With more of us actively aiming to shop consciously, and doing our best to stay sustainable and encourage zero-waste, thrifting has become increasingly popular over the last few years, and now there are some serious gems to be found amongst the thousands of racks of clothing.
If you love nothing more than an afternoon trawling round vintage stores, then you’ve come to the right place! We’ve curated our top 10 list of thrifting hotspots in the US, based on Instagram engagements, so read on to discover where to book your next shopping trip to…
1. New York City, New York
As the fashion capital of the US – if not the world – it makes perfect sense that New York places number one as the thrifting hotspot of the USA, with a huge 43,800 engagements.
Chelsea in Manhattan has lots of great vintage stores (try Buffalo Exchange, City Opera Thrift Shop and Housing Works), but the best place for thrifting has to be over the bridge in Brooklyn.
Broadway Fashion is super affordable, where you can get clothes for mere dollars, alongside New Brooklyn Fashion, which is just a few blocks away.
Alternatively, Monk Village in Williamsburg stocks artwork and antiques in addition to clothing, if you want to pick up a few more finds, head to The Attic for an aesthetically-pleasing store, with color-coordinated rows of clothing, and a super sophisticated shopping experience!
2. Portland, Oregon
A hipster’s paradise, with 3,340 engagements, it’s no surprise Portland has made it into second place. From small boutiques with carefully curated vintage wares, to sprawling second-hand shops, Portland does thrifting extremely well.
Head to House of Vintage or Artifact for a range of second-hand jewelry, homeware and art, alongside fashion, or Village Merchants for antiques.
However, if it’s purely fashion you’re after, then you can’t go wrong with Vein of Gold, which, alongside upscale designer second-hand clothing, also stocks a selection of sustainable clothing by local designers.
3. Fort Worth, Texas
With 1,590 engagements, this Texan city just 30 miles west of Dallas, has come in a very respectable third position. Thrifting is a huge part of shopping in Fort Worth, with more and more second-hand stores popping up over the years.
Doc’s is a classic for vintage finds – situated on the corner of Carroll and Weisenberger Street, 25 vendors sell their wares that span the decades.
Once you’ve spent the morning rummaging through Doc’s, head to Honeysuckle Rose Vintage over in the River District, or Studio 74 – both places have been hailed as some of the coolest thrift stores to check out in the city.
4. San Francisco, California
Thrifting is on the rise in San Francisco, with 920 engagements, and there are so many great stores and hidden gems to check out. Buffalo Exchange is always a favorite, with three stores located around the city, alongside Community Thrift on Valencia, which stocks a range of clothing, art and furniture.
For designer vintage finds, head to Cris Consignment in Nob Hill, where you can regularly find the most luxury brands, including Celine, Valentino and Gucci.
On the first Sunday of every month, Alameda Flea Market opens up its doors to shoppers with 800 stalls that are selling second-hand clothes, books, toys, art and jewelry.
5. Gainesville, Florida
This unassuming city may not be the first place that springs to mind when you think of achingly cool vintage shopping, but Gainesville is full of surprises, with its 864 engagements making it the fifth best place in the whole of the US for vintage finds!
Head to the area of Micanopy, where you’ll find The Shop, with its curated home furnishings and décor, or the Antique City Mall, which boasts over 25,000 square feet of vintage wares that are just waiting to be discovered!
6. Seattle, Washington
Goodwill in Capitol Hill is a good place to start – especially with Capitol Hill and the slightly further out district of Fremont both excellent areas for thrifting. Head to Revival in Capitol Hill after, which has a perfectly curated selection of the coolest clothing (just bear in mind that prices aren’t going to be the cheapest!).
Over in Fremont, you have the Fremont Vintage Market, which stocks everything you could possibly think of (and more!), from clothing to furniture and vinyl; or Ophelia’s Books for some second-hand reading, and an extremely Instagrammable spiral staircase.
7. Austin, Texas
Austin’s quirky nature makes it the perfect place for thrifting, and with 644 engagements on Instagram, it definitely deserves to make our list. If you want to get your hands on some amazing finds, then Austin is the place to do it – you just need to know where to go!
Head to Flamingo Vintage Pound, where – as the name would suggest – they sell clothing by the pound; or for fashionable high street brands, check out Austin’s Uptown Cheapskate store.
Alternatively, if you want to spend the whole day thrifting, then visit Treasure City Thrift, where, alongside its vintage wares, also hosts several community events, where they help to raise money for marginalized communities.
8. Chicago, Illinois
With 566 engagements, Chicago has firmly made it as one of the thrifting hotspots of the US!
Market Supply is a one-stop shop for male and female vintage clothing ranging from the 1990s-1990s, or Comet Vintage, which is well known for its gorgeous selection of dresses! If it’s jewelry you’re after, then head to Vintage Underground, which also sells clothes, handbags, and home furnishings.
Alternatively, check out Lost Girls Vintage, a mobile fashion store housed in a converted RV that stocks all kinds of clothing in all kinds of sizes – a great place to nab some really great finds!
9. Ann Arbor, Michigan
In a very respectable 9th place, with 527 engagements, is Ann Arbor. Aside from the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores, check out Sharehouse, Plato’s Closet, or PTO – just be prepared to drive to these places, as they’re quite a distance from each other.
Alternatively, if you’re after second-hand books or household appliances, then you should head over to Kiwanis, which supports 80 local non-profits.
10. Exton, Pennsylvania
Rounding off our top 10 list of thrifting hotspots, with 432 engagements, is the small town of Exton, just 32 miles out of Philadelphia. Much like Ann Arbor, rather than one-off vintage stores, you’re more likely to find chain thrift stores, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t find some hidden gems!
Enjoy a full day of thrift store shopping by visiting the classics: Goodwill, Encore, and Plato’s Closet to name a few, which all offer a range of clothes, in addition to some home furnishings and artwork.
Fashion is a great way to express yourself and let your creativity shine too – and there’s no better feeling than uncovering that perfect vintage find, that you know no one else has!
Art is similar too, in that it enables you to embrace your creative side, and dress your home in a way that shows off your personality. Browse our range of paintings and photography, to see if you can find that perfect piece for your home – we even have an extensive range of fashion paintings, perfect for fashionistas!
Alternatively, if you want more creative inspiration – whether that’s fashion, art or home décor – head on over to our blog.
