Everyone knows that shopping at thrift stores is a gamble, but sometimes browsing through racks of clothes can lead to a fabulous find — as Monica Paulino shows in a viral TikTok video.
The clip has been viewed over 134,000 times. The 31-year-old (@monicampaulino) can be seen bending down on the floor at Goodwill in Marin County, California, showing off a beige leather bag. But it’s not just any old bucket bag; it’s reportedly made by luxury brand Mansur Gavriel.
With the logo and a label that says “Made in Italy” and the feel of “high quality leather,” there’s no reason why Paulino from Alameda shouldn’t believe it’s real.
She told Newsweek: “I compared the bag to photos of the bag on the designer’s website and it looks identical. I’m pretty sure it’s real!”
TikTok/@monicampaulino
The item’s retail price is $595, but Paulino was able to take it home for just $14.99.
“I love Mansur Gavriel and that style, but I never wanted to spend that much money and pay full price,” she said.
According to the brand’s website, the bag in the video was one of the first products to gain recognition when the company was founded by Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel in 2013. Today, the bucket bag and tote bag are considered “iconic silhouettes.”
TikTok/@monicampaulino
During the clip, Paulino points to the production origin as a telltale sign, giving her even more reason to believe the bag is authentic. In fact, Mansur Gavriel’s products are designed in New York and made in Italy, just like the ones in the June 14 video.
The clip, captioned “Holy cow, the savings gods bless you when you least expect it,” received more than 4,300 likes and made many viewers jealous.
Paulino, a small business owner, said Newsweek that she shops at second-hand stores at least once a week. She said, “You have to go often to get the good stuff!”
According to the comments, not everyone has the same luck when it comes to saving. One commenter wrote, “My Goodwill NEVER has anything.” Another wrote, “What? My Goodwill could never do that.”
A third commenter added: “That would be 49.99 at my thrift store. Behind the counter next to the 29.99 Spanx leggings from three weeks ago. So lucky people are still finding treasures, we need to re-orient our thrift market.”
But patience is a virtue and finds like this often come when you least expect them. Paulino mentions in the video that she has been “manifesting” the item since last summer. Her secondhand shopping videos not only make people jealous, but also inspire them to shop sustainably.
“Ugh every time you pop up in my feed I spontaneously want to go to the thrift store,” wrote a fourth user.
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