Perhaps in reaction to fast-paced mass market fashion, the truly stylish desire items that have a unique provenance and distinctive patina. Luckily, for the budget conscious – and the planet – thrift, vintage and recycled gifts can be a more stylish alternative to mainstream options.
Here are 5 gift ideas that are easy to find in thrift and vintage stores:
Vintage Sunglasses: With the trend for retro-style frames showing no sign of dimming, vintage sunglasses are easy to find in thrift stores and make an inexpensive gift. Cat eye shapes are super hot this season. Pop into a simple home-sewn envelope and you have the perfect present for a teenager or fashion lover.
Costume Jewelry: A great way to accent a basic look, costume jewelry is a style seeker’s best friend. Brightly colored strands of beads, 70’s style medallions and vintage charm bracelets make fantastic gifts.
Textiles: The taste for modern, eclectic interiors includes collections of contrasting multi patterned, brightly colored textiles. Thrift and vintage stores are great places to find vintage throws, tapestries and cushion covers that make great gifts for the home decorators in your life.
China: Thrift stores are full of old teacups and incomplete dining ware sets. Look for a pretty china teacup and saucer and add a Hyacinths bulb (or crocus and narcissi) to pebbles and water for a great hostess gift.
Silk Scarves: While clothing choices are personal and best left to the wearer to pick out, accessories like silk scarves are inexpensive and fit everyone. Secondhand clothing stores are a great source for brightly colored scarves that jazz up an outfit.
About our Guest Blog Author today:
Fashion: All style and no… substance? It may take a special kind of perspective to take such issue with that term but it’s one that London-born copywriter, marketer and self described “fashion maniac” Rowena Ritchie proudly claims to bring to light in her role as EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Editor. Her work behind the scenes for a San Francisco-based fashion organization ignited her passion for supporting local design talent and promoting the need for more sustainable industry practices. Craving more design-rich recycled and cruelty free fashion, Ritchie says: “I love the diversity and unexpected contrasts you can find between clothing items that have completely different styles and origins.” Originally trained as a clothing designer, Rowena’s writing reveals her insight into the design process and a keen eye for interpreting fashion’s visual vernacular. An avid thrift store rummager and collector of vintage clothes and jewelry, Ritchie lives with her husband and dog in San Francisco.
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