There’s a good chance that you’ve now reached the point in the year where a key realization is made—despite having tanks for all your party needs and a large collection of graphic tees, you’ve somehow managed to fall short on autumn and winter essentials.
And not to ominously quote Game of Thrones, but “Winter is coming,” and fast. Lucky for you, I’ve rounded up a list of the best thrift and vintage shops Philly has to offer. Buy your scarves, bulky sweaters, and snow boots here for a lower price than at your typical department store.
Buffalo Exchange:
Admittedly not a thrift, but a resale store, Buffalo Exchange curates its offerings to fit the profile of a 20–something who knows her way around the Urban Outfitters sale section and stays up to date on the latest fashion trends. Their selection makes it easy “to come in and immediately find what you love,” according to store runner, Mike Shaffer.
Expect to find both trendy and classic pieces at Buffalo Exchange. They buy clothes from everyone, ranging from civilians like you to fashion warehouses cleaning out wholesale inventory, translating to a fluency in fall and winter trends. Come here if you’re looking for lots of leather, tweed, and plaid to spice up your fall wardrobe.
Location: Rittenhouse Sq. | 1520 Chestnut St.
Hours: Mon—Fri: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Retrospect Vintage:
Curated by Goodwill as an answer to oversized thrift stores where finding gems is difficult, Retrospect Vintage is a boutique resale store. Specializing in clothes with a classic, truly vintage feel—like old–timey fur coats and argyle sweaters from the 80s—this thrift store is the perfect place to shop for timeless, durable pieces.
This season, expect to leave Retrospect Vintage with bags full of shearling jackets, quirky sweaters, and boots made for walking, dancing, and snow–shoveling. An added bonus? Retrospect Vintage has a large antique furniture and home apparel section, so you can spice up your room without breaking the bank.
Location: Queens Village | 508 South St.
Hours: Mon—Sun: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Philly AIDS Thrift:
Shop for a cause at Philly AIDS Thrift, where all sales go to local organizations dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS. This thrift store/charity/quirky Philly landmark offers the full thrifting experience—they accept nearly every donation, so you’ll have fun sifting through racks upon racks of clothing to find that perfect band tee or pair of mom jeans.
Come to Philly AIDS Thrift if you’re looking for deals on winter and fall basics, like a good down jacket or long sleeve tees. This thrift store is also bursting with books and records, so maybe make Christmas in October a thing and shop for all your third–tier relatives there.
Location: Queens Village | 710 South 5th St.
Hours: Mon—Thurs: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Fri—Sat: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Raxx Vintage:
Credit: Kennedy Ormsby
Chances are you already know about Raxx Vintage. The ultra–cool vintage retailer had a UPenn pop–up store and gallery space that shuttered in late May. The store specializes in revamped clothing from the 1960–90s, turning yesteryear’s neon windbreakers and faded high–waisted jeans into today’s street style.
Stop by Raxx Vintage for key accessories and staple transitional denim pieces, like oversized denim jackets and fun overall dresses. Dealing in throwbacks, Raxx is also your themed party go–to. Head there for the 70s paisley prints, 80s leg warmers, and tons of 90s flannel.
Location: Washington Sq. West | 832 South St.
Hours: Mon, Wed—Thurs: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m; Fri—Sat: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Sun: 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Second Mile:
A neighborhood favorite of Penn students, Second Mile has become kind of a South Philly institution. If you’re willing to look, Second Mile is home to more than just last season’s Forever 21 haul. A scan of their Yelp page reveals customers snagging Swedish Hasbeen clogs, vintage Lacoste, and even a Kitchen–Aid mixer.
Prepare to be surprised because this isn't the place to go if you're looking for something specific. Second Mile is good for finding unique pieces and occasional designer steals. Who knows, you might just leave with a severely discounted name–brand jacket.
Location: Spruce Hill | 214 South 45th St.
Hours: Mon—Sat: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Urban Exchange Project:
Credit: Alexandrea Appenzeller
Unlike the rest of the thrift stores on this list, Urban Exchange sells more than just curated hand–me–downs. The family–run business also has line of recycled secondhand clothing, which they bleach, distress, or paint to create designs that are entirely new. Known for their “fill–a–bag” sales, Urban Exchange is committed to making fashionable, unique vintage accessible.
Stop by Urban Exchange to buy fall statement pieces, like their iconic splatter–print jean and vintage Nike bombers.
Location: Kensington | 2050 Frankford Ave
Hours: Mon—Sat: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sun: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
