Welcome, I’m Lindsay. The Slow Studio is a space I’ve created to write about my approach to slow(er) living as a design studio owner, multifaceted creative, first-time mother and more. Keep up with me on Instagram and Pinterest.
Happy August, friends – how has everyone been doing in the midst of these fleeting, albeit sweltering, late-summer days?
If you’ve been keeping up with The Slow Studio for a while, then you’ll know that my Saturday morning thrifting excursions are something that I look forward to every week.
Over time, this little ritual has evolved into so much more than just shopping: it’s helped shape my own personal style for the first time in adulthood, as I sense themes and similarities in the pieces that I gravitate toward; it’s helped educate me on the eras and aesthetics of design (mid-century, brutalism, stoneware, earthenware!); and maybe most importantly, it’s helped me feel a deep sense of connection to my Grandmama, who was the first woman in my life to introduce me to the art of shopping secondhand (or as she lovingly called it, treasure hunting).
As I continue to curate my home and closet in a way that feels conscious and sustainable, my gut always lead me to one of three of my favorite thrift stores in St. Louis, where I nearly always find that I’m looking for.
This summer has proven to be a goldmine full of storied, pre-loved pieces that I’ve brought home, and today I’d love to share those with you. These are my favorite thrifted finds of the season: for the home, for myself, and for our toddler, Margot!
Note: I’ll be including prices for each piece in the spirit of transparency, and to help illustrate how secondhand stores in my region (Midwest) generally price items.
The best of summer: thrifted finds for the home
After moving into our 103-year old home around this time last year, I made a personal pact: we would bring more antique, vintage and pre-loved decor into this home than new, contemporary pieces.
It felt like the right thing to do, to honor the old bones of this home while developing an eye for curating pieces from distinct design eras in the process.
Recently I’ve been on the hunt for more original art and happened upon this piece just this last weekend. While it was priced much higher ($35!) than the art pieces I typically see at the thrift store, I knew it was worth it. Luckily I had a $10 coupon on hand to this particular store, so was able to bring it home for $25.
Whenever I bring a new piece into our home, I like to have an idea of its purpose before putting it in my cart. I love decorating with books and have gathered a decent collection of weathered reads over the years thanks to our library’s free-to-take cart and thrift stores.
This old anthology of O. Henry stories ($0.95) aged to the perfect antique green now serves as a resting place for candle on our dining room sideboard, along with a set of 4 big top peanut butter glasses ($7.80 for all), which have an interesting history, per a little digging:
Big Top Peanut Butter glasses were a marketing tactic employed in the 1940s and 1950s, where peanut butter was sold in reusable highball glasses designed by the Hazel Atlas Glass Company. These glasses were intended to be repurposed after the peanut butter was consumed. The brand was later acquired by Procter & Gamble and rebranded as Jif.
I also can’t say no to any piece that is made of acacia, walnut or teak wood, so also brought home this solid acacia vase ($12) to hold flowers on the nightstand in the guest room.
I have a soft spot for unique pottery pieces, and was so happy to find a vintage Eucalyptus Stoneware bread basket ($5) at Goodwill for my husband to put his fresh sourdough loaves in week after week.
On the same afternoon I also brought home this understated black ceramic pitcher ($4), which currently lives styled on some built-in shelving on our upstairs landing, but will likely be used as a flower vase at some point in the future.
The best of summer: thrifted finds for my closet
It feels like my personal style has been ever-in-flux since Margot was born. I still love simple, clean lines but also crave functionality and comfort like never before – because chasing down a very spritely toddler demands it – which has resulted in my search for lightweight pieces in luxe, natural fibers (think silk and linen) that feel both elevated and easy for everyday wear.
Enter a few of my favorite finds in the tops department for summer: two brand-new Vince silk tops ($7 each) and two luxe tanks from St. John and St. John Sport ($4 each).
I especially love that the red silk Vince tank has pushed me completely outside of my comfort zone, as I naturally gravitate toward dressing in neutrals. When I slip it on, it feels like an effortless pop of color that I’ve enjoyed pairing with breezy linen pants.
I’ve generally committed to a no-thrifted-shoes rule for years, but with a few exceptions: the rules need not apply to shoes that are clearly brand-new, nor do they apply to gorgeous pre-loved designer finds.
I wish I could fully articulate what my audible gasp sounded like upon finding a $4 pair of vintage Manolo Blahnik mules in good condition, but let’s just say…it was pure jubilation!
I also brought home a pair of black patent leather loafers ($4) for this autumn along with simple, low-profile woven slide sandals ($4) that have become daily wears this season.
Vintage quilted London Fog…with a faux fur collar…with wooden buttons. When I say that this jacket ($4) spoke to me – it spoke to me. Plus, it fit like an absolute glove!
I’ve been in the market for a new mid-weight winter jacket to help fend off the chill of our often-brutal Midwest winters, and this will be the perfect throw-on for days in the 30s and 40s.
The best of summer: thrifted finds for Margot
I made the decision to pursue motherhood in the middle of a Goodwill in 2022 (I’m not kidding; you can read all about it here).
So, naturally, I intended to curate a wholly secondhand closet for little Margot once she arrived, which I’m proud to say has turned into a reality through regular clothing swaps with friends.
But through thrift shops? Not so much!
I wasn’t prepared for the haphazard stains, sizing discrepancies and more of secondhand toddler clothing, but now I take it all in stride. Although thrift shop finds for Margot have become few and far between, here are my favorite clothing pieces I found for her this summer along with a cute wall mirror ($2) for her playroom (pictured above).
I’m ever on the hunt for pieces constructed of natural fibers for Margot, and all finds pictured here are 100% cotton, which I feel great about.
Time and time again I’m impressed with Baby Gap’s consistency with sizing and quality, while a recent find from Talbots Kids (Peter Pan collar top pictured above) already feels like an heirloom piece.
Upon tallying up all of this season’s favorite finds, my total spend on these pieces was $98, which I feel great about!
Out of coincidence, this coming Sunday, August 17 happens to be National Thrift Shop Day – if you’ve never gone thrifting before, perhaps take a moment to consider it this weekend.
Have any questions about shopping secondhand or have an incredible find that you’d like to share about? I’d love to hear all about it – let’s talk 🤍
Will you share which shops are your favorite? We’ll be there for Thanksgiving, so I might have to hit a spot or two. My parents used to live in Richmond Heights, but I didn’t do much thrifting when I’d visit. I’m also pretty obsessed with treasure hunting!