The TEll// By Thrift & Tell
Welcome to THE TELL//BY THRIFT & TELL: a celebration of fashionable women who dress as smart as they shop.
This week’s guest on THE TELL// is Eleanor Leftwich, fashion collector and lover of all things vintage. I first was introduced to Eleanor (her pseudonym) when she happened to message me via DM on Instagram. When I clicked through to her profile I instantly fell in love with her affinity for consignment, luxury fashion. Eleanor’s style is classic while still being fabulous and a bit over the top (think feathers and sequins), and to say her shoe collection is enviable is an understatement. Rather than a closet stuffed with trendy pieces that will only last a season, Eleanor opts for quality items that will last a lifetime. Her true love for the art of fashion is instantly apparent and really fun to observe-- her #latenightleftwich series is not to be missed. It is a treat to have Eleanor be part of the series and stay tuned for more interviews to come. Enjoy!
//Your style in 3 words: Classic. Timeless. Confident.
//Staple Outfit: It changes seasonally, but most often, skinnies, a tee, and a great blazer or a long breezy dress.
//Style Icon(s): My mother, Laura Santo Domingo, Caroline Herrera, Lupita Nyong’o, Gemma Chan, and Jackie Kennedy Onassis.
//Your First Big Purchase: Hermes Birkin 30cm in gold with gold hardware.
//Do You Still Have It? Yes, & I’ll have it for life!
//Best Fashion Advice You Ever Received: My father always told me it’s not ladylike to chew gum. He’s not wrong.
//Types of clothing you invest in: I look for clothes made in the US and in Europe and am typically investing in Chanel tweed blazers and winter coats (I live in Minnesota!).
//Types of clothing you save on: Anything that doesn't last longer than a year - think undies, tees, white tanks.
//Your Greatest Extravagance: My jewelry collection.
//Brands That Will Stand the Test of Time: Hermes, Chanel, Max Mara, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, vintage Dior, and vintage Pucci.
//Favorite Affordable Brands: J.Crew, Mango, Zara
//Favorite Designer Brands: Hermes, Chanel tweed, Alanui cashmere, Max Mara coats, Ralph Lauren Collection, Oscar de la Rentaa, Carolina Herrera, and Valentino gowns
//Favorite High-Low Brands to Mix: I love to wear AYR denim with Uniqlo white tees and a Chanel blazer. This is definitely my uniform.
//Favorite Places to Shop Consignment: So many! The Real Real, Dora Maar, June Resale (Mpls), Shop L'Histoire, Down the Rabbit Hole (Mpls), Fashionphile, Luxury Garage Sale, and Sellier Knightsbridge, to name a few.
//Favorite Places to Consign Your Own Closet: Generally June Resale & Dora Maar, but I recently started selling it myself through Instagram on @shopeleanorleftwich. It's been received so well that I'll likely continue to sell direct and mix in with my favorite consignors too.
//Your Closet Tried and Trues: Chanel tweed blazers, Alanui cashmere sweaters, personalized Le Lion sweaters, Hermes bags (my faves are Birkins, Kellys, and Constances), AYR denim, Cesta Collective lunch pail bags, long breezy cotton dresses by Mille, Sue Sartor, and Daphne Wilde. For fun nights out, dresses by La Double J and caftans by La Vie Style House. I also love hats by Behida Dolic, Maison Michel, Kemo Sabe, and Janessa Leone. My most worn shoes are Chanel ballet flats, Gucci Princetown loafers, Red Wing Heritage boots, Castaner espadrille wedges, Manolo Blahnik Maysale mules, Hermes Oran sandals, and K Jacques Ganges sandals.
//Your Most Prized Possession: My grandmother's gold charm bracelet and an 80s vintage dress of my mom's.
//Currently Collecting Dust in the Back of your Closet: I have a decent collection of evening couture gowns without the lifestyle to match! One day!
//Best investment you ever made in your style: Confidence. You can rock anything as long as you have the attitude to match.
//Style Choice From Your Past That Haunts You: Overalls and low-waisted jeans.
//“It seemed like a good idea at the time” a.k.a Purchase you most regret: 5" Christian Louboutin heels.
//Closet From Which You Would Like to Borrow: Anna Wintour.
//Last Time You Splurged? My biggest splurges are at my favorite local jeweler: Filigree Jewelers. My most recent was vintage turquoise and diamond earrings from there.
//Currently Saving Your Pennies For: A Porsche 911 - I've wanted one since I was 16 and I love to drive.
//A Deal for the History Books/Your T&T Personal Best: I bought a custom couture Zuhair Murad skirt from June Resale that originally cost the owner $75,000 and required multiple fittings in Paris. It was never worn, and I bought it for $2,000.
//Advice to someone looking to define their own style: Find your uniform and then buy it in multiple colors.
//Trend you wish would go away? In-your-face logos, cutouts, crop tops, bucket hats, sweatpants at the airport, dad sandals/sneakers ... how much time do you have? ;-)
//You feel great. What are you wearing? A long breezy dress, my Janessa Leone Gloria straw hat, gold hoops, & K Jacques Ganges sandals.
//Occasions when you splurge: Vintage pieces in excellent condition, estate/one-of-a-kind jewelry, and a great tailor.
//Occasions when you save: Anything trendy, white tees and tanks
//Home Decor Style: Functional, quality-driven, comfortable, and durable (I have 4 kids ages 5 to 10!).
//Favorite place to hunt for home decor: Any time we travel, I always like to bring something back that will remind me of that place for our home.
//Go-to for unique items, whether it be clothing, accessories, home or art: Clothing: vintage dealers Shrimpton Couture and Classified Vintage. Jewelry: Filigree Jewelers. Art: Douglas Flanders & Associates in Minneapolis.
//Your fashion motto: “Dressing well is a form of good manners.” -Tom Ford
//Your life motto: From my mom: Be kind to everyone you meet. From my dad: Kick ass and take names.
Fill in the blank:
//A woman should invest in- herself. //You’re never too old to—start something new. //A woman can never have too much- jewelry. // Bury Me In: nothing! Cremate me & throw a party celebrating life. I want everything to be passed down to my kids and grandkids .... or maybe eventually to a museum for the great vintage! //True or False: More is More- False. //Fashion is- an art form. //Style is: inherent.
Currently Loving:
//Music: The new Harry Styles album
//Print: Town & Country
//Food: @halfbakedharvest’s chicken pot pie
//Drink: Ranch waters with Casamigos Blanco
//Film: Only kid movies around here - the Bad Guys was pretty good!
//TV: Anatomy of a Scandal
//Podcast: Smartless
//Instagram Handle: @laurenisafox always makes me laugh
ABOUT ELEANOR
Like many women, Eleanor wears many hats (not all of which are designer): mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, farmer, and business owner. When not managing her family's multi-generational farm or chasing after her four young children, she is enjoying the thrill of the hunt. Eleanor Leftwich was originally created to share her joy of getting dressed every day, but soon morphed into a platform to help others find the confidence to wear what they love despite expectations. She believes that everyone should have a daily uniform and it's important to her to showcase brands, designers, and businesses that are doing great work in the fashion and design space.
FIND ELEANOR
Photos used courtesy of Eleanor Leftwich
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