I just saw an article in a popular Bandra newspaper about a yard sale. I did a double take and made sure my glasses were on my face.
Are Indians open to buying secondhand goods? Is vintage now cool in India?
That’s a new one!
Of course, as I read on, I realized the event was spearheaded by my alma mater, St.Xavier’s College!
I am a proud Xavierite! My college is known for high achievers and innovators!
So proud they would be the ones to introduce this concept of secondhand to India.
Thrifting because I like it
I, unlike many in my hometown, have always liked thrifting. I have thrifted since the early nineties.
First out of necessity as a poor student. Then I caught the thrifting bug.
I can honestly say that before the world got on the eco-friendly-save-the-planet bandwagon, I was driving it.
There is nothing like finding that DVF (Diane Von Furstenberg) dress for $4 at Goodwill.
In fact, thrifting has spoiled me so much that I refuse to pay full retail for anything.
And believe me, I do like fancy things. Just not the hefty price tag.
Madame Sha Sha vs Fashion Street
I realized hefty price tags did not necessarily mean style quite early on in life.
Growing up in Bandra, I was a bit of a snob. I shopped only at certain places, and had mostly bespoke clothing created by some talented seamstresses in my neighborhood.
But I had good friends who kept my feet planted firmly on the ground every time I started to rise up.
They introduced me to buying good stuff cheaply.
In those days India did not have a huge market of readymade goods.
So, unless your family traveled overseas often it was impossible to get good clothing unless you had it tailored.
In my first year of college, my mom found a lady in a wealthy part of town, Pedder Road, who made custom clothes. I was promptly taken to her to get a wardrobe of suitable clothes for college.
I remember the green silk pantsuit, the red, black, and white dress, the white blouse with a handpainted flower, etc.
I wonder where they went? I hope they are in someone else’s wardrobe now and not in some landfill.
Then, I discovered Fashion Street and the mounds of export rejects and surplus!
Clothes once bound for Europe and America are sitting forlornly in piles!
What?! I can buy those for half the price of Sha Sha.
Sha Sha was dumped unceremoniously for my street-smart wear!
And, thus began my lifelong love for last year’s hits, rejects, and secondhand stuff!
Bring Goodwill to Goodwill
When I came to America in the nineties, I quickly realized that my Flight Attendant funds would run out fast as a college student who could not work—illegally, that is.
I had to wait until my work papers came through.
And so it was through the years when I had no income, that I learned how to be thrifty.
No more being a spoiled Bandra brat!
Learning the ropes
A beautiful lady who let me stay in her home for a bit would hand me clothes from time to time.
I soon found out she would go to secondhand stores and pick out the most amazing jackets, skirts, and dresses for a few dollars.
In fact, she dressed me so well, that a man sitting next to me at a fundraiser asked if I was an investor.
He remarked that I dressed like a millionaire.
I let him in on my little secret.
I remember visiting thrift stores with my friend who thrifted, and I was hooked!
I also found a couple of friends who had spent time in Europe and who had an ‘eye’ for designer clothes that lurked among the racks at these thrift stores.
My training was held as we shopped.
And what a fun time learning to pick out superb items at a fraction of the cost.
I still have some jackets, mink coats, and DVF dresses from those days!
The Thrift Hack
Some years ago, when I moved to Seattle, I decided to sell my thrifted finds on eBay.
I wanted to be home with my little baby and was looking for extra gigs besides language and culture consulting.
It started off with selling any clothing that did not fit me anymore.
Then, I would go to the bins, thrift stores, and consignment stores in the arts district of Tacoma.
This time, it was different. I could not shop for clothes for some reason.
Something had changed after my baby was born. I felt nauseous entering the Goodwill.
So, I turned to selling home decor, antiques, art, and jewelry.
I found these at yard sales and auctions.
Yard sailing became my newfound passion!
I would finish my work day and rush out with the baby in tow to the stores.
Or go early in the morning to the yard sales.
Return home, clean the stuff off, and list it on eBay.
I discovered pure joy just to hear that ‘ka-ching’ sound on my phone when something sold!
Someone actually liked my stuff?
I even decorated my homes, no matter where we moved, with found stuff.
Thrifting is Therapeutic
Over the years, I have had a few eBay and Etsy stores and sold on marketplaces.
I still do, as it fulfills my love for thrifting.
Now, I have taught my kid to thrift, and she has two stores online selling clothes from the nineties and Y2K.
What?! Those are clothes that I wore not so long ago!
I still love the thrill of the hunt and have discovered many ways to keep it exciting.
But now I love restoring damaged goods to give them a new life!
Thrifting has turned into a therapy session now. I go out at least twice a week with my kids!
It is our opportunity to spend time together doing what we love! I cannot think of a better way to spend my day!
In my next post, I will display some memorable finds through the years.
Do you thrift? What are some of your memorable finds? Comment below!
