Having trouble finding the perfect spot for all your secondhand clothing needs in Baton Rouge? Look no further—I’ve compiled a short (ish) list of potential thrift spots, all of which I think fit a variety of styles and price points.
Time Warp Boutique
Location: 3001 Government Street, Baton Rouge
First looks: If it’s your first time dipping your toes into vintage shopping, this is a great place to do it—the staff is welcoming and well-versed, and more than happy to show you around and answer questions.
Overall Rating: 8/10
Pros:
- Time Warp’s selection is well-organized and well-labeled; it’s sorted by decade, style, and type of clothing or accessory. This made for a very quick and painless search through their pieces, and if you’re someone who has a preference for a certain time period or style era, this is the place for you.
- I really liked all of the clothing I found at Time Warp. Much of their collection veers towards the side of statement pieces, but they are all well-maintained and made to last—you will most likely be able to hold onto your finds for a long time.
Cons:
- If you’re operating within a college kid-friendly budget, Time Warp might not be an everyday spot for you. There are some variations in price for accessories or newer items, but much of what I looked at was between $40 to $90. This is expected, because of the quality and level of curation, but something to keep in mind nonetheless.
The Purple Cow
Location: 3651 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge
First looks: The Purple Cow is a classic secondhand spot in BR, and for good reason. It has a big selection with trendy pieces, welcoming staff, and generally affordable prices.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Pros:
- The men’s clothing section was an unexpected gold mine. If you’ve got a more masculine style—or are shopping for someone who does—I’d definitely recommend this spot. The men’s selection also seemed particularly curated, and definitely fit my working definition of “on trend.”
- Another plus is the price range; everything I bought was under $15. Though it is a little more expensive than chain thrift stores like Goodwill the clothing is all in good shape and there’s a wide variety in style.
- The Purple Cow has a lot of stuff; not only clothes, but also books, knick-knacks, and accessories. If you’re looking for hats, shoes, or earrings at reasonable prices, this would be the spot to check out.
- LSU designated section—great for gameday clothes in a pinch! (I found a top that will definitely be making an appearance at tailgates next year)
Cons:
- Like any large store that moves a lot of clothing, the Purple Cow is a little disorganized. Some sizing isn’t totally accurate, and their sections tend to get switched around. This doesn’t make it impossible to shop, but it does require a little more digging.
- Another surprise from my visit: I didn’t find much at all that caught my eye. They definitely have a large selection, but the women’s section felt a lot less curated and slightly dated. I don’t doubt what they’ve got would be a gold mine for somebody, it just isn’t for me.
America’s Thrift Store
Location: 9526 Cortana Place, Baton Rouge
First looks: America’s Thrift Store, like any other large chain thrift spot, is two things for sure: very big and very affordable. ATS has pretty much anything you could be looking to buy secondhand.
Overall Rating: 9/10
Pros:
- The best part of ATS is without a doubt the selection. I left with the most clothes I had at any place so far, and this is entirely because ATS has so much to pick from. Because of how many items they accept, there is a huge variety in style, fit, and size range.
- Another huge plus is the price range; ATS is the most broadly affordable option on this list. It was difficult to find anything at ATS that was more than $10, and I didn’t leave with anything that cost more than $6-$8.
Cons:
- Organization is spotty throughout the store, and their sizing is not entirely reliable or particularly accurate. This is very much a store that requires a little bit of digging to find what you’re looking for.
- In addition, there aren’t any sort of changing rooms to try on your finds in.
- ATS can definitely feel overwhelming at first. If it’s your first time visiting, slow down and go section by section in order to get your best haul out.