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Nifty Thrifty

Monkey Whistles, Motorbikes, Crazypants

Beacon’s, beware - there’s a new kid in town, and her employees are nicer than yours. She’s Monkey Whistles & Motorbikes, and she’s got really awesome shorts.

I stopped by this new-ish thrift store a few days ago and was uber-impressed. MWMB’s selection isn’t as varied as Beacon’s, but their offerings are handpicked by owner Suzette Sundae who, at age seventeen - in lieu of shopping with her parents’ moolah like most of us brats - opened her first vintage shop. She’s got an appreciation for thrift sans attitude, and keeps her prices low so we can enjoy it too.

Now, I’m well aware that these shorts are kind of nuts. They’re not overly flattering and potentially beg the question, “Um, why?” But the high-waist and side buckles make them unlike anything I own, so I figured I’d give them a whirl.

When I need an honest opinion on a risky piece of clothing, I rely on strangers, not friends. By strangers, I mean girls who work in retail. I wore these shorts on my jaunt to LFS, and was approached by two fabulously dressed employees re: their origin. “Those are so. freaking. cool.” “Where can I get a pair?”, etc.

Say what you will about them: To me, they’ve passed their litmus test.

Nifty Thrifty

Seasonal, Schmeasonal

For me, shopping’s all about instant gratification; nothing kills a consumer’s buzz like the buy-it-now, wear-it-later factor. When I first saw these black-and-purple-suede, over-the-knee boots at Monkey Whistles and Motorbikes (my latest Brooklyn thrift obsession), I immediately tried them on. The fit and the price were right, but I couldn’t possibly get away with suede boots in June, and couldn’t bear the agony of buying them now and waiting until Fall to wear them. So I petted them affectionately, said goodbye, and vowed to find a pair like them in a few months. Then I realized that I’m lucky enough to live in a city where originality continually trumps practicality, a place where you can wear whatever you want, whenever you want with one stipulation: Just make it look cool. And these boots were pretty effing cool.

It’s tough to find quality suede, over-the-knee boots for less than $100. Alas, mine were $58 (don’t hate). I wore them out with an American Apparel Navy Minidress and a silver headband - very mod indeed. If anyone has doubts about the In factor of these boots (believe me, I did), see their designer counterpart i.e. the Prada Suede Color Block Boot (not in stores yet, but can be easily pre-ordered for the equivalent of three rent checks!). I win.