Things that Look Better Old/Worn

[alexandra]

I found a great bargain yesterday... and best of all, it was worn.  Not heavily worn -- but once it's worn more, it will get even better! It was a genuine Nantucket Red button down Oxford.  I say "genuine" because it was from the only true source for NR -- Murray's Toggery (of Nantucket, of course).  This shirt originally sold for over 60 bucks -- mine (well, the hubby's) for $2.36.

Not only could we not have afforded to buy this shirt new -- the garment is "designed" to wear and fade in such a way that time enhances it's appearance.

This got me thinking of lots of other stuff we find at thrifts -- stuff that is more attractive because it isn't new.

I'm curious as to what others have found to be attractive because of use or wear.

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Good Buddy]

Jeans please...
Denim looks best worn, for most folks..
Leather too for some...

[Other People s Junk]

Interesting question! 

I'd rather have a used book than a new one- I love the look of old books and even if it's a newer book, if it's gently used I am not afraid to read it.  Not that I abuse my books, but knowing me I could spill something on it or get it wet.  If it's an old book, you can just wipe it off and no one knows the difference!   

Now I can't think of a specific item, but this is why I don't mind things with a few little chips or cracks... I'm not afraid to USE the thing, instead of set it up somewhere and never use it 'cause it could get broken. 

[SecondhandSophisticate]

GB and Alexandra, yes to both.  Oxford shirts, blue jeans, Yeay!  For me:  Good leather handbags and boots (like Italian leather) and belts, motorcycle jackets (if you can ever find a great worn one at a thrift), gloves. Old leather loafers.  Books, too, OTJ, HCs and some PBs (like the pulp-fiction, Sci-Fi from the 50s, for example. And I found a leather-bound edition of the plays of Shakespeare many years ago for .25, which is beautiful (except the print is soooo small)

Old trench coats. Pure cotton sheets.  Old silk lingerie and cotton flannel nighties. Chenille robes. Turkish terrycloth. Old table linens and napkins.

Believe or not, wood furniture, once it has mellowed/aged (I don't mean gouged with a steak knife ) appeals to me much more than new. Like wood flooring and doors and my Hey-Wake desk

I could go on for days, but I'll stop here.

SeSo

[alexandra]

Seso, here is a new vs. worn dilema -- would love to hear your thoughts.

I found a hard copy edition of a small Judith Martin (Ms. Manners) book that had been out of print for some time.  This would make a nice gift for someone I know.  But I am also such a fan of Ms. Manners.  Although the book is out of print in hardcover (the one I found is dated 1985),  I believe now you can find it in soft cover. 

Would you keep it or would you gift it?  It would likely be obvious to the person who received it that it was not purchased new -- but it is in new/excellent condition.  I got it for .49 cents.

Maybe this is a question for Ms. Manners!!!

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[SecondhandSophisticate]

I'm flattered you would ask me, Alexandra.  {{{Blush}}}

My answer is:  "It would depend on A.  If I wanted it for myself and B. The person who I would be giving it to."  If I wanted it for myself, being a big fan of Ms. Manners, I'd keep it.  OTH, if I know the person to whom I'd be gifting it would really, really love and appreciate it and keep it  and love it and nuture it and not care if it's used, then I'd gift it.

What is your intuition telling you to do? 'Cause ultimately, that's where your answer will be.

  ,
SeSo

   

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Hey there, ladies-- I don't wish to intrude on the discussion but ya got me thinking...

It really really depends on the person, because I can see someone taking offense at getting a Miss Manners book thinking you're trying to not-so-subtlely tell them something about their own manners.

If gifting, you really need a recipient who truly "gets" the gift.

[alexandra]

The person in question would probably really like the book -- it's "Common Courtesy, In Which Miss Manners Solves the Problem That Baffled Mr. Jefferson."  The lady in question has a fondness for American presidents...and good manners.

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[SecondhandSophisticate]

TSR---I was hopehopeHOPING you'd get in on "the dish"...I almost invoked your name.  Did you intuit this???

Yes, I do agree personally for me.  I see so many wonderful things in thrifts that I know that someone I know would love, but they might not appreciate the origin.

I know somebody who absolutely hates and despises the fact that I (or anyone else, for that matter) shop at thrifts  Their derision in my presence of my pride and joy in my secondhand bargains was a bit painful to take. (Of course their attitude says a heap about them and really has nothing to do with me); still, they would NEVER appreciate or respect anything that came from one.    And I know other people who wouldn't care, 'cause they'd  love the gift and love the person from whom it came.   and/or would actually think it's groovy to shop at thrifts.

SeSo

[Other People s Junk]

I agree with SeSo and TSR- it totally depends on who it's for.  I am lucky to be able to give thrifted gifts to pretty much everyone I give gifts to.  Actually, that is probably why those people even get gifts from me.   

SeSo- It is hard to understand how anyone cannot appreciate secondhand stuff!  I was trying to think if I knew anyone who wouldn't appreciate it, and I did think of some people.  But you know what?  They would be more than happy to shop in an antique store!  And we all know that stuff is secondhand at best!   

[SecondhandSophisticate]

OPJ---that is exactly right!  If it's a thrift, it's bad, but if it's from some chi-chi antique store (and is horribly over-priced) it's good.

This reminds me of something Jay wrote on the Pyrex thread...that certain designs of Pyrex go up when people see it on Martha Stewart. I'm not saying everybody needs approval from Martha to like a design, but it's been my experience that a lot more folk feel more comfortable if they "get permission" from an "authority figure" to like what they like and be able to admit it.  (No offense to Ms. Stewart, BTW. Just an observation)

Like Rachel Ashwell (sp?) and the whole "Shabby Chic" thing. How many of us lived like that for years and were considered "poor"? But when "Shabby Chic" became "socially acceptable", it was OK to have items that were chipped and damaged...(by someone else, of course, and for a lot of money. (No offense to Ms. Ashwell.)

Shabby Chic for me was known as "Creative Poverty Style/Decor" (my term) long before it hit the shelves at Target. And I'm sure this is the same for many of us on this board. 

I used to think that "someday" I would "grow up" and stop thrifting and buy "real adult" stuff from "real" stores. But I'm a bona-fide member of the AARP and, if anything, I stand more firmly in my thrift passion.   Love what you buy, buy well, buy less is my motto (yup, I made that one up too.)

Ciao, Bellas!
SeSo


 
'

[pop_ pirate]

seso, word! on the worn italian leaher boot  love!
pop pirate 

[Mattie]

I have a battered old globe that has a whole lot more character than a brand new one would have.  It has a hole in the Atlantic Ocean that I've decided is the drain.  When somebody pulls that plug, we're doomed.   

I also like the look of worn jeans and worn leather, but I wouldn't buy an old motorcycle jacket for riding.  As a fashion accessory, sure, but not for riding.  Modern armour is lighter, safer and stronger than it was just a few years ago.  My new AlpineStars jacket has CE certified armour panels throughout, while my 20-year-old black leather jacket only has some extra padding on the elbows.  This is one of those rare cases where new is better!

[Jay2TheRescue]

GB and Alexandra, yes to both.  Oxford shirts, blue jeans, Yeay!  For me:  Good leather handbags and boots (like Italian leather) and belts, motorcycle jackets (if you can ever find a great worn one at a thrift), gloves. Old leather loafers.  Books, too, OTJ, HCs and some PBs (like the pulp-fiction, Sci-Fi from the 50s, for example. And I found a leather-bound edition of the plays of Shakespeare many years ago for .25, which is beautiful (except the print is soooo small)

Old trench coats. Pure cotton sheets.  Old silk lingerie and cotton flannel nighties. Chenille robes. Turkish terrycloth. Old table linens and napkins.

Believe or not, wood furniture, once it has mellowed/aged (I don't mean gouged with a steak knife ) appeals to me much more than new. Like wood flooring and doors and my Hey-Wake desk

I could go on for days, but I'll stop here.

SeSo

I have bought some of the above mentioned items in thrifts!

I have a very nice London Fog trenchcoat with a zip out liner that looked like it was never worn in a thrift for $5.  I bought a vintage black & grey herringbone wool London Fog topcoat for $10 (Then spent $60 @ the Tailor shop putting a new liner in it, but its still soooo worth it because I will have it for many years, and now it is like new.)  I picked up a grey wool London Fog topcoat w/ zip out liner (again, looks like it was never worn) for my roommate for $7.  Two weeks ago I talked my roommate into buying a nice leather motorcycle jacket that looked only very slightly used for $25.  I bought a few french cuff oxfords for under $5/ea and many pieces of vintage furniture, too numerous to recall.  I do not buy used sheets or sleepwear though.  That just seems too creepy to me.  I have never been able to find jeans that fit me in a thrift, because I'm tall and not fat.  It seems every time I find a pair of pants in a thrift that is the right waist size, they are only 29 or 30 in length.  Seems that most people with my waist size are short & fat.

-Jay

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Thinking about what Seso said regarding certain people who are grossed out by the idea of getting something in a thrift... Some of it really is an idea of what a thrift is SUPPOSED to be like in the minds of certain non-visitors-- dirty, smelly, and potentially dangerous.

But one thrift I go to has an almost antique-shop layout. And while we all have seen some pretty strange things at thrifts, we've also had some really good experiences, too.

I actually had started writing about thrifting because I was hoping to change people's impressions of thrift stores. I have tried posting some fairly (to use a SeSo word) "shi-shi" items I've found at thrifts in major decorating forums, just to see the response.

More and more  it's people saying, "Well, our thrift stores around here don't have that kind of thing." I often wonder if it's true, or if they just don't know for sure.

Occasionally, I'll still get the response of, "I would NEVER buy anything at a thrift store. I DONATE to them." As if I've mortally wounded the person by merely suggesting it.

Ah well... Sorry this is sort of off topic. I guess when gifting with thriftage, it's just really important to know the sort of person you're giving things to.

Based on what you said, Alexandra, the book seems to be a fit. So the decision really now is whether you wish to keep if yourself or not. I'm sure you'll make the right decision.