Browsing LA's Best Vintage Thrift Stores

Who’s up to do some shopping in Los Angeles for vintage fashion? Let’s look at the top vintage shops and the best thrift stores in LA!

Jet Rag for Sunday Deals and More

Jet Rag may offer the best bargains in Hollywood, at least on Sundays, as nearly no thrift shop in LA or anywhere else can compete with their famed $1 Sunday Sales. In pre-COVID days you had to almost literally elbow your way through bargain hunters to get to good deals. But, thankfully, their current Sunday Sales are outdoor yard sales with more social distancing. The rest of the week you can still find some pretty good deals at Jet Rag, as almost everything in the store is priced under $30. This includes clothing from vintage wear for both men and women, plus lots of modern ensembles. Both their weekly sales and their weekly shipments ensure a regular and rapid rotation of offerings.

Wasteland for Funky Tradition

While Wasteland has three locations in LA, including stores in Santa Monica and in Studio City, most Los Angelenos are most familiar with the iconic Melrose Avenue store. It's been at the center of eclectic fashion for decades, catering to rock stars, hipsters, and the fashion-forward of all stripes. While they also sell new merchandise, they're best known for offering gently worn designer names at deep discounts. And like lots of LA residents, this one migrated here—Wasteland was founded in Berkeley, California in 1985.

Decades for High-End Fashion

Decades isn't a thrift store for the ultra-thrifty—and really less a thrift store and more of a consignment shop. And the West Hollywood boutique has some of the highest-quality second-hand designer clothing and accessories you can find in the city. We're talking about Chanel, Hermès, Gucci, Prada, and Oscar de la Renta, to mention a few top names. Sales of designer shoes are particularly popular at Decades. Sure, you'll pay to take home creations from some of the world's top designers, but much, much less than you would be paying if you go retail.

Council Thrift Shops for the Home and More

New in town and need to furnish your pad? Or maybe you're just in the market for a unique coffee table. One of the Council Thrift Shops may be the place for you, as each of their six stores always have good quality used home furnishings for sale. But don't forget to check out the clothing racks, lots and lots of them, packed with a wide assortment of second-hand clothing. The stores rarely stock top designers, and you'll have to dig through a lot of stuff, but there are usually some hidden gems in there.

Buffalo Exchange for Wardrobe Maintenance

While Buffalo Exchange is a national chain, they still keep things LA-centric by buying and selling their merchandise locally. And with five locations across Los Angeles, that merchandise is plentiful and wide-ranging. They usually have some nice luxury offerings at reasonable prices, but you'll probably have better luck finding solid mid-range brands here: vintage Levis, Zara classics, Mango, and the like.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul for Everything Else!

Self-described as "L.A.'s Largest Thrift Store," this massive Lincoln Heights warehouse offers a shopping experience you won't soon forget. There's just tons of stuff everywhere! With such a huge selection it's hard to say exactly what you'll find at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, but it surely includes an overload of vintage fashion and accessories, plus lots of second-hand furniture, electronics, and appliances including refrigerators and stoves. All at affordable prices. And you can feel good about shopping here knowing that it's a charity that helps the poor and homeless.

Are you ready to give your wardrobe a much-needed upgrade? LA’s top second-hand shops and vintage stores are ready to give you that new look at a super sweet price!

Written by William McCleary for Knockaround.