Fashion Talk With Personal Thrift Shopper Madalyn Newell
In this week’s Fashion Talk, I would love to introduce Madalyn Newell, or as she presents herself in her Instagram bio, “your personal shopper and thrifting bestie”. Madalyn made the bold decision to leave her day job and dive headfirst into the world of professional thrifting. Based in Phoenix, Arizona, but with clients all over the globe, her keen eye for style and passion for sustainable fashion have led her to carve out a niche as a thrifting expert. Get to know Madalyn and her unique and inspiring journey here.
Name: Madalyn Newell
Age: 26
Current residence: Phoenix, Arizona USA
Family: Recently married to my husband and biggest supporter, Brady
Life motto: If you can dream it then you can do it
Can you share a bit about yourself and how you became interested in personal thrift shopping?
I am the oldest of 6 children. My mom constantly took us to the thrift store, telling us that if we wanted a certain item, we would have to thrift it ourselves. So, I grew up learning how to find exactly what I wanted in a thrift store. My mom was thrifting when I was still growing inside her belly; many of my baby clothes were thrifted. Thrifting was just extremely prevalent in my life from a young age.
I found myself falling in love with vintage clothing pieces that still held relevance in our modern day. I would spend so much time looking for old Levi’s and vintage band tees. If you asked me in my teenage years what I wanted to be when I grew up, personal shopping was probably on the list, but as a kid/teen, it’s hard to find a path to get there. I didn’t believe it was possible until one day in my mid-twenties when I realized it was time to at least try to make my dream a reality.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a personal thrift shopper?
Thrifting has always been a joy to me. When I was sad, I went thrifting. When I was happy, I went thrifting. It brings me to life when I walk into a thrift store. I feel the most zen and myself searching through used clothing. I remember a few years back I was thrifting and a woman behind me asked if I did it professionally. I laughed and responded “I wish”! Little did I know what I had in store for me!
I had lots of jobs before becoming a personal shopper. I worked in the beauty industry as a hairstylist, I worked in social media, I worked for The Real Real as a high risk fashion authenticator. I wore many hats as I tried to find what brought me the most joy. In 2023 I had left The Real Real for a job that had promised me an exciting career that failed to deliver. I fell into a deep depression and didn’t know what to do. I had left my dream job for another job that turned into my worst career decision ever.
I thought long and hard about what I was going to do. I decided I was going to quit my full time salary job for a shot at being a personal shopper/thrifter. I gave myself 1 year to make it work and if it didn’t work out I would go back to a 9-5. It took months and months of marketing and posting Tik Toks and Reels. In September of 2023 it all changed. I posted a reel on my Instagram about ‘How To Find Designer While Thrifting’. It went viral within a day. I was in total shock. I decided to make another one and it went viral again. I went from 2,000 followers to 102,000 within 4 months.
Because of the viral reel and my rapid account growth I started connecting with amazing women. I do what I do for women! I love women. We are hardworking, kind, loving, and strong creatures. Some women do not have time to thrift. Everyone leads such different lives. I thrift for so many moms, doctors, TV executives, nurses, teachers, and artists. I love being able to help them incorporate sustainable items into their closets. I now have clients all over the world.
Can you share some of your favorite thrift shopping finds?
I once found a Dior necklace that retailed for $700 dollars at a thrift store for $6. I didn’t even realize it until I got home. As I was trying to identify the branding, I gasped when I saw the vintage Dior logo. I ended up selling it to a friend for $150. I still can’t believe I found it, let alone sold it! It was crazy!
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start thrift shopping but doesn't know where to begin?
Learn your store! I always have a method when I shop. First, I head to the jackets and coats, then I move on to handbags and accessories, and so on. Thrift stores can be incredibly overwhelming with so many items to look at and racks to push through. Breaking it down makes it more manageable to shop. Take your time and familiarize yourself with the racks. Additionally, I like to have a clear idea of the items I want to thrift that day. Having a mini wish list will help so much. You can slowly work your way through your list to create the ultimate sustainable closet.
In what ways do you think that thrift shopping contributes to sustainable and ethical fashion practices?
Thrift shopping helps slow down and elongate the fashion life cycle. Clothing is made to last and be worn, especially vintage items made with integrity. In today's world, fast fashion and overconsumption are rampant, but thrift shopping gives perfectly good items a new life. Moreover, fast fashion practices, including labor exploitation and ethical concerns, are highly concerning. By choosing not to purchase from these companies, we are not supporting their practices.
Can you share any tips for effectively styling thrifted pieces to create modern and fashionable outfits?
This really depends on each individual's style, but I do believe that quality can elevate an outfit itself. Vintage and high-quality items are crafted to fit bodies with extra attention to stitching, fabric blends, and added details or embellishments.
How do you stay updated on current fashion trends while still maintaining a focus on thrifted pieces?
I love watching designer runway shows and learning about all brands, whether they are current or past ones. I enjoy discovering different creative directors and how they have influenced their respective designer houses. I also use Pinterest regularly for inspiration. I draw inspiration from it daily, browsing my feed and finding pieces like a Chloe blouse from the early 2000s. Then, I head to the thrift store to find something similar. It might take a few trips, but when I finally find it, it's truly the most rewarding feeling in the world!
Lastly, what are your future goals and aspirations as a personal thrift shopper?
My future goals and aspirations as a personal shopper are to continue advocating for sustainability and teaching people that they can find what they need in a thrift store and still look chic. We are currently facing a major crisis with fast fashion, and I want to be part of the solution.
Make sure to follow Madalyn on Instagram here.
See you again next week!
Love,
Maria