You can still be bad and bougie if you can’t afford For Love and Lemons or Agent Provocateur lingerie. Lingerie is probably the last thing most women would consider thrifting, but great quality, condition, and labels do exist at thrift stores. I’ve thrifted all sorts of intimates, from bras and nightgowns to robes and slippers. The only thing I never thrift is underwear and for obvious reasons. Although I can’t expect what to find while thrifting, depending on what I’m looking for, I use these three resources to hunt for lingerie.
There will always be better quality and designers at consignment stores, since all merchandise is inspected and pre-selected. Buffalo Exchange is where I normally find nightgowns from trendy brands, like Free People and Urban Outfitters. I bought my Free People nightgown at Buffalo during Halloween, since it typically blends lingerie into the costume section. There’s always a plethora of kinky finds, like fishnets, corsets, and garters, throughout this season.
If I’m shopping for bras, then I use the app, Poshmark, since bras are rarely sold in thrift stores, let alone ones that fit perfectly. Similar to eBay, clothing categories can be narrowed down to specifics, like size, color, and condition. Another convenient feature is being able to trade items, instead of purchasing them. This is actually how I got my black aerie bandeau. I swapped it with a lipstick that I never wore. With bras being so expensive these days, online thrifting is another way to find cute and affordable bras.
When it comes to regular thrift stores, like Goodwill and Salvation Army, it all results to luck. The chance of discovering spotless, high-end lingerie is much slimmer, but it isn’t impossible. After all, I snagged my Christian Dior robe for about $10 at Goodwill. Dior has stopped producing lingerie for years, so I was surprised to find this vintage piece in mint condition. Without thrift shopping there’s no way I could own valuable gems, like this.
Lingerie is definitely a luxury that many girls want, but can’t afford. It’s funny how something so thin and fragile can cost so much money. This is why thrift shopping is a great alternative for purchasing lingerie. It makes sense to invest in regular everyday clothes, rather than garments that rarely anyone sees, but thrifting has eliminated this dilemma for me. I never have to compensate one for the other. I can still shop for both, while saving an immense amount of money.
+ Choker | Forever 21
+ Robe | Dior (Goodwill)
+ Bralette | aerie (Poshmark)
+ Undies | Forever 21
+ Slippers | Donna Salyers' Fabulous Furs (hand-me-down)
+ Nightgown | Free People (Buffalo Exchange)
Photography | Adam Redfield
xx
Dana