Talks in Tan-dem

You know those people you walk by on the street that make you do a double-take because you just love their style? Not because it’s expensive or the latest trend, but because it’s so them? Uarda is one of those people. As with many great friendships, I met her through a mutual friend (you know her as Dora from profile 6), and we instantly got along like a house on fire (I’ve never quite understood that expression, it seems so dark for something so wholesome). From the first time we met and ever since, I’ve absolutely loved her style, and I came to learn that it is unique for a reason. 

She has mastered the art of thrifting and second-hand shopping, not just as a way to fill her closet, but as a way to express who she is. Thrifting, in my eyes, is the act of shopping for second-hand treasures, often at discounted prices, in places like thrift stores, flea markets, or garage sales. It’s not only a great way to find unique pieces and save money, but also a more sustainable alternative to fast fashion. (Bonus: as Uarda pointed out, it can double as an arm workout while you lug around all your finds.) Whether you’re on the hunt for a bargain or browsing high-end vintage, the options are endless.

The looks she puts together are playful, intentional, and unafraid to stand out, and lucky for us, she is not gatekeeping her secrets. Uarda is officially our 10th profile, and it’s a fun one – join me for a deep dive into her story, some solid advice, and a few of her favourite haunts.

Market streets and memory lane

Uarda’s first memory of thrifting goes back to her childhood in Albania, when she was still in primary school. Back then, second-hand shopping wasn’t as in vogue as it is today – it was just a practical way to get what you needed. She used to go with her mum to a long, bustling street lined with stands selling second-hand clothes, shoes, and sometimes even brand-new (possibly questionably sourced) items. The prices were low, at least in the beginning, before the secret got out and demand pushed them higher. It was chaotic and colourful, and left an impression that clearly stayed with her. When she moved to the capital Tirana as a teenager, she didn’t thrift much because she didn’t yet know where to go. But those early memories stayed tucked away, waiting to be rekindled.

There’s a sweet Albanian saying she remembers from those early shopping trips: Ta gëzosh – “may it make you happy.” It’s something you say when someone brings something new into their life, whether it’s second-hand or not. She’s felt closely connected to it ever since (and I feel honoured that she’s even said it to me a few times), and honestly, it’s the perfect way to sum up her whole approach to thrifting.

It wasn’t until a few years later, after moving to Paris in 2018 for her bachelor’s, that thrifting found its way back into Uarda’s life. She started out in med school, switched to chemistry, and eventually landed on biology, where she felt right at home and completed her degree. It was around her second or third year in Paris that she began thrifting again, this time not out of practicality, but more for the thrill of the find. There, the treasure hunts go by names like brocantes or vide-greniers (literally translating to “empty attics”), and wandering through them reignited that same childhood excitement – only now with more purpose and personal style.

What is it about thrifting?

Uarda prefers flea markets over regular thrift stores. There’s something about chatting with the sellers, the possibility of negotiating a price, and the slightly more curated chaos of it all. Shops can feel overwhelming, with too many racks and too little personality. Plus, haggling in a store is nearly impossible. She doesn’t consider herself a natural negotiator (unlike her aunt, who could probably charm a price tag right off), but she still enjoys the exchange. She’s also explored kilo shops, where you pay by weight, and often heads out with a friend in tow. It’s part hunt, part hangout. We once went on a thrift store crawl where we covered around 8 stores, and boy girl did it feel like a workout. Even though she thrifts regularly, she only buys something about one in every five outings, taking her time until something really speaks to her.

So what is it that Uarda loves so much about thrifting? Treasures she finds from thrifting don’t just fill space in her wardrobe; they inspire it. She beams with pride when she manages to put together an entire outfit made up of second-hand pieces (which happens more and more lately), and she estimates that almost half of her wardrobe is now thrifted. Her fast fashion days are mostly behind her. She hasn’t stepped into a Zara in over a year and a half – and that shift feels intentional.

Of course, people thrift for all kinds of reasons: affordability, sustainability, human rights concerns, or simply the joy of finding something no one else has. For Uarda, it’s a mix of all those things – but above all, it’s a way to dress in a way that feels more like her.

Finding a middle ground with fast fashion

It’s not just about style – Uarda’s love for thrifting also stems from an increasing awareness of what fast fashion represents. By definition, fast fashion is all about speed and quantity: clothing produced rapidly and in massive volumes to meet constantly shifting trends. The results are often lower in quality, with little regard for the conditions of the workers behind the scenes. Profit and affordability tend to take priority over ethics or longevity. (For those who are interested, she pointed me to this interesting blog post about brands that are sustainable.)

That said, she recognises the realities many people face. Not everyone has the time or energy to dig through second-hand racks, and sustainable brands can often come with a hefty price tag. One of her favourite workarounds is simply asking family members if they have clothes they no longer wear. She’s known to dip into her mum’s wardrobe from time to time, giving older pieces a new lease on life: like transforming a long skirt into a dress! Not only is it creative and cost-effective, but it adds sentimental value to her outfits. She’s also had great fun doing clothes swaps with friends – another creative (and social) way to refresh your wardrobe without spending a cent.

Her approach isn’t all-or-nothing. There’s no shame in picking up a fast fashion piece here and there – especially for basics, or if you’re someone who takes good care of your clothes and wears them for years. For her, it’s more about slowing down the cycle, making thoughtful choices, and finding joy in clothes that already have a story.

Style is key

Of course, thrifting is a lot easier (and a lot more fun) once you’ve got a sense of your personal style. Uarda admits that it can be overwhelming at first, especially when you’re staring down packed racks of clothes with no clear plan. She imparted some valuable pieces of advice. It’s important to start by figuring out what you actually love to wear. Also, try to make the most out of the pieces you already own. The goal isn’t to buy something you’ll wear once and forget about, but to build a wardrobe full of items you’ll reach for again and again.

She remembers a time, as a teen, when she felt the need to wear a different outfit to every friend’s birthday party. But now, she’s an expert at mixing and matching. Accessories are her secret weapon. A loose-fitting shirt might be styled casually one day and then transformed into a more fitted look with just a pin or clever tuck the next. It’s all about being playful and getting creative with what you have.

Uarda draws inspiration from all over. She’s a big Pinterest fan and has a board called “fashion inspo” where she collects looks she loves. Scrolling through it is like taking a peek into her mind’s eye – full of texture, colour, and ideas. Her friends also serve as constant sources of inspiration; she loves seeing how people she knows style themselves, and often picks up ideas from their outfits, too.

Pieces with a story

Finally, I asked Uarda about her favourite finds, and her eyes lit up with that special kind of nostalgia reserved for well-loved things. One of the earliest pieces she picked up in Paris was a black and gold cardigan – nothing flashy, just quietly elegant. She found it for 8€ in a local shop, and to this day, it’s probably one of the most-worn items in her wardrobe. The fact that it’s still going strong after 4 years speaks volumes about its quality (and about her eye for spotting a gem).

Then there’s the denim bag. She got it at a flea market in Paris, and while the design caught her attention, it’s the memory of the negotiation that stuck with her. She managed to talk the seller down from 25€ to 24! One whole euro less, and it seems the satisfaction was real. That bag has gone everywhere with her. It’s been so well-loved that the back is now frayed and torn, and though she’s tried to patch it up, she knows its days are numbered. Still, it’s hard to part with something that’s been through so much by your side.

And perhaps the quirkiest of her favourites: a watch she picked up in Rome. It doesn’t even work, but that doesn’t matter. It’s become more of a statement piece than a timepiece, and she wears it simply because she loves how it looks. Each item has its own story, its own little place in her life. They’re not just clothes or accessories, they’re memories made wearable (if any brand picks this up as their tagline, you heard it here first).