Where to Thrift in Chicago

Jan 10

Jan 10 Where to Thrift in Chicago

There’s no better way to find unique pieces at low prices than to go thrifting. It’s become one of my favorite activities recently, and each gem I find feels like a victory. Chicago certainly has a great thrifting scene that any vintage-clothing enthusiast should spend some time checking out. Keep scrolling for a roundup of my favorite thrift shops to hit up in the Windy City!

Kokorokoko

Kokorokoko boasts a seemingly endless supply of pieces from the 80s and 90s, including tees with funky patterns, oversized denim jackets, and even Furbies. The 90s fashion trend doesn’t seem to be dying down any time soon, so definitely check out Kokorokoko for some pieces straight from the era of your choosing.

Located at 1323 N Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park

Ragstock

Ragstock has a mix of new and vintage clothes at affordable prices, making it one of my personal favorites. They have a wide selection of accessories, vintage leather jackets, 80s/90s windbreakers, and much more. There are racks for both men and women, so there’s something for everyone here. They have stores in all over the city, so swing by one of their locations next time you’re in the thrifting mood!

Multiple locations; Wicker Park (1459 Milwaukee Ave), Lakeview (812 W Belmont Ave), Water Tower (835 N Michigan Ave).

Crossroads Trading

Crossroads has a buy/sell/trade model, making it perfect for anyone who wants to get rid of unwanted clothes and buy some new pieces all in one trip. For any clothing they take from you, you can receive either cash or store credit. Crossroads is known for carrying trendy, gently-worn clothing from top brands. In the past, I’ve found pieces from Nike, Topshop, Rag & Bone, Calvin Klein Jeans, Alexander Wang, and more.

Multiple locations: Wicker Park (1519 N Milwaukee Ave), Lincoln Park (1519 N Milwaukee Ave), Uptown (5127 N Clark St).

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange is also known for its buy/sell/trade model and for carrying lots of trendy, branded clothing. Although the store itself is rather small, there are a ton of racks to shop from, making it an essential place to stop by if you’re thrifting in Wicker Park. Speaking of, Wicker is somewhat of a thrifting haven, so be sure to swing by the neighborhood if you’re in the mood for hitting up a handful of vintage and thrift shops.

Located at 1478 N Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park

Goodwill

Goodwill will always be a classic, with its low prices, wide range of sizes, and huge selection of clothing. While it does take a little digging to find something great, it’s almost always a rewarding experience. The one in the West Loop is particularly large, and it has a large selection of books and home decorations as well.

Multiple locations, West Loop store at 1201 W Washington Blvd.

Encore

Looking for a thrift shop close to campus? Try Encore, located on Hyde Park Boulevard, right by Whole Foods. Encore started off as a high school community service project, but since then, they have become a popular thrifting spot in the South Side. The store accepts donations as well, and any pieces that don’t make it to the sales floor are donated to provide clothing to the homeless.

Located at 1553 E Hyde Park Blvd in Hyde Park

Village Discount

Last but certainly not least, Village Discount is a bonafide staple in the Chicago thrifting scene. If you’re willing to comb through seemingly endless racks of clothing, these outlets are an amazing place to find anything from designer coats to mom jeans to tupperware at rockbottom prices. Better yet? On most holidays, Village Discount will provide further discounts and deals, and in most cases, you can nab pretty much anything for well under $5.

Multiple locations.

Feature image via.