Thrifting has been one of my favorite hobbies, as it is like treasure hunting. Plugging in my earbuds and browsing through rows upon rows of clothing in hunts for pieces that appear on my Pinterest board is very therapeutic for me. There are many different types of thrift stores in Tallahassee that have a range of prices to suit everyone’s needs. After browsing many thrift stores in the area and being a self-proclaimed shopaholic, I have ranked the thrift stores in the Tallahassee area.
Goodwill Bins
Goodwill Bins, also known as the Goodwill Outlet store, is the “bins” of the Tallahassee locations. Located on 300 Mabry Street, this Goodwill outlet works by paying by the pound. This means LOTS of clothing for super low prices. My only issue with this store is the bins are not switched out that often, meaning it is essential to come in the mornings. (Bins are switched throughout the day, but having the most options in the morning is your best bet). Another critical tip is to bring gloves because you are digging through a ton of different items. You will need a lot of time and patience to search through all the clothing, shoes and home goods bins. I have found good vintage finds at this location, such as Levi jeans, Carhartt shirts, slip dresses, and cardigans. When I went on Sunday, Oct. 9 there was a large amount of vintage Christmas sweaters that looked like the ones from your elementary school teachers’ closets. If you are looking for random basics or vintage tee shirts, I recommend the Goodwill Bins. However, it may be more difficult if you are looking for more name-brand or designer finds. Overall, I would score this thrift store a 7/10, it is very hit or miss depending on the day and time, but it has good finds if you are willing to look.
The other side vintage
The Other Side Vintage is a curated eccentric vintage store in Railroad Square. It is tough to miss the murals on the outside walls and garage open format. I swear you can find new things every time you lap around the store. There is a tremendous amount of vintage, ranging from novelty items to racing jackets. If you are looking for a true 80’s costume, this store will have it. What I enjoy the most about the store is the new setup with different vintage vendors curating their items. They also have a decent selection of FSU and FAMU vintage shirts, jackets, polos and track pants. The prices are mid to more on the expensive end than Goodwill; however, not many stores beat Goodwill prices. A sports or novelty crew neck will range from $35 to $65, depending on the brand and graphic. I found a super cute vintage New York Yankees crewneck for $55, which is expensive in college budget terms, but I definitely “needed” this. I viewed this purchase as self-care, which may not be the most substantial form of self-care, but it increased serotonin levels. I would also like to note that they have vintage comics that are super fun to look at for around $5. I would recommend this store for a more curated vintage and great for costume wear or recognizable brands, but not as budget-friendly; I rate this store an 8/10.
picked tallahassee
Picked Tallahassee is the more hype-beast version of curated vintage. This store in College Town features vintage FSU and FAMU shirt collections, novelty vintage tee shirts and limited edition sneakers. I recommend this store if you are looking for a unique gameday fit. They have cute FSU trucker hats that can be worn with my favorite, the little black dress, or your favorite gameday outfit. I enjoy the unique cartoon x FSU tee shirts in the store. This store is the bane of my bank account because I spent too much on the sneaker collection. Although they have a cute wall with old FSU merch that is cute, I have fallen victim to taking a picture of it. Shirts range from $35 to $65, so be prepared to spend some money; on the bright side, you do not have to dig through the piles of clothing like in the Goodwill Bins. Another tip is to come on Fridays because they always restock around noon, as stated on their social media. They also have an online store to browse if you do not feel like going in person. I would give this store a 6/10 overall because they have fabulous finds, but the prices are steep for my wallet.
plato’s closet
Plato’s Closet is another thrift option, though many have beef with them because they do not give as much money for the amount of clothing that some feel they should. However, I decided to put aside that issue for the clothing selection. This store is not vintage; it contains more modern brands or “trendy” clothing. I have found some good Lululemon sports bras and Motel Rock tops, so I would say they have trendy items. Another notable find is Hunter rain boots. While some of their selections are arguably questionable, I would say if you are looking for a more on-trend second-hand store, this store is your answer. They run an Instagram where they post their more popular brands so you can constantly be updated, and occasionally they will do a Lululemon event. I have found some cute Princess Polly dresses for my occasional sorority events for a fraction of the price. Their newer location gives for more inventory to be taken. Their fees range depending on the brand but are about 50 percent retail price. I would say they are on the middle end of pricing with dresses being roughly $20-$40 which is not terrible but not cheap either. I think having a Plato’s Closet is a great option for more fashion-forward choices. It is an easy way to cycle out clothing and receive cash. Their fixtures are labeled so it is easy to look for particular brands. While this is not a vintage store, I think overall I would rate Plato’s Closet a 7/10 for being trendy and generally cheaper than the retail price for name-brand clothes.
Thrifting is a great way to try new outfits, cycle or give new life to old clothes. It is generally gentler on the wallet and healthier for the planet. Tallahassee may not seem like the best place to thrift, but you would be surprised by all the options and finds if you look in the right stores. It is tough to keep up with the upcoming trends and aesthetics, but thrifting can provide some aid in capturing your Pinterest or TikTok fashion dreams. Sharing your finds with friends and family or on social media is also fun. Hopefully, this article gave insight into the thrifting world of Tallahassee; happy thrifting!
Want to see more HCFSU? Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest!