What do you look for at the thrift stores?
It’s easiest to be a label whore. It’s sad, but that’s a simple way to judge quality and helps you edit things down.

What labels get you excited?
I have some things from Nanette Lepore, Diane von Furstenberg. I like Built by Wendy. Or something old and funky-looking. My winter coat is some strange old-man label.

So you’ll also browse the men’s section?
It’s a women’s coat, but it looks like something an old man might wear.

I like your earrings.
Thank you. They’re from a shop called Love Day 31, in Astoria, which is owned by a woman who used to be a buyer for Screaming Mimi’s. She has mostly vintage, although these are new. They’re big but they weigh nothing.

I notice you’re often in shit-kicking boots.
Yes. They make me feel safe, and I can’t walk in heels. These boots are John Fluevog. I’ve had them for years; they’ve been resoled three times.

Nice, but I’ve seen you in other pairs, right?
I also have a pair of Campers—the Twins line. They’re sort of mismatched. One is brown with a light-blue zipper that goes up, and the other kind of wraps around like a crescent roll.

Crescent rolls are delicious. I bet your boots don’t taste quite as good.
They’re not bad. You’d be surprised.