Your bible for scoring vintage finds around Raleigh
What’s old is in again. While shopping for brand-new clothing is always fun, there’s no dopamine hit quite like uncovering a coveted vintage find for mere dollars—and in this economy, that matters. Not only does vintage shopping get you a better deal—plus unique, quality clothes—there’s a plethora of ways to navigate the vast vintagescape.
eBay
Vintage resellers are an easy place to start—all the work is already done, aside from picking what you like and making sure it fits. Pro tip: Sizing was not the same 30 years ago, so when in doubt, try it on.
Because the ~curating~ part is already done for you, resellers can lean pricey. While convenience can come at a premium, many resellers are open to negotiation or offer $5 or $10 bins. For curated finds around town, try The Burrow, Pallbearer, Wolfe & Porter’s monthly markets or any Vintage Bazaar event. If you’re after furniture, head to Cheshire Cat or TrunkShow.
If those price tags hurt, save some dollars and do the digging yourself. Read: Hit the thrift store. Dorcas Thrift Shop and Goodwill are good places to start, and—when in doubt—stores that require an appointment to donate are always a good bet. Racks rarely stay organized, so look in as many sections as possible—you may find a hidden gem of a tank top in the pajamas section or an oversize vintage tee shoved between dresses.
Found a contender? Check the tags for 100% wool, cashmere, cotton, silk and leather, and note where and how the garment was manufactured. “Made in the USA” labels and union tags are rarely from this century and a good indication you’re scoring a steal.
Resale sites like Vinted, eBay and Depop serve up an unrefined blend of curated and chaotic: Some resellers sport astronomical markups, while others just want items gone—for cheap. When searching, be specific and try a couple different wordings—i.e., search for both “black leather cowboy boots size 8” and “tall black leather boots Western style.”
Before you lock it down, research the seller’s ratings, read the listing carefully (bare minimum, it’s a smoke-free household) and don’t underestimate the power of the lowball: You never know what a seller will accept. Be respectful—and mindful that it’s some people’s only source of income—but never assume the listing price is final. See if the reseller will go lower, and if not, so be it. Happy hunting!
Two Popular Kid Consignment Sales Hit Raleigh This Month
It’s go time. Time to go shopping, that is. Two of the longest running kid consignment sales in Raleigh are hosting their bi-annual spring events this month and they’re kind of a big deal.
Close to 70,000 items, from kids’ clothes and shoes to toys, strollers, nursery decor and more will be up for sale between the two events, so put your sneakers on and get ready to shop ‘til you drop. The deals are nothing new—both the Hayes Barton Baptist Church’s Kidz Stuff Consignment Sale and the Divine Children’s Show have been serving steals for nearly 20 years.
“There is a thrill to finding things that maybe otherwise you can’t afford, or just don’t want to pay the higher cost of a brand new designer item,” says Divine Children’s Show owner Morgan Daughtridge of the benefit of opting to not buy new. “[These sales] are an economical way to clothe your family year after year.”
Cashwell Boykin, co-chair of the Kidz Stuff sale, emphasizes growing kids don’t wear clothes for long, and the lower price point of consignment can help cut clothing costs. “[These sales] provide an opportunity to get things that are still in great condition at a much more affordable price,” Boykin said.
But giving Ben Franklin a break isn’t the only great thing about these sales—they also give back to the community in a major way.
Consignors can choose to donate unsold items at the end of the show, which for Kidz Stuff translates into roughly 5000 items going to refugee organizations and various charities. Divine Children’s unsold items are donated to the Crossnore School in Crossnore, NC, where foster kids get to pick what they want. Saving money and doing good at the same time? Don’t have to tell us twice. March 6–March 8, hbbc.org, March 22–March 25, dcskids.com
Consignment sale newbie? Here, best practices to shop like a pro:
Bring a bag Don’t be limited by what you can carry. And size matters! The bigger the bag, the better.
Make a list It’s easy to forget what you really wanted when there’s so much choice, so make a list and check it twice before you leave
Don’t sleep on it Go ahead and grab anything you might want. You can always put it back, but as everything is one of a kind you don’t want to be disappointed if someone else grabs it while you deliberate
Come back for discount day Most things are half off the already steeply discounted prices the last day of each sale.
Fall into autumn with furniture, activewear and perfume galore.
Have your luxe look in the bag with Michael Kors Lifestyle, the brand’s new concept store recently opened in Crabtree Valley Mall that casts a spotlight on “pared-down luxury and sophisticated glamour” via a plethora of accessories. Ooh la la! @michaelkors
Meet the Modern Ming Collection. Rail & Stile’s handcrafted furniture pieces spotlight Chinese Ming Dynasty aesthetics while offering customizable size options for homeowners who love that vintage look. therailandstile.com
These socks were made for running. … Embrace compression while decompressing with a workout or a run in Whitsett-based brand CEP Compression’s colorful compression socks and apparel—found at all three Raleigh Fleet Feet locations—that increase circulation and improve oxygen supply. @cep_compression
Grab your chunky knit sweater and wide-brimmed hats! Williams Sonoma at Fenton is rolling out its fall collection featuring pumpkin spice treats, Day of the Dead dinnerware and a Peanuts-themed holiday collection. It’s, er, Halloween, Charlie Brown! @williamssonoma
All the single ladies put your hands up! Catch feelings (or just stack your roster) on Hatched, the newest dating app to hit Raleigh, boasting a “less show me and more know me” attitude. Happy cuffing season! @hatched_dating
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Embrace the casual island mindset and kick back in colorful resort attire from Village District’s newly opened coastal athleisure shop Coastal Urge. Life’s a beach! @coastalurge
Not only is buying secondhand often easier on your wallet (hello, half-price Chanel bag!), it also denounces the controversial labor practices many fast-fashion companies use, and lessens the pollution and landfill contributions the constant manufacturing of new garments generates (the industry accounts for 2–8% of global emissions). Ethical benefits aside, who doesn’t love one-of-a-kind fashion finds? After all, there’s no better feeling than responding with, “Oh, I thrifted it!” when someone asks where you got your ’fit.
Ready to (thrift) shop till you drop? The bigger the city, the better thrifting scene, so Raleighites are in luck. Here, we feature some unique finds from local secondhand retailers.
Doc Martens From ’90s grunge to early 2010s Tumblr to today, the brand’s ultra-durable platform sandals, Mary Janes and combat boots are the go-to. Soften up the edgy Doc Martens look by pairing with a babydoll dress, or welcome the nostalgia with ripped jeans and a band tee. Alexa, play “R U Mine?” by Arctic Monkeys. Shop similar finds: MODE
Sea Denim Dress A denim dress is a classic, and this quilted puffy-sleeved number is no exception. Easily dressed up or down, the versatile seasonal-transition piece is giving autumn-meets-coastal cowboy—and we’re here for it. Shop similar finds: Revolver
Vintage Windbreaker
Windbreakers suddenly feel fresh again. Play up the pragmatic piece and slip on a pair of classic white sneakers, or draw inspo from Rihanna and throw on a miniskirt and a pair of stilettos with your jacket. Shop similar finds: Unorthodox Vintage
Bottega Veneta Jodie Top Handle Bag
“People will stare—make it worth their while.” Elevate the much-needed accessory with this slouchy woven bag, big enough to carry all your things and small enough to slide on your shoulder, so you can be hands-free no matter what you’re touting. Shop similar finds: Dress
Vintage Denim
Denim is always in season—and easy to style with quite literally anything. That, paired with its durability, makes denim a fab secondhand find—NTM the worn look is de rigueur. Pro tip: Not in the mood to try on? Wrap the waistline of the pants around your neck. If the two sides meet comfortably, the pants will fit. Shop similar finds: Unorthodox Vintage
Gucci Platforms
“I’m not afraid of heights, have you seen my shoes?” Take a cue from Carrie Bradshaw and reach new heights in these New York Fashion Week-worthy yellow Gucci platforms. The sandal’s wide base makes strutting your stuff and elevating your outfit far easier than your average heel would. Shop similar finds: Dress
