When junior JJ Racz started thrifting in his freshman year to expand his wardrobe and sense of fashion, he didn’t know that the hobby would lead him to find some of his favorite articles of clothing.
Racz’s favorite piece is a pair of vintage baggy jeans from Marithe Francois Girbaud, which were originally valued at $60 but which he snagged for $10.
“When I wear a pair of baggy jeans, I try to balance out the outfit with a smaller shirt,” he said.
Racz usually thrifts around the Bay Area, at places like the Goodwill Bins, an outlet variation of Goodwill that sells clothes by the pound. Racz also frequents the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, which sells vintage goods on the first Sunday of each month.
Racz keeps an eye out for name-brand clothing and basics.
“I usually look for pants and hoodies,” he said. “They’re the easiest to upcycle.”
By looking for ways to modify and elevate the secondhand clothes he purchases, Racz makes the most of his pieces: he can turn two pairs of pants into one, or weave a pair of denim shorts into a bag.
For people looking to get into thrifting, Racz recommends looking for a balance of staple and statement pieces.
“I would recommend looking for stuff that’s pretty flashy as well as some plain stuff, because plain stuff can look bad, but if you take a good look at it, it can often be made into something better,” he said.
—Written by Katie LaWer