretty cute. In fact I am kind of regretting not keeping it — a second consignment store DID take it.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Keep or sell: Keep
Please tell me I am not the only parent who stockpiles (let's not call it hoarding) clothes for my kid? Neither of these will fit my daughter for a couple of years ... but they were too cute to pass up.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Keep or sell: Sell
THE BONNET, you guys. How cute are these tiny little dresses? I love baby clothes of this era (late 70s/early 80s) because it's totally what my sister and I grew up wearing. Well, that and a lot of flared corduroys and loud striped turtlenecks ...
Good or bad buy: Good buy, because, adorable
Keep or sell: Sell
I know it looks nothing like the dress from the movie, but in my head I keep calling this the "Pretty Woman" dress. It just evokes that era of the 90s to me, with the big pearl buttons. And the beige. Will anyone actually want to wear it, though? I don't know — to me, it seems timeless, like you could style it in a very vintage way or a contemporary way. So I hope so — it's in my shop now.
Good or bad buy: Probably a good buy
Keep or sell: Sell (in my shop now)
How pretty are these two skirts? I like to imagine they were sewn by the same person, from the same pattern, but I have absolutely no reason to believe that's the case. The light pink one is a lightweight, nubbly fabric that floats and drapes nicely, and the darker one is a wonderfully heavy satin.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Keep or sell: Sell
If I see a brand-name sweater in good condition, I buy it — it's as simple as that. It's the same with slacks. Unless there's something really weird about them, sweaters and slacks always seem to sell on consignment.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it should be off to the consignment store in a week or two, because they're ALREADY taking fall/winter stuff, which just strikes fear into my heart (I want summer to last forever!)
Keep or sell: Sell
This is the thing about bag sales, I just start throwing accessories into my bag willy-nilly. But truthfully, I have been wanting to add to my rather small men's/unisex section in my shop, so this should be easy to list.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Keep or sell: Sell
I absolutely adore tops like this, but they just do NOT work with my figure, so it's off to the shop it goes. How cute would this be with high-waisted jeans or shorts, though?
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it already sold!
Keep or sell: Keep
I thought this top was home-sewn at first because ... well, I'm not sure why. Something about the seams on the lace. But I found a tiny tag in the hem
Good or bad buy: Good buy — I have worn it a few times and I really love it.
As a rule, I don't love yard sale shopping, because you have to kiss a LOT of frogs. And when you've been walking/driving around all day, it becomes harder and harder to leave each sale empty-handed — which leads to stupid purchases. But when there are three yard sales on every block in a small town, I can totally get down with that.
Total spent: $8
Items purchased: 25
Cost per item: $0.32
THE YARD SALES
Vintage olive leather bag
Keep or sell: Sell
One of those "I can't believe it's vintage" moments. This bag looked contemporary and in great condition, but the lining and hardware showed me that it's really vintage.
Good or bad buy: Great buy — I'm hoping to have it listed very soon
Vintage boys' clothes
Keep or sell: Sell, mostly
I have totally been hoarding vintage baby/kid clothes and I REALLY need to get some more listed. I am keeping the blue-and-white striped shorts for my daughter, but the rest are headed for the shop
Good or bad buy: Good buy, because, how adorable are these?
Linen hand towel
Keep or sell: Keep
My requisite moment of insanity. To my credit, it was free ... but still. Why did I bring this home? It's faded and stained, but I am kind of in love with this print and want to "do something with it," which means it will sit in a drawer for several years until I get sick of it and give it to the Salvation Army.
Good or bad buy: Bad — even though it was free!
J Crew striped sweater
Keep or sell: Sell
I also found this sweater in the free pile — it's in marginal condition, but I'm still hoping I can convince one of my local consignment stores to take it
Good or bad buy: Mediocre
Vintage sarong skirt swimsuit
Keep or sell: Sell
This has been the summer of the floral swimsuit. It started with the one I bought in the spring (which I totally ROCKED on my recent vacation), and now I just can't stop buying them.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it's in my Etsy shop now
Vintage bright woven jacket
Keep or sell: Sell
I grabbed this jacket immediately because of the bright colors — it's not my usual style (it has a total Coast to Coast Vintage vibe), but I decided to give it a shot in the shop in fall.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Vintage striped fabric
Keep or sell: Keep
The sewing gods continue to smile down upon me. I'm telling you, it's incredible. I absolutely LOVE the colors of this fabric, which is a medium-weight polyester knit that couldn't be easier to sew with.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — I'm already about halfway through making a dress with it!
Beige polka dot dress
Keep or sell: Sell
This dress was new with tags, and while I didn't recognize the brand name, it seemed to be reasonably nice — certainly well worth the $2 the woman was asking for it.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it's on display at my local consignment store
This dress was new with tags, and while I didn't recognize the brand name, it seemed to be reasonably nice — certainly well worth the $2 the woman was asking for it.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it's on display at my local consignment store
THE RUMMAGE SALE
Vintage mod dress pattern
Keep or sell: ??
The sewing gods smile on me once more — although this one looks to be a bit big for me. I may wind up selling it — I have been toying with the idea of launching a sister Etsy shop for knitting and sewing stuff, but WHO HAS THE TIME. If I'm not teaching in the fall, I may go for it.
Good or bad buy: Good buy either way
Gap blue shirt dress
Keep or sell: Sell
This kind of looks like a rumpled pile here (and in fact was rejected by one consignment store for being "too wrinkly") but it's super soft and comfy, and I think pretty cute. In fact I am kind of regretting not keeping it — a second consignment store DID take it.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Ann Taylor girls' dress and Tea Collection skirt
Keep or sell: Keep
Please tell me I am not the only parent who stockpiles (let's not call it hoarding) clothes for my kid? Neither of these will fit my daughter for a couple of years ... but they were too cute to pass up.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Vintage baby dresses
Keep or sell: Sell
THE BONNET, you guys. How cute are these tiny little dresses? I love baby clothes of this era (late 70s/early 80s) because it's totally what my sister and I grew up wearing. Well, that and a lot of flared corduroys and loud striped turtlenecks ...
Good or bad buy: Good buy, because, adorable
Beige polka dot dress
Keep or sell: Sell
I know it looks nothing like the dress from the movie, but in my head I keep calling this the "Pretty Woman" dress. It just evokes that era of the 90s to me, with the big pearl buttons. And the beige. Will anyone actually want to wear it, though? I don't know — to me, it seems timeless, like you could style it in a very vintage way or a contemporary way. So I hope so — it's in my shop now.
Good or bad buy: Probably a good buy
Pair of vintage wrap skirts
Keep or sell: Sell (in my shop now)
How pretty are these two skirts? I like to imagine they were sewn by the same person, from the same pattern, but I have absolutely no reason to believe that's the case. The light pink one is a lightweight, nubbly fabric that floats and drapes nicely, and the darker one is a wonderfully heavy satin.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Cranberry wool cardigan
Keep or sell: Sell
If I see a brand-name sweater in good condition, I buy it — it's as simple as that. It's the same with slacks. Unless there's something really weird about them, sweaters and slacks always seem to sell on consignment.
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it should be off to the consignment store in a week or two, because they're ALREADY taking fall/winter stuff, which just strikes fear into my heart (I want summer to last forever!)
Vintage men's white leather belt
Keep or sell: Sell
This is the thing about bag sales, I just start throwing accessories into my bag willy-nilly. But truthfully, I have been wanting to add to my rather small men's/unisex section in my shop, so this should be easy to list.
Good or bad buy: Good buy
Vintage pink Catalina top
Keep or sell: Sell
I absolutely adore tops like this, but they just do NOT work with my figure, so it's off to the shop it goes. How cute would this be with high-waisted jeans or shorts, though?
Good or bad buy: Good buy — it already sold!
White lace-trimmed top
Keep or sell: Keep
I thought this top was home-sewn at first because ... well, I'm not sure why. Something about the seams on the lace. But I found a tiny tag in the hem
Good or bad buy: Good buy — I have worn it a few times and I really love it.
Oh, I do love that green leather bag! How big is it? How much will it cost?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your interest! You can email me at emily.farmer@gmail.com and I will send you some more details that way
DeleteI can't wait to see they dress you are making with that striped fabric!
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for it too! I've posted a few progress pics on my Instagram (@breadandrosesvintage) if you want to sneak a peek
DeleteIt's already looking awesome!
DeleteTHE BABY CLOTHES OH MY GOODNESS.
ReplyDeleteI swear, I do not want to buy little girl clothes at actual stores because... t hey look too much like teenagers, or they're just boring. Thrifted/vintage/garage sale all the way! (Plus when you and other people sent me stuff; she's already got a really good stockpile of vintage baby clothes and I cannot WAIT for her to wear them. Even though some of them she'll have to wait a few years.)
Ha ha right? I continue to subject my daughter to wearing vintage even though she clearly has no interest. And yeah, some contemporary baby/girl stuff is just ... AWFUL.
Delete