Thrifting has been a part of the cultural zeitgeist in the United States since the 1960s, but it has exploded in the last 15 years. Chances are that in the past month you have been thrifting, a young person in your life has asked to go thrifting or you have seen a reference to thrifted items on your social media feed. It is an activity that is both environmentally sound and economical and delivers the joy of discovering one-of-a-kind items.
The current prominence of thrifting is driven by many factors; however, the overwhelming driver has been Generation Z (born 1997-2012). In fact, Worldmetrics reports that Gen Z is responsible for a 30% year-over-year increase in thrift store visits since 2019.
Thrift stores are a great place to look for unique finds and pieces that can be refinished and made your own. At thrift stores, you rarely find two things that are the same. This makes thrifting an amazing way to revitalize old trends and revisit fads from 20 years ago. All at a fraction of the cost.
Gen Z shoppers isn’t the only generation driving the renewed interest in thrifting: over two-thirds of Millennials (born 1981-1996) shop at thrift stores monthly and Generation X (born 1965-1980) thrifts with their children 50% of the time.
While the majority of thrifting is for clothes, shoppers also look for books, furniture, decor and accessories. Furnishing a dorm room or your first apartment? A thrift store is an ideal place to find items to bring your style to life.
In Memphis, the thrifting scene has grown exponentially, and young people are adopting thrifting as their weekend activity, whether in local stores or markets. Memphis has a great culture for thrifting, and thrift stores in Memphis are affordable- where else can you find tank tops for $2.99, shirts for $5.99 and jeans for $7.99.
Here are some top destinations in Memphis:
- Goodwill in Carriage Crossing has amazing furniture and household items. It is particularly fun to sift through their selection of knick knacks for yourself or for a gift.
- Goodwill on Winchester Pike is home to high quality, refined pieces. One Memphis teen says, “There is always so much to look through there!” The more you look, the more you find. Your effort is reflected in the treasures you bring home.
- City Thrift on Summer Avenue is a one-stop-shop for every day basics with a unique flair. The shoe selection here is outstanding: from authentic Chloe heels to cute Y2K flip flops. The employees are helpful, and are always bringing in new racks of clothes for perusal.
- Takos Secondhand is an eclectic, curated pop-up near the Redbirds Stadium in downtown Memphis. The shop has funky and colorful dresses, classic jeans and fun tops. They have an excellent selection of vintage magazines and books that aren’t available in mainstream shops. The accessories at Takos are also fantastic. Hats, jewelry- they have it all.
- Outphits is a Memphis show room located downtown. It houses vintage designer and high-end archive pieces for a fraction of their original prices. Their inventory is updated frequently updated. Don't miss the shoe selection–you won’t be able to find their designer items anywhere else.
- Blues City Thrift is a cozy mom and pop thrift store that has been a go-to for years. The store is well-stocked, from clothes to shoes to household items to random goodies. When you visit Blues City Thrift, be prepared to look through everything and come home with the unexpected and more. The furniture section here is a standout.
- Finally, a Memphis favorite, the Memphis Vintage Market. This monthly pop-up moves around town–Crosstown Concourse, Shelby Farms and local breweries–to offer trendy vintage clothing to the public. The Market showcases scores of secondhand vendors and has grown a cult-like following. It’s a place to come together to shop vintage purses, shoes and clothes as well as enjoy live music and eat and drink local favorites. A perfect spot to meet up and browse for fun or shop for a wardrobe refresh!
Thrifting isn’t just a thriving hobby in Memphis. Capital One reports that 40% of apparel items purchased in the United States were thrifted in 2023. Thrifting hubs around the country include Las Vegas, Austin and Brooklyn. In fact, thrifting represents more than 10% of the global apparel market, and continues to grow.
So, when you travel, research places to thrift! You’ll find neighborhoods off the beaten path and clothes that aren’t available in your hometown, whether you are visiting a new city in the United States or around the world. It is satisfying to have someone compliment your style when you've done the work to find something that is exceptional.
Rain or shine, thrifting is a good way to disconnect from the chaos of everyday life. Keep your phone handy to snap photos of those one-of-a-kind finds to share with friends. Encourage them to thrift with you and explore new parts of Memphis, the US and the world. Happy shopping.
Each model's outfit uses secondhand finds. Thank you to The James Lee House for the use of the beautiful treasure for our setting.
The James Lee House
Located at 690 Adams Avenue in downtown Memphis, the House is a stunning example of the grandeur of 1800s Memphis. Built in 1848, it has been a home for families as well as the Memphis College of Arts. In the 1920s, James Lee's daughter, Rosa, donated the home to Memphis to house the James Lee Arts Academy, the precursor to the College.
In 1959, the College moved to Overton Park and the house was vacant until 2013, when it was purchased with the intent of building a historic bed and breakfast. After over a year of painstaking, historic renovations, The James Lee House opened as a bed and breakfast and event venue. A vintage gem of Memphis.
Learn more at www.jamesleehouse.com.
In Memphis, the thrifting scene has grown exponentially, and young people are adopting thrifting as their weekend activity, whether its local stores or markets.
Thrifting isn’t just a thriving hobby in Memphis. Capital One reports that 40% of apparel items purchased in the United States were thrifted in 2023.
If you'd like to dip your toe into thrifting fun in Memphis, come shopping at the next Memphis Vintage Market. You will find an excellent selection of products to peruse.
Details @thememphisvintagemarket