AFTER discovering a pair of hidden gems, a thrift store enthusiast feels like a fairy tale princess.
She could not imagine who would donate her beautiful Cinderella shoes.
But this was no dream because she knew their real worth when she saw the distinctive soles.
They were a dead giveaway, and this sole sister had hit the jackpot.
Delight was written all over Renee’s face (@officialreneenicile).
Striking pre-loved gold is what thrift store devotees fantasize about.
“I just found Louboutins thrifting,” she said.
If it can happen to her, it can happen to anyone, she figured.
You just have to be devoted to the cause.
“This is a reminder to go thrifting,” she added.
Renee has 74,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares her love of pre-loved items.
In this post, her eye for designer gold came to the fore when she found her “Cinderella Louboutins.”
They featured the classic red sole of a Christian Louboutin shoe.
They were in her size and she paid a little over $100.
Brand new, these Satin D’Orsay shoes are $870.
On some vintage clothes sites, they were still going for $220.
“I’m too scared to wear them for too long because they’re so pretty”
Renee Nicole
How to check designer authenticity
Striking designer gold in thrift stores is the ultimate pre-loved goal. But there are a lot of fakes out there. So how do you know if you have the real deal or not? Here are some tips to help guage provenance from Medium.
Quality of materials:
- Material quality is the number one giveaway
- If it feels fake then it probably is
- Designer shoes use only the best materials, leather or suede for example
- Fake designer shoes may use synthetic and imitation materials, which invariably cheapen the look
- Use your fashion instinct and ask: “Does this feel like real leather/suede?”
- Tip: If it does not feel authentic, move on
Logo & branding:
- Designers have their unique branding details that set them apart from competitors
- Authentic designer shoes will have their branding branded onto their collection
- But fakes can often have the designer’s name spelled incorrectly or the logo doesn’t quite match up
- Christian Louboutin’s shoes have red soles, for example, and Vivienne Westwood’s collection has a distinctive orb
- Tip: Do your research and become familiar with the logos of fashion houses
Construction:
- Designer shoes rely on an industry of highly skilled craftsmen and women
- This will be reflected in the construction of designer items, including shoes
- The stitching and glue will be consistent with a high-end item
- Tip: You should be alert to anything that is not consistent with high-quality work
Source: Medium
Commenters were stunned at Renee’s thrift store find.
“Wow, the universe made you the main character that day,” gushed one person.
“The stars were aligned for you,” said another.
“What idiot donated those,” gasped a stunned viewer.
“They are so beautiful,” said another, in a sentiment echoed by other viewers.