A woman's thrift-store steal has amazed internet viewers after she found a designer coat for only $35.
Robin Gardiner (@irishgoddess0), 32, from Haileybury, Ontario, shared her incredible find on TikTok, where her video featuring a Hudson's Bay Company coat quickly garnered over 844,000 views and more than 20,200 likes.
Gardiner couldn't contain her excitement. "I was so excited. I couldn't believe I found it. I'm from a family who hunts, traps and fishes, so I've always wanted a Hudson Bay item," she told Newsweek.
Originally, Gardiner planned only to show the video to her best friends and her mom, but she decided that "there would be some people out there that would appreciate thrifting like I do."
Gardiner said that she had gone thrifting with the intention of finding a jacket for her husband's Christmas party.
While browsing, she found a section labeled "quality wear" that included about six jackets. "I noticed the Hudson Bay stripes, but I honestly didn't think it was real," Gardiner said. After examining the coat and spotting the original Hudson Bay tag, she used Google Lens to verify it.
Upon further research at home, Gardiner discovered that her coat, costing $35, was a vintage Hudson's Bay wool coat from the 1960s.
"Hudson Bay coats started being made after many Métis and French settlers and traders wore their Hudson's Bay Point Blankets as outerwear robes and later turned them into capotes, wrap-style coats," Gardiner said.
Today, these coats can sell for $300 to $700. Gardiner feels lucky, as her coat is in near-perfect condition, with all seams and threads intact. "I won't be selling it though," she said, adding that she plans to pass it down to her daughter.
She said she also plans to have the coat's authenticity verified at a shop the next time she is out of town.
Gardiner's thrifting tips include using tools such as Google Lens to research items that catch your eye.
"If something really catches your eye, take the time to look it up, because you never know—it might be worth something!"
Gardiner said this isn't her first thrift-store find. Beyond her own tips, she added that she encourages others to support local thrift stores: "A lot of these are charities and need our donations and purchases to help fund Christmas hampers, back-to-school backpacks, and so much more in your community. Plus, who doesn't love a good deal?"
In the U.S., the thrift shopping scene has grown tremendously. Studies have even ranked it as the top country for thrift shopping, citing an increase in thrift store popularity due to sustainability trends and bargain hunting.
U.S. shoppers continue to find hidden gems in a booming secondhand market that is accessible across various states.
Social-media users were thrilled by Gardiner's discovery. One commenter shared: "My great-uncle used to be the head purchaser for the Hudson's Bay Company way back. We have several Hudson Blankets, but I've never seen a jacket—good score!"
Another user, Betty, recalled her own experience with a Hudson's Bay coat: "I received a Hudson's Bay winter coat for free and my kids used to call me a lifesaver LOL [laugh out loud]. I WORE IT ALL THE TIME … until I gave it away to a homeless person."
Others simply shared their envy. "As a Tragically Hip fan I NEED THAT JACKET!! If ya know ya know," commented one user, while Robert Best77 posted: "Holy Christmas lady, you hit the lottery on that find."
English (US) ·