I swung by Gramercy’s Goodwill earlier today on a tip from reader Donna, who suggested I check out their five dollar denim sale. Donna wins the Karma award for the day. I’m not sure how long said sale’s been going on, but there’s still a solid selection of brands left. Case(s) in point:
Blue Cult, Miss Sixty, AGs, Sevens, Citizens, Levi’s – all on the five dollar rack. Can I get an EFFING AWESOME?! Don’t get duped by the small rack of denim up front; it’s just a teaser. Head to the back for the full inventory of uber cheap jeans.
I obvs bought a pair, but we’ll get to that later. The more pressing matter at hand is the store’s high-end designer handbag selection. Ho.Ly. Shit.
What I saw in the window display prompted a cartoon-esque double take on my behalf. I’m reading a text, re-organizing my tote, listening to Phoenix, walking/trying not to trip up the steps, almost through the door when BAM!
My extrasensory sartorial awareness alerts me to a stunning, Louis Vuitton bag a mere foot away. I reach for it, but the glass separates us. Sad. (I’m not even that into LV, as the extent to which the brand plasters its name all over its merch screams Eurotrash, but this bag broke the mold. Or maybe I’m Eurotrash. Whatever – I heart this bag.)
When it comes to selling window display items in advance of their For Sale date, Goodwill is nothing short of militant. The organization is so committed to keeping its best and brightest on display for an entire week that they refuse to price it until after its tenure. None of the staffers would even give me a ballpark figure as to what the LV might cost. Jackholes, all.
The LV and all the below will be available for sale this Saturday. I’ll be at a wedding in Vermont, so you won’t have to catfight me for the goods – they’re yours for the taking. (If those venturing to the store could keep me posted on the price points, I’d be much obliged, as I’m dying to know what Goodwill thinks they can get away with.)
Tons of Coach; Another Louie.
From left: Dior tote, something subpar and red, random topsider, LV wallet w/ cherries. And I don’t know who makes that whimsical little bugger in front, but I want it.
Could it be?! Yup. That’s a real, live, leather Prada. At effing Goodwill.
Viva la Thrift.
Wow, those are some fancy goods for a Goodwill! Do you think they’re authentic though?
Anyway, I greatly admire your thrifting prowess. My local Goodwill seems only to smell of mothballs and failure, but I probably lack your determination to keep digging to find that special score hidden beneath it all
September 30th, 2009 - 6:38 PMWow, great goods! I think that little metal cylinder shaped purse is by LittleEarth. She makes fun bags out of license plates, enameled steel and hub caps.
September 30th, 2009 - 10:57 PMAwesome tip! BTW – anyone noticed that Goodwill Chelsea upped their prices a couple weeks ago? Their jeans used to start at 7.99, now they start 9.99.
September 30th, 2009 - 11:53 PMYeah, 99% sure that the damier azur tote is fake. LV does not make that style… closest to it is the Sistina but there is a definite structural distinction.
October 1st, 2009 - 1:34 AMI miss thrifting in NYC
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Hello from Jakarta, Indonesia! I love your articles and one day I hope you get to shop in Indonesia as well. I would love to see what you think about shopping on the cheap here
Whenever I miss NYC, i go to your blog. So thank you for being out there.
October 1st, 2009 - 1:49 AMThat little bag in the front is from Little Earth. So sad I don’t live in New York, because I lust after them everytime I see one! They’re just too effing expensive retail. . . Sigh.
October 1st, 2009 - 11:26 AMSpeaking of Phoenix, their show at Rumsfy Playfield Saturday was the best place to style-watch! I wanted everyone’s outfits I saw! Great fashion choices= great music taste as well? Your thoughts?
October 1st, 2009 - 2:35 PMI die! The prada bag, well, I may not like that colour much, but I would never carry anything else.
October 1st, 2009 - 10:25 PMSometimes the bags are real but more often than not they are fake–and Goodwill can’t seem to tell so they don’t differentiate in price
October 2nd, 2009 - 8:14 PMThose LV’s are in fact fake. The Azur doesn’t exist as stated above, and the other is a fake of the ready to wear that aren’t in their regular line! Fakes are bad
October 3rd, 2009 - 11:30 AMAwesome jeans and great blog though!