Every woman knows the importance of owning the perfect LBD (the little black dress for those who aren’t in the know). It remains a closet staple, and one shopper has got her hands on the ultimate LBD after finding a 1998 Gucci dress in none other than the thrift store.
August 17 marked National Thrift Shop Day, so Vanessa Lee Nagel couldn’t resist heading to her local store and seeing what treasures she might find. There was no way of knowing what she might discover at the thrift store that day, but she certainly wasn’t expecting to find such an iconic new addition for her closet.
As Nagel sifted through the dresses, she spotted a statement black dress on the rail. She told Newsweek that, as soon as she laid eyes on the dress, she knew it was “a piece of history.” At first, she thought it couldn’t possibly be real, and she immediately needed to investigate.
As it turned out, it is exactly what hoped for; a Tom Ford for Gucci backless bodycon dress from the spring-summer 1998 collection. The dress features a high neck at the front, a low back, leather straps, and buckles with the Gucci logo engraved.
@mycuteassfinds / TikTok
While Nagel may have paid only $25.99 for it at the thrift store, secondhand versions of the dress can be found online retailing at $4,200.
“I am always so happy to share items I find at the thrift,” Nagel said. “It is truly a treasure hunt, and I feel like one of the boys holding up a big fish they caught.”
She continued: “It’s not just about finding designer; it’s about finding quality items made from good fabrics that make you feel your best in a sustainable way. Be different and have a vision because you can truly find anything at the thrift.”
Nagel couldn’t resist sharing a video of her latest thrift find on TikTok (@mycuteassfinds) where she often documents her purchases. The clip has generated plenty of attention online, leading to almost 100,000 views and nearly 6,000 likes on TikTok at the time of writing.
Having been an avid thrifter since her childhood, Nagel has found some incredible pieces in the past, but this one is certainly near the top of her list. She told Newsweek that it is become one of her favorite purchases, along with a Barbie Miu Miu dress and a Balenciaga city bag.
“I have been thrifting since I was a preteen. My dad owned an antique shop, and I spent weekends at auctions and swap meets. So, I feel like I’ve been training for this moment for a while,” Nagel said.
The online response to the Gucci LBD has been overwhelmingly positive, as many internet users were stunned by Nagel’s skill for finding hidden treasures. While some commenters questioned why it is so special as they just see it as a plain black dress, Nagel said that it is far more than just that.
Among the comments on the TikTok video, one user wrote: “You just won the fashion lottery queen.”
Another person replied: “This is my idea of treasure hunting.”
A third TikTok user added: “The perfect Little black dress.”
One comment reads: “I do not understand designer fashion … like it’s just a black dress.”
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