There are plenty of reasons to shop at vintage and secondhand clothing stores, whether it’s about personal style, frugality, or living a more sustainable lifestyle. And our region is brimming with some wonderful places to get something new to you. There are stores for those who love digging through piles of clothes to find that perfect piece and others for people who prefer having a pro provide them with a curated selection to choose from.

These stores are much more than just places to buy secondhand items. They help keep perfectly good clothes out of landfills and can also be community hubs and vehicles for positive change. We’ve gathered some of our favorites below to help readers find their next favorite outfit.

Five and Diamond Vintage (Hudson, NY)

This Hudson mainstay has been on Columbia Street for 20 years and is a visual delight, with its ever changing and always stunning window displays. Inside, you’ll find owner Lisa Durfee likely wearing a chic vintage outfit—she’s been a vintage shopper since her teens—there to help you. She has a curator’s eye and an abiding love for old clothing. “My greatest pleasure is fixing wounded clothes that were otherwise headed for the landfill,” Durfee says.

You’ll find a selection of women’s clothes from the 1930s to 1980s, with some newer. better-quality designer clothes, and items in the mix as well. Although the biggest percentage of the clothing is geared toward women, there is always a selection of super stylish men’s shirts, hats, and loads of neckties. There’s also an array of unique jewelry and other accessories.

Thrift 2 Fight (Tivoli, NY)

Founded by Masha Zabara and Jillian Reed in 2020, Thrift 2 Fight is, as the name suggests, not just a thrift store, but also helps to fund social change. Ten percent of every purchase goes to local grassroots organizations. Thus far, Thrift 2 Fight has raised more than $90,000 for racial, queer, and disability justice issues.

Thrift 2 Fight is gender inclusive, with the clothes organized by type. Similarly, most of the clothing isn’t separated by size. What you will find here is a wide range of styles from vintage to contemporary, along with designer items, and a curated rack of linen and silk clothing. And the prices are reasonable. There’s a whole room where everything is $8, with most items in the store under $20. There’s even a free bin. Because it’s donation based, new inventory comes in nearly every day, making it worth shopping there frequently. If you’re there on a Wednesday, you may luck into one of their community events that range from clothing mending to book discussions.

Savvy Hive (North Adams, MA)

Savvy Hive, located at 53 Main Street, began as a side-hustle for Jessica Sweeney who had a clothing pop up at Berkshire Emporium before opening Savvy Hive in May 2022. Her store offers a wide range of clothing from vintage to contemporary, and some handmade items. It has men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing organized to be gender inclusive by type. Since a lot of the clothes are donated, there’s a steady stream of new items coming in on a regular basis. They also have repair and alteration services.

You’ll find a variety of brands, from Tommy Hilfiger to Ermenegildo Zegna, and everything from vintage tees to elegant dresses. One of Sweeney’s biggest sellers are plus-size clothing, since not a lot of secondhand stores stock them.

Savvy Hive also supports the community, with some of the clothes going to a free clothing closet at ROOTS Teen Center, which supports area youth. Savvy Hive also has a free bin in front of the store where underserved people can access clothing if and when they need to.

Stella Rose Designer and Vintage Consignment  (New Preston, CT)

At Stella Rose Designer and Vintage Consignment, 255 New Milford Turnpike, you’ll find women’s vintage, designer—and in some cases—vintage designer clothing and accessories. Brands range from J. Crew to Chanel. “We do not sell some of fast fashion's largest offenders… but try to focus on real materials and sustainable goods,” owner Theresa Mieczkowski says. They currently only sell women’s clothes, but are looking for another location to add men’s attire.

Mieczkowski, who took over the shop in 2023 and rebranded it, is a passionate advocate for sustainability, her community, and helping other women. “I teach people how to find money in their closets and how to make the most of the clothes they have by styling outfits for them that incorporate clothes they have at home,” she says. “Most people don’t need more, they just need to know how to use what they have by learning how to add in a couple ‘new-to-you’ pieces.”

Catwalk Boutique (Great Barrington and Lenox, MA)

Catwalk Boutique, with two locations in the Southern Berkshires, specializes in women’s apparel and accessories, with the sales going to help the companion animals at the Berkshire Humane Society’s main shelter in Pittsfield and its satellite cat adoption and boarding facility, Purradise, in Great Barrington. At Catwalk you’ll find a wide range of clothing, from vintage to contemporary, everyday to luxury, and all in excellent condition.

“We closely curate the clothing for quality and offer a variety of styles for any occasion,” Marsha Weiner, who co-founded Catwalk Boutique with Mimi Rosenblatt and Leslie Weil in 2013, says.

The store refreshes its racks of donated clothing on a regular basis, offers them at great prices, and has a friendly staff, with the added bonus that you’re helping local animals. They accept donations of clean, gently used women’s clothing and accessories every day they’re open.

3 More Quick Hits:

Proprietors Handmade and Vintage (Hudson, NY)

This is a vintage and handmade clothing collective where you can find something for everyone, from 1920s dresses to vintage jeans, and a slew of noteworthy pieces, in a laid back and hip environment.

Rachel’s Quality Consignment ( Litchfield, CT)

Rachel’s Quality Consignment offers a huge range of women’s, men’s, and children’s items, from designer clothing to fine jewelry and handbags handpicked by owner Rachel O’Mara, all in an airy and expansive space.

Boho Exchange (Great Barrington, MA)

You can’t miss the bright yellow house that is Boho Exchange. The shop offers an eclectic mix of women’s vintage and contemporary clothing, and accessories with some men’s clothing in the mix as well.

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Written by
Andrew Amelinkx