Millennials thrift. Thrift for the nostalgia! Savings! Macklemore! In honor of popping tags with twenty dollars in our pockets, let me take you on a virtual shopping tour of my six favorite Connecticut thrift stores.
Goodwill, New Haven (Amity Road)
My love began here. The cobalt-blue Goodwill is located between an expensive spa on the right and an unrememberable store on the left. Enter the store into a color-coded heaven—indigo-blue vests pop while the smell of antiques lingers. Being one of the smallest Goodwills in the area, the competition is real, but the treasures here are the jackets. As a tall woman with Elastigirl limbs, the men’s section is the place to be. From name brands like Columbia, Champions, and L.L. Bean to classic ’70s Foxy Brown leather, vintage sports teams, goddess fur, retro denim, and spicy grandpa blazers—they even come in suede, all under twenty dollars!
Savers, Newington (Berlin Turnpike)
The home of all things 50percent off, what a bargain — and an addiction! I didn’t walk out $100 dollars short with three full bags for no reason. If you’re looking for some wicked business attire that will get you hired, waltz through their double doors. Seriously, take my advice. I got hired on the spot in my all-thrift outfits: a six-dollar bubble gum and navy Tommy Hilfiger blazer, and five-dollar taffy pink corduroy ankle pants. I mean, it could’ve been the résumé, but I’m giving all thanks to this Savers right here.
Fashionista Vintage & Variety, New Haven (Whitney Avenue)
A true bang for your buck if you’re looking for genuine twentieth-century jewelry for thirty-five dollars. The concrete walls draped in nostalgia of the 1920s Charleston dancing flappers and a whimsical disco trip, while the smell of sweet daisies trail behind you. The prices may be considered high for a thrift, but you can’t put a price on a classic! From fifty-dollar crispy clean typewriters to smooth thirty-dollar uncle watches, this stylish beauty has a lot to offer. A rental service is even offered for nearly all items with a reimbursement of more than half your deposit, and one third of a rental fee. If you’re a photographer, muse, or just downright too cool, come on down to the Fashionista, where you’ll be guaranteed to find a buy that reminds you of the good ole times!
Goodwill, New Britain (Columbus Boulevard)
On a journalism adventure of trending thrifts, I stumbled upon this beauty—a fairly new, and great addition to New Britain—if you’re looking for some vintage vinyl and high heels. Mostly roamed by senior citizens, the music collection is intense: ranging from The Average White Band to world symphonies. As a habitual thrifted heel advertiser, this is my new shoe therapy. I couldn’t resist a minimum five-inch, funky sapphire-blue platform, and crisscross scarlet red straps by the Daisy of Dukes, Jessica Simpson, for just five dollars!
Savers, Orange (Boston Post Road)
A little more expensive than surrounding Savers, but oh so worth it. As one of the largest Savers around, if you need a cool graphic tee or bomb bottoms for under ten dollars, this is the place to shop—from childhood ’80s and ’90s sitcoms to now—The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Rugrats, Friends, The Simpsons and more, including unique sarcastic sayings for those special introverts with a lot to say. And bottoms? Don’t even get me started! The male and female aisles have so many options: clueless skirts, jazzy track pants, comfy trendy sweats, and groovy denim jeans. If you’re running low on cash, don’t worry—catch them on a fifty percent off day! You’ll thank me later.
English Building, New Haven (Chapel Street)
Ah, the hidden gem. Their bricks are painted with rainbow-colored fabrics, yarn, and handstitched floral artwork, creating the most diverse thrift in the area. From brass and silver buttons for just two dollars each, to limited-edition 1940s mint green Elna sewing machines with the original instruction manuals, exclusive 1960s Polaroid 104 Land Cameras and psychedelic hippie reads for just 99 cents—my brain is still sizzling from “The Last of Her Kind.” If you’re planning on time traveling anytime soon, this is the bad boy for you!
Mauriah Johnson is a staff writer at Blue Muse Magazine.
Photos by Mauriah Johnson for Blue Muse Magazine.
Was my pleasure doing this adventure with you learing and seeing some vintage clothing, hope to do it again soon 💕
As a thrifter myself, I loved reading this! Gotta check these places out. 👜👡🧥
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing Mauriah. I look forward to visiting two of the six thrift stores that I have not. Additionally please add Red White and Blue to your list of great places to shop on a dime. Waterbury is a great city because if this gem. Let me know when you visit. I guarantee you will return the following weekend.
The details sis! The description of the items, colors, smell, material. I can just see it all come to life as I read this. Wonderful job I am such a proud bestie. I can picture you doing your little “prance” in the stores too. Lol
Love the Macklemore song (and video)–great way to open this review which just shouts “Mauriah”!