Lunch Break has been featured in leading publications and partnered with brands across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. Founded by designer and curator Kristen Boelen, the brand sits at the intersection of secondhand fashion, storytelling, and personal style.
After heading to the thrift store, Kristen Boelen almost left dismayed by the lack of bargains, until she took a second glance at a leather bag that caught her eye. It was instantly clear that she’d struck gold.
Boelen, 37, was wandering around the thrift store in Napa, California and for the most part, it seemed empty. She’d only got a few items in her cart and told Newsweek that she was “feeling frustrated” by the lack of treasures.
But before heading home, she looked through the items in her cart to see what was worth buying. She almost didn’t check the gray handbag in the pile, but something compelled her to give it a second look.
Needless to say, she’s so glad she did...
Secondhand reseller Kristen Boelen, who sells vintage women’s apparel through her store Lunch Break Thrift on Whatnot, said she has noticed an uptick in gift-related purchases during the holiday season. Accessories and outerwear tend to be the most common gift items, she said, since buyers don’t have to worry as much about fit. During live shows, Boelen often learns an item is a gift through comments that pop up immediately after an auction closes, such as, “Thanks so much — my daughter’s going to love it.” She has also picked up on gifting through repeat customers, noticing when regular buyers suddenly purchase items outside their usual size range...
