Tell us a little bit about yourself! Where are you from? What do your parents do? What do you do for a living? Where is home?

– My name is Tabatha Thomas but most know me by Thrifty Tabs!
I have been thrifting for as long as I can remember and trust me, thrifting did not always have the most positive stigma. Growing up, I lacked stability and moved from state to state and parent to parent. The only thing I found constant was thrift stores-THEY WERE EVERYWHERE! I was not as fortunate as a lot of my surrounding peers and this led me to thinking out of the box and creating my own looks via local thrift shops. Instead of being made fun of for wearing off-brands, I chose to pave my own way in fashion and spent time curating outfits out of used items and refusing to blend into the crowd and adapt to the trends at the time

Describe your typical schedule, from the moment you wake up to when you call it a night.

-Most of my days start with coffee! I love to be outdoors, so any time the sun is shining (almost every day in the sunshine state), I am outside at the beach, riding my bike or adventuring with friends to discover new places. My nights are spent managing an innovative wine bar or attending whatever night life events I feel I am in the mood for. Can’t forget the endless hours of thrifting somewhere in there!

What is your affiliation with MagCloud? Tell us about the company as a whole.
-I discovered MagCloud through a photographer friend of mine, and I really love the company and how easy they make it to upload and order your own printed work!

How do you feel that MagCloud is different from other publishing companies?

-MagCloud is not your typical publishing company because it gives customers and creators the opportunity for online sales!

How would you describe your style?

-My style definitely depends on my mood. I love textures and cozy clothes but most importantly how the clothes fit on my body that day.

When did you start selling thrift apparel under Nomadic Thrift?

– I have been reselling my clothes to friends for years but this year is my first year selling under Nomadic Thrift. I think people fail to find the importance of recycling or reusing items and my goal is to bring that to the world’s attention by traveling and re-selling beautiful items!

What is one trend you are currently in love with and one that you hate?

-I have never been one for trends but if I had to choose a current trend it would 100% be the natural beauty trend. I am happy that people are cutting back on makeup and material items and for the most part “staying woke” by being their natural self. A trend I absolutely hate is CHOKERS! I have never found chokers flattering even in the 90s.

If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

-I have never been the person to idolize celebrities or other humans, so if it just so happens we meet, then so be it. 😉

You have gorgeous skin? What is your secret???

WATER! Seriously, aside from drinking lots of water I also usually only use water to clean my face and the occasional Ina Dayle coffee scrub when I am feeling like I need to be refreshed. Also, even if you do not live in the sunshine state as I do, sunscreen is essential and should be factored into everybody’s daily routine.

Your bio says “hair today, gone tomorrow”. As a person who always has short hair, (and a healthy appreciation for puns); What inspired you to make the cut?

– I have had short hair since 2012. In high school, I randomly shaved my head and loved it. I would let my hair grow and begin realizing how differently people treated me (especially those of the opposite sex). I always said that if your hair defines your beauty then you are not beautiful! I believe everybody should be bald at least once even just for the social aspect!

Describe the relationship between thrifting and your personal aesthetic. How do you incorporate it into your style, work and photos?

– My personal aesthetic is definitely very timeless and simple usually with a statement piece per outfit. I like being able to look at photos and appreciate the composition/model instead of attaching a time to the photo via apparel/hairstyle etc.

Where are your favorite places to thrift/shop?

-I know Goodwill’s layout like the back of my hand, but I like to support smaller businesses and there’s a few local thrift shops by me that I visit weekly.

In the world of fashion, or personally, where do you see yourself in the next five years?

-I don’t even know where I see myself in the next 5 minutes; if there’s anything to know about me it’s that I love to travel and never live the same day twice.

What advice do you have for the girl bosses out there trying to hustle their way to the top?

-Focus on how you can better YOURSELF each day despite how hard life can be sometimes and do not get caught up in the materialistic ways of the world. Perspective is everything, so be kind even when it isn’t the easiest option!

What is one thing you would tell your younger self?
-STOP PROCRASTINATING

Quick Facts:

Most-loved piece: A Simpson’s denim jacket I scored for free at a yard sale!

Most-worn piece: A simple textured black tube top (goes with everything)

Current read: “How to See Yourself as You Really Are”

Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption

Current binge watch show: Bob’s Burgers

Favorite fashion decade: 1950s!

Favorite word: anything that involves a pun

Least favorite word: Literally

ThriftEd Interview 06.28.2017
Interviewed by: Rachel Kiser, Staff Writer

Photographed by Dylan Thomas / Modeled and styled by Tabatha Thomas for @ShopNomadicThrift