One lucky woman in California managed to snag a pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes, as well as a Burberry bikini and a Kate Spade handbag, for a fraction of their original retail price during a recent trip to the thrift store.
Macy Eleni, who describes herself as “a digital personality,” is the author of the book Second Chances: The Ultimate Guide to Thrifting. She shared her latest fashion haul in a video posted to her YouTube channel @blazedandglazed on May 2.
In the clip, which captures her excitement and disbelief, Eleni recaps the stunning designer finds she unearthed at a thrift store in Pomona.
Speaking to Newsweek, Eleni confirmed that the Manolo Blahnik shoes were purchased with a 50 percent discount from the original thrift price of $26.99. The Burberry bikini top, marked at $23.99, was also discounted 25 percent. The small Kate Spade bag cost only $12.
Eleni’s viral video underscores a growing national trend. According to a report published in August 2024 by Research and Markets, the U.S. thrift store industry experienced a compound annual growth rate of 4.5 percent over the past five years, with a 1.4 percent increase in 2023 alone. That growth reflects a broader cultural embrace of secondhand shopping, likely driven by sustainability concerns, economic savvy and the thrill of the hunt.
For Eleni, the appeal is more than financial. Her YouTube video captures the emotional rush of a well-scored deal and the joy of uncovering hidden gems. Her enthusiasm is palpable in the clip, as she waves the designer pieces in front of the camera, clearly amazed by her luck.
“This is why thrifting is and will always be the best way to shop and you will never convince me any different,” Eleni says in the video, holding up a pair of gold Manolo Blahnik heels. “What do you mean I can just walk into an unsuspecting building and bam—find a perfect pair of gold Manolos in my size for literally $26.99? But just kidding, actually $14 ‘cuz the orange tags were 50 percent off.”
The thrift haul continued as Eleni made her way to the swimwear section. “Then hit the swim section and snag an authentic Burberry bikini, literally a lifelong thrift manifestation in the flesh,” she exclaims. Later in the video, she marvels over a third find, saying “look at this mini cheetah print Kate Spade bag, oh my god I can’t.”
All three items “were in fabulous condition,” Eleni told Newsweek, noting that “the Burberry bikini seemed to be never worn.”
Although Eleni wasn’t certain of the original retail value of the specific items, she offered rough estimates. “Manolos usually run around $300 to $400 and Burberry bikinis usually run around $200 and up,” she told Newsweek.
Current listings on the Manolo Blahnik website show that shoes from the brand’s seasonal classics and new collections start at around $795. Meanwhile, Burberry’s official website lists women’s bikini tops beginning at roughly $310.
Do you have a thrift-related video or story to share? Let us know via [email protected] and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
The post Woman Finds Manolo Blahniks While Thrifting—Not Ready for the Price Tag appeared first on Newsweek.
