Quality and Thrift Storing

 A note on what to look for when shopping:

     Through my many scavangings of thrift stores, garage sales, and garbage bins (yes really) I have had to learn the good from the bad. And quick. The options we are given (and that are affordable) are from stores that provide us with a variety of clothing, but all cheaply made and made out of cheap materials. After a year of a crash sewing course and having grown up around well made saddles and boots, I have an appreciation for leather, well tailored pieces and good materials. When I shop I look  a little deranged; I feel the material many times over ( I  even sniff it, cloth can hold odor ) read the labels for washing instruction, fibre content etc. Though this may seems over the top it really comes down to your bang- for- your-buck. 

things to look for:
-brand name (yes this sounds silly because some people will sell their soul just to have the Louis Vuitton symbol on their faces, but the brand (if authentic) and if from a good company, will be well made or from good materials
-ALWAYS and I mean always check the care instructions (washing, ironing etc.) this will tell you a lot about your clothes. It as well should tell you the fibre content:
go for things such as wool, satin, silk,  and cotton. Try to stay away from poly blends, tehy will not look as nice nor will they live as long
-look at the seams and the stitching, if it is sloppy and not straight you can see that it is made poorly and from cheap materials usually.

For example in my closet my favorite pieces tend to be my less expensive (they are the ones I have had to dig for, but are always made out of good material and well made)
-My navy wool blazer (it's virgin wool, the stitches are tight and strait, seams lined up and the lining is a good quality satin) it cost me 5$, original value would have been around 80$ maybe
-My tall Leather riding boots (Italian leather, the stitches are hand sewn and the leather is soft made in Canada) cost me 3$
- My 1990's Dooney & Bourke Purse (authentic, all-weather leather, hand stitched, etc.) cost me 40$
-My Liberty London purple scarf (Made in England, 100% silk, the hem hand rolled and stitched) 1$ out of a thrift store bin

The point I am trying to make is that you just have to dig,  the quality items are there. Pieces that are well made and made out of good quality with the proper care can last a lifetime. But an end to shirts that get holes from going through the wash and purses that only live through one year, go to your local thrift store and see for yourself. 

P.S. wear gloves, ever so vintage yet allows you not to get too creeped out by what you might or might not be touching....