The Get Thrifty Podcast

What if the most overlooked items at the thrift store could become clothing people actually want to buy? From vintage pillowcases and tablecloths to secondhand sweaters, upcycling artist Alex DiMauro is transforming ordinary thrift finds into one-of-a-kind fashion. On this episode of the Get Thrifty Podcast, host Maggie Scivicque talks with Alex, founder of Mayfly, about her creative approach to sustainable fashion, how she sources secondhand materials, and how she grew her upcycled clothing business from pop-up markets and a vintage VW bus into a brick-and-mortar boutique in Harvard Square, Massachusetts. Alex shares how she turns discarded textiles into wearable art, why learning to sew opens up new possibilities for thrifted clothing, and what she's learned about selling handmade fashion. She also discusses the realities of running a small business, building a creative community, and using social media to share her work. GUEST HANDLES & RESOURCES IG: @mayfly.bus FB: @mayfly.bus YT: @mayflybus⁩ Website: https://www.mayflybus.com/ SHOW NOTES What Alex looks for at thrift stores, including cotton sweaters, button-down shirts, and vintage textiles How stained sweaters, old pillowcases, and tablecloths become unique, wearable fashion Why Alex believes sewing and upcycling are valuable skills anyone can learn How Mayfly grew from vintage pop-ups into a permanent retail storefront What she's learned about pricing handmade clothing and balancing creativity with running a business How authentic social media content helped introduce more people to her upcycled designs Why giving discarded clothing a second life can change the way we think about fashion

Vintage reseller Andi Jenkins has figured out how to turn thrift hauls into demand. After sourcing vintage overseas, she uses YouTube haul videos to build excitement around her finds, then releases them on Etsy, where her drops typically sell out within 24 hours. On this episode of the Get Thrifty Podcast, Maggie Scivicque catches up with Andi of All Put Together to talk about what changed when she stopped treating reselling as a side hustle and started building it like a full-time business. Andi shares how YouTube increased her sell-through rate, why showing your inventory matters, how she chooses between Etsy, vintage booths, and other selling platforms, and why multiple income streams helped her confidently leave her consulting career. She also shares plenty of sourcing insight along the way, including what makes European flea markets and UK car boot sales so appealing to vintage hunters, what kinds of finds can be much easier to come across overseas, and how she packs and brings vintage inventory home without relying on expensive international shipping. GUEST HANDLES & RESOURCES IG: @allputtogether YT: @AllPutTogether Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AllPutTogetherShop SHOW NOTES How Andi uses thrift haul videos to create demand before her vintage drops go live Why her Etsy drops after sourcing trips typically sell out within 24 hours Where Andi sources vintage in Europe, including flea markets, antique centers, and UK car boot sales Her tips for packing vintage finds and bringing them home in checked luggage Why focusing on fewer selling platforms can be better than trying to sell everywhere How diversifying her income through YouTube, vintage sales, booths, consulting, and education helped Andi go full time How resellers can use social media and Facebook Marketplace to get inventory in front of more potential buyers

Twenty years of thrifting can completely change what you notice on the racks. Fashion creator and stylist Beth Jones shares how decades of studying vintage fashion, designers, runways, and personal style have shaped the way she finds extraordinary secondhand pieces. Beth takes host Maggie Scivicque through her journey from childhood rummage sales and the early days of fashion blogging to becoming one of the early creators filming thrift shopping for YouTube. Along the way, she shares some unforgettable vintage finds, including a tagless Vivienne Westwood cardigan, a '90s Norma Kamali suit, and an incredible Cope Copine dress. GUEST HANDLES & RESOURCES IG: @bjonesstyle TT: @bjonesstyle YT: @bjonesstyle Website: bjonesstyle.com SHOW NOTES How Beth's love of thrifting started with childhood rummage sales Why studying fashion history and designers can change what you notice at the thrift store How she recognized a '90s Vivienne Westwood piece even without the original tag Why vintage and thrifted fashion remained central to her style as influencer culture evolved How "Always Play Dress Up" became the philosophy behind her style and community Why the thrill of finding something extraordinary in the wild never gets old

What can U.S. thrifters learn from secondhand shopping in Brazil? Marina, a São Paulo native and passionate secondhand shopper, shares how Brazil's curated brechós turn resale shopping into a boutique-like experience, with carefully selected fashion, luxury finds, and a strong focus on giving quality clothing another life. Marina also joins Maggie to talk about finding better-quality clothes at thrift stores, developing patience for the hunt, and building a wardrobe that looks elevated without paying full price. From a roughly $6 Barbour jacket to vintage L.L.Bean, Peter Millar, and her dream Dooney & Bourke find, this conversation is packed with reasons to check secondhand first. GUEST HANDLES & RESOURCES IG: @marina_athome Website: Amazon storefront SHOW NOTES How secondhand shopping in Brazil differs from the U.S. thrift store experience Why Brazilian brechós can feel more like curated fashion boutiques Why patience is essential when you're hunting for great thrift finds What Marina looks for in quality fabrics, vintage pieces, and classic brands How one incredible Barbour find changed the way she approached thrifting Why checking secondhand before buying new can open up a completely different wardrobe

The best thrift finds aren't always the pieces that look perfect on the rack. Sometimes the real skill is spotting what a secondhand piece could become. Maggie sits down with Carrie Mashburn, creator of The Mashburn Edit, to talk about finding potential in thrifted clothes, upcycling pieces you already own, and creating a personal style without constantly buying something new. Carrie shares the simple DIY clothing transformations that helped her online community take off, along with her approach to shopping thrift stores, experimenting with color, and giving overlooked clothes a second chance. GUEST HANDLES & RESOURCES TT: @the.mashburn.edit IG: @themashburnedit FB: The Mashburn Edit Website: The Mashburn Edit SHOW NOTES How Carrie spots potential in thrifted clothes other shoppers might pass by Simple ways to transform clothing with cutting, dye, bleach, and creative styling Why you shouldn't be afraid to experiment with clothes you rarely wear How to shop your own closet instead of relying on links and buying every new look What Carrie looks for when thrifting and how she handles stores that feel overwhelming Why mixing colors, patterns, accessories, and unexpected pieces can completely change an outfit How a simple T-shirt cutting video helped Carrie's upcycling content reach a huge new audience