Tag: thrift

What Does Thrift Mean To You?

What does thrift mean to you?

Walking through the historically cultured blocks of one of Philadelphia’s most infamous streets, the question that has lingered in my mind. So this week, I thought we’d take a look an environment which has fostered so much of the inspiration that we’ve taken a look at over the course of this blog: South Street. On this blog, we’ve looked at so many inspirational stories about thrift changing the lives of plenty of people. From thrift shops created for troubled and misguided youth in an effort to rescue them from their impending downward spiral, to veteran thrifters of many years providing some insight into the art of thrift.

So this week, I thought we’d take a look at some thrift stores that we may have missed so far, while also getting the thoughts of some thrifters on what thrift means to them personally. After checking out Philadelphia’s “Greene Street” and “Sophisticated Seconds“, I’ve gotten a better understanding the importance of thrifting in many people’s lives.

At Green Street, the ambiance resembled that of a typical retail store. Family friendly and minimalistically chic, this shop exuded a warmness not usually found in consignment/secondhand. Filled with racks of elegant streetwear fashion, it certainly manages to appeal to its targeted audience. Favoring consignment rather than a thrift shop, Greene Street is fully entrenched in the culture that South Street is fundamentally built upon. Similar to the magnificence of the Magic Gardens, the allure of Greene Street is also in its aesthetic. Warm, diverse, and refreshingly organic, Green Streets serves as part of the thrift culture that is embedded in South Street of Philadelphia.

“Greene Street is a consignment/second hand shop…which is also very eco-friendly and good for the Earth,” said Brandon Hayes of Greene Street staff. “All of these things fall under and are relevant to thrift.

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The second part of our deep dive into the rich thrift culture of Philadelphia’s South Street is Sophisticated Seconds. Home to tons and tons of fashion steals at unbelievable prices, Sophisticated Seconds is much more product centric. While it may not meet the standard of service and involvement that Greene Street does, it certainly manages to compensate with the pure surplus of clothing options that they provide.

“The best part of thrift is that you keep money in  your pocket while making money off of what you sell too,” said Spencer Matthews of Sophisticated Seconds store staff.

“I’ve gotten stuff from like Zara, which is my favorite store, that is sold out in the store. Once it’s gone, it’s GONE. I think that’s the difference in like consignment and thrift stores, is that you kinda get some of that back. I think that’s why consignment, secondhand, and thrift are so important to me, eve though I just started like literally a few weeks ago.”

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What I gathered from this excursion into the importance of the culture of thrift that is embedded into South Street is that perspective on thrift varies just like the individuals involved in it vary.  Thrift is an art, to be partaken in or simply appreciated, and its value in abstract just like any other art form would be. It allows people not only express their thoughts and opinions, but gives them a platform to discover a sense of self and express that. Ultimately, finding the platform to do so appropriately is the goal of many, and thankfully thrift is able to provide such a platform.

 

Profile of Camden’s Thrift Works

So this past week, I went to two concerts in Philadelphia, Kali Uchis and BROCKHAMPTON (and of course I got merch). And while both of the shows were great, what really made the week memorable was the experience I had thrifting an outfit to wear for each concert. As you all know, I am an avid thrifter. It’s the bond that connects everyone involved in the community of this blog. However, much of my thrifting collection is a result of online thrifting. Whether through apps like Depop, Grailed, or simply buying from a reseller on Instagram, most of my thrifting is done online. But, I’ve undoubtedly come to rely on my local thrift store, Thrift Works, almost as much, and hopefully you will too.

So, as I previously mentioned, I’ve purchased from Thrift Works before, being that I am a reseller of thrifted clothing myself. So it has become an invaluable staple in the continuity of how my resale business is run. The selections inside were even more vast than anything you could imagine in comparison with the content on the Facebook page. The selections were plentiful, as I strolled the aisles in pure awe of quality of content that this shop possessed. Racks upon racks of gems like Tommy Hilfiger polos to trench coats to gear up for the brooding winter ahead of us. Although the shop’s content is seemingly endless, even stemming into a diverse children’s section in the back, here’s what I thought were some of the best features of the shop and its content:

The sign that hangs outside of the Thrift Works store as you enter. As the sign says, this particular shops specializes in thrift resale rather than vintage resale.
Photographed is the entrance of the Thrift Works store. Although there is a back entrance, customers only have access to the front entrance.
Another picture of the decorated entrance.
Getting into the holiday spirit, the shop was sporting these festive decorations in its windows.
The left window and its decorations
This is the table set up in the front of the store to greet customers as they walk in.
One of the many styles on display.
Racks, racks, and more racks of stylish clothing waitin gto be thrifted.
Shown is one of the various styles displayed within the shop as soon as you enter.
Another very chic style choice that makes this thrift shop unique in its own right.
…And more racks of clothing.
A shoe rack almost hidden in the store’s corner, this is almost the hidden gold mine of the shop in my opinion.
Another Halloiween decoration (Don’t worry, they aren’t this festive for every holiday)
A very simple but elegant striped sweater, accentuated by the slick gold neck piece.
A view from the front window of the Thrift Works shop.
Photographed here is the complimentary bag given to each customer upon completing their purchase. Additionally, every Thrift Works employee is sure to give out the 10% discount coupon off of the customer’s next purchase.
Trench coats as we gear up for the wintery days ahead of us.
A few more decorations to spook you into thrifting something.
….And more racks on top of the racks that are on top of racks….
Yes….another rack.
Keeping the Halloween spirit, the Thrift Works shop was decorated both inside and out by employees.
Shoes displayed near the front counter should be illegal, it just isn’t fair. How can you say no to a WALL of shoes?
Readying for the winter, the shop has began to display their various styles of trench coats and long sleeves.
These are images of some of the decorations in the shop’s children’s section.
A shot from one of the corner of the front of the shop.
Jewelry that’s placed in the shop’s front desk.
The Thrift Works right front window
Host to a cast selection of sport/suit jackets, Thrift Works often has the style that you need in their stock.
Here, we see some of the tee shirts from the children’s section
My favorite photo, hands down.
Okay, I may have lied. How can this view not be my favorite?
Photographed here is the design of the children’s section of Thrift Works. This is the best part of the shop in my opinion, as the attempt to genuine cater to the children is obvious, and that effort has to be appreciated.
Hi…it’s racks again.
Some of the clothing for the children in the back section of the shop.
And of course, we have to end on a picture of a rack.
Shown here is a sign posted marketing their social media to all customers. Now that you’ve seen their shop, go give them a follow and tell them that ThroneofThrift sent you.

 

Go-To Thrift Shops You May Not Have Heard Of

These days, it’s so hard to find trustworthy places to be your source of vintage fashion.  So, I’ve done it for you guys. Kick back and enjoy these sites that I gotten together for everyone to check out. I’m also going to post a poll at the bottom of the post for everyone to vote on your favorite vintage shop from the post.

 

Urban Exchange Project (Philadelphia, PA) is a vintage shop of self proclaimed “name brand 2nd hand”. With an impressively involved and engaged community, they have fostered a deep connection with their consumers. This shops also rewards the loyalty of their customers exclusive insider texts and deals when you sign up for the email updates. And trust me, with a shop that has merchandise this fire, you’ll want all of the updates possible.

They also have a great blog to keep everyone up to date with the most relevant stories in vintage and what’s currently in style. Check out some of their post to see what and what not to wear this upcoming fall, as well as some of the best styles from this past summer. Lastly, possibly the most interesting part of the website is the store behind the origin of the foundational storefront in Fishtown, PA, and how the shop as a whole cam about.

         

 

Here2CoolStuff (Philadelphia, PA) is a favorite of mine personally. With a strong connection with customers through an immersive website that’s regularly updated with events involving the shop and anything creative in general. Concerts performances, poetry, and, of course, a very particular style of desirable vintage clothing make the community of the shop larger than one would expect. With such a large community, a diverse style of clothing is bound to follow.

             

With styles like these, its easy to understand why I’ve come to love this shop so much. Located on south street, there’s always plenty of activities to get involved in and this shop is definitely one of the best of them all. Featuring plenty of throwbacks such as loose denims, unorthodox patterned print on the pants, stripes to set off an otherwise neutral outfit, or an edgy blend of casual chic, the styles to create and build upon are seemingly endless.

                

 

Red White & Blue (West Berlin, NJ) is one of the best and most regularly updated thrift shops in the local area. But surprisingly, unless you “know someone who knows someone”, most people are relatively unaware of its presence. But don’t worry, I’m letting the entire Throne of Thrift fam in on the secret. With bins that are added to daily and hundreds of various styles to choose from, it is literally the one-stop-shop for all things vintage.

          

Possibly, the best part about Red White and Blue is the deal and specials that they always have for their customers. Discounts that are attached to themes such as daily deals or Senior Citizen Day make their loyal customer base come to back to shop. Not only being the best in the product they sell and the pure quantity of it, but also besting any other thrift shops in their prices as well makes them my most trustworthy place to go for vintage apparel.