Vintage Clothing Brands To Look For At Thrift Stores
These days, it's incredibly easy to buy fast fashion, but if you're not a fan of niche, trendy clothing (or raising carbon emissions), vintage brands are the way to go. Rummaging through thrift shops and scouring the best sites to get gently used designer goods on a budget is always a treat, especially when you snag a retro find. However, it's always best to be in the know about which brands are must-buys. For instance, fashion influencer Laura VonV shared in a July 2025 YouTube video that one item she'll always grab is vintage Calvin Klein jeans, and for good reason. "Calvin Klein denim from the mid-'90s were perfectly worn in to perfection. They are exactly what you should be looking for, either online or at the thrift store," she told her viewers.
Meanwhile, commenters flocked to one Reddit post about old-school brands and noted that vintage Frye items, Guess clothing from the '80s, and Levi's jeans and shorts are perfect grabs. One commenter also suggested Eileen Fisher, Jones NY, and "anything well-made with heavy silk or good wool," especially for "working women." Another replied, "Talbots wool blazers are fantastic and the colors are usually neutral." This is only the beginning of the vintage brands and items you should look for, though.
Other vintage brands that'll have you leaving the thrift store a winner
Wondering whatever happened to the colorful fashion brand Benetton? Sadly, the clothing company began floundering around the 2000s, but during the '80s and '90s, its color-blocked T-shirts and sweaters were super popular — and they're ones to keep an eye out for in thrift stores. One lucky employee shared on Reddit, "I work at a vintage clothes shop and we had a few vintage Benetton shirts come through! Don't think they were ever worn, only these two going out though as I bought the third." Another brand to look for is vintage American Apparel from the 2000s, particularly its tees and tanks. Although the company is still around, some say the quality of its clothing isn't what it used to be.
Don't miss out on vintage accessories, either. The Fendi Baguette bag, which is still sold but not in the same iconic vintage styles, is expected to make a big comeback soon. One lucky Instagram user got her hands on a sparkly blue-and-white bag that we couldn't take our eyes off of, and who knows — maybe you could find one while thrifting!
Other old-school purses to snag are anything from the Louis Vuitton x Takashi Murakami collection, Lady Dior, and the Y2K hit, the Fendi Spy bag. As for jewelry, you're always going to win with well-known names. "The classics remain consistently popular. Jewelry houses like Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels, and David Webb are some of the most popular among 1st Dibs shoppers," editorial director Anthony Barzilay Freund, who works at vintage and antique store 1st Dibs, told Veranda. Knowing which brands to get is just one part of smart vintage shopping, and being armed with other useful tips will have you leaving the store without buyer's remorse.
Being knowledgeable about thrifting will have you shopping like a pro
What you need to know before your next thrift store trip is that vintage clothing sizes differ from modern-day ones. For example, style expert Mana Mansour showed in an August 2025 YouTube video how one dress that was labeled a 7 or 8 actually had a 25" waist, which meant it was more of a size 0. She added, "Make sure to inspect all of your vintage garments before buying. An easy way to do that is to look at the fabric, bring it up to the light so you can see if there's any moth holes or bad little tears. If they are able to be repaired, that's okay, but sometimes they can't be, so it's a dealbreaker." Other things to check for are zippers, clasps, and buttons that may be damaged. If they can be repaired, go for it!
Shopping for vintage clothes can be time-consuming, as there are lots to sort through, so be sure to have a plan beforehand. Pick a few stores that you want to visit and have an idea of what clothing items you're missing. In need of basic T-shirts? That should be the first thing you search for. If you're looking for evening wear, head straight for the dress rack. Another pro tip: You should hit the thrift stores post-holiday weekends, as many people do closet clean-outs around the holidays. Stores also restock during this time, so you may nab better finds. Saving the environment and your wallet at the same time will ultimately make you a vintage-wearing superhero.