Even though he’s up to his eyeballs in books and rubber gloves, Dave remains the first and most avid reader of this little blog. He blesses me with his support of this hobby of mine and even knows the names of my readers and blogging buddies. Today, D-Train is providing content for his first blog post on the Heights.

Holla!

Although he lacks the time to sit and pound out a post himself, he talked me through this one during a drive to visit his family, and I typed my little fingers off to record his thoughts.

So what did I pester him about posting? Thrifting men’s blazers and suit jackets. I aspire to be the kind of thrifter that Dave is, and he always manages to find the best deals on dressy clothes. Suit coats can be nauseatingly expensive, but there’s nothing like a good suit coat (amiright, ladies?). Since the we’re in the midst of the holiday season, I figured some of the fellas out there (or their significant others 😉 ) might be on the lookout for inexpensive but classic men’s wear that can be dressed up for parties, family events, church services, and more. Dave was stoked when I asked him about this topic, and he offered five main tips for thrifting men’s jackets!

Know exactly what you need

Before you even start the shopping process, figure out exactly what you want and need. Otherwise, you can get overwhelmed by the selection (or lack there of), and end up buying something you don’t need. The main specifications to consider are:

• Your size (the fit of the jacket is the most important part of it, so knowing your size and examining how a jacket fits is a high priority)
• The fabric (hate polyester? longing for cotton? have a good idea of which fabrics you’re willing to consider)
• The weight (what season are you looking to accommodate? a spring jacket will be much lighter than a winter one)
• Color
• Your price range

If it helps, you can write down your specifics to use as a guide while looking. Once you have a solid idea about what you want, hit the pavement.

Check both local and chain stores

I (Dave) have scored some major deals at Goodwill (the jacket in the picture above cost me $3 at Goodwill), and at local consignment shops (I bought a jacket at one of our favorite dives for $5). Keep your options open and be willing to have patience. The perfect coat could be one more stop away, or one week away. Check and see what days different stores will have new inventory and check back on those days.

Stick to your specifications. You don’t have to settle just because you’re thrifting.

Look for versatile pieces

Of course, the best kind of jacket is the one that can be worn for a variety of occasions. Ask yourself if you can dress the piece up and down, if it can cross over through seasons, and if it’s appropriate for different settings. The more versatile, the better the deal and the happier your pocketbook.

Inspect the jacket thoroughly

Even though you’ll probably be getting the blazer at a crazy cheap price, you still want to make sure it’s in good shape, because it still costs money. Be sure to take the time to inspect the jacket well. Check the brand. Is it quality? Although the brand shouldn’t solely determine your purchase, it can clue you in to the kind of integrity with which it is made. You’ll also want to see if it’s worn. A good place to examine is the underarm area inside the jacket; it’s a great indicator to how worn the jacket is. Check for missing buttons, stains, holes, etc. as well. Make sure it’s worth your cash.

Some repairs are worth the investment

That being said, some minor repairs may be worth making. This is something you’ll have to decide for yourself with each jacket. I suggest really getting to know your tailor and their prices. That way, you can calculate how much a certain repair might be and decide from there. I’ve (Dave) thrifted a really nice, name brand jacket before for about $10, and the sleeves needed some adjustment. My tailor was able to do it for $10. So although the repair cost as much as the jacket itself, for just $20, I had a quality jacket that fit perfectly. If I were to buy something like that off the rack, I would be forking over at least $75. In my mind, then, those repairs were worth the investment.

Of course, many repairs you can make yourself. Buttons and small holes are easy to sew and will cost you next to nothing.

Any other self-proclaimed fabulous thrifters out there? Tell us all your secrets!!!