How I thrift staple pieces
In 2019, I noticed the rise in popularity of plaid blazers and decided to invest in one. Upon doing research, I realized that (semi)-affordable, high-quality blazers ranged between $300-500. I decided to take a different route, which was to purchase second-hand. Read more on how I secured a high-quality, wool blazer by Ralph Lauren and my tips for finding vintage staple pieces.
MANGO suit plaid blazer, $100
MICHAEL by Michael Kors Checked Twill blazer, $395
Have a clear vision of what you want
Prior to my search, I knew that I was looking for a vintage, plaid blazer that was preferably designer. I bookmarked a few pictures of celebrities and influencers wearing plaid blazers to have a clear idea of the look that I was hoping to emulate. To further define my search, I made a mental note of different brands that I thought would have well-designed plaid blazers — including Ralph Lauren, Theory, and MaxMara.
2. Search on several apps
Once I had a clear idea of what I wanted, I began searching on several second-hand apps. I broadened my search on Depop, Poshmark, and The RealReal, utilizing keywords such as “Ralph Lauren plaid blazer” or “Theory blazer.” After a few days, I stumbled across this piece on Depop.
After some bartering, the seller and I agreed on a price of $65.
Ralph Lauren vintage plaid blazer, purchased for $65
The blazer was a tad too oversized (even with a belt, as seen in the next picture),
3. Be mindful of size/dimensions, depending on the look you’re going for
I was seeking a boyfriend fit, and that’s what I ultimately found. However, once I received the blazer, I realized that it was a bit too oversized, so I decided to get it tailored.
4. The result: a unique, high-quality blazer
Though getting this blazer tailored was more expensive than the item itself (it was about $85! 😅) I felt like it was a necessary investment to achieve the look that I was aiming for.
Ultimately, the cost of the blazer + custom tailoring was about $150, which is still less than a new designer blazer that goes for (minimum) $350. By taking this approach, I secured a unique, vintage blazer by one of my favorite brands, Ralph Lauren. Additionally, this piece will last significantly longer than a similar blazer from Zara.
