Thrifting

[Duvel]

Aside from being the jacket I've seen photos of Steve McQueen wearing, I honestly don't know that I'd be able to recognize one even if I saw it. I haven't stumbled across one as far as I know though.

Oh, you poor child.

[Domino]

It just looks like a any other heavy windbreaker to me.

[Domino]

Seriously though, it's a really nice suit, and the pleated pants are something I'm ambivalent on, but how hard would it be for a tailor to cut down an L to R? Would it look unbalanced, or do they just add more length at the end and sleeves? As near as I can tell, the pockets sit at about the right spot.

[Duvel]

It just looks like a any other heavy windbreaker to me.

I'm not even going to dignify that remark...

[cotoks]

I've had this for a while, but I just recently got around to posting it on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301136212106...84.m1555.l2648

Thing is rad.

[KamoteJoe]

Thrifted an excellent black barbour bedale over the weekend. It has been sold already, but as soon as I saw it in basically unused condition, $$$ ran through my brain.
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...63068.jpg.html
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...731da.jpg.html
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...5d2bf.jpg.html

[mcadamsandwich]

Thrifted an excellent black barbour bedale over the weekend. It has been sold already, but as soon as I saw it in basically unused condition, $$$ ran through my brain.
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...63068.jpg.html
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...731da.jpg.html
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...5d2bf.jpg.html

What size was it?

[KamoteJoe]

Size 40

[JayS]

I'm starting to work thrift stores looking for a few good blazers / sport coats, but I do not have a whole lot of experience / knowledge with these things. Does anyone know of a good resource for determining quality on something that is an unfamiliar brand or is missing tags altogether? How to identify canvased vs fused, other tell-tale signs to look for / watch out for?

[yoyorobbo]

I'm starting to work thrift stores looking for a few good blazers / sport coats, but I do not have a whole lot of experience / knowledge with these things. Does anyone know of a good resource for determining quality on something that is an unfamiliar brand or is missing tags altogether? How to identify canvased vs fused, other tell-tale signs to look for / watch out for?

PTO has a bunch of solid advice on thrifting. Here's some of their articles:

http://putthison.com/tagged/Thrifting
http://putthison.com/tagged/How-to-Thrift

Here's that second link's series in parts:
http://putthison.com/post/8741371826...-one-thrifting
http://putthison.com/post/8783889764...wo-how-to-find
http://putthison.com/post/8824725777...-three-getting

Here's one that looks like it might eb what you're specifically looking for:
http://putthison.com/post/1454913425...hrifting-suits

And finally here's a vid of theirs that features a little thrifting challenge:

[mcadamsandwich]

Size 40

FML. >.<

[cotoks]

Thrifted an excellent black barbour bedale over the weekend. It has been sold already, but as soon as I saw it in basically unused condition, $$$ ran through my brain.
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...63068.jpg.html
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...731da.jpg.html
http://s1302.photobucket.com/user/Ka...5d2bf.jpg.html

You're on fire lately - nice work!

I'm starting to work thrift stores looking for a few good blazers / sport coats, but I do not have a whole lot of experience / knowledge with these things. Does anyone know of a good resource for determining quality on something that is an unfamiliar brand or is missing tags altogether? How to identify canvased vs fused, other tell-tale signs to look for / watch out for?

Those PTO articles and the series on thrifting that yoyo linked are great.

Once you can identify the aspects of a quality blazer (fabric, construction, etc.) and you've got a good grasp on fit and how it applies to you, the only other piece of advice I can offer is don't buy something you don't really like. Unless you need something in a pinch, take your time and don't feel dejected if you leave empty handed. It's easy to say to yourself 'it's only $10, why not?'. Before you know it you'll be driving to GW with two trash bags worth of junk to re-donate.

Not to discourage you, but in 10 months of regular thrifting (4-6 stores multiple times per week), I've found exactly one sport coat (vintage BB triple patch pocket, brass buttons, hook vent) and one suit (Norman Hilton navy birdseye) that see regular use. I'm a pretty tough fit, so I've definitely passed on/sold pieces that I could probably make work with some tailoring, but you get the picture. It's really going to depend on how items fit you OTR, your location, persistence, and luck.

[JayS]

PTO has a bunch of solid advice on thrifting. Here's some of their articles:

http://putthison.com/tagged/Thrifting
http://putthison.com/tagged/How-to-Thrift

Here's that second link's series in parts:
http://putthison.com/post/8741371826...-one-thrifting
http://putthison.com/post/8783889764...wo-how-to-find
http://putthison.com/post/8824725777...-three-getting

Here's one that looks like it might eb what you're specifically looking for:
http://putthison.com/post/1454913425...hrifting-suits

And finally here's a vid of theirs that features a little thrifting challenge:

Dope. Well played. Thank you. Time to get my study on.

[JayS]

Those PTO articles and the series on thrifting that yoyo linked are great.

Once you can identify the aspects of a quality blazer (fabric, construction, etc.) and you've got a good grasp on fit and how it applies to you, the only other piece of advice I can offer is don't buy something you don't really like. Unless you need something in a pinch, take your time and don't feel dejected if you leave empty handed. It's easy to say to yourself 'it's only $10, why not?'. Before you know it you'll be driving to GW with two trash bags worth of junk to re-donate.

Not to discourage you, but in 10 months of regular thrifting (4-6 stores multiple times per week), I've found exactly one sport coat (vintage BB triple patch pocket, brass buttons, hook vent) and one suit (Norman Hilton navy birdseye) that see regular use. I'm a pretty tough fit, so I've definitely passed on/sold pieces that I could probably make work with some tailoring, but you get the picture. It's really going to depend on how items fit you OTR, your location, persistence, and luck.

Yeah, I'll be taking a couple trash bags full of stuff when I go out. I know the deal about being patient and selective. I wouldn't have thought I'd ever find much this way, but my first try, just before the holidays, I found a made-in-France vintage Yves Saint Laurent blazer that I LOVE and fits perfectly with no alterations. But, it's black and thick wool, so no too many applications in this SoCal desert. It DID however encourage me to keep looking for more items. I just lucked out before with finding a recognizable brand. Need to learn more to find other gems.

thanks all!

[jonATL]

Seriously. Let me know who needs what/in what sizes. I have tons of stuff that needs to be listed on ebay that won't likely be listed for a long time because of this new-baby situation.