You have never been shopping until you’ve left a store with two plastic bags full of clothes and only maybe $20 less in your wallet. At this point, I have a hard time doing anything else. As a native of the Greater Boston Area, I have done my share of exploring vintage and second hand stores since about the eighth grade. While it can be unpredictable—sometimes I come away from a store with nothing but memories of weird interactions with other customers—most of my favorite items have come from these lesser-known spots and have cost way less than their counterparts at stores like Urban Outfitters. If you’re a thrifty person (or need to spend most of your money on art supplies, like me), then here are some new places for you to explore and, hopefully, love!
The trick to thrift shopping is to go in with an open mind. This is especially true at the Garment District in Cambridge. The first level of this giant store is called Dollar-a-Pound. Upon entering, there is a giant room full of clothes, piled about knee-high. You get a plastic bag and go to town. I suggest going with some friends and expect to stay for at least a couple hours. I like to sit in a pile, get comfortable and sort. Beware: I have found dirty underwear in these piles. Yet there are some wonderful things to be found, like silly grandma-knit sweaters (I have a fabulous one with Thanksgiving symbols on it) and T-shirts from Boston College’s “Bike-a-thon” in 1993. I like to go here when I don’t have anything in mind and just feel like amassing a huge amount of clothing. If you go in with a positive attitude, it is a great experience (just wash everything afterwards).
When I am looking for specific items, I go to Oona’s. If vintage clothing is what you’re after, this is my favorite store, possibly ever. Tucked a little outside of Harvard Square, this store rarely disappoints. From ’80s prom dresses to sparkly ’40s cocktail dresses, Oona’s has mostly great quality vintage clothes, reasonably priced. My favorites there are their floral dresses (if you don’t know me, I love anything floral). Also, right now they have a huge variety of leather jackets. My best find there was my 11th-grade junior formal dress—a ’40s-style high-neck cream dress with a cinched waist and embroidered gold and silver designs. Oh, and it was $15.
Closer to home, I like going to Global Thriftright in Waltham and Urban Renewalsclose by in Allston. While pretty unpredictable, Global Thrift can have some neat things; my friend just returned from there with 10 new sweaters. They have CDs and movies as well as a very interesting selection of jackets and dresses. And bathing suits, but I generally don’t go for second-hand bathing suits (but, hey, if you’re into it). Urban Renewals is another of my favorites. If you’re looking for short-sleeve shirts or sweaters, this is heaven. Also, their dresses can be great; just remember that that floor-length jean dress with the embroidered flowers might be really cute if you hemmed it about a foot (or maybe, not).
In my opinion, shopping includes trying on all your finds in the middle of a store with no fitting room. It requires digging through racks and racks and piles and piles until you find that one, $3.99 silver-sequined shirt. And there is nothing more satisfying. I hope you’ve been inspired to pick up that $5 you’re saving for Einstein’s, hop on the shuttle and try to buy a prom dress.