Thrift Tip: Sammy D shares some even thriftier tips

Sammy in action during a visit to Georgetown

You may think that by shopping in a thrift store, you can't possibly save any more money. Right? Wrong. Our dear friend in fashion Sammy D has a great post about how to save even more when you're shopping in your favorite thrift stores. One key point: Don't shop for the sake of buying. An effective thrifter must have a mission and stick to it.

Check it out!

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Thrift Tip: Yard Sale Yields

Fave fashion blogger Sammy Davis is now lending a hand at Lemondrop, where she recently contributed a post about how to successfully shop a yard sale.  Not only does she offer tips, but she offers some valuable "don'ts"—for example, skip the bedding.

Her best tip of the piece (if you ask us):

Gold Find Tip #4: Shop the Wealthiest Neighborhood One Town Over
I admit, it's a bit embarrassing to hit up a local yard sale only to awkwardly discover that you're looking through stuff from your elementary school teacher's attic. The solution? Drive 20 minutes to the nearest town (not to mention school district) over to avoid run-ins with the townies. The even-better solution? Choose a wealthy neighborhood. Yard sales are like trick-or-treating: Go to the big houses, and you'll get the big sweets.

Incidentally, while reading the July issue of Real Simple magazine, I came across a brief list of tips for shopping yard sales.  I guess it is that time of year!  Real Simple advises befriending sellers that you see often, or at least chatting up those you don't.  Friendliness can go a long way, and repeat visits can earn you a soft spot in a seller's heart.  In addition, they gently remind us not to scoff at imperfect pieces that may be priced too high for our tastes.  Insulting the seller never works, so instead simply tell them what price you're willing to pay and ask if that would be suitable to them.  Don't start too low, but don't be afraid to haggle—nicely.

Trust me, most sellers want to actually SELL and would rather let something go for a lower price than have it not go at all.

I've been avoiding yard sales since I hosted my own on Memorial Day weekend.  What about you?  Any good finds lately?

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You're Invited: Style and Purpose with Sammy D Vintage and Pink Brick House

Frequent readers will recall mentions of Sammy D Vintage in New York. Sammy does vintage as a full-time gig, and I often pause to consider both how lucky she is to be able to do so, and how awesome she is for persisting and growing her brand. She's back at it this weekend with Style and Purpose, and event that will offer NYC's women a chance to connect with each other while supporting two girl-power brands.

On Saturday, Sammy teams up with Pink Brick House, a media agency launched less than a year ago by Kristen Dolle and Jasmine Wahi. We sat down with Sammy, Kristen, and Jasmine (virtually, if you'll pardon the distance) to ask some questions about the event, the brands, and how vintage can--dare we say it?--change the world.

“Style and Purpose”

Saturday, June 19, 2010

2-7pm

156 2nd Ave, Apt 6B

(entrance on 10th st)

After the jump, our questions for the ladies and some pictures to give you an idea of the selection for the event!

The Find: Mom's Closet

My mom came to visit last month, and as she gazed at the vintage goodies hanging from my rowing machine, she mumbled something about letting me take things from her closet the next time I was home. I didn't even have to use any of Sammy D's tips for raiding a family member's wardrobe!

One weekend later, I jumped into the catch-all family closet.  Our hall closet has everything from my sister's prom dress to old Girl Scout handbooks.  It's a pretty eclectic place.

I pretty much grabbed everything except the beloved fuschia prom dress and brought it back to DC for evaluation.  In the stock were my mom's prom dress, her wedding dress (Not white or traditional at all, sorry wedding enthusiasts), and a variety of dressing belonging to either my sister or my mom.

I immediately wore this green maxi dress to work, and got heaps of compliments throughout the day.  I don't usually take photos in the office bathroom, but it was the best full-length option I had going for me that day.

I have not done the proper research, so while I suspect my mom might have made this dress in the '70s, I can't guarantee that.  All I know is that I am even more of a spitting image of my mother when I'm wearing some of her clothing that fits like it was made for me.  Family ties, I guess!

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Field Trip: Second Time Around

3289 M Street NW
Washington, DC‎ 20007
(202) 333-2355‎
www.secondtimearound.net


Consignment: Yes
Vintage: Some
Local Designers: No

Sammy and I dressed for two different seasons.
She was right.  It was warm.

Last weekend was a very special one as our fellow Pennsylvanian Sammy was in DC!  After having a fantastic time as a beautiful bridesmaid, she spent Sunday afternoon traipsing around Georgetown with yours truly.  After a nice lunch at Pizzeria Paradiso, we went across the street to Second Time Around.  


You'll remember that we stopped into another one of Second Time Around's many northeastern locations while visiting Boston earlier in the month.  But while Newbury Street and M Street cater to the same crowd, we were more excited about the selection in Georgetown.  


We were pleased to find a vintage-specific rack right inside the door as we entered.  It was a matter of minutes before Sammy found a delightful violet dress and couldn't resist the urge to try it on.


While she was in the fitting room, I bee-lined for the 70-percent-off racks.  If you're looking for separates or sets to add to your 9-to-5 wardrobe, those racks are a great place to start.  There were great discounts throughout the rest of the store as well, thanks to the trusty colored-tag system usually seen thrift stores.  


Sammy hemmed and hawed over whether to splurge on the dress for her own growing vintage wardrobe, but seeing our reaction and that of the sales associates, she knew she had to jump on it. All in all, the splurge cost her less than $30. 


If you're in the neighborhood, I say stick to the discount racks and tags at Second Time Around to score yourself a designer bargain.  


While we were in the neighborhood, we popped into Annie Creamcheese so Sammy could feast her eyes on all the amazing vintage goods.  It has come to light that Sammy has a weakness for hats, and we loved a pink one, be-flowered and ready for a day in town.  We all tried it on.  It was a popular hat.


More photos from our shopping trip and stroll on the Georgetown Waterfront, after the jump.


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The Find: The Gift of Vintage

This weekend, we finally met vintage queen Sammy D in the flesh!  More photos from our little adventure soon, but for now, to highlight a beautiful gift she brought for me!

On-the-spot Twitpic until I can upload a better photo!

Sammy picked up a few of these fantastic belts when she got to raid the closet of a former Eastern Shore resident.  She knows we're a sucker for all things nautical, and who wouldn't love having these whales to keep them company?  The thin red belt is adjustable and I can't wait to wear it with navy blue this summer.  Sammy herself was wearing a similar belt with a crab buckle.  We are nautical belt twins!

Thanks Sammy!  I love it!

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Reminder: Sammy D's Birthday Benefit is THIS Weekend!

Photo from http://www.sammydvintage.com/

If you're in New York this weekend, stop by Sammy D's Vintage Lovin' Birthday Benefit Sale! Try on some vintage, help sponsor a young woman's education in Haiti, and meet this lovely lady in yellow!

Need I say more?

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New Yorkers: You're Invited

We've been chatting with Sammy of Sammy Davis Vintage a lot lately, and the two of us have a few tricks up our sleeve that we'll be thrilled to share with you soon.

Until then, our Northern friends can save the date for the SDV Vintage Lovin' Birthday Benefit Sale.  Here's the rundown on the event, held with She's the First:

On Sunday, April 18th from 2:00PM to 7:00PM at 144 West 86th Street Apt. 2B, Sammy Davis Vintage & She’s the First combine forces to present the SDV Vintage Lovin’ Birthday Benefit Sale. 

What is a birthday benefit sale, exactly? Allow us to explain in five key words:

BENEFIT: $200 of proceeds will fund one year of education for a high school or vocational female student through the Haiti Outreach Program.

BIRTHDAY: Enjoy complimentary cupcakes and donated wine from sponsor Robert Mondavi Wineryof Napa Valley to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Sammy Davis Vintage, founded April 2009.

SALE: Get your shopping on with vintage clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and an array of accessories spanning the '60s to '90s for one-of-a-kind pieces suited to all styles. Also, expect a small collection of high-end consignment pieces and fine jewelry.

VINTAGE LOVIN’: Support vintage fashion as a sustainable alternative and eco-conscious enhancement to your wardrobe, while enjoying the debut of the Sammy Davis Vintage spring & summer collection. 

EVENT: Expect to mingle and network with fun, friendly, fabulous girls of style and substance!

Expect plenty of seating and space to socialize, along with changing areas, mirrors, and personal style assistants! Special thanks to the Wagner family for donating space, and to Stephanie Cain for sponsorship recruitment.

Please forward to a friend, a colleague, or a fellow fashionista – we look forward to seeing you on April 18th! 

Check out the Facebook invite, too.  Congratulations to Sammy for her blogiversary, and kudos for teaming up with a great cause to help celebrate!

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Thrift Tip: Sammy D Shows you the Ropes

Stylecaster just posted an interview with vintage maven and Quarter Life fave Sammy D and we're loving these tips. Even the most experienced of thrifters can use Sammy's reminders to check the condition and quality of items as you prowl through secondhand stores.

Tip #5 is my favorite, as I've recently started looking for union tags in the vintage pieces I pick up for the Quarter Life Closet and upcoming pop-up shop (you saw right!):

5. Find its vintage scorecard
Search for a union card, which would be found attached to the inside seam. A union tag is proof that the piece was produced and supported by a clothing union, which existed in the U.S. before the overseas boom of clothing production began in the mid-80s. Union tags are usually square and about ½ inch by ½ inch; red, white, and blue; and state the name of the union (i.e. “The Ladies Garment Workers Union” and “Made in U.S.A.”). If you find a union tag, you’ve definitely scored a vintage piece-- which by definition is at least 20 years old. It’s like having a timestamp on your clothing!

More details on the pop-up shop when the dates get confirmed. Until now, check out the awesome tips and photos that Sammy D and Janice Chou at Stylecaster have to offer!

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