Hollywood Costume Designers Reveal the Best Thrift Sources for Finding Movie-Worthy Looks
The designers behind 'The Prom,' 'Mank,' 'Lovecraft Country,' 'Westworld' and 'Barb & Star Go to Vista del Mar' share go-to spots for vintage finds.
By Fawnia Soo Hoo, Danielle Directo-Meston
June 2, 2021 10:39am
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Google Preferred
- Share to Flipboard
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
Sketch of a dress in 'Mank' for Amanda Seyfried, designed by Trish Summerville; the actress (left) as Marion Davies in the film. Courtesy of Netflix
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Google Preferred
- Share to Flipboard
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
Five top Hollywood costume designers — the creatives behind the looks of The Prom, Mank, Lovecraft Country, Westworld and Barb & Star Go to Vista del Mar — share their top picks and tricks for shopping and renting screen-worthy garments.
Unsurprisingly, Hollywood costume designers turn to local vintage shows, film-friendly designer vintage boutiques, and fabric emporiums to uncover pieces for telling each character’s story through fashion.
The Prom costume designer Lou Eyrich tells The Hollywood Reporter that the alfresco Pickwick Vintage Show and A Current Affair pop-up markets offer “so many options under one roof. Also, some of my most treasured finds have come from The Way We Wore,” the high-end vintage boutique helmed by Doris Raymond.
Related Stories
Costume Designers Share Spring Fashion Favorites From Denim Jumpsuits to Go-To Birkenstocks
Hollywood Costume Designers' Self-Care Must-Haves from Cult-Fave Lipsticks to CBD Drops
Below, read on for more of the best online thrift stores and designer vintage consignment websites for scoring your own treasures, as well as brick-and-mortar favorites of Hollywood insiders. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or a star-studded cast, check out the costume designer-approved online vintage sites below.
Trish Summerville, Mank
Who: Mank costume designer Trish Summerville, recently nominated for an Academy Award for best achievement in costume design
What: International Silks & Woolens (8347 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles), and B&J Fabrics (525 7th Ave., New York)
Why: Summerville’s secret to costume hunting? “You just don’t overlook anything. You have to check out every resource, whether it’s rental houses or boutiques or collectors around the world,” the Oscar- and CDG-nominated costume designer tells THR. “You just try and source anywhere you can. I really relied on massive amounts of fabric sourcing. We even built a lot of the background because we couldn’t find enough clothing in well enough condition to use. We’re really, really grateful for International Silks & Woolens in Los Angeles. They have a lot of vintage pieces as well. They’re really entertainment and film friendly. Then there’s B&J Fabrics [in New York].”
View this post on Instagram
Shay Cunliffe, Westworld
Who: Shay Cunliffe, recently nominated for a Costume Designers Guild award for excellence in sci-fi/fantasy television for Westworld
Where: TheOutnet.com and TheRealReal.com
Why: “The most mundane stores can surprise if you keep an open mind. That being said, I am very fond of The Outnet for wonderful quality clothing at prices that can fit into a budget. And also The RealReal if you don’t need to find multiples. I appreciate the recycling aspect of previously-owned clothing.”
View this post on Instagram
Dayna Pink, Lovecraft Country
Who: Dayna Pink, recently nominated for a CDG award for excellence in period television for the Lovecraft Country episode, “I Am”
Why: “It’s no secret, but Etsy and eBay were our constant companions! We literally dressed thousands of extras and piece by piece completed an enormous puzzle.”
Sketch by Christian Cordella for a costume by Dayna Pink for Lovecraft Country. Courtesy of Dayna Pink
Trayce Gigi Field, Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Who: Trace Gigi Field, recently nominated for a CDG award for excellence in contemporary film for Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar.
Where: Lemon Frog Shop (1202 N Alvarado St., Los Angeles)
“My favorite secret shopping source would be thrift stores,” says “My most favorite thrift store is Lemon Frog Shop in Echo Park. The owner Micki [Curtis] has amazing taste and is so helpful. I have found so many gems at her shop.”
View this post on Instagram
Read More About:
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
More from The Hollywood Reporter
-
Why Silver Lake’s Hottest New Hotel Took So Long to Open (Blame Katy Perry)
-
See Inside Jake Johnson’s Pasadena Home (With Creative Studio) as Actor Lists Property for $3.29M
-
Anjelica Huston Delivers Voiceover for Audiobook Launch of Amy Ephron’s ‘Unseasonably Cold’
-
‘The Social Reckoning’ Arrives, Jessica Chastain Premieres ‘Other Mommy’ and This Week’s Best Events
-
Samsung Taps ‘The Traitors’ and ‘Love Island’ Stars for New Switchers Campaign Amid Record-Breaking Sales
-
Cynthia Erivo to Headline Benefit at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City
The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
Most Popular
‘The Exorcist: Martyrs’ Trailer Radically Reboots Franchise With Scarlett Johansson
‘New Girl’ Stars Reunite — in a Slightly Different Way Than Max Greenfield Claimed
The Major Social Media Platforms Are All Rejecting Paid Ads for Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ (Exclusive)
Joseph Gordon-Levitt Says Instead of Being Afraid of AI, “We Should Be Concerned About the People Building AI”
‘The Social Reckoning’ Stars Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White Discuss the Pressure of Following ‘The Social Network’
Gail Lerner Fired From Her Own NBC Comedy ‘Newlyweds’
‘Treasure Island’ Review: David Oyelowo and Hayley Atwell Can Only Breathe So Much Life Into MGM+’s Handsome but Undercooked Pirate Adventure
Must Reads
Olivia Rodrigo: The Queen of Sad Finds Her Happy Place
‘Ted Lasso’ Star Jason Sudeikis Goes One-on-One With WNBA Great Breanna Stewart (Watch)
‘The Social Reckoning’ Review: Aaron Sorkin Savages Facebook Once Again in Sharp Whistleblower Thriller Led by Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White
By David Rooney