And so, my thrifting journey continues wherever I travel. In Berlin, I found a sign for a thrift shop tucked behind a seemingly stale alleyway of bleak white and blue buildings. I walked in to a jump scare of colors and fabrics—and was immediately greeted by a towering pair of heels. It was a weigh-and-pay store: Toss what you love in a bag and pay a (very fair) flat rate. I’d never remember that trip—nor would I have something to wear to get into the notoriously elitist nightclubs—the same way without that store.
Then there’s the community aspect of thrifting: When we’re in the right mood, thrifting together is the ideal bonding experience for me and my friends. Especially for one of my closest friends, who was finally coming into his own skin in style and fashion while navigating his queer identity. We thrifted together in cities across Europe. In London, he tried on a set of the most fabulous of vintage silk blouses. “Edgy chic-grandma,” he said, proceeding to wear it out dancing that night. And thus began the start of a new phase—I’ve never seen someone look so much like themselves as he did in that fitting room. If it weren’t for secondhand shops, how else would he have known of this superpower ability to pull such looks off?
Like shops on Long Island and throughout New England, many of the thrift stores in the UK are charity shops, or partnered with non-profits to support either clinical research, environmental initiatives, or lower-income communities who could benefit from donations. When purchasing from these kinds of stores, you’re doing some good, both in supporting said causes and curbing your contribution to textile waste and overproduction. In 2025, fast fashion giants are still pumping out clothes at breakneck speed—many destined for landfills across the Global South. “Fast fashion is fueling a global waste crisis,” the latest UN report reads. And while I’m not perfect—I’ve dipped into chains when it felt “necessary”—shopping at a mega-store never fails to feel hollow. Conversely, there’s no thrill quite like rustling through stocked thrift store racks, heart pounding, and finding something undeniably fitting.
Where to thrift around the world
New York City
While there will always be a fair share of reliable chain thrifts like Beacon’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange, I recommend avoiding the crowds and heading to smaller shops. Some of these shops, like Monk Vintage in Williamsburg, offer selections of all sorts of styles. Others, like Trintage Harlem, have a more curated selection. For an artful oasis in the Lower East Side, Desert Vintage presents archival designer pieces—and they just recently started selling menswear, too. In the warmer months, make sure to hit the outdoor flea markets; my favorite is in Dumbo, Brooklyn, where you can take the ferry to shop tables set up by hip retailers selling secondhand or independently designed crafts and clothes right underneath the Brooklyn Bridge. On Sundays, make sure to check out the Grand Bazaar on the Upper West Side for the best accessories and restored designer finds.
Sydney
Take an entire day (or two, or three) exploring the shops of Newtown. I still think of a flirty velour dress patterned with leis of orange and yellow that I tried on and wish I bought at Vintage313. It’s one of those shops where the prices aren’t outrageous—which can be dangerous in a store full of rare finds. And while there’s no set schedule, you’ll find heaps of artsy vendors with stellar vintage picks selling secondhand at and around Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, sometimes with live music performances, too. Surry Hills is another treasure for any vintage fiend—from C’s Flashback to Storeroom Vintage. Their iconic market is also open one Saturday a month, and is home to lots of vibrant art, vintage clothing at affordable price points, as well as food stalls and live music.
London
There are amazing thrifting and vintage shops in pretty much every pocket outside of the Square Mile in London. Head to the side streets of Shoreditch to find trendy chain outposts of Atika London, buzzy Rokit in Covent Garden, and ever-happening Bricklane Vintage in East London. Stop in every shop that calls your name on Portobello Road in Notting Hill, and don’t forget to pop into Lover’s Lane. At the end of the road, stop at Found and Vision, loved by fashion icons from Kate Moss to Alexa Chung.
The greater UK
North of London is the music- and art-filled city of Nottingham. Take a bus from London for a day or two here—just make sure to stop and shop at easy-to-navigate Oxfam, Cow Vintage, and airy Braderie, which also delivers with free shipping in the UK. And if you ever find yourself in Wales, do not miss the charming, quirky town of Swansea in the Gower. The coast is perfect for surfers, as the city center is for stylish shoppers—you’re likely to find your next favorite item at YMCA Retail.
Paris
My absolute favorite thrift shop in Paris is Cinemachine, Montmartre. A haven of organized chaos, the small space in the shadow of the Sacré-Coeur is best for those willing to rummage all the way down to the spiral staircase’s entrance to the basement, which overflows with clothes. Here, I bought my famed fur coat and date-ready red silk dress. In Marais, at Palettist Vintage, you can find it all: from designer to unmarked. Thanx God I’m a V.I.P. is another gigantic shop which fell victim to many of our shopping sprees.
Berlin
Secondhand shopping in Berlin was too easy: While there are PicknWeights scattered throughout the city, the one in Kreuzberg feels like the neighborhood’s sweet little secret. Around the corner you’ll find Checkpoint and Cinema. While more apparent and quite large, true hidden gems are scattered through its racks and bins. On the same corner, pop into City-Market for button-down basics and colorful jackets. (Not to be confused with Berlin’s actual city markets. Among the trendiest: Neukölln or “Nowkoelln flow market,” located directly on the Maybachufer.)
