Fall is coming up, and I’m fighting the urge to break the bank on new knitwear. Luckily, D.C. has tons of cheaper and more sustainable ways to change up your wardrobe. We connected with Sidney Hui, owner of Disco Loft, to lay out our guide for thrifting in D.C.
Best Spots To Hit:
- 📦 Box Stores: Hit the big stores in the ‘burbs. Sidney’s favorite brands are Unique, Savers, Second Ave., and Goodwill. All within a 20-minute drive of D.C.
- 🔄 Local Clothing Swaps/Markets: There are regular swaps at Malcolm X Park and Union Market and pop-up shops like Happy Daze, Georgetown Flea Market, and That’s So Vintage.
- 🛍️ Secondhand Stores: More curated stores make it easier to find pieces, but are more expensive. Some great ones are Secondi, Reddz Tradding, Frugalista, and Current Boutique.
Clothing swap in Malcolm X Park. (Priyanka Tilve/City Cast DC)
Thrifting Tips & Tricks
- Get out of the city: If possible, go to the suburbs. Clothes will cost less and the racks will be less picked over.
- Go virtual: Use Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and neighborhood “For Free” pages to find great pieces in your area.
- Think bigger: Thrifting is for more than just clothes. You can find accessories, paintings, books, toys, and furniture.
- Inspect carefully: It's the worst thing to get home and then notice a stain or missing button.
- Plan your pit stops: Thrifting is a lot of work and requires you to be well fueled! Sidney’s got some suggestions for the perfect thrifting itinerary, complete with snack breaks.
🏆 Sidney’s Favorite Thrift Find
A non-functional phone that is shaped like a piano. “It's so random and unique. When I saw it, I immediately knew I wanted it,” she claims.
