By Juliana Lightsey 8/27/24 11:14pm
Perseverance. Humility. An eye for beauty. Qualities you must keep close at hand (perhaps in the back pocket of your favorite jeans, or tucked into your worn-down sneakers), ready to be drawn upon at a moment’s notice. Any seasoned, stylish or frugal Houstonian can attest: these are vital components of a thrifter’s repertoire.
Purchasing secondhand clothing at a discounted price has evolved throughout the past few years. Once primarily relegated to those in search of necessary clothing (back-to-school clothes, professional attire or winter coats) but unable or unwilling to pay retail prices, thrifting has been appropriated in the modern cultural milieu as a trendy ‘hack’ to acquire one-of-a-kind clothing for cheap. Gen Z saw thrifting skyrocket in popularity during the pandemic, thanks in part to social media. For better or for worse, young people flooded local thrift stores like never before: secondhand shopping became a way to curate a unique wardrobe in a time of overwhelming conformity to brands or styles, an avenue for finding affordable designer or vintage pieces and in the increasing socially-conscious sentiment, a sustainable alternative to mainstream clothing overconsumption.
Although the trend has tapered out some since 2020, thrifting remains a popular and genuinely viable manner of shopping among many young people. Houston offers a variety of thrift, secondhand or vintage stores, and it can be overwhelming or confusing to know where to start, especially for those unfamiliar with the area or with limited means of transportation. Whether you haven’t had much success with thrifting so far, are looking to branch out from your few stores of choice or have never set foot in a secondhand store before, here are some places to start.
Thrifting in Houston
The most important elements of a successful thrifting experience are respectfulness and intentionality. Although thrifting may be a fun hobby for some, it is an essential shopping trip for others, and it’s crucial to be mindful of this in your conduct. Each clothing item could be of some value to another person, even if it may not appear so to you. Being intentional about your purchases will also improve your experience: lower prices make overconsumption more tempting, but consider if that item would just sit collecting dust in your closet. If so, it might be better served left on the rack for someone else. Going in with a plan of specific items you're looking for, a mental catalog of the clothes you already own and some idea of how you would style pieces will allow you to successfully tailor your thrifting experience to your needs. Another important consideration for thrifting is hygiene: because items are pre-owned, some prefer to wear gloves in their perusal of clothing. Regardless of your preference on gloves, it’s strongly recommended that you wash any clothing you purchase before wearing it.
Most Popular Spots
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If you’re looking to maximize your thrift stores per square foot traveled, some of the most popular clusters of stores are found either on Montrose Blvd or S. Shepherd Dr. However, both areas come with an important caveat: if you’re in search of the most affordable options, your wallet may be better served elsewhere. It’s important to distinguish between vintage stores and thrift stores, because many stores that sell vintage clothing appraise the value of their items higher than what you might expect from a traditional thrift store. That said, many of these options do tend to have more trendy or stylish pieces that require less of a hunt to find.
Pavement
1657 Westheimer Rd
Pavement is one of the most popular locations in Montrose to buy and sell used clothing, with average pricing.
Leopard Lounge
1639 Westheimer Rd
Another incredibly popular Montrose spot for thrifted clothing, shoes and accessories, though prices tend to be a bit higher.
Buffalo Exchange
2901 S Shepherd Dr
A vintage clothing store on Shepherd Dr with a good selection of stylish and on-trend pieces, also a bit on the more expensive side of thrift stores.
Thrifted Threads
2606 S Shepherd Dr
Another vintage clothing store on Shepherd, popular for graphic tees and streetwear style items.
More Affordable Options
Although some remain frequently visited, these options usually see better pricing than the most notable secondhand stores in Houston. These stores usually require more shopping time (or a longer commute, in some cases), but the payoff can be higher in the satisfaction gained from a good find at a cheaper price.
Value Village
6202 Bissonnet St
Located in the Bellaire/Sharpstown area, this store is a bit of a drive but is a decently large location with a variety of clothing, accessories and home decor for good pricing. Tags are color-coded based on prices, and different colored tags will be additionally marked 50% off depending on the day of the week.
Family Thrift Center
6724 Hillcroft St
Also in the Bellaire/Hillcroft area, Family Thrift is another large thrift store with a wide range of clothing, shoe and accessory options for affordable prices.
The Cottage Shop
811 Westheimer Rd
Located in the Montrose area, this shop is a bit more expensive than the other affordable options, but it is still a somewhat lesser-known secondhand store with a great selection of dishware, decor, shoes and unique clothing items. Proceeds go towards The Women’s Home, a local shelter.
The Guild Shop
2009 Dunlavy St
Also in Montrose, the Guild Shop is a resale shop where you can find clothing, accessories, furniture and art. A portion of revenue is donated to organizations that support the elderly.
Goodwill
Various Locations
Houston has a plethora of Goodwill thrift stores that tend to be affordably priced. You can take your pick, but our personal favorite is the Memorial location (10521 Katy Fwy), as it is one of the largest local locations.
Online clothing resale
If you don’t have a car, or aren’t feeling up to braving Houston public transportation, online options such as Thredup and Depop offer the thrifting experience at the tap of a finger. Additionally, Rice has a student resale GroupMe where you can find clothing sold for cheap from fellow students.
Thrifting can be a time-consuming and exhausting process, that often requires hours thumbing through racks of clothing, or the wherewithal to get down on your knees examining the bottom shelves in search of hidden gems. However, Houston’s thrift stores have a wealth of styles and items to offer, and the experience of finding a unique purchase you love, with a history and an affordable price tag, creates satisfaction unparalleled by the traditional retail experience. Having the right tools to engage in secondhand shopping can make all the difference.
