21 things I *didn't* buy at the thrift store

so many sweater vests!

I’m tempted to make this a recurring feature each time I come back to Florida to see my family! I went to three different thrift stores this trip, two of them on multiple occasions. My sister came with me a couple times, but most of my trips were solo, so I’m grateful that I have so many people who can share my appreciation for all the things I didn’t buy.

Basix silk shirt: I gravitate toward this color but never actually wear it. I’ve also been less likely to reach for silk button-ups over cotton since I started working from home, so I knew it was unlikely to get much wear if I took it home with me.

J. Crew rollneck sweater: Erika Veurink’s vintage sweater style of choice—for good reason! This is closer to the shade of green that I do like wearing—just on the other side of jewel tone. Too small for me, though.

Chico’s cotton crinkle shirt/hoodie?: I was mostly just intrigued by this piece. It was a bit too long, but I think if it had been in a more neutral color I would have bought it just to play around with it. Is it a jacket? A shirt? A sweater? Who knows?

Clio II leather jacket: The color was intriguing but not a good color for me. It looked like I was trying and failing to color-match concealer to my skin tone.

Calvin Klein jean jacket: The Calvin Klein logo tag is cute, but the denim is faded in a way that I can only describe as soulless (please do not ask me to elaborate—that is the word that comes to mind). Also too small.

GUESS grey leather jacket: Really beautiful silhouette, a bit heavy and not my favorite color to wear. Also one of the most expensive items I saw there!

J. Crew rollneck sweater: Another J. Crew rollneck! The tag is slightly different than the one on the previous J.Crew sweater—anyone who has more knowledge about what era these items might be from, please chime in. I’m curious which one is older!

Unbranded black drawstring pants: These were cute, but they were missing a fabric tag and a brand tag, so I couldn’t look up the fabric composition. Left ‘em in a prominent place for someone who doesn’t care as much about that as I do!

Unbranded amazing red lace-up flares: This pants were wayyyy too small—did not even try them on. I feel like wearing them would give you magical powers. Wish I could see who they ended up with!

Davison’s striped cotton sweater: Hmm. I’m not sure why I didn’t get this one, actually. Oops! Might just be a color combination that I enjoy in theory but knew myself enough to know it wouldn’t get worn.

GAP x Doen skirt: I think it’s this one. Not my size and not quite my style but still a great find—eight dollars!

Ralph Lauren cotton jacket: Too big, but tried it on anyway because I like the contrast corduroy collar and the lining is 100% cotton.

Banana Republic trench: This met several of my qualifications for a trench coat (something that has been on my wishlist for ages)—not too warm-toned, not too beige, 100% cotton, lined in a tolerable fabric, lapel collar… but it was too tight in the shoulders and arms!

Eddie Bauer cotton jacket: Another corduroy collar, another cotton lining, another XL that just didn’t look right when I tried it on.

Banana Republic sweater vest: In good condition, 100% merino wool, but too long for what I look for in a sweater vest.

Land’s End sweater vest: I have been obsessed with this specific R13 distressed sweater vest/dress after seeing it on Rachel Solomon (here it is in a different color) and briefly thought this could act as a substitute. It’s a linen-cotton blend, which is nice, but it’s not as structured or heavy as 100% cotton would be. I knew I’d be disappointed with the fit if I bought it.

Tony Lambert cotton sweater vest: Another sweater vest—again, just too long. I like ‘em boxy and cropped! This was a new brand for me, and it’s a fun eBay or Poshmark search if you’re into that.

Charter Club wool sweater: Great condition, perfect size and silhouette, just not a butter yellow girl!

GAP striped cotton turtleneck sweater: I remember when this sweater came out from GAP a couple years ago. It’s all over the secondhand internet now (I just found it on Poshmark, ThredUp, and eBay) and I wonder why—maybe there’s something weird about the fit that people didn’t like?

Denim & Co suede jacket: I have this jacket in green! It was fun to come across it in the wild.

And the pièce de résistance… the item I wanted to buy but wasn’t allowed to because it was missing a price tag:

L.L. Bean barn jacket: Looked brand new, fit me perfectly. I hope it goes to a good home.

Have you found anything good while thrifting lately?

If you enjoyed this post, you might enjoy these earlier installments!