The City’s Coolest Thrift Spots

By: Samantha Sonders

Photo by Mia Bianco

Fall is in full swing: all the leaves are red and rusty orange, the infamous wind tunnels bite at BU students’ faces, and the sky is perpetually overcast. As we head into these colder months, it’s helpful to arm yourself with oversized sweaters and fuzzy scarves, and the best way to find cute, warm clothing is at the thrift! Boston is filled with cool and unique thrift stores; here are some of the best ones.

One of the most popular and iconic spots to thrift at in the Boston area is the Garment District. Located in Cambridge, this bright-pink store truly has it all. They sell a variety of clothes, from campy Halloween costumes to chunky jewelry, to baby clothes, to weathered denim jackets. It has multiple stories, so there’s bound to be something for everyone. If you’re in dire need of a wardrobe revamp, the store has a by-the-pound system, where shoppers can sift through piles of clothes and take home a pound of it for very cheap!

An additional stylish store to shop at is Vivant Vintage. They have locations on Newbury Street and in Allston. The store sells a curated selection of men’s and women’s clothing, as well as jewelry. The interior of the store is eclectic and chic—it’s like getting lost in someone’s cooler older sister’s closet from the 2000s. There are holy grails to be found everywhere throughout the store, with the cutest fairy tank tops and distressed leather jackets. However, it is on the pricier side, so come prepared to spend some money.

FOUND Boston is another Cambridge thrift store that has fashionable finds. The shop has a wide variety of accessories and clothes to browse. Vintage bags, jewelry, grandpa sweaters, and more are all available for shoppers to take home. The store itself has a laid-back atmosphere with numerous posters decorating the walls, and bold clothes hanging on circular racks. There’s also a charm bar, where shoppers can make their own Italian charm bracelets and necklaces. The store occasionally hosts special events, such as days when customers can fill up a bag of clothing for 20 dollars. On October 24th, they’re also hosting a vintage market and scavenger hunt, with 100 vendors to shop from and live music!

Finally, Groovy Thrifty, located in Allston, is a spot that sells curated vintage clothes, as well as upcycled, handmade pieces. They have colorful sweaters with hand-sewn designs and funky pants with different patches and drawings. If you’re looking for unique pieces, this is the place to go to. The spot is filled with bright midcentury art and decor—truly living up to its name—and there’s even a store dog!