Vintage Finds You Can Only Get at Thrift Stores

Thrift and consignment stores are treasure troves for one-of-a-kind vintage items you simply can’t find anywhere else. When antique malls are too expensive and garage sales too hit-or-miss, thrifting is the way to go to score rare retro finds.

Here are some of the best categories of vintage items worth thrifting for:

Vintage Clothing

Thrift stores are the perfect places to hunt for unique vintage clothing. From flashy ‘80s jackets to retro 50s cocktail dresses, pre-owned shops have a wide range of funky old fashions. Look for these rare clothing finds:

• • Leather bombers, moto jackets, and blazers from the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s in bold colors and prints

  • Flowy maxis, wrap dresses, and jumpsuits in groovy ‘70s prints, and colors like mustard yellow

  • Classic ‘50s swing dresses in polka dots, plaid, poodle designs, and bright hues like cherry red

  • Distinctive textured sweaters from the ‘60s and ‘70s made of wool, mohair, and bouclé in mod color blocking

  • Denim pieces from Levi’s, Wrangler, or Lee dating back to the ‘60s with high-waisted fits

  • Vintage T-shirts featuring classic rock bands, political movements, or pop culture icons

With some styling, these thrifted vintage clothing pieces create perfect throwback outfits.

Retro Home Décor

Thrift stores allow you to decorate with vintage flair on a budget. Here are some retro home furnishings worth snatching up:

• • Midcentury armchairs, lounge chairs, or sofa sets from the ‘50s and ‘60s with space-age flair; iconic designers include Adrian Pearsall and Milo Baughman

  • Retro ceramic kitchen canisters and tabletop items from brands like Pyrex and Tupperware

  • Kitschy appliances and electronics like plaid or speckled ‘70s mixers, rotary phones, and transistor radios

  • ‘50s and ‘60s decorative bowls and vases made of milk glass or colorful Fire King glassware

  • Atomic starburst clocks, Sputnik-style lamps, and other flashy plastic ‘50s lighting and accents

  • Vintage travel posters, airline advertising, and retro wall art ideal for a game room

With a bit of hunting, you can create a cool midcentury or kitschy retro pad thanks to thrift store home decor.

Classic Glassware

Timeless glassware that’s no longer produced can often be uncovered at secondhand stores. Look for:

• • Elegant Depression-era glass pieces like cake stands, candy dishes, and punchbowls from the 1930s

  • Intricate cut crystal stemware and barware, like etched goblets, decanters, and cordial glasses

  • Colorful Fire King glass mixing bowls and baking dishes from the 40s–60s, like the famous “Friendship” pattern

  • Uranium glass pieces that glow fluorescent green under UV black lights when antique hunting

  • Elegant glass lamps, vases, and decorative items from renowned designers like Lalique and Steuben

Thrift shops allow you to affordably grow an impressive glassware collection full of rare vintage eye candy.

Collectible China Sets

Replace chipped dishes by thrifting complete vintage chinaware sets in excellent condition. Look for these valuable china patterns and brands:

• • Gorgeous gold-accented Royal Albert “Old Country Roses” fine bone china made in England

  • The iconic stylized red poppy design found on vintage Franciscan “Apple” dishes

  • Cobalt blue woodland scenes on porcelain Pfaltzgraff “Yorktowne” plates and saucers

  • Regency era-inspired Johnson Brothers “His Majesty” plates featuring crowns and scrolls

  • Vibrant red strawberries and braided trim on vintage Royal China “Strawberry Festival” pieces

  • Delicate blue willow landscapes on antique Staffordshire transferware platters and cups

Thrifting allows you affordably grow gorgeous collections of vintage china to pass down or display.

Rare Books and Media

Beyond bestsellers, thrift stores house rare, valuable book finds such as:

• • First-edition antique books by prominent authors; search for autographed copies

  • Musty old encyclopedia sets and ornate leather-bound classics for decorative shelving

  • Vintage vinyl records from jazz legends or early blues artists

  • Retro entertainment like Magic 8 balls, View-Master reels, and vintage board games

With some research skills, you can uncover signed gems, first editions, or limited print runs of retro media at thrift shops.

By regularly scouting thrift stores, you’re sure to find these rare vintage clothing pieces, decorative objects, glassware sets, dish patterns, and old media editions that are unavailable elsewhere. Happy thrifting for fabulous vintage! Remember, when you make Idaho Youth Ranch Thrift Stores your spot for vintage shopping, your purchases fund therapy for Idaho’s most vulnerable youth.