“Scroll past this thrift haul if you get jealous easily.” That is how TikTok creator @mikaelasentner opens a quick tour of everything she brought home from one thrift trip. Her caption says she cannot believe it all came from a single outing, and the haul shows why.
What makes her video stand out is that she also tells you what she left on the rack. She shows the keepers and the ones she passed on, and one cardigan she left behind is still on her mind. She says she kind of regrets it.
Here is the full list, from the showstoppers to the almost-rans.
@mikaelasentner
The Showstoppers
Her first piece, she says, is actually insane, and she cannot believe she thrifted it. She calls it a great layering piece to wear over jackets. Then she found what she calls her dream vintage lace dress. It is gorgeous, she says, and perfect for every season, especially fall.
Next is a showstopper, a very cool 1970s poncho that has swans and flowers on it. She says she thinks it is so fun. Later she pulls out another standout, a vintage maxi dress that is made in the USA. “How gorgeous is this piece?” she asks. A tag that says made in the USA is a nice sign on a vintage garment, because it often points to older, sturdier construction.
She also found a 100% wool jacket that she says she really loves and calls perfect for fall.
Fall Staples and Flannels
A lovely blouse made the cut, which she says is perfect for fall. There was a skirt with a wash she loves, and she declares that vintage Gap is elite. Then she found a few flannels and ended up really liking the blue one. A flannel reminds her of 2013, she says, because she wore them so much in high school, but she really loves this one.
She also picked up a blazer in a gorgeous color, and she loves the structure of the fit. Another keeper is a Gap cotton sweater. It looks a little bulky on camera because she is wearing a sweater underneath, but she says it is very cute in person. The haul ends with a pair of brand new Dolce Vita flats.
What She Left Behind
This is the part that makes her haul useful. A beaded top was absolutely gorgeous, she says, but she did not love it. Instead she found a very similar top in the exact same color that she liked more, and she loves its crochet detailing. A cute vest was too big, so she left it. A faux leather jacket was also too big, so she left that too.
A really nice wool coat did not make it home because the hood felt a little off to her. Another jacket she had high hopes for just was not giving what she was hoping. And then there is the cardigan with the pretty buttons and detailing. She left it behind and says she kind of regrets it.
Lessons From a Thrift Trip Like This
Whether you are a longtime thrifter or just starting, her video offers a handy checklist.
First, size matters more than the label. Two of her passes were because the item was too big. Thrifted clothes come from many decades and brands, so a vest or leather jacket that looks right on the hanger can swallow you. Trying things on is the only way to know.
Second, trust your gut on the details. She passed on a coat because of the hood. Not every flaw is something a tailor can fix, and a piece that feels a little off in the store usually stays that way in the closet.
Third, compare similar items. When she found a top she liked more than the beaded one, she let the first one go. If you have two close options, take the better one and put the other back for the next shopper.
Fourth, learn to read labels. Natural fibers like wool are a good bet for fall, and she grabbed a 100% wool jacket. A made in the USA tag on a vintage dress can be a good sign. Check seams, linings and underarms before you buy.
Fifth, think about how a piece fits in with what you already own. She notes the Gap sweater looked bulky only because of the sweater under it, and she picked pieces for layering, like the first one she shows that goes over jackets.
Finally, accept that you will leave a few things behind and regret one or two. That is part of thrifting. Her cardigan with the pretty buttons is a good example. If you keep thinking about it, you can always go back, though thrift stores turn over their stock quickly, so it may be gone. A good rule is to buy it if you are still thinking about it when you reach the register.
Her trip also shows that fall is a rich season for secondhand shoppers. Wool, flannel, blazers and sweaters appear in abundance, and a single trip can cover a whole wardrobe. If you only have an hour, start with the coats and outerwear section and work your way back to the sweaters.
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