30
TORN
&TATERD
Photos by Kevin Thatcher
THRIFT STORES (A Way Of Life For
Some-Hidden Treasures For Others)
I never thought in my wildest dreams that
1, "Potato Head," would reveal trade secrets
on my favorite hobby (next to skate-
boarding), thrift store shopping.
Do you think for a minute that Stevie Ray
Vaughn or Eddie Van Halen would share
secrets on a special lick, or that killer tone
they get? Imagine Christian Hosoi or Stevie
Caballero telling you just how they get sooo
gnarly? I am sure all of the above mention-
ed would share one or two secrets about
licks or tricks, but, as for the little extra
something that puts them a cut above the
rest, you'll have to find out for yourself. That
comes with one's own individual style and
approach to a favorite sport or hobby that
he or she takes a little more seriously than
others. With me it's thrift store shopping. It's
gotten so intense that if I don't go at least
once a week to my local Thrift Village, I go
through withdrawal. Even if I don't buy I just
have to look and make sure no one else has
gotten my clothes. Yes, my clothes! 'Cause
no one person on earth appreciates old
clothes in good condition like me. It's got-
ten to the point that if it's cool, I'll collect it-
big or small, female or male. I have killer
dresses and skirts that are too gnarly to sell.
I've got over 40 Hawaiian shirts in different
sizes, styles, colors and prints-even one
in polyester (a loud gag shirt).
In the past I've collected suits, shoes, ties,
smokin' jackets, records (78's, 33%'s, 45's),
guitars (electric, acoustic, bass, lap steel),
lighters, baseball cards, Hot Wheels, movie
posters, bolo ties, old skates, etc.
You ask yourself just when and how did
Taters become a thrift store junkie? After
high school, I found myself involved in the
underground music scene in my area. The
gigs called for a certain attire that could not
be obtained at the cloned clothes stores.
We've all been there before, no matter how
cool you dream you are. Being the bright.
spunky young kids we were, we had to do
all of our shopping at thrift stores. We would
reach for the loudest, most obnoxious shirt
we could find with the peggest-legged
pants, and the funkiest lookin' women's
jackets.
Looking back in history...skate history
that is, Steve Olson was one of the first loud
dressers. He, along with Tony Alva, Terry
Nails, and of course, moi tatois, were some
of the funkiest dudes in town. Then, around
1982, we think it's 1952, with greased back
sides and hanging waterfall coifs. Big ol'
baggy trousers w/double pleats, killer 50's
rock-n-roll shirts w/formable collars (to)
enable them to be thrown straight up),
pointed shoes and argyle socks, all found
in thrift stores. We were real hip cats, the
coolest of the cool, with heroes like Jerry
Lee Lewis, Gene Vincent, Billy Fury, Eddie
Cochran and, of course, Elvis. We were
dressed to kill.
So enough history, now a few of Tater's
Thrift Tips". When looking for goods, make
sure they're worth something to you or so-
meone you might be able to sell them to. For
Facing page: Can you say...D..I..O..R?
Don't be surprised when you find famous designer
label fashions hanging on the same rack as
polyesters from the Mervyn collection.
instance, Stacy Peralta loves the way gabar-
dine shirts hang when he wears them. Also,
Exene Cervenca of X just loves old.
Victorian-style clothes, so you know that if
I come across any of those items, they will
be the first to have a crack at buying.
Once you think you've found something,
weigh the facts. Will it fit you or someone.
you know? Is it the right color? What condi-
tion is it in? If it's something you like and it
fits you, that's reason enough for buying.
Here are a few hints to keep in mind.
TATER'S THRIFT TIPS
1. Most stores that sell vintage clothes will
not buy unless it's in mint condition. Just like
there's a lot of '57 Chevy's out there, but
how many are mint? So don't buy unless it's
in killer condition, o.k.?
2. If you're buying vintage, make sure that
it is vintage. A lot of companies use old style
tags on new, clone-produced clothing. So
look beyond the tag for other signs to insure
a quality vintage purchase. Most older.
clothes were made out of 100% materials,
not too many 50/50 blends. Now many
clothing manufacturers are remaking old
prints. This is very common with paisley; old
paisley was very detailed and usually came
in 100% cotton shirts with Nehru or button-
down collars. The paisley found in most
stores now is usually a 50/50 poly/cotton
blend that just doesn't feel the same. So,
whether it be Dior, J. Magnin, Sir Guy, or
Paul Howard, make sure it's solid.
3. Don't pay high prices. Some thrift store
owners think they've found the last smokin'
jacket on earth and demand a higher price
than regular jackets. Refuse to pay the high
price. Letting it sit on the rack will force the
store owner to come down on the price.
That, combined with 20% off Sunday or a
color tag special, can bring that over-priced
smoker down to a semi-reasonable $3-$5.
4. Etiquette. A word some of you may not be
familiar with, but not showing some kind of
etiquette in a thrift store that I shop at could
find you running head-on into a raging 200
lb. Potato. Put more plainly, respect your
fellow shopper. Right of way also pertains
to shopping. If you see someone in the mid-
dle of an aisle, check to see what direction
they are flowing and follow in that direction.
Never go against the grain or cut in front of
someone; it will only work against you.
5. This is the last, but not the least, of Tater's
Thrift Tips". Do not overstock. If you don't
watch out, you could find yourself in a sea
of clothes, and this could bum-out the folks.
Keep the rents happy by selling some of
what you buy. I found working with your
parents can only help.
So, in closing, remember who made who,
work with your parents and you'll find out
how much happier your life will be. Plus, it
keeps them younger longer, which is what
it's all about. Isn't it?
Shop 'Til You Drop"
Skatefully Yours,
Gerry Tato Hurtado
Paisley revolution? We've been buying this
crap at Thrift Village for years.
A vintage banana board in fair condition. Now
If you can just find the front truck assembly.
Look for color, style and fabric, in that order,
and you can work up and down several racks
of garments in just a few minutes.