This week on Covered In Style, we’re keeping things sustainable with the thrill of thrifting.
Thrifting is where sustainability meets style and creativity knows no price tag. From vintage gems to secondhand steals, thrifting reminds us that fashion doesn’t have to be brand new to feel fresh. It’s all about curating pieces that tell a story, because sometimes, the best finds are the ones with a past.
Plus, don’t miss this week’s challenge, where we’ll show you how to thrift like a pro and look fashionable while doing it (because rent isn’t cheap, but your outfit can still eat)..
Let’s get into it →
@sincerelytahiry
Meet Tahirah Folk — an African American NYC native whose mind is as vibrant as her wardrobe. Fluent in Spanish and fluent in thought, Tahirah loves to unpack the intersections of history, pop culture, and what it means to be a Black Muslim woman today. And when she’s not dropping gems on your timeline, she’s uncovering them in thrift aisles across the city.
Tahirah approaches thrifting like a historian with a fashion agenda. Thoughtful, intentional, and always with a touch of flair. Each piece she finds feels like a conversation between eras: a 90s blazer reborn with 2020s energy, or a vintage bag that somehow matches every fit. Her style philosophy is simple but profound — sustainability is chic, and budget-friendly doesn’t mean basic.
The theme for this week is Thrifting. Do you remember your very first thrift find? The one that made you fall in love with thrifting?
I thrifted a lot in high school. High school was kind of the time for me to explore a lot of the fashion, artsy spaces in NYC. My first denim jacket and jeans that I ever had was thrifted. I think they were the Levi 301's, I could be making up that number. But they were these good pair of Levi's. I was blown away by the material. This was also like during 2010, so like everyone at that time were still kind of wearing skinny jeans.
I loved finding these Levi's, because thrifted clothes at that time was way more looser, bootcut, wide leg. I was in the thrift shop alot, and I remember getting those pieces and being super excited about it. Even that jacket, for a very long time, I techincally still have it.
When it got super busted, I cut it and cropped it. The jeans? I cut the ends so I can fray them. Just so I can give them a new sense of personality, after all these years of having them.
If we tagged along on one of your thrift trips, what’s your game plan? Are you a dig-through-everything type or a grab-and-go-with-a-vision thrifter?
I feel like the best way to have a really good thrift haul, you have to go into the store knowing what you want. It's super easy to get distracted, but also, you can end up leaving without anything, and that's super frustrating. So, I always shop with a list, even if it's just a list of like okay, I want just a cute dress, or maybe I want some graphic tees and some scarves.
I like to get a lot of my big accessories from thrift shops nowadays. A lot of my satin scarves, my belts, and jewelry are some good finds. I personally don’t like going into the dressing room to try on clothes. So I always make sure I have a dress on so I can quickly wear a hoodie or some pants over it. It cuts my time at the thrift shop.
I'm always aware of what I have on and my list of what I want. The biggest thing about thrifting is that you can't be too attached to a section. So, like you can find so many good things, especially as a modest girly, in the Men section. Look EVERYWHERE! I have some friends who are small in size and find their items in the kid’s section.
@sincerelytahiry
What’s your best thrift score of all time? That one piece that made you feel like you hit the fashion jackpot?
I found this really cute satin scarf at a thrift store in Delaware. Like the most random situation ever. I literally wore it the other day. I bought it years ago, and I thought it was super cute, because it kind of looked a little bit like the old Gucci prints in regards to the detailing.
I was literally in Delaware, which is the most random state ever. I got it for like $5. People always ask me where I got it from. The quality is super good. It was a really good find for me that day. I was honestly a little shocked. Sometimes I wear it across my chest, to give it a little corset moment.
How has thrifting influenced your approach to modest fashion? Do you find it easier or more creative to build modest looks secondhand?
I do think that thrifting has made modesty fun for me. Especially as a teenager, where it felt like I could be in a store and everything is tight, has a crop, or has a slit.
Thrifting kind of gave me this time capsule, and allowed me to access different clothes regardless of trends and aesthetics. There's not like one main aesthetic or trend in a thrift store. It’s a whole bunch of everything, everywhere, so it made modesty kind of like a challenge in a positive way.
It added to my sense of hijab because it felt more unique. Like I had to put in more effort to find these items and pieces, and I also felt like I was killing two birds with one stone.
People forget that modesty is a code of conduct in how you act. And sustainable habits of shopping for clothes that other people don’t want anymore, but you can find a home for, feels exactly like how hijab and modesty can be applied as a practice. I’m trying to be mindful and not be wasteful. I’m trying to be more intentional about clothes. From the materials to the fabric. It made dressing more intentional for me. It always feels like a special moment. It’s really an experience that I love and admire.
@sincerelytahiry
What’s one tip you’d give to someone who wants to start thrifting but feels overwhelmed?
I think the list is definitely my number 1 tip. You have to be prepared to not have a good haul. There's like an art to it. I would also say, however, it's good to know the difference between a thrift shop, a charity shop, a Goodwill, and a vintage store; these are all different stores under the umbrella of thrifting.
For example, vintage and consignment stores usually have more luxury or high-end, hard-to-find pieces. And then you have places like Goodwill, which are like donation spots. They're not really curated. If you're going to a Goodwill or Salvation Army, be prepared to do a lot of digging, because it's not as properly organized and neat. They're really just for come for what you need. And a lot of these clothes were given away by churches, so expect to be there for a long time.
The happy mediums are like chain thrift shops, like Buffalo Exchange and my favorite, L Train Vintage. They have a good amount of clothes, but they also curate them, so the process is a lot easier. Depending on what type of store you're going to, you're not going to have the same type of hauls. Just be mindful of where you’re going and keep your expectations in mind. Some days you’re going to find some gems, and some days you won't find anything you want.
@sincerelytahiry
Tahirah reminds us that fashion doesn’t have to be new to feel fresh, it just has to be you. From her first pair of thrifted Levi’s to that now-iconic satin scarf found in a Delaware shop, her wardrobe is stitched together with stories, not price tags. Thrifting, for her, isn’t just a hobby; it’s a philosophy. It’s about sustainability, intention, and the thrill of finding beauty in what others overlook.
She shops with a list, a vision, and an open mind, proof that great style comes from preparation and a little curiosity. And while she loves a good men’s section find or a perfectly frayed denim jacket, what really stands out is how she’s redefined modesty through secondhand fashion. To Tahirah, modesty isn’t just about coverage. It’s about care: caring for your clothes, the planet, and the values that shape your wardrobe.
As she puts it, “People forget that modesty is a code of conduct.” And through thrifting, she lives that code beautifully: mindful, intentional, and effortlessly cool.
So this week’s challenge? Head to your local thrift shop and embrace the adventure. Here’s how to get started:
Shop with intention. Make a list of what you’re looking for, but stay open to surprises.
Explore every section. The best finds aren’t always where you expect. (Yes, even the men’s aisle.)
Reimagine your finds. A cropped hem here, a new use for a scarf there. Give old pieces a new life.
Because at the end of the day, modest fashion is about more than what’s trending. It’s about how you express your values, your creativity, and your story. And as Tahirah proves, there’s nothing more stylish than doing it sustainably. ♻️✨
xoxo,
