Washington DC has no shortage of sweet finds waiting to be uncovered at a plethora of vintage boutiques, consignment shops, and thrift stores. With numerous universities and professionals in town, you’re sure to find racks packed with the latest styles and gems from bygone eras as you look for the perfect outfit.
Buying clothes second-hand is the most sustainable way to shop. Discover these spots to get thrifty while purchasing second-time-around wares at the vintage stores in Washington DC.
Where to find high-end vintage stores
If you’re after a luxurious item with a budget-friendly price tag, head to Ella-Rue. You’ll be able to seriously elevate your style at this glamorous consignment shop in Georgetown. The shop opened in 2011 by the chic sister duo, Krista and Alexa. Browse through coveted items from major design houses including Chanel, Fendi, and Saint Laurent, alongside contemporary brands such as Mara Hoffman, Rag & Bone, Diane von Furstenberg, and more. The collection features items consigned from all over the globe—from Paris to DC.
For rows of beautifully curated luxe labels, visit the ultra-chic Secondi consignment shop in Dupont Circle. Since 1986, boutique owner Caitrine Callison has been stacking the shelves with almost-new womens’ designer clothing and handbags from Miu Miu, Prada, Marc Jacobs, Manolo Blahnik, and more for a fraction of the price. The offering includes of-the-moment trends and timeless classics.
If you’re looking for the latest styles, stop into one of Current’s four locations, including the Logan Circle store in the District. Fashionistas are certain to find a haul of goodies at the thrift store founded by Carmen Lopez, which carries an array of popular brands and vintage finds. Current takes pre-loved designer garb on consignment, so you may even discover the latest it-bag here.
The best thrift stores for vintage finds
If you’re searching for quirky finds from the 60s to 90s, stop into Meeps vintage store in Adams Morgan. This treasure trove has loads of gems for men and women that will transport you to the past. Think mod dresses, bohemian shawls, and retro pants. For over two decades, Meeps has been scoring some of the best vintage clothing in DC. There’s even a section dedicated to costume clothing.
DC fashionistas on a budget have a best-kept secret, REDDz Trading in Georgetown. It’s also the best place in town to find gently used menswear. Fashionable locals trade in their goods for cash, allowing you to discover unique items to add to your wardrobe. New items are added to the floor every hour, ensuring you’re always likely to find something you’ll love. Some items are just $2.50—talk about thrifty!
There’s something for everyone at Fia’s Fabulous Finds. The shop offers a variety of budget-friendly and name brand pieces, and is size-inclusive with many items going up to size 3X. If you’re lucky, you’ll be in DC during their famous fill-a-bag sale. If you don’t make the sale, don’t worry: most of the items in the store are under $50.
Digital vintage finds
In this digital age, it’s no surprise that some of the best vintage shopping in DC can be done virtually. If you’re in search of colorful and unique plus-size clothing, check out More Than Your Average. The vibrant curation, put together by Mya Price, features the most lust-worthy pieces size 12 and up. Price organizes pop-ups at markets every few weeks throughout the DC metro area.
If you’re tired of the clothes you’ve been traveling with, find out if there’s a Swap DC event happening while you’re in town. You can trade your clothes with other stylish individuals who are looking to sustainably update their wardrobe. The ‘creative recycling’ events sometimes focus on other goods such as books and vinyl.
Vintage stores that sell more than clothing
If you like your shopping with a side of rock n’ roll, visit Smash! The Adams Morgan vinyl store also has a decent-sized vintage collection complete with old school band tees and Doc Martens. You can also pick up gently used CDs at Smash to enhance your nostalgia-induced shopping adventure.
Analog is a cabinet of curiosities. In this Brookland boutique in the Arts Walk at Monroe Street Market, you can find everything but the kitchen sink. In addition to a hearty selection of vintage clothing, they also sell handmade stationery and paper goods.
If you’re looking for vintage homewares, The Shed D.C. is where you’ll discover a haven of irresistible items. The female-owned vintage store just celebrated a year in business and often participates in community projects such as furnishing an apartment for a returning citizen. Don’t miss their Sip n’ Shop events on select Sundays for even more discounted goods.
