Thrift It! Clique Style Queen – Dionne Dean

Welcome to Old World New’s very FIRST Thrift It! Clique Style Feature!  Today we are featuring Dionne Dean – stylist, beauty and thrift maven of DionneDean.com.  I cannot recall exactly how we met, but I know it had to do with the power of social media and thrifting.  She hosted a resale shop on the weekends at a mall out in Dallas, and I saw the prices were fabulous and I just HAD to go!  She was so kind, helpful, and the vintage finds were amazing!

Dionne is a stylist first, and the testimonials to her work are endless and great.  She makes women feel great by helping to define their style and remind them that they can truly work it!  So are you surprised that such a great stylist is an avid thrifter, too?  You shouldn’t be.  Thrifting is for everyone, and believe me when I say, Dionne makes it look easy – especially with her thrift haul videos.  Let’s see what she has to say about thrifting.  I hope you let it inspire you to thrift, too!

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Describe your first thrift store experience.

I grew up in London and would always go to the charity shops (British version of the thrift shop) with my big sister. Even as a little girl, I loved the history of old clothes. I thought the prints, patterns and fabrics were all so beautiful. I then got back into thrifting a few years ago when I moved back home to South Florida after grad school. Again, because of the population, there was so much beautiful vintage and colorful fabric and prints.

When did you fall in love with thrifting?
I don’t really know. I have a Bachelors in Clothing, Textiles and Merchandising and spent the bulk of my fashion career in stores, so I’ve seen trends come and go. The older I get, the more I want to distinguish my style and be more creative. Have a fashion voice, so to speak, in the midst of all the disposal fashion out there. I can’t really tell you a date, I think my love of thrifting has evolved over time.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start thrift
shopping?
Go to the thrift store with an open mind, but also do your research. As a stylist, the first thing I do with my clients is work on distinguishing their signature style and learning their body type. You have to have a sense of what you like or don’t like before you go into some of these thrift megastores because it can be quite intimidating for the newbee.

What style(s) do you find easiest to shop for at thrift stores?
Fall, definitely Fall. Sweaters, capes, coats, leather. I know what I like and what looks good on me (my signature style), so when I’m in the store, I immediately zero in what makes me look and feel my best.

Where are your favorite thrifting spots?
Back home in South Florida, I would definitely say ‘Red,White, and Blue’ in Hialeah. Dallas, hands down Thrift World.

What is the weirdest or most fun thrift purchase that you have ever made?
I think my jewelry collection is really fun. I am known for wearing belts as necklaces and have curated quite a collection.

What is your favorite thrifted item?
Every one of my capes. Can’t pick just one LOL

What thrift/style motto do you live by?
#weNEVERpayretail

Which one of your thrift based YouTube videos do you recommend to new thrifters?
My haul videos show my greatest finds, but I think if you’re starting out, you definitely need to watch my “How to thrift” series of YouTube videos.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Fashion should be fun and so should thrifting. Remember, you’re not going to a mall store; everything will not be laid out for you. Try not to get intimidated. Have fun and treat it like a big ole’ scavenger hunt.

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You can follow and experience the great fashion that Dionne serves here:

Facebook – Instagram – Youtube

xoxo, dolls & dudes