If you have been told that all the good designer pieces end up in expensive consignment boutiques, a thrifter named @taylor_conzelman would like a word. She shared a tour of the vintage designer jewelry, shoes and bags that she has pulled from the racks at Goodwill and Salvation Army and kept for her own personal collection. She stresses that none of them came from a designer consignment store. They all came from actual thrift stores.
She also notes that this is only what she has kept for herself. Most of her best finds, she says, have been sold. Here is a closer look at what she held on to.
@taylor_conzelman
The Jewelry
The jewelry is where she begins, starting with a pair of clip on earrings from Yves Saint Laurent in the style of the 1980s, followed by a pair of Chanel clip ons from the 1990s. She also shows an Anne Klein zodiac necklace from the 1980s or 90s, which she says is a piece she really loves, and a Pierre Cardin wraparound ring.
Clip on earrings are a good example of something that often gets overlooked. Many shoppers pass them by because they do not have pierced ears or because they think the style is old fashioned. But designer costume jewelry from the 1980s and 90s is highly collectible, and it is often sold for much less than people expect when it turns up in a thrift store jewelry case.
The Shoes
She has a good run of shoes, too. There is a pair of vintage Chanel sandals that cost forty dollars, a Chloe jelly sandal from 2025, and a pair of loafers from the Tom Ford era at Gucci. Another pair is vintage black two tone Chanel pumps. She loves the back of them, though she says they need new heel caps. She wears them more than any other shoe next to her Prada pair. They were about fifty dollars. Her most budget friendly find may be a pair of Prada ombre kitten heels that cost twelve dollars at Goodwill.
Eyewear and Clothing
She also has two pairs of vintage sunglasses, one from Chanel and one a Gucci tortoiseshell pair. In clothing, she points out a vintage Armani velvet coat with toggles and bell sleeves, and says she gets so many compliments on it. She also has a vintage Hermes men’s button down shirt.
The Bags
Her bag finds include a 1990s Versace Couture bag that she found at a thrift store for fourteen dollars, and a Christian Dior patent double saddle bag, which she says was authenticated. It has the black Dior logo print, she wears it all the time, and it cost two hundred dollars at a Salvation Army.
What This Tells Us About Thrift Store Treasures
Her collection is a good reminder that treasures turn up in every part of a thrift store, from the jewelry case to the shoe wall and the handbag shelf. The key is knowing what to look for and being willing to look often. Here is some practical advice if you want to try your own luck.
- Start with the jewelry case. Many stores keep the better pieces in a locked case or behind the counter. If you do not see jewelry on the floor, ask someone to show you what they have.
- Look at the backs of earrings and necklaces. Designer pieces often carry a stamped name, a logo or a copyright mark on the back or on a small tag. Use good light and a magnifier if you have one.
- Learn what vintage clip ons look like. Heavy, well finished metalwork, thoughtfully set stones and a sturdy clip are all signs of quality.
- Check shoes inside and out. Look at the insole for a stamped logo and a size marking, then examine the soles and heels. As she mentions about her Chanel pumps, replacing heel caps is a modest repair that can bring a pair of shoes back to life.
- Confirm authenticity before you pay a high price. She mentions that her Dior bag was authenticated. For anything costing real money, an expert opinion is a smart step.
- Compare with recent sold listings. Prices change, so check what similar items have actually sold for rather than what sellers are asking.
Building a Collection on a Budget
One of the most interesting parts of her story is that she keeps some of her finds for herself. Many people who enjoy thrifting go back and forth between buying to sell and buying to keep. If you want to build a personal collection, it can help to pick a focus. It might be earrings from one decade, shoes from a certain brand or bags in a particular color. A focus makes it easier to recognize a good piece when you see one and to say no to the ones that do not fit.
It also helps to care for what you find. Store jewelry in a soft pouch or a lined box so pieces do not scratch each other. Keep shoes on shoe trees or stuffed with tissue, and keep handbags stuffed and stored in a cloth bag away from direct sun. Clean items gently and avoid harsh chemicals on leather, plated metal or delicate stones.
Her tour is a lovely reminder that a bit of knowledge can turn an ordinary afternoon at a thrift store into a treasure hunt. Whether you are shopping for fun, for resale or for a keepsake, those racks and cases are worth a second look.
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