Wasn't there some story about the mittens?
I think a teacher knitted them for him after being thankful for some political action he did.
I might be misremembering, but that sentimental value will be hard to match.
If this was actually a steal your look it wouldn't matter if he was thrifty, cause that's the look. Being thrifty yourself is possible but optional. Also the gloves can't match, someone made those for him specifically.