#thrifting

I recently bought a thrifted Levi's 501 jacket from a local consignment shop. The jacket is in good shape overall, but there's a stubborn yellow spot on the left sleeve that just won't come out, no matter what I try.

I ran it through a standard cycle with 30°C water, a regular detergent, and a normal spin. I even added a bit of bleach (just 1/4 cup) because the instructions say it can help with yellowing.

After the first wash the spot was still there, but the rest of the jacket looked fine. I tried a second wash with a stronger detergent (Tide Ultra) and a 40°C cycle, but the spot remained. I even used a pre‑treatment spray (OxiClean) and left it soaking for 30 minutes before washing.

I also tried soaking the jacket in a homemade solution of vinegar and baking soda for an hour, but the yellow stain still persisted.

The only thing that seemed to change was that after adding bleach, the jacket turned a faint greenish tint around the edges, which I think is because the fabric is old cotton and the bleach reacted.

Does anyone else have a similar experience with old Levi's 501s? Are there any specific cleaning methods or products that work better for these kinds of stains? I’m worried that if I keep using bleach it might ruin the jacket.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

So here’s the thing: I was at the local thrift shop last Saturday, scrolling through racks of denim and leather. I spotted a vintage Levi’s 501 jacket (the tag says 301, that’s the 1970‑s batch) that looked like a true pre‑worn classic. I bought it on impulse, and later that night, I wrote down on my phone, ‘#pre‑worn, good vibes only’—thinking it would just be a quick note for my next post.

I didn’t actually check the interior stitching or the label inside. Turns out the jacket is brand‑new, but the outer fabric has a subtle, almost invisible, seam tear. The next day my boyfriend showed it to a friend, who said, “That’s a fresh 2018 model, not a vintage.” The sting was immediate. I started questioning whether I had been dishonest with myself and with the community about the jacket’s authenticity.

It’s a small thing, but I keep replaying the moment in my head. I keep thinking “I’ve betrayed the thrift‑culture spirit, and I’ve betrayed my own values.” I’ve never felt this kind of self‑scrutiny over a jacket before. I feel the pressure of a small mistake becoming a symbol of how I present myself.

I’m not asking for a huge critique—just a little perspective. Should I own the mistake, put a small sticker on the jacket that says ‘pre‑worn mistake’ as a joke, or should I just be honest and say, ‘I mislabeled it’ in my next post? Or maybe I should ignore it entirely and hope nobody notices? I’m anxious that this tiny faux pas is reflecting on my whole identity as a thrifter and as a person who’s trying to live sustainably.

Any advice on coping with the guilt, or how to re‑frame a small misstep like this in the broader context of mental wellness? Also, if anyone’s gone through a similar “pre‑worn confession” or felt like they’re being judged for a thrift‑shop blunder, let me know. I’m looking for honest feedback, not just a “don’t worry, it’s fine.”

Thanks in advance.

I’ve been thinking about why some people walk out of a thrift shop with a single vintage jacket while others leave with a pile of random odds. The answer often lies in personality, not luck. Below is a practical guide that ties the NEO‑PI‑R (the 240‑item Big Five inventory) to a systematic thrift‑shopping workflow.

1. Quick personality snapshot

• Take a free NEO‑PI‑R online version or use the short‑form NEO‑FFI if you’re short on time.
• Focus on the six facets under Openness (Fantasy, Aesthetics, Feelings, Actions, Ideas, Values) and the two facets under Conscientiousness (Order, Self‑Discipline) – these drive what you’re drawn to and how you organize finds.

2. Mapping facets to thrift goals

3. Practical checklist before you go

• Prep: Write down your top three facet‑driven goals for the trip (e.g., “find two Aesthetic‑high items”).
• Gear: Bring a small notebook (or a notes app) titled “Thrift‑Log”.
• Budget: Convert your budget into “points” (1 point = $1). Assign higher points to facets you want to prioritize.
• Timing: Aim for off‑peak hours (weekday mornings) when the store is less chaotic – this reduces cognitive load and helps the Order facet stay satisfied.

4. Example case User “M” scores high on Aesthetics (8/10) and low on Order (3/10).

• M’s plan: Spend 15 min in the “vintage women’s” section, ignore the men’s section entirely.
• M uses a “grab‑and‑go” bag for any item that matches a pre‑selected pattern list.
• Result: M leaves with three statement jackets, no stray socks, and stays within a $30 budget.

5. Tips & pitfalls

• Avoid over‑reliance on a single facet – a balanced haul feels better. If you’re high on Aesthetics but low on Self‑Discipline, you’ll likely overspend on decorative pieces.
• Re‑evaluate quarterly – personality can shift, especially after a major life change. Update your facet scores and adjust your thrift strategy accordingly.
• Don’t forget the “feelings” facet – sometimes a piece just feels right. Allow a single “feel‑good” exception per trip; it keeps the process humane.

Feel free to share your own facet‑based haul logs or ask questions about tweaking the workflow for other inventories like the MMPI‑2 or DSM‑5 trait specifiers.

I’ve been hitting the local thrift circuit for months, pulling 90s Levis 501s (model #W-501-90) and other vintage denim. After a careful wash using the Woolite 2‑in‑1 (code 112‑B), the resale price on eBay drops from $45 to $28.

• I followed the standard cold‑water, inside‑out method, but the denim feels softer, almost like it’s losing its original grain.
• The tags still read "Made in USA" and the stitching is intact.
• My usual buyer base (mostly vintage‑culture collectors) seems to lose interest after I list the cleaned item.

I’m starting to wonder if the cleaning process is triggering some subconscious cue of “less authentic” that I’m not aware of. Is there a psychological bias at play here? Or am I just over‑thinking a normal market fluctuation? Any insights on how to preserve both the material integrity and perceived value would be appreciated.

(Also, if anyone has a better detergent formula for vintage denim, let me know.)

Anyone else notice how every ‘unique’ thrift find is just a brand name ripped off a clearance rack? People act like they've discovered gold when they snag a $15 vintage tee, while the actual prices at most places haven't changed in years. If you have to brag about the $20 coat you 'rescued', maybe stop pretending you're pioneering sustainability and start admitting you just want to feel edgy. Anyone got a better excuse for paying ridiculous marks for stuff anyone could find in a regular discount bin??

Seriously, is the thrill of the hunt worth the hype‑filled price tags, or are we just feeding a shallow status game?

I was at my favorite thrift store the other day, and I found this amazing vintage coat that I just had to have. As I was trying it on, I noticed that it had a tiny stain on the sleeve, but it wasn't immediately noticeable. I ended up buying the coat, and when I got home, I started thinking about whether I should have told the store owner about the stain. Maybe they would have given me a discount or something. But then again, I feel like it's not my responsibility to point out flaws in the items I'm buying. I mean, it's not like I'm trying to deceive anyone - I'm just trying to get a good deal. I've seen some people on here talk about how they always disclose flaws when they're selling items, but what about when you're buying? Do you think it's okay to keep quiet about minor issues, or should you always speak up? I feel like this is one of those gray areas where there's no right or wrong answer, and I'd love to hear what you all think. I've been thrifting for years, and I've never really thought about this before, but now it's got me wondering. Maybe I'm just being too sensitive, but I don't want to be that person who takes advantage of someone else's lack of knowledge. On the other hand, I don't want to be the person who overpays for something because I didn't speak up. What's your take on this? Should we be obligated to disclose flaws when we're buying, or is it every person for themselves? 🤔

i feel like people only thrift to say they thrift... like, whats the point of buying some old shirt thats just gonna fit weird?? lol maybe im just bad at it but Every time i go to a thrift store i leave empty handed... or with something thats just meh