I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of information here (even considering I’ve been thrifting since the 1980s). The author is friendly, non judgmental, candid, and informative. The tips are useful for beginners especially but also even those who have thrifted for years. The focus is on using thrifting to create your own style and for sustainability – rather than anyone looking to create a career out of it. I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is the ultimate guide but it is a solid one.
The book breaks down as follows: Where to begin, tips to thrift by, the three E’s, finding the perfect fit, trash but make it fashun, wardrobe maintenance, thrift and flip, estate sales, more questions, secondhand outfit equations, index. Within these chapters are copious amounts of photographs but they are all low quality polaroid/cell phone which really is the biggest detractor in the book. It’s hard to take any inspiration from them since they are usually dark/heavily shadowed and also incredibly small. They make thrift look ugly and that’s a shame.
The usual tips of going early to thrift stores, being there on restocking days, etc. are of course there. But there are also section devoted to stains, measurements, dealing with so many thrifts no longer having dressing rooms, etc. Of course, there is a focus on designer labels since those are the feel-good treasure finds. But I did appreciate that the author brought in influencers who thrift plus size, non binary, and queer. So yes, while the author is a very slim size and so has a whole store to shop from, she does try to address the issue of size disparity.
There is also information about flea markets, consignment shops, and estate sales. The estate sales section was especially interesting and an avenue for great finds that many miss. There is down to earth information such as lists of solid thrift stores/flea markets by State as well as tips for the daunting ‘bins’ at the thrift outlets. So while there is general advice, there are also some great specific/practical tips as well.
In all, other than the honestly terrible photography, a good read. The author is very straight forward and this takes an hour reading top. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
The Online Eccentric Librarian 