I have been thrifting since early high school, digging through my small town’s local thrift spots and coming back from every trip with bags full of vintage clothes. Now that I live in Boston, I knew I had to discover what the local thrift scene here had to offer. With the semester ending, here’s a recap of my finds from the 2024–25 school year!
Catch the shuttle right outside the Mayer Campus Center, headed to Davis Square. Then hop on the Red Line of the MBTA and go into Cambridge. Once you’re there, be sure to check out The Attic Cambridge, which is especially fantastic for vintage bags. Nearby, you’ll find Found, which has two locations on Columbia Street. Found stands out for its charm bar, where customers can bring in old jewelry to sell, add new charms to existing pieces or create something entirely unique using sourced vintage charms. They also offer Italian charm bracelets. Retrospect, just a short walk away, has an incredible selection of vintage watches.
Next, make your way to Kendall Square to visit The Garment District, where you’ll find great deals with their ‘thrift by the pound’ system and various fun accessories.
Crossing the Charles River to Newbury Street, don’t miss Vivant Vintage’s new location, which features a curated selection of high-end vintage fashion and a fun photo booth.
Don’t forget to stay updated on Instagram with markets hosted by Select and Found and in Davis Square as the weather warms up.
Having just recently moved to Boston, thrifting has been a great way to connect more deeply with the Boston community, finding like-minded people who share an interest in fashion and sustainability. Each time I pop into a shop while exploring the city or attending an event, I always meet the most unique people. After just a year of exploring the thrifting scene in Boston, I often run into familiar faces at various events.
Next time there’s a fun event or party, use it as an excuse to thrift. There are always more amazing one-of-a-kind pieces to discover. Once you go vintage, you never go back!
