Most towns and cities across North America have at least one thrift shop or charity store. Buying the thrift shop way offers shoppers a great selection of gently used designer clothing as well as classic vintage styles.

It’s possible to find a dress by a well-known designer for a small fraction of the original price. And it’s a fun way to complete one’s summer or winter wardrobe. The key is in knowing how to shop at thrift stores and consignment stores and what to look for.

Vintage Clothing at Thrift Shops

Vintage clothing collectors love thrift shops for the hunt itself. Most thrift shops have a great selection of vintage clothing, and some shops have special racks designated for vintage clothing. Buyers may have to pour through hanger after hanger of stiff polyester dresses and pants before finding a treasure, but it’s worth the forage.

If interested in vintage only, …

This season’s trends reflect a move towards more grown-up, less show-off clothes, with minimalist cuts, classic shades of camel and forever coats like the aviator jacket.

It also heralds a new era of heritage handbags and wedge-heel boots; trouser trends which give skirts and dresses a run for their money, and sheepskin and shearling used in a myriad of ways.

Fall Winter 2021/2022 Fashion Trends

From classic coats and statement jackets, velvet dresses, animal prints, kitten heels, midi-length skirts and evening trousers, Fall 2021 sees a move towards timeless pieces that can be easily integrated into an existing wardrobe:

• A is for Amelia Earhart-inspired aviator jackets. Fashion is having an aeronautical moment with pre-1950’s-style flying jackets made from leather and shearling. Oversized collars bring the aviator jacket up- to-date; along with a trend for wearing it with everything, including delicate feminine dresses.

• B is for bags, from timeless

Dynasty-style bold shoulders, one-shoulder dresses, sculpted skirts, sequins, animal prints, plaids, leather jackets and sharp blazers will all continue to have their place this fall in commercial stores. There is also a move towards investment pieces amongst retailers, which give a nod rather than embrace, current runway trends.

Trend Predictions for Fall/Winter 2021

In Drapers, 9 May 2021, “Autumn Key Styles Identified by Doneger”, David Wolfe of the New York trend agency, The Doneger Group, predicts that fashion retailers, in a bid to raise revenue, will concentrate more on essential items, like the little black dress, textured leather jackets and wide trousers with pleating.

Spring/summer’s reemergence of the skirt (pencil and dirndl styles) will continue in the colder months (albeit in a more modest length) with a greater emphasis on separates. The boyfriend jacket will remain a firm favorite, along with 2021’s current passion for black and all hues …

As a woman gets older she needs to learn what flatters her body shape and develop her own signature style. Her wardrobe should also include some quality, tailored investment pieces. These are wardrobe staples which can be mixed and matched, and accessorized to fit her own personality; allowing her to dip her toe into the latest fashion trends. A scarf in the print-of-the-moment, an up-to-the-minute statement necklace, a pair of fashionably-colored shoes or can update these investment outfits every season.

Paula Reed, in her book Style Clinic (Harper Collins 2009) indicates that women in their 40s should have a wardrobe ratio of 60:40, 60% timeless pieces (such as a trenchcoat or black pants) and 40% fashion-of-the-moment. As age increases, so should the investment pieces.

There are some die-hard wardrobe staples that never fail, whether a woman is in her 50s, 60s, 70s or beyond. Whilst the fickle world of fashion …

Take gun metal grey, fluorescent pink, body chains, swim wear, evening wear, add a touch of snow, and you get Fashion Pallete 2010.

1920s inspired, fashion label ‘Lage De Elegance,’ was a glimmer of lace and flamboyance – my favourite pic out of the collection of future fashion designers featured at this years’ show, held at Circular Quay Sydney.

The show was filled with upcoming fashion designers from all over the country, as well as well known designer Wayne Cooper, show casing upcoming trends featured in this year’s Spring Summer collection.

Baanu Couture:

It was a mixture of grunge and glamour. Eye catching much? Yes. Design label ‘Baanu Couture,’ attracted a whole new level to the world of fashion, with their attached body chained pieces one would think that we’re living in some sort of space age era. Wow.

Anaesia Sydney:

Anaesia Sydney’s collection was also of feminine indulgence, capturing …