The Steal

Recently enjoyed a weekday off. Visited the local Salvation Army to look through racks and racks of discarded togs for something special. I waded through dozens of oversized tweed jackets, worn out woolens, gaudy tropical prints, and dainty floral prints that reminded me of 1980s “made for TV” flicks starring Jaclyn Smith and the starlet-of-the-month as a psychotic babysitter.

The store was also overrun with discarded exercise videotapes, “Pocono Village” shot glasses, and a variety of outdated technology like cassette players, VCRs, CRTs, and analog TV sets. I was looking for an uber-bargain - a unique piece to brag about that would stoke envy in the hearts of cheapskates everywhere.

The furniture department was crammed with oversized floral sofas, and an occasional treasure from the bygone era of “real” furniture - an armoire or desk from the 1940s or early 1950s. That’s where I found the most unbelievable deal, a distressed black leather jacket, stashed away from greedy little hands (like mine). Zip front, faux fur lining for warmth. Hip length, perfect fit. $15!! The jacket would have cost at least twice as much at Buffalo Exchange or any of the other trendy resale shops downtown. I was ecstatic!

I love scouring second-hand stores - the thrill of the hunt, the unknown. Philadelphia lost many thrift stores over the past two decades (Village Thrift, Goodwill, other neighborhood shops) and treasures are harder to find in the stores that still exist. The hunt requires diligence, hours devoted to pushing through racks of droopy cottons, shabby silks, and scratchy acrylics to uncover the timeless Chanel skirt, the BCBG Max Azria blouse, the impeccably tailored Harris Tweed men’s business suit. Vintage stores often get their wares from the same Salvation Army that you visited last weekend, but they spend time and money having their purchases cleaned and pressed, then neatly hung in the shops.

So now I’m waiting for the temperatures to dip into the 40s to show it off. I will probably wear it with jeans, cords, and the pencil skirt that I just ordered from Boden USA. Woo-hoo!