ReStyle issue no. 1

issue no. 1

october / november

The Coat That Came Back Home Sometimes things aren’t really gone forever.

LIFE OF A THRIFTER Q&A with Cameron Reel

ULTIMATE THRIFTING

Tips from professional thrifters, Dina & Shannon

HOW DOES ONE THRIFT?

Beginners guide to the world of thrifting

MOTHER KNOWS BEST Mom jeans are back, and we are loving it.

Letter from the

Editor I grew up thrifting most of my life and it is crazy to see how popular it has become. It used to be embarrassing when someone would ask me where my clothes were from because most of the time they were thrifted.

Growing up, thrifting was definitely more looked down on and seen as a negative thing to do. Now, I like it when people ask me where my clothes are f rom because most of the time they’re thrifted and I get to share the story that comes along with that.

Thrifting has become trendy lately and with good reason. Purchasing every new brand right as it comes out just because it’s considered “in style” feels ridiculous now. These clothes are often way overpriced for their quality, and then you’re stuck wearing the same pieces as everyone else. At a thrift store, however, there’s more of a thrill as you search for that perfect item–it won’t just be waiting for you on a sales rack.

It is my goal for this magazine to inspire people to get creative with their clothes and have a little fun while they’re at it.

My favorite part about thrifting is the experience. Your finds are more unique (and affordable) and sometimes it even feels like each piece of clothing has its own story from the previous wearer. Plus, my personal style fits in well with the thrifting scene. I have an entire collection of sweaters that look like they came straight f rom my grandpa’s closet (two of them actually did, come to think of it) and I love that that’s a current trend.

I especially love thrifting with friends. It is a great way to really get to know someone’s style and expand your own. My friend Cameron Reel is an excellent thrifter: if thrifting had an option to “go pro,” well, Cameron would be there. His style portrays his unique personality and shows just how creative you can get with shopping second-hand.

Madi Kristeen

Editor:

Graphic Designer:

Madi Kristeen

Madi Kristeen

Photography:

Copywriter:

Madi Kristeen

Madi Kristeen

Derick Mckinney Duy Hoang

Copy Editor:

Jason Leung

Abby Hansen

K8 Maksim Larin Taisiia Shestopal Ting 2

CONTENTS 6

What’s the Deal With Mom Jeans?

Mom jeans are finally back

Skinny jeans are out, and mom jeans are back in

8 Life of a Thrifter Q&A with Cameron Reel

Tips and stories from his own personal experiences

12 18

How Does One Thrift?

Tips on thrifting

Beginners guide to the world of thrifting

Ultimate Thrifting

Tips from professional thrifters The only thrifting tip you’ll need to know from "Allow Us to Rethriftroduce Ourselves"

14 The Coat That Came Back Home Crazy thrift store finds

Janet Perry gets reunited with her favorite coat from her father.

oct. - nov. // 2021

3

Photo

1

4

1: by madi krsteen

2: madi krsteen

3: derick mckinney

4: duy hoang

2

3

4

oct. - nov. // 2021

5

Mother Knows Best Mom Jeans are back, and we are loving it.

1

B

ack in the early 2000s, when low-waisted skinny jeans were all the craze, everybody swore off the baggy jeans of the previous century, stashing them away in dark corners of their closets, never to be touched again. Well, we spoke too soon on that one. High-waisted jeans are back in style and all the rage. Mom jeans, as they are affectionately called, look great on everyone and are the perfect go-to jean. Throw on a t-shirt and sneakers for a casual look, or dress them up with a pink blazer and some heels for a night on the town.

Not only are these jeans trendy and versatile, but they’re comfortable too.

Once you find that perfect pair, you’ll never want

6

to take them off.

Where does one possibly find a pair of these magical pants, one might ask? Thrift stores are the way to go.

Sure, you could get a pair of mom jeans at any name brand clothing store, but for the price of one name brand pair of jeans you could find four pairs second-hand. Stretching your dollar doesn’t mean your pants have to be stretched-out: thrift stores often have hidden gems of high quality items. Mother knows best, and mom jeans have proven her right once again. So why not hit up your f riendly neighborhood thrift store to buy yourself a fine article of clothing for a f raction of the cost.

1: by jason leung

2: K8

3: jason leung

2

3

A Creative Way to Upgrade Your Wardrobe Buying your clothes from thrift stores help you be more creative with creating your own unique look. And lucky for you, vintage clothing is in and thrift stores are full of that. You will appreciate each piece of clothing much more because each one is one-of-a-kind. It is so exciting fun to find something old and make it new again; whether it’s by pairing it with some kind accessory or even by transforming it into something completely different. The creative possibilities are endless when it comes to thrifting.

oct. - nov. // 2021

7

Life of a Thrifter Q&A with my good friend Cameron Reel where he shares a few tips and stories from his own personal experiences with shopping at thrift stores. Thrift store shopping has helped him find his own unique style, while saving a ton of money while he’s at it.

Interviewed by Madi Kristeen

What made you want to get into thrifting?

Honestly I was just raised thrifting stuff. My parents always shopped at thrift stores cause we’re cheap; that’s the bottom-line answer. We conserve our funds. It’s super easy to do and it’s something I’ve always done as a kid. Part of it is the adventure too. Finding that gem like a jacket or a shirt or something and when you find it, it’s like “wow this thing is sick and I found it for twenty-five cents” – it’s incredible.

8

oct. - nov. // 2021

9

10

When you go to a thrift store, are you looking for something in particular?

right after Halloween, so I try to go and snag some. The best time to go thrifting, end of a season. If you’re interested in buying snow stuff, you want to go buy that stuff I try to because if I don’t I’m going to come out with a lot in the middle of winter or the end of winter. You’re not of stuff. I’ve been looking for this jacket recently that has going to use that stuff that winter, but you’ll have it for these tassels coming down from it. Think like motorcycle next winter. Same with summer stuff, the best time to or like a Native American style. I have been looking for buy summer stuff is in winter. Even though there’s not this for ages and every time I go to a thrift store I have that much variety, it’s not in high demand. to check to see. I don’t even know where it would be.

Would it be with jackets? Would it be with the blazers?

Do you like to thrift alone, or do you like to I don’t even know. One day I’m going to find it, I will. I’m thrift in groups? actually really mad cause I met this guy once who had If I’m looking for something particular, I like to thrift the jacket. So, I was like “Dude where did you get that?” alone. If I’m going to browse I would much rather and he said “My dad actually found it at a thrift store. thrift in a group. But if I’m only looking for like one thing Well technically he didn’t get it at a thrift store, he was dropping stuff off at the donation area and it was sitting I would much rather go alone and zone in and stick in my headphones while I’m looking for that one thing. there with other donation stuff, so he picked it up.” That A lot of times I don’t even go looking for something. could have been mine! Like for real! I was so mad, but Which is a toxic thing to do because then you just buy good for him, he found it, he got a good deal. But yeah stuff you don’t necessarily need. But it is really cheap. searching and hunting is half of the fun of thrifting.

I just bought a coffee table actually; it’s been very useful for my apartment. I got the coffee table for five bucks.

What is your favorite thing you have If you’re at a thrift store and you see a thing and you’re found thrifting? like, “I want that, I think I should get it.” But then you’re I don’t know. I’ve found like, “Ah no, I shouldn’t some solid stuff. Like today, maybe I will these parachute pants see it another time.” one time. I’ve found a You’re not going to see lot of really cool accesit another time. Buy sories like stuff for my it right now because fish tank, and I found chances are you are this really solid ten-galgoing to come back the lon fish tank for like next day, or even later four bucks one time. that day and it is gone My sister actually found because someone a snowboard. We went else already snagged thrifting in Colorado it. Cause that’s the when we were on vacarisk of it. tion and she found a snowboard for like twelve bucks.

It’s different for everybody. I feel like just going to a thrift What thrift stores would you store and actually finding something you were looking recommend going to? for is probably the greatest thing you can find at a thrift I highly recommend going to local thrift stores rather store. than corporate thrift stores. Corporate thrift stores being Goodwill, Salvation Army, stuff like that. I like more Who or what inspires your style choices? local thrift stores because there’s more of a community Well, myself. Just going to a thrift store and finding aspect to it and usually they’re nonprofits. For instance, things that I’m like, “huh, that would be kind of unique.” corporate thrift stores focus on making a profit. For I don’t really know if there’s any one specifically. Just instance, Goodwill when I was a kid used to be so cheap, like think, 90’s dad. Every 90’s sit-com era dad inspires and so nice. But now, when I go there, it’s kind of expenmy thrift style. sive. I don’t know if that is because they are trying to make more of a profit, or if it’s because thrifting has When’s the best time to go thrifting? become more of a popular thing. But local thrift stores The best time to go thrifting year-wise is January. have more of a community, you are usually going to find January to February, best time. Because everybody is better stuff there, it might not be as organized, but you getting rid of stuff for Christmas because they just got will probably find better finds. ■ a bunch of new stuff. I really try to go November and December because I really like Halloween costumes and people usually try to get rid of their Halloween costumes

“Every 90’s sit-com era dad inspires my thrift style”

oct. - nov. // 2021

11

How Does One Thrift?

Written by: Madi Kristeen

What do you do when you finally go to a thrift store? Where do you even begin? How do you even know what to lookout for? For someone who is new to the whole thrifting scene the racks of color-coded clothing and piles of old paintings can seem overwhelming. But fear not, we’ve got you covered. Even if you have experience with shopping at thrift stores, this guide could help you to shop in a more organized way.

1

Before even beginning your thrifting adventure, you’ll want to first find out where your nearest thrift stores are. Make sure to look at their hours of operation so you can avoid arriving there and the store is closed.

Most thrift stores support local charities. If you’re really into saving animals, for example, consider supporting a thrift store that donates to the local animal shelter. It’s nice to know where your money is actually going.

2

What are you even looking for? Make a list of what types of items you are wanting.

You may not always find those things every time, but it is good to create a plan of what you want so that you don’t end up buying things you don’t really need or staying for far too long.

Once you have an idea of what you want, it makes it easier to figure out how to navigate the store once you arrive. Looking for a really neat sweater?

Then start out in the clothing section and find the rack with all the sweaters. Shoes? You guessed it, go to the shoes.

3

One thing that could really help with figuring out what to look out for is looking through social media like Pinterest or Instagram, and even this magazine you are holding for fashion inspiration.

12

4

How do you decide if you should spend your pinched pennies on something? Try asking these questions: “how happy does it make you? Is it something you’ve been really wanting?

Is it affordable for what it is?” Answering questions like these can help you determine whether or not you should purchase the treasure you’ve found.

Just because something is cheap doesn’t mean you should get it.

5

Save a little extra dough by checking if items are on sale. Usually thrift stores will have certain color tags on sale each week, or certain types of items like shirts, books, or shoes.

When I enter a thrift store, my go-to place is the men’s sweaters and jackets. There is just something about an oversized sweater that looks like it came f rom my grandpa’s closet that just feels right.

I almost always find a sweater I like, but I don’t always get them. If I don’t get a sweater, it’s usually because the price is more than I want to spend, there’s a stain or mark on the sweater, or it doesn’t make me say “I need this.” This thought process could go with anything you find at a thrift store, not just grandpa sweaters.

Cheaper Than Buying New Clothing Brand new clothing can be ridiculously expensive.

Most thrift stores you can buy at least five things with $20, while at regular clothing stores $20 can maybe get you one t-shirt. You would be amazed at how much money you can save just by shopping at thrift stores. The feeling you’ll get when you find that sweet bomber jacket for only $10 as opposed to the retail price of around $80 is so rewarding. Sometimes secondhand clothing is even more durable than new ones because of the fact that it lasted long enough to get donated and is still in great shape.

photo : by madi kristeen

oct. - nov. // 2021

13

14

Some Things Find Their Way Home

oct. - nov. // 2021

15

The Coat That Came Home

Written by: Madi Kristeen

Have you ever lost something that is meaningful to you and thought you would never get it back? This was the case with Janet Perry, who swore she’d never see the jacket of her dearly departed father, James Perry, ever again.

J

anet Perry was about to lose any and all hope of ever seeing her father’s coat, which she kept after his passing in 2003, ever again. In the midst of her move from New Jersey to North Dakota, the army green vintage coat was seemingly lost forever.

Like any person would, Janet Perry made numerous trips to her local thrift store drop off center, where she dumped countless clothing items and other household goods as she packed for her big move westward. It wasn’t until settling into her new home that she realized something was missing.

Janet grew up having a very close relationship with her father, James Perry. He was her role model, her hero, and her best friend. In the fall of 2001, James Perry was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer, which grew rapidly and became stage 4 by late November of 2002.

When Janet was young, they went on a hayride at a fall festival in their home town of Winfield, Alabama. It had gotten pretty chilly, so her father wrapped her up in his coat to protect her from the cold air. Ever since then, she would always ask him if she could have that coat one day, to which he’d respond, “Maybe one day.”

“I thought I would never get it back”

Ever since she could remember, Janet’s father wore the same green coat every day, up until his passing on April 6, 2003. He originally got this coat from his uncle, who worked in a chemical factory, and whom he also was named after. His uncle was given the coat as a part of his uniform for work, but the jacket was two sizes too small for him. The coat wasn’t able to be returned, and so it became the favorite coat of James Edward Perry.

Once she realized what had happened, it was too late.

Janet was already in North Dakota and finding the coat in a sea of other coats would be nearly impossible.

She tried calling every thrift store in her town, but no one was able to find her father’s coat.

16

There wasn’t anything too special about the coat itself, other than who it was from. So many memories have been shared with that coat; f rom when his uncle first gave it to him and it was far too big, to when James put it around his girlfriend Heather, who later became wife, on their first date at Pastime Theatre. The day Janet was born, her father was wearing the jacket, which can be seen in their first photograph together.

One day came sooner than either of them would have thought. Her father’s diagnoses came as a huge shock to all of them; James was always such a healthy and energetic man, even through his forties. Unfortunately, cancer doesn’t care who you are or how healthy and energetic you might be.

Shortly after receiving the news, he was given a life expectancy of only nine months, if even that. But James was a stubborn man and had to prove the doctors wrong and instead lived on for another two and a half years.

One year after her move to North Dakota, Janet made a trip back home to Winfield, Alabama to visit her mother. During her time home, she made a trip to the local thrift store to find some jeans and a rug for her mother’s small cabin outside that James had built just before his diagnoses. She found two pairs of jeans, a

photo : by madi kristeen

rug that was almost too perfect a fit, and something else she didn’t plan on finding.

“I thought I would never get it back.” Janet exclaims to her mother upon arriving back at the house. She pulled from her bag a familiar looking jacket, and immediately Heather recognized it to be the same exact coat owned by her dearly departed husband, James Perry.

Stories like this makes you wonder how many other items in a thrift store have memories tied to them like this coat did for Janet. It’s crazy how she even found it again, let alone back in her home town.

How this happened can’t be explained.

But one thing is for certain, some things always find their way back home. ■

Somehow, through some miraculous turn of events, the coat that was seemingly lost forever in New Jersey, made it back home to Winfield Alabama. oct. - nov. // 2021

17

The Only Thrift Tip You’ll Ever Need to Know Tips from Allow Us to Rethriftroduce Ourselves

A

llow Us to Rethriftroduce Ourselves is a thrifting podcast hosted by best friends and avid thrifters Dina and Shannon. In this episode, “The Only Thrift Tip You’ll Ever Need to Know,” they asked their friends what they thought the ultimate thrifting tip would be. Two of the responses were “patience” and “sleep in the stockroom.”

While this might seem like excellent advice, Dina and Shannon share five reasons why the real tip is to “simply just go often, because you never know what you are going to find.”

First off, products change daily–sometimes even multiple times a day. Two, thrifting regularly helps you become more comfortable with navigating the stores and understanding the tagging system they use for discounts and sales. Three, shopping often helps you shop smarter and more efficiently.

Fourth, going often will create a habit and incorporate thrifting into your lifestyle.

Finally, their fifth reason is that you’ll learn how your local thrift stores work (when they put out new items, when they change the discounts, etc.) so you can plan your thrifting spree ahead of time.

18

Some other advice they offer is to make a thrift store route if you have multiple stores in your area. Online thrifting is also a newer option that offers an alternative to in-store shopping.

Even when you are out of town, try to hit up a thrift store or two. It’s always fun to go to a new store, and who knows, you might find the perfect souvenir to remember your trip by.

Most importantly, have fun with your thrifting experience and make it your own.

In the words of Shannon, “thrifting is just like a Burger King, and you can make it your own way.”

photo 1: by madi kristeen

photo 2: maksim larin

Find your style at your local thrift store

1

2

Thrifting Supports Local Communities Most thrift stores support some kind of charity, whether it’s locally, or even something like funding a mission trip. When you shop at your local thrift store, it is likely that the money you spend there will go right back into the community. You will feel even better about shopping knowing that your money is going towards a great cause. The considerably low cost of thrift store products helps to keep clothing more affordable for those in the community that have a lower budget. Overall, thrifting is one of the best options for not only you, but your community as well.

oct. - nov. // 2021

19

Style 20

reduce

reuse

recyle

restyle

oct. - nov. // 2021

21

vintage green army jacket $8 thrifted retail price: $60

calvin klein grey t shirt urban outfitters canvas belt

$2 thrifted retail price: $25

$0.50 thrifted retail price: $25

levi strauss grey jeans $4 thrifted retail price: $45

vans old skool tan sneakers $1 thrifted retail price: $50

Total retail price: $205 Total thrifted price: $15.50

22

1

1: by madi krsteen

2: madi krsteen

3: taisiia shestopal

4: madi kristeen

2

4

Sweater weather is Sweeter weather

3

oct. - nov. // 2021

23

American Eagle blue jean shirt $25 / thrifted $4 Converse sneakers $70 / thrifted $3 Hollister sweater $45 / $5 Levi Strauss grey jeans $45 / thrifted $4 Total retail price: $185 Total thrifted price: $16

photos : by madi kristeen

24

embroidered jean jacket $7 thrifted retail price: $55

altar’d state jumpsuit $9 thrifted retail price: $80

reebok sneakers $3 thrifted retail price: $75

Total retail price: $210 Total thrifted price: $19

oct. - nov. // 2021

25

Hello Fall fashion

Faux Leather Urban Outfitters Jacket $90 / thrifted $10 Filas sneakers $70 / thrifted $8 H&M sweater $30 / $3 Light wash American Eagle jeans $45 / thrifted $7 Total retail price: $235 Total thrifted price: $28

26

photos : by madi kristeen

$1 or Less Jewelry

oct. - nov. // 2021

27

thrifting made easy. the best online thrift store

depop.com