Guide to Thrifting

By Brahmjot Kaur

The following article was featured in the December 2019 edition of The Campus.

Shopping for clothes can become a large expense. While fastfashion is more economically beneficial and gives us the low prices we desire,its production is not ethical nor environmentally friendly. However, not everyonecan afford a new wardrobe from Reformation or Eileen Fisher, two knownsustainable brands, which makes thrifting the next best option. You will nothave to shop less because the clothes are affordable and environmentallysustainable. Here are a few spots I visited at multiple different locations inthe city. I recommend the locations in Brooklyn because they have a largerselection! This one’s for you, Macklemore.

Stop 1: 

Beacon’s Closet 

23 Bogart St, Brooklyn, NY

The Bogart location has the biggest selection that is accessibleto people coming from Manhattan (their biggest store is in Greenpoint, but theonly train near it is the G). The store categorizes its merchandise by gender,type of clothing, and then by color. However, none of the clothes are organizedby size. Shoes are displayed on top of the racks, as well as on a wall by thepick-up/drop-off area. They have a huge selection of earrings, purses, andhats. If you are looking for a Halloween costume or something in a particularcolor, this place will probably be your best bet.

BEST FOR: earrings, purses, hats, formal wear.

Stop 2: 

L Train Vintage 

120 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY

This L Train Vintage is only a five-minute walk from Beacon’sCloset! The store has a promising selection of different coats, includingleather jackets, fur coats, denim jackets, jackets from combat uniforms, andvarsity jackets. There is also a good selection of button-up shirts and jeans.They categorize by gender and type of clothing, but not by color. They do nothave many shoes and their selection of formal wear is scarce.

BEST FOR: everyday clothes, coats, jeans.

Stop 3: 

Urban Jungle 

118 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Urban Jungle is right next to the L Train Vintage onKnickerbocker Avenue. It is definitely the biggest from the thrift storesmentioned in this article and had the most variety. Urban Jungle alsocategorizes by gender and type of clothing, but not color. They have a hugeselection of unisex t-shirts and sweatshirts. While they do have a largeselection of jeans, they fold them instead of hanging them, which makes ittedious to unfold and check the size. It’s especially nerve-wracking if youworry about folding it properly. I’d go to L Train for jeans over Urban Jungle.However, they have an incredible selection of everyday shoes and jackets. Theirformal wear section is larger than the one in L Train Vintage but not as big ordiverse as Beacon’s Closet.

BEST FOR: shoes, t-shirts, sweatshirts.

Stop 4: 

Buffalo Exchange 

504 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY Buffalo Exchange is definitely thebusiest. It is a tighter space than the other stores, but the line of peoplewaiting to drop off clothes makes the selection promising. The clothes arecategorized by gender, type of clothing, then size! While the selection is notas abundant as the one in Urban Jungle or Beacon’s Closet, the categories forsize make finding something that fits you more likely. Their everyday shoecollection is smaller compared to the other stores, but they sell an incredibleselection of eclectic shoes, like neon flame heels! Also, their earrings andsunglasses are just as cool as Beacon’s Closet but cheaper!

BEST FOR: eclectic shoes, casual clothes, earrings, andsunglasses.

TIPS FOR PLUS SIZE PEEPS! 

1. Vintage sizes are different than modern sizes! Vintage sizesare about four to six sizes smaller than modern sizes. A size 14 from 1960 willmost likely be a size 8 now. So, be mindful of that.

2. Ladies, consider looking for things in the men’s section! Ifyou’re into streetwear, it is especially helpful to look there! Men’s t-shirts,sweatshirts, and sweatpants are so easy to find in thrift stores and becausemen’s sizes run bigger, it’ll be much easier to find those.

3. Talk to an employee! While I didn’t see a dedicated space forplus-size clothes, all the employees were friendly and more than happy to help.Ask if they saw any clothes that you might feel comfortable wearing. They mighteven tell you they know there aren’t many pieces and that could save you thefrustration of not finding anything in your size.

4. Try everything on! Even things that aren’t vintage-sized canfit strangely. Companies have their own standards for measurements in sizes andthat can make it difficult to know from a glance. Try on the clothes andaccessories!