I tend to do the rounds of the thrift stores in my area about once every two weeks or so. One thing I have noticed is that brands that are not well-known in Sweden are often priced very low, because the staff do not recognise them. Some brands that tend to go unnoticed are Coach, Proenza Schouler, Samantha Thavasa, and sometimes Strathberry.
Recently I found a rather plain black leather Betsey Johnson bag and some glorious brand-new Fluevog shoes that had slipped under the radar. I don’t need any more bags so I passed, and the shoes were too big. I am a bit squeamish about wearing second-hand shoes so I only buy unused ones. Anything else I wash very well before wearing, even if they are brand new. I actually do that for everything I buy, even department store purchases.
Betsey Johnson has always been a very colourful character and her bags are quirky. Similar to Anya Hindmarch crossed with Judith Leiber, but at a lower price point. I would have loved one of her quirky bags when I was younger, but I have always been more practically inclined. 
As for Fluevogs, I wore similar ‘flower power’ platform shoes in the 1970s, but now I would really like some colourful brogues or loafers to wear with my black work trousers.
I want those green plaid shoes!!!!
Aren’t they gorgeous?
beautiful shoes
What a dream to find Fluevogs in a thrift shop! I was just in contact with their email department to get some info on shoe repairs. There are 2 shops in SF so I’m lucky. I have a pair of knee-high boots that I never knew the name of and the amazing people at Fluevog (Jamie) were able to take the pics I sent & found the style name & sent me a scan of the original sell sheet catalogue page from 1994! They were originally purchased at a shop in Oklahoma back in 1994.
I have a few other pairs from the 90’s that I still wear & have held up. I have an original late 90’s pair of Derby Swirl boots that only just last month lost the pull tab (I have it) from the back of the boot – easy repair. The ones from ‘94 need resoling, but that’s not surprising. I just bought some sandals last summer & expect them to outlast my Birkenstocks. I’m only having to replace my pair of Derby Swirl Vogs because my feet have gotten a bit larger over the past 30 years & I need a half size up from what I got originally.
Buy ‘em for life! DDFT is on their tags – Don’t Delay, Fluevog Today! And the Angel Soles of the Derby Swirls say “resist alkali, water, acid, fatigue and Satan!”
I am also a long time Betsey fan, as well as Anna Sui (though have always been too fat & poor for their clothes, enjoy their accessories & cosmetics, respectively). So much 90’s love!
You hardly ever see Fluevogs here, but you can instantly spot them. I think they are gorgeous, and the styles are so different from pair to pair.
You sound like you have amazing style!