April 2016 – The Simple Little Wardrobe

April 30, 2016April 26, 2016

Thrift Score: Tecnica Fur Boots

I almost didn’t buy these! They were $12 at the thrift store and that just seemed like a lot to me. But what the heck, they were made in Italy and it looked like real fur, right? I also did a little research and found out these did have a good resale value.

Purchase price: $12, Goodwill

Shipping and fees: $20.80

Sale Price: $107.99

Total Profit: $75.19

The biggest shock of all was that they sold for this much in in April! I really thought I’d be hanging on to these boots until mid-October, when people are thinking about skiing and being cold again. I’m so glad I priced them high–these are a good example of how you could price something too low, thinking it was out of season. Always research your prices!

tecnica boots ebay — Gorgeous colors and in great condition!

s-l1600 (12) — The soles look almost unused

s-l1600 (13) — This is where the wear would show on hair/fur shoes–at the toes. But these are in great shape!

Do you have a thrift score to boast about? Share below!

April 29, 2016April 26, 2016

Big Money Oddball Items

From time to time I sell something not fashion related through my Ebay store. I’m no snob–if it makes money, I’m willing to list it! I got started on Ebay by selling a stroller $360 that I had bought for $200 and used for a year. That definitely got me interested in reselling full time. I’m convinced that just about any category–home goods, collectibles, glassware, instruments, you name it–can make money on Ebay when you know what to look for. Here are some of my biggest oddball scores:

s-l1600 (5) — Mounted white tail deer, sold for $170 plus shipping, FREE

s-l1600 (8) — Suzuki Omnichord Vintage Synthesizer, sold for $227 plus shipping, cost $50 thrift store

s-l1600 (9) — Vintage Olympus camera, sold for $40, FREE

s-l1600 (6) — Bernardaud Limoges votives, sold $50, cost $4 at thrift store

What’s your weirdest thrift score? Share below!

April 28, 2016April 26, 2016

Thrift Score: Lilly Pulitzer Dress

Lilly Pulitzer became a major fashion designer in the 1960s. She and her husband ran a juice stand in Florida and she asked a dress makers to sew her something that wouldn’t show those bright colored fruit stains so badly. And that was the start of the gorgeous, happy prints of this brand!

I almost always pick up Lilly Pulitzer items when I find them, but not all of them sell this well. I attribute the bidding to the right time of year and the right size (this was an XL).

Purchase price: $5, Goodwill

Shipping and fees: $9.40

Sale Price: $53.99

Total Profit: $39.59

Do you have any Lilly Pulitzer dresses in your closet? Share below!

April 27, 2016April 27, 2016

Thrift Score: Vintage Nina Ricci dress

pizap.com14616814908081 — Vintage Nina Ricci dress

I nabbed this beautiful 1950s style original vintage Nina Ricci dress at a local thrift store. I know, it’s just bizarre what ends up at the Goodwill, but there it was, waiting for me!

Purchase price: $7, Goodwill

Shipping and fees: $28.83 (it went to Australia!)

Sale Price: $103.75

Total Profit: $67.92

I knew it was original by a couple things: labels and seams. This dress had two different labels–one from the designer, Nina Ricci, and another from a store called Thalhimers. Thalhimers started as a dry-goods store in 1842 and became was a popular department store chain until 1992, when it merged with Hechts. The flagship store was in Richmond, VA. As you probably know, modern clothing doesn’t usually have a store specific label sewn on. The store’s name on modern clothing is on one of the paper tags, along with the price tag and extra buttons.

s-l1600 (39) — Vintage labels from Nina Ricci and Thalhimers

Modern clothing also has tiny fabric allowances at the seams. Vintage clothing often has an inch or more at the seams, like this dress. It allows a tailor to adjust the item for the perfect fit.

pizap.com14616815465541 — Look at those huge seam allowances!

These are the kind of thrift scores that make me want to keep shopping and selling! Have you scored any great vintage thrift finds lately? Share below!

April 26, 2016

Hot Resale: Pinup Dresses

pizap.com14616803397681 — Lauren Ralph Lauren, size 10, sold $48

Springtime is the time for dresses! I’ve been selling retro, pinup style dresses like crazy lately. Most aren’t true “vintage”, but modern vintage. They share some similar characteristics, like classic patterns and bright colors. I price them at auction for $28 and up.

The great thing about these dresses is brand doesn’t matter. Of course, if the dress is a designer brand it will be worth more, but even Walmart brands are worth at least $28 if they look the part. I’ve gotten as much as a $150 for a pinup style dress. The best part is that the dresses sell FAST. So I look for good deals at the thrift store (I hate to pay more than $7 for a dress) and get these dresses listed as quickly as possible.

When thrifting for pin up dresses, look for:

Gingham, polka dots, stripes, classic florals in bright colors
Sweetheart, v-neck, boat neck, or halter top necklines
Fitted waists
Full skirts
Size 12 and up–although smaller sizes will sell, the bigger sizes will get more bids

When you list these types of dresses, use the terms “retro,” and “pin up” and definitely “Plus size” if that applies. Display with a crinoline underskirt for maximum poof for the full skirt.

Below I’ve paired a dress I’ve sold with a similar pin-up styled dress on the left.

pizap.com14616776262081 — Faded Glory (Walmart), size 12 , sold $30

pizap.com14616781591601 — Suzi Chin Maggie Boutique, Size 18W, sold $48

pizap.com14616782134961 — Ellen Tracy, size 12, sold $35

pizap.com14616782373801 — Jones New York, size 12, $45

pizap.com14616783028131 — Ronnie Nicole, size 20W, $34

pizap.com14616783379651 — Jones New York, size 8, sold $30

pizap.com14616784038751 — Adrianna Papell, size 10, $56

Have you sold any pin up style clothing lately? Post a link below!