Goodwill hunting for the truly bizarre

By Lily Curlin

Every good thrifter enters the thrift store with a goal in mind. Some are looking for high-end, high-value designer brands they hope to snag for a huge discount. Others are hoping to find some rare vintage pieces to upcycle into their day to day wardrobe. However, my own attitude is a little different. I don’t go to the thrift store to uncover a new closet staple or snazzy accessory; rather, when I walk through the doors of Goodwill or City Thrift, I have one goal in mind. I aim to be surprised, entertained and maybe even a little disgusted. Thus, on Saturday afternoon this fall, I headed out to City Thrift to seek out the most shockingly strange items we could uncover. Here are my best (worst) findings. 

First up, a… graduation robe??

To be honest, like most of the following items, I’m not entirely sure what this is. A graduation robe? A Mrs. Santa costume? Perhaps a nightgown of sorts? We may never know. However, I can say that this monstrosity was quite warm and comfy. 
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Next, a realistic dog print bag

Now here I must admit that this particular specimen came home with me. I happened to have discovered a pair of realistic cat print shorts at Plato’s Closet a few months ago, and I felt that this bag would pair nicely. 

Nightgown anyone?

Truly one of my most awful discoveries. I wish it was a costume but unfortunately it appears to really be a real nightgown. There are no redeeming qualities. I tried it on and felt immense sorrow for the previous owner. 

$5 Elsa 

When I found this item, I excitedly informed my friend that I’d found her next birthday present. But honestly, if I was looking for a cheap Elsa costume, I might consider this ensemble. Had a fun little cape and snazzy shimmer fabric. 

All the prints 

When I saw these two I just knew they must be paired together. Birds: win. Butterflies: win. Birds and butterflies: win-win. Also the jacket was embroidered with shiny thread so what's not to love. 

Last but not least, the miracle of thrifting

The layman might see this flowy burnt orange pair I discovered in the suit section and think to themselves “That is horrendous.” or “I can see why that ended up here.” They would be right. But as a thrifter myself, I never back down from a challenge. I took the bottom half of this set home with me and have since transformed them into a passable pair of summer-y shorts. 

While scoring a pair of vintage Levi’s or searching for a rare Ralph Lauren is exciting for many, I will continue to comb through the racks in hopes of discovering the weirdest, ugliest, ‘only found at a thrift-store’ items. We all know nothing can compete with my realistic cat-print shorts.