No Pets of Golf: Puffy Vests, okay.
One of the biggest advantages to thrifting is that even on my 4-figure income, I can still afford to experiment some.
I’m pretty anti puffy vests/coats, but I’m also very pro 70’s/preppy-skewing. Recently I came into my brown 70’s parka, and also this vest. Normally, I would have passed it by, but hey, puffy vests are having a moment and even the mighty Fistful of Style isn’t immune to the siren call of the blogo-webs. So I grabbed them to see how they look.
My total investment was $5. So even if I decide later that I don’t like them, I can either donate them (at a cost per wear of $2.50… or $0.00), or consign them and even make a couple bucks. Either way, the opportunity to try out new things (essentially) risk free is an unheralded bonus of thrift shopping.
Just remember, It’s easy to look for expensive things in thrift stores, it’s hard to push your boundaries. And what’s the saying? If it isn’t hard, it isn’t worth doing?
Food for thought.
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“Outerwear by Sears Men’s Store” Vintage Vest - $5
Vintage LLBean Norwegian Sweater - $5
LLBean Sig. Desert Boots - $20 (!!)
Levi’s 505’s - Inherited
LEC Gingham Shirt - X-mas Gift
Hat - X-mas Gift (Thanks mom!)
I think this is a good way of maximalizing neutrals. Everything here is gray, navy, tan and brown, but all has some… I dunno… flourish? Something like that.
This outfit with just captoes, uncuffed denim, no fur collar and a plain navy sweater would be fine. But it’s just as fine with wingtips, healthy cuff, giant fur collar, and norwegian birdseye sweater.
I also think this shows that items that can be “dated” aren’t necessarily bad. People talk about “timeless” as though any item of clothing that has any aspect that can be dated is horrible. I don’t think this is true. Maybe I don’t want all my jackets to have 2” or 4” lapels, but pairing mostly “standard” items with something that has a strong retro twist (like a large fur collared peacoat) can give a lot of personality to an outfit that might otherwise not stand out enough (if, indeed, standing out is something you’d aspire to).
Or maybe I’m just a hipster with no taste, that could be it too.
Brisk out.
