ThriftStyle: The Ultimate Bargain Shopper's Guide to Smart Fashion

by Allison Engel, Reise Moore, Margaret Engel

A must-have guide for bargain-hunting fashionistas looking to make a statement without sabotaging their budgets.

With this easy-to-use resource, savvy shoppers can cultivate upscale, upcycled wardrobes at thrift and consignment store prices.

Shoppers will learn to navigate the racks of their local consignment shop, spot name brands like Versace, Dior, and Burberry, select the best quality items, and repair secondhand clothes that need some love. Photo-filled chapters on thrifted handbags, jewelry, scarves, and other accessories show what's available and give tips for distinguishing quality items from fakes. Interviews with expert tailors, dry cleaners, shoe repair wizards, and fabric-dyeing professionals explain what makes a damaged piece of clothing worth renovating. Before-and-after photos show what can be done to refashion less-than-perfect finds.

Genres: Nonfiction, Fashion

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2017

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has most of the information a new or intermediate thrift-shopper needs, including a section on embellishing and upcycling. I'd read a similar book years ago so I just browsed this, and I still learned quite a bit. The writing is engaging, and models vary in ethnicity, though unfortunately not much in size.

I did find one comment laughable--the authors noted twice that many people donate clothes because they've lost weight. I most often donate because I've gained and I'm sure more people do for that reason than for losing weight!

[Denise Spicer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers thrifting (clothes, shoes, accessories) in general with advice on how to have garments, etc. professionally repaired. Vintage, Special Occasion, and of course, Upcycling (adding your own touch, embellishments, etc.), how to “Find Your Style”, and advice on what to look for. Interesting advice, tips and resources with lots of color photos but, since these primarily highlight the authors’ own aesthetics; they may not be appealing to everyone.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good resource with lots of helpful photos and tips. I learned some smarter ways to shop thrifts; it inspired me to be more conscious of what I decide to purchase new/retail vs. secondhand.

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it undoubtedly contains a lot of information, I have a tough time deciding who the audience is. Veteran thrifters will know all this already, and beginners will be overwhelmed. I can agree with almost everything the book puts forth but still wonder why I read it.

[Terri Durling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of thrifting and have been doing it for years. I am also a fashion blogger and one of my platforms is on sustainability. This book is American and so most of it is focused on the many wonderful resale, vintage and consignment stores all over the country. I am Canadian and so we do not have as many sustainable resources and especially in eastern Canada where I live. However, it is still a good book that is very helpful to anyone looking to improve their thrifting techniques. The book has lot of pictures but many of them are very small and hard to see. I am a big advocate for thrift style but I didn’t really learn anything new in this book. It is just as they say - there are good days where you find a treasure and there are days that you find nothing. However, the thrill of the hunt is worth it all. There is a lot of information on designers and their diffusion brands and I did find that somewhat helpful. I often thrift as a release and I agree with Joyce Sobczyk about the psychology of thrifting - when you are buying items at such a low price, if it helps you deal with trauma, depression or loss, then go for it. Yes, it’s only a temporary release but if it helps lift your spirits even for a short period of time, it is a small price to pay at the end of the day and you may find that treasure which is sure to brighten the day.

[Megan Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really helpful book if you want to find quality items of clothing in thrift stores. It talks about what to look for to determine quality and the fun that can be found in thrift shopping.

I have enjoyed shopping in thrift stores and have found some of my favorite clothing items in them. This book gave me some things to consider while shopping.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great primer on how to thrift. It has tips on places to go, items to look for, and when to buy and when to pass. I especially appreciated the chapter on quality and how to spot it. While there are many outfits pictured, this is not a style guide, but a shopping guide.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Most of this is common sense, but it has some good information for a new thrift shopper.

[Cassandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not any new information if you've ever thrifted before.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this book up mostly for the section on how to modify and enhance clothing, and was not disappointed! So many good ideas here...

[Margaret Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I was not the audience this book was written for, there were good sources sited.

[Christopher Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book! It has really changed my life when it comes to how I dress!

[Beth Pronger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chock full of great advice and so many great thrifted outfits and resources!

[Dianne Gow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas but more fore thrifting in USA

[Devon Sligh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspires me to modify the clothing I find but that's about all I got from this.

[Lynnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable with lots of great information

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book you must read if you would like to know all things about thrifting and how to find a good deal! A lot of information and wonderful pictures of outfits and accessories found from thrift stores across the united states!