#thrifstores

[thatfalafelgirl]

Obviously the most majestic pitcher you've ever seen.

[thatfalafelgirl]

Original packaging thanksgiving plates. I won't lie, I actually quite like the art on these. I think it's a certain style that is 80's nostalgic for me.

[thatfalafelgirl]

Original packaging halloween decoration. 1980's ?"Flashy Lights Witch Sounds" This guy appealed to me and I did consider buying, but passed.

[rrj2014]

INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINA FROM TALES FROM THE THRIFT BLOG!

Things around here are starting to wrap and I keep finding myself daydreaming all hitting all my favorite thrift shops back in NYC. I can't imagine all the new things I will find after being away for 4 months! I suddenly thought of Christina, a favorite fashion blogger of mine, and her blog Tales From the Thrift. I figured she would be the perfect person to have a little Q&A with and luckily she agreed! You can read it below :)

Q: Can you tell me a little about your blog?

A: I started my blog, Tales from the Thrift, because I'm obsessed with finding great deals and telling people how little I spent on my clothing. The majority of my posts feature outfits I put together using thrifted, secondhand/swapped, sale and gifted pieces. I'm a big believer in style not being solely about how much money you spend, but how resourceful and creative you can be.

Q: What got you interested in thrifting in the first place?

A: I became a serious thrifter mostly out of necessity. When I moved to NYC after college, I wasn't prepared for how expensive the city would be, and thrifting became a way for me to indulge in my love of fashion and shopping without going into debt. It's no longer a necessity for me, but I still thrift because: A. It's way more fun than retail shopping; B. It's environmentally friendly; and C. I'll always appreciate a good deal.

Q: How do you think thrifting in NYC differs from thrifting in smaller towns and cities?

A: In some ways, thrifting in NYC and other big cities is harder--there are more people on the hunt, which means more competition, and I'd say it's a more fashion-conscious demographic, so designer or vintage pieces get picked up quick and they're priced relatively high. But NYC thrift shops will always have a massive amount of volume and turnover, and I find that trendier items tend to trickle down to the thrift stores faster in big cities. In smaller and more rural towns, there might be less designer and on-trend stuff, but once you do find it, it'll be bargain-bin priced. I'd also say the vintage selections are better in more rural areas, mostly because there's less of a market for it, so it's less competitive.

Q: What is your best tips/advice for beginner thrifters?

A: "Be patient" is probably my number-one tip for any new thrifter. A lot of people underestimate the amount of time and effort that goes into thrifting amazing stuff, and it takes a lot of patience to find those hidden gems. Also, when I first started thrifting, I thought that because I had just spent 3 hours digging around a giant store,  I had to leave with something, but obviously, that mindset led me to buying a lot of junk I didn't need or actually want. So sometimes you have to be okay with just walking out empty handed and trying again another day. 

Q: What are some of your favorite thrift shops?

A: My favorites in NYC are the Housing Works shops--their proceeds help support the homeless and people with HIV and AIDS, and they have great sales throughout the year--and The Sharing Place Thrift Store, which is a friendly little shop in East Harlem. I also love the Salvation Army in Hell's Kitchen, because that SA location holds huge coat sales in the winter, and it's always my favorite thrift sale of the year.

Q: How do you think the mass media has influenced the fashion world?

A: I think blogging has definitely made the fashion world more democratic, since anyone, anywhere can start a fashion blog, and I think that that's a really great thing, overall. Fashion blogs have definitely helped broaden the horizon, and they make it easier for the average person to explore new trends and see how runway styles can be translated into everyday wear. That said, I think blogs have become a little too trend-focused over the past few years, which has helped speed up the life-cycle of a trend and cause it to rise and fall faster than ever. And obviously, this only exacerbates the fact that "fast fashion" is moving way too fast for any normal/sane shopper to keep up with.

Q: How does thrifting fit into today's fast paced and often expensive fashion world?

A: I think thrifting is a great way to sort of "opt out" of the unsustainable fast fashion model, as well as the luxury industry. Thrift shopping also forces you to be creative and use your imagination, so it's easier to think outside the box and create a look that's less "cookie-cutter."

Q: It is obvious that today people can turn personal fashion blogs into a personal business. Do you have any advice for those hoping to do that?

A: This is something I'm still working on, so my advice comes with a huge grain of salt! But I'd tell any new blogger trying to build a personal business that it's important to be consistent. You have to be able to post consistently (which is easier said than done!), as well as stick to a consistent voice. The blogosphere--and especially the fashion blog world--has become really congested, and I think it's important to have unique and consistent point of view in order to stand out.

Head over to Christina's blog to see more!