In addition to paying attention to what’s selling on all the big resale sites, I try to keep my eye on what’s showing up in really well-designed spaces. Because that’s what you need to look for first: the beautiful things in the homes and projects that catch your eye on Instagram/Pinterest/TikTok.
And then you work backward by thinking about where those things might exist secondhand.
That’s really the shift when it comes to shopping secondhand and vintage — Yes, part of it is browsing a thrift store and hoping something stands out. But the other part entails going in with a mental list of things you’ve already seen elsewhere and thinking how you can replicate that look with old stuff.
I’ve said this a million times, but here it is again: I don’t want the version of something that shows up six months from now in a store (i.e. a dupe). I want the one that already exists (the original!)
These are six things I’ve noticed are trending right now, and the exact kinds of pieces I would be keeping an eye out for if I were thrifting this month.
Molds (Mannequin, Candle, Balloon, and Beyond)
Molds are always having a moment in my mind. To me, they are beautiful and I love that they are the inverse of something (it makes me view that thing in a new way)! Just look at the above mannequin molds I saw recently, which are begging to be hung on a wall outside with ivy growing on them!
The best molds, IMO, are slightly odd (mannequin forms, balloon molds, anything with a somewhat recognizable silhouette is a good option).
Things I look for:
Plaster mannequin molds
Balloon molds in good condition
Anything with chippy wear, texture, or patina
Typical thrift price: $5–$40
Resale / retail equivalent: $75–$300+
Search terms: vintage mannequin mold, antique chocolate mold, vintage plaster mold, metal candy mold, vintage balloon mold
Leather Sling Chairs
I’ve never seen a leather sling chair that doesn’t look sexy and sophisticated and expensive.
The shape is comfortable and elegant, and I love the mix of materials with worn leather and a solid frame. This is a shape that has shown up across different decades and styles, which makes them easy to mix in with whatever your aesthetic might be.
from left: 1970s leather sling chairs, Abel Gonzalez sling safari chair, mid-century Italian sling chairs
Things I look for:
Solid wood or metal frames
Real leather (not bonded)
Slight wear — it adds to the look!
Clean, minimal lines
Typical thrift price: $50–$300
Resale value: $300–$1,500+
Search terms: leather sling chair, safari chair, vintage leather chair, mid century sling chair
The rest of this list is for paid subscribers. If you’ve been using this newsletter as a way to thrift with more intention (and fewer misses), that’s exactly what the paid posts are for: more specific objects, clearer tells, and fewer dead ends.
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