How many times have I walked into a secondhand shop thinking to myself "Today will be the day I find *insert mythical fashion item here*, and it will fit." And on as many of those days, I've left empty handed, or with something entirely different, unable to will what I was looking for into existence by thought alone.
Math is far from my strong suit, so I wont even try to ponder the odds that I could walk into the Goodwill in my town and just happen to find a near pristine vintage "Save the Tiger" belt from Banana Republic just when I decide I need to have it in my life. Though the internet has changed the secondhand market, and people scour the racks of their local stores to find items they can flip for a profit. With that, the odds have shifted, and there are at least three other listings for this belt on Poshmark right now; the hunt is digital, and I am committed to it.
While this belt had quite the blemish on it, front and center, no doubt from a careless person at a secondhand shop slapping on a large price sticker with little regard to how such an adhesive could mar the leather, when I saw the belt listed for $5 I decided to take a chance. Other current listings are from $25-$35, while sold listings range from $10-$38, thus further swaying my decision toward the flawed belt. When it arrived I found the leather cleaner and conditioner I'd been gifted many years ago and got to work, first removing the sticker residue with a pencil eraser, then carefully cleaning, and once the conditioner had set, the leather was darker, gleaming, and the discoloration from the sticker nearly unnoticeable.
Of course what initially prompted this hunt was that Banana Republic had reproduced some of their heritage pieces and the belt was included, so you could always buy that, however I tend to think they did a better job with it the first time around.
The Rundown
Dress Banana Republic
Sandals Ann Taylor Factory
Straw Bag with Bamboo Handles Thifted similar
Leopard Silk Scarf Ann Taylor
Leather "Tiger Tooth" Belt Banana Republic
