Thrift store tips |

You all know that I will advocate for thrift stores even if you wake me in the middle of the night, but I am not the only one! Today I wanted to share some advice and tips that I got from Daniel Troppy – a fashion blogger, store owner, for whom thrifting has not only become a lifestyle, but a career. I came across his videos last week, though I believe I was subscribed to his YouTube channel for a lot longer than that. He stood out to me because of his love for thrifting for brands. And he was nice enough to agree and answer some questions. I hope this will be helpful to all of you out there, especially my fellow Minnesota fashionistas (because if we don’t take measures into our hands, this State is going to drown in sweats and fleeces!)

Daniel doesn’t only have a YouTube channel, but he is also an author of a blog called The Thrifters - which I highly recommend. This is what he says about himself on his blog - I search for recycled luxury clothes daily. My motto is “luxury should be accessible to everyone not just to a few privileged.” It is my mission to seek out affordable STYLE so I can pass on the savings to my clients. Follow me daily on my STYLE adventures. Friend me on Facebook & follow me on Twitter. Toodles for now. Daniel your thrift curator!

How did you become a thrifter? When and why do you keep doing it?

I discovered thrift stores when I first went to college and needed those extra things like pots & pans, flatware and dishes. It’s been 29 years ago so I can’t remember the very first thrift store I went into but when I talk to my oldest college friend Jerry he will tell that I was a thrift store addict then… Thrift store shopping is always an adventure because you never know what you might discover. Things change daily inside a thrift store so it’s always something new.

What are some thrifting rules or guidelines that you follow (or what advice would you give to a starting thrifter)?

I always tell beginner thrifters to pack their patience! I know I make thrifting fun but it’s work. I look at hundreds of pieces daily so you have to be patient. Thrifting is all about timing and luck.

Do you thrift for specific brands or specific styles?

When I go out hunting I look for designer luxury pieces, always searching for those classic brands: Gucci, Hermes, Chanel or Versace. I have educated myself on labels and brands by looking at magazines, blogs & of course the NYTimes Fashion section. When I’m in doubt I just whip out my iPhone and Google the brand in question.

Do you have any crazy/funny stories to tell about your thrifting experience?

My funny store about thrifting is I was at Salvation Army and scored 2 Mies van der Rohe MR Chaise Lounge chairs that had the Knoll sticker underneath for $29.95 for the pair. I bought them and quickly ran outside to put them in my car but my car was so so small they wouldn’t go in. I called my partner Mitch repeatedly asking him to come with his car to help me haul these away. I kept calling and calling him and it kept going to his voice mail. The reason it was going into voice mail was because he was a pallbearer at his friends funeral!

What was the best thing you found at a thrift store?

I’ve found a lot of luxury pieces that are treasures like an Hermes scarf or Hermes jacket, Chanel heels, vintage Chloe suit, vintage DVF dress or even a vintage YSL dress but when I’m asked about an item I would have to say finding a custom made cocktail bar by Cartier for $3.25.

How often do you thrift, and how much time do you spend at a thrift store?

I hit 2-3 thrift stores daily and I don’t have a day off because I’m always shopping for my blog and my store Doubletake.

How big is your thrifted collection and do you wear everything you get?

My personal thrifting collection is huge because I’m out shopping for my Doubletake boutique and clients I’m also shopping for myself and partner. I have to say my closet if full of Armani, Burberry, Brioni, Lagerfeld, Paul Smith, Lanvin & Rag & Bone. Over 29 years of thrifting you accumulate things so I’ve narrowed it down to just the best and give the rest away. I talk about in my blog and YouTube channel that if you just scored 1 item from a thrift store and that item was a Gucci Pucci or Prada item then you add that to your closet . Slowly building your wardrobe and closet with great luxury is what I tell my readers and clients. What I like to talk about is over time building your designer wardrobe, it doesn’t have to be the first time you hit a thrift store but over time you will have a closet like mine!