Before college, I thought of thrift stores as smelly places with compilation of crumbling clothing from the baby boomer era. Unfortunately, my mild addiction to online shopping and inability to pass Urban Outfitters on State Street without going in took a toll on my bank account. After flirting with the poverty line for the better portion of my freshmen year I decided to give thrift stores a chance.
Goodwill
651 State Street
Madison, WI
Goodwill is a great stop if you’re looking for a guilt-free shopping fix. All of the proceeds from Goodwill’s massive thrift store network are used to provide job training, career services, and other community programs for those who have disabilities or lack job experience.
Goodwill mainly sells clothing, but they also have a good selection of household items. You can find anything from a wig for your Lady Gaga Halloween costume to a set of chairs for your kitchen table.
Goodwill may sell some questionable articles, but if you’re willing to scour the racks you can find some unique items.
Even though there isn’t a huge selection of vintage or designer items, it’s all about the search. The size of the Goodwill on State Street makes it a great place to spend some quality free time going through racks. The designer goods are there, you just have to find them.
In addition to the location on State Street, there is another Goodwill located just a short car ride away in Monona that offers a wider selection.
ReThreads
410 State Street
Madison, WI
ReThreads is a great option if you’re looking for high-end thrifting. The employees do the work for you by selecting items that are in style, in season, and in great condition.
ReThreads also has a sizeable selection of designer duds. Because of this, their prices are higher than your average thrift store. However, if you’re in it for some great designer finds, it’s the place to go.
Not enough room in your closet for all those new clothes? ReThreads sets its self apart because you can sell your clothing at the store. You can either sell items for cash or trade for an in-store credit to satisfy your sartorial needs.
ReThreads is great because it offers a student discount.
If you didn’t have much luck at ReThreads’ State Street location, be sure to check out their other location in West Madison.
Ragstock
327 State Street
Madison, WI
With three floors of fabulous thrifting, Ragstock has yet to disappoint. The store is unique because it carries both new and used items. Ragstock has a decent selection of trendy new clothing and accessories like scarves, sunglasses and jewelry. At such low prices, accessories are the way to go at Ragstock.
However, the real appeal of Ragstock is in their eclectic collection of vintage pieces. Ragstock boasts an impressive selection of cowboys boots, ’90s jackets, festive sweaters and Japanese baseball jerseys.
This diverse selection makes Ragstock the number one place on campus to shop for any themed party or Halloween costume. Ragstock not only provides packaged costumes, but also has a great and wide selection for you to create your own unique Halloween costume.
