Today’s world of fashion has evolved into a one-use environment, where the majority of consumers are striving to hit the mark on the ever-moving target of trends. Second Hand Sorrel is the antithesis of that. The Western store, based out of North Texas, has become a thrift haven, giving a new life to pieces that were never meant to fit into fast fashion.
Kara Dougherty, the founder of Second Hand Sorrel, grew up ranching around Parkfield, California. Dougherty recalled the way that her Western roots influenced her to start the store, “To know that a piece, whether it’s clothing or art, it’s had a previous life, it’s had a previous story, and now it’s going to go on to a new life. I think that’s really cool. It kind of parallels with ranching, in a sense. You reuse a lot of things. In my eyes, ranchers are the ultimate recyclers.“ She further expressed that ranchers just want to help make the world a better place for the coming generations. A similar notion can be made with clothing. In a working environment, there is a necessity for items that are durable, timeless, and classic. Whether branding calves, competing at a rodeo or attending a function, Western enthusiasts look for pieces that can be re-worn, re-styled, and loved on for years to come.
Opening the online store has helped to scratch Dougherty’s shopaholic itch. Traveling around the country to rodeos with her NFR and PBR World Finalist husband Chase and son Calgary, Dougherty discovers collectible items that she sees a future for, even if it isn’t with her. She began scooping up those pieces to offer to other people online. “It’s such a killer when you find really neat pieces and it’s either not in your size or maybe you just don’t have a place in your home for it. It almost kind of killed me inside to leave it behind, but I’m like, ‘I know somebody would love this,'” declared Dougherty.
Kate Harrison sporting a Second Hand Sorrel very post-interview with Lisa Lockhart at the Calgary Stampede.
Over the years, Second Hand Sorrel has evolved into new opportunities for Dougherty. The thrift boutique has allowed her to play around with unique and forgotten Western styles. Her pieces have been sported by Katy Lucas from The Cowboy Channel and PBR sideline reporter Kate Harrison. Dougherty’s mind always returns to a certain decade when looking for inspiration. “If I could’ve been born in any other decade, I wish I would’ve been born in the 70s. Both my parents were actually in high school in the 70s and their wardrobes were so killer. I love looking at pictures from that era and that decade. I love plaid, and a high-waisted plaid pant I think is really cool and high-waisted, corduroy pants. I love the uniqueness of that era.”
When looking for ways to incorporate thrifted items into one’s wardrobe, she recommended, “One really easy way is to just to find staple pieces, whether that’s a really good pair of jeans, a button-up shirt, something that can be worn in a bunch of different facets and can be washed or dry cleaned and used again. I just did a styling where I took a starch pair of trousers and a starch Cinch button-up, and I made three different outfits for completely different occasions. One occasion was with heels and a big necklace and you can cuff the pants, and you can go out to a fancy occasion. Another was with muck boo
ts and a vest for loading bulls into a trailer. Then the other was if you throw a blazer over it with a nice pair of boots, you’re set for a business meeting or an interview. So, getting pieces that you can reuse for multiple occasions is always really good. Getting pieces that you just genuinely love.” She pressed on about the simple yet stunning effect a statement concho belt, a timeless Canadian tuxedo, or a classy pair of boots can have on an outfit.
Thinking on the longevity of thrifting in this industry, Dougherty remarked, “I think secondhand clothing will always be a huge facet in Western fashion and in the Western industry just because of our appreciation of the past and of those who came before us.”
Rodeo Life readers can shop Second Hand Sorrel online at thesecondhandsorrel.com or follow @secondhandsorrelthrift on Instagram.
