Whenever I enter a thrift store I literally always start with the Menswear section and work myself around to vests and long-sleeve shirts. I don’t really know why I bother though – perhaps out of habit ? Because it’s absurdly rare that I ever find anything of substance in these sections.
Take it from me: As any devotee of the extravagant arts will tell you, the real luxury lies in the section WOMEN’S JACKETS.
The other night, after a crushing defeat on the second floor of Value Village in Capitol Hill, I slumped down the stairs empty handed and a little dejected. I was killing time at the store, waiting around for some friends. But I got bored quickly, because I simply couldn’t find one thing worth even picking off the rack on the entire floor devoted to ‘Men’.
Depressed, I decided to mill about the rows and rows of Women’s garments and lo and behold! – SO MANY JACKPOTS!!!!
Big fan of the striped elbow patches!
SEQUIN SHOULDERS!
Lime green jacket! Although Amber thinks the fringe kills the look, plus she says it’s oversized. But whatever, I’m getting a little tired of having to tell her “Um, excuse me, which one of us runs – arguably – Seattle’s most successful fashion blog ?” Plus, the oversized look kinda reminds me of David Byrne / Talking Heads – you going to tell me those folks aren’t stylish?
I wasn’t the only dude who found something special in the jackets supposedly reserved for ‘Women’. Here’s a picture of Dizzy Giggleflix & Kate – a chic duo walking the same aisles I was in. Dizzy had just found this Celtic inspired trenchcoat and it’s a real gem.
I am now convinced there is no reason to even venture into the Men’s section at thrift stores anymore. It’s always a let down. And this experiment help proves that there are plenty of garments for those who identify as men; in fact, I’m pretty sure that these clothing aisles distinctions between ‘Mens/Women’s’ are really just a way to separate ‘dull, tired, browns/khakis and cargo shorts’ from everything bright, elegant and fucking fantastic!