In With the Old, Out With the New

During my time exploring Philly, I have come across several hidden gems for thrifting and finding vintage clothes and nick-nacks in the city. As it turns out, Philly’s South Street is home to many cool thrifting spots and vintage concept stores.

Retrospect Vintage

Retrospect Vintage is by far my favorite vintage store on South Street. Best finds are to be made here: an abundance of Levi’s jeans, cashmere sweaters in every color, cowboy boots, a wide variety of jackets and diverse trousers (my roommate found flared tweed trousers here and wears them all the time) fill the store. Not only does Retrospect Vintage have a fabulous, and affordable, vintage clothing curation, it also sells CDs and vinyls, books, and the kind of kitchenware you’d expect to find in a cool grandmother’s cabinet. Traditionally chic plate and glass sets adorn shelves and catch your eye despite being in the far corner of the store. I very often find myself spending way too much time staring at the nick nacks in this corner, such as funky home furniture and decorative objects, jewelry, vases and pitchers, and the occasional old CD player. I always leave this store feeling like I’ve just come from a really cool yard sale…

Raxx Vintage Emporium

*Courtesy of* *The Philadelphia Inquirer*

Thrifting old clothes isn’t for everyone… Fortunately, Raxx Vintage Emporium has taken it upon themselves to provide customers with an enjoyable experience. Whether you’re looking for a perfectly-worn-out varsity jacket or a grandfather-inspired stripy shirt, the store sells pieces ranging from the 60s to the 90s, all organized by category. Raxx Vintage’s selection also includes a sizable jewelry collection with all kinds of rings and necklaces, as well as cowboy-worthy leather belts and all kinds of bags. Just like in Retrospect Vintage, a whole corner in the back of the shop is dedicated to all kinds of trinkets and home decor pieces: old fashion and lifestyle magazines, 1960s marketing posters, old travel postcards, small kitchen novelties, and vintage cigarette cases are some items that can be found back there. All in all, Raxx Vintage delivers immaculate retro vibes.

Repo Records

Repo Records is Philly’s safe haven for record lovers. Located next door to Retrospect Vintage on South Street, Repo Records is a one-stop shop for vinyls, CDs, and music merch such as t-shirts, posters, tote bags, badges, and stickers. All the items in the store are classified by genre, ranging from 70s rock to soul to pop, with a disc for every music taste. The record store definitely has a feel to it and whilst some records are far less affordable than others, the back of the shop has an entire $5 selection, with several boxes that customers can leisurely look through to find hidden music gems.

Greene Street

A chain of resale stores that resemble charity shops in the UK, Greene Street provides the citizens of Philadelphia with a sustainable shopping experience in the heart of the city. This place is definitely worth a visit as it offers mid to high-end fashion brands at reduced prices, making high fashion clothing pieces more accessible for everyday wear. This kind of thrift shop is the future of fashion: upcycling luxurious clothing as an alternative to the disposable fashion industry. If you’re on South Street, Greene Street is a good spot for a fancy piece to dress up any outfit or something trendy you’ve maybe had your eye on but couldn’t find at an accessible price.

Stop thrifting online!

Keep these spots in mind for the next time you want to go for a walk in the city or browse and shop for a funky second-hand piece. Thrifting and visiting vintage stores are the best alternatives to purchasing on online resale platforms such as Depop or Vinted. Not only is going to check out these spots in person a cool experience, you also get to support local businesses in Philly, many of which donate their proceeds to charities and local organizations.

Featured Image Courtesy of Billy Penn