Thrifting or buying clothes second hand has become much more popular in the last few years with the rise in importance of sustainability and mindful buying. While this is a great practice, there are a lot of different terms associated with it, which can be confusing. The Beginners Guide to Thrifting is a dictionary of all the different words you might encounter while shopping second hand.
- Goodwill: This is one of the main places people go to buy their clothes second hand, and is usually what people mean when they say, “go thrifting”. All the clothes (and sometimes furniture) are organized and priced.
Our favorite locations: Dearborn, Burien, and Southlake Union.
Price Range: $$-$$$
- Value Village: This is a less popular thrifting spot, but often has the same quality of clothes as Goodwill. It is also along the same price point.
Our favorite locations: Burien and Tukwila.
Price Range: $$-$$$
- Consignment Stores: These are typically a pricier option, but the clothes are more curated. These stores will buy clothes from other people, which means that the items are nicer/more popular. This is a great option if you want to sell your clothes, or if you're looking to buy a specific brand.
Our favorite locations- Rush Hour, Funky Janes, and Crossroads Trading.
Price Range: $$$- $$$$
- “The Bins”: This is run by Goodwill, but a very different format. All the clothes are loose in bins, along with smaller furniture and decorative items. This is the most intense of the options, but also the cheapest since clothes are sold by the pound.
Our favorite locations: There’s only really one location in Seattle.
Price Range: $- $$
- Vintage Stores: These are the most expensive of the options, since they have curated vintage pieces that are typically worth more.
Our favorite locations: Red Light Vintage, Encore Vintage, Late Night Vintage.
Price Range : $$$$- $$$$$
- Estate Sales: These are usually when a person passes away or moves, and they have almost everything in the house for sale.
Our favorite locations: They’re always changing but there are tons of sites that tell you good locations near you.
Price Range: $$$- $$$$
- Garage Sales: These are great ways to get furniture, clothing, and sports equipment, but the prices also depend on the person.
Our favorite locations: Always changing, but garage sale day is when the best ones are.
Price Range: $$- $$$
- Online Sites and Apps: You can find more specialized items on these since you can search them up, but it can also be more expensive.
Our favorite sites: Depop, Poshmark, Ebay, and Offer Up.
Price Range: $$$- $$$$
Thrifting in general is a great way to practice sustainability and reduce the amount of textile waste thrown out every year. It can often be much less expensive than shopping retail, as well as offering a more diverse set of brands and styles. Make sure to comment your favorite shopping spots!
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