A Beginner’s Guide to Boston Thrifting

The best places to find those hidden gems. 

By Amanda Brucculeri

Photo By Emma Amarez

Thrifting in a city as big as Boston can be a daunting task. The list of vintage and thrift stores on Google seems endless. As a veteran thrifter, I have narrowed them down to the best four stores to visit.

The Garment District

Located in Cambridge, The Garment District can be labeled as the Costco of second-hand clothing. It’s a pink, two-story warehouse. The first floor is mainly costumes and accessories, which can come in handy for Halloween. 

Their “By The Pound” section is also located on the first floor, containing a giant pile of every type of clothing you can imagine. Every item in the pile is $2 per pound. Though it may take some digging, you can find some really good steals here. I once obtained the perfect staple jean jacket for less than a dollar (after about an hour of sifting).

If you’re looking for a more organized experience, head up to the second floor, where the space is arranged by clothing type. My favorite part is the extensive cowboy boot selection.

Buffalo Exchange Coolidge Corner

You may be familiar with Buffalo Exchange, as it’s a popular resale retailer. Like Plato’s Closet, you can exchange your old clothes for money.

The Buffalo Exchange in Coolidge Corner is special. It’s as if the closet of every young college student were combined into one store. Everything is organized by clothing type and size, making it super easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.

I’ve had some lucky finds in their denim sections, including flare jeans for $10 and denim mini skirts. Their graphic t-shirt section is huge and has virtually every band tee you can think of.

Goodwill 

Since I’ve lived in Boston, I’ve been to two Goodwills: the classic Commonwealth Avenue location and the store in Cambridge. Both are pretty big and like most Goodwills, it takes a lot of digging to find the good pieces. 

The best part about the Commonwealth Avenue Goodwill is its location at West Campus. If you live there, you don’t have to travel far. While I’ve never found any hidden treasures there myself, my friends have found purses, heels, and dresses for last-minute occasions. 

The Goodwill in Cambridge has a smaller selection, but after some digging, you can definitely find some good stuff. The last time I was there, I found a plethora of colorful and patterned knits in the sweater racks. 

Boomerangs

Located just across the street from the Cambridge Goodwill, Boomerangs is a cross between a vintage shop and a thrift store. It’s owned by AIDS Action, so all the profits go toward AIDS research. 

My favorite thing about Boomerangs is its book, CD, and record sections. It’s always great when second-hand stores have more than just clothing. There is also a jewelry selection, where you can find a lot of unique vintage pieces.