Thrift store 101

Look #1

Raised on the thrift stores of Ohio, Sharon Anderson, who considers herself ageless, developed a love of clothing that led her to NYC, where she busies herself styling, shopping, brushing her dog Nina (right) and working on her Bef du Suede belt collection (befdusuede.com).

How do you get that bad smell out of vintage clothing?
Wash it again and again in All Small & Mighty with Bleach Alternative.

What will you be hunting for this spring?
I always look for the same things: coats, jackets, dresses, shoes, bags and jewelry. Everything, actually.

Would you buy something if it had stains?
Unless it can be cut off (if it’s close to a hem) or otherwise disguised, no. I don’t have lots of closet space, so I’d always be inclined to overlook it for something in a more ready-to-wear state.

What’s your best vintage find?
Vintage black suede Azzedine Alaïa ankle boots ($20) in perfect shape—totally slamming!

Look #2

Twenty-nine-year-old Hilary Rosenman’s first job was as a fashion market editor at Manhattan File. Next, she helped her friend Charlotte Ronson launch the C. Ronson apparel line, before starting her own shoe collection, Madison Harding (madisonharding.com).

Who’s your favorite tailor?
Ramon’s is awesome (306 Mott St between Bleecker and Houston Sts, 212-226-0747).

What will you be hunting for this Spring?
Vintage home goods at the Salvation Army for my apartment.

What’s your favorite vintage boutique?
Circa Now (238 E 6th St between Second and Third Aves, 212-254-2555) is reliably excellent.

What’s your best vintage find?
An old-school navy Polo boys’ blazer with silver buttons and all, at a Salvation Army in Queens. I found it in the kids’ section (which has the best stuff). I love a shrunken fit.

What else is worth buying small?
I’ve bought shoes that are two sizes too small, and then had them stretched at Arty’s Shoe Repair (243 Eighth Ave between 22nd and 23rd Sts, 212-255-1451).

Look #3

Quinn Asteak, 26, keeps herself busy as the market editor at Paper magazine, when she’s not hard at work codesigning the clothing line Thesethreethings. She’s also a contributor at TONY and the manager of Fille de Joie (197 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn; 718-599-3525), which she (naturally) considers to be the best vintage boutique in Brooklyn.

What will you be hunting for this spring?
I’m all about the mini–smock dress. They’re just so easy and breezy for the summer. The maternity section is a secret gold mine for these. I’ll also be looking for some patterned shorty-shorts to go underneath in order to avoid potentially scandalous panty situations.

What do you always buy?
I’m never afraid of a dowdy-looking dress—you can always modernize it by changing the hem or sleeves.

What’s your best vintage find?
When I went home to Easton, Pennsylvania, recently, I found a red-and-gray houndstooth suit ($7) by Oleg Cassini at Family Thrift. I found the blazer first; the matching pencil skirt was on the other side of the store.

Look #4

Born and raised in New York, Nadia Hosni, 29, started her career as a publicist for Tommy Hilfiger, before spending six years covering the men’s fashion market. Currently, she’s a fashion editor at a New York–based magazine and a freelance stylist.

How do you get that bad smell out of vintage clothing?
Send it to the cleaners, and then give it a thorough spray-down with Febreeze.

What will you be hunting for this spring?
Miniskirts, short shorts and costume jewelry.

Would you buy something if it had stains?
If it has good bones, then it could be a great layering piece. I would definitely buy something if it were too big, and take it to a tailor.

What’s your favorite vintage boutique?
I always visit What Comes Around Goes Around (351 West Broadway between Broome and Grand Sts, 212-343-9303) for inspiration—they have an amazing vintage archive.

What’s your best vintage find?
A pristine Chanel purse.