The economy is looking scary, the earth is heating up and you don’t have an outfit for next week’s costume party. What’s a guy to do? Thrift! Pittsburgh is chock-full of secondhand stores at all price levels that are sure to satisfy a variety of tastes. Not only is thrifting clothing more environmentally friendly, it’s also a satisfying hobby that brings you a newfound appreciation for design, quality and fashion history.
Check out the top 10 thrift stores near Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt):
10. Salvation Army — South Side
Salvation Army — it’s a thrift staple for a reason. The clothes in this (and most) Salvation Army stores aren’t particularly curated, making it a good place to develop a sixth sense for gems hiding in the racks. Vintage Pitt and Steelers merch often pops up here for a more affordable price than some of the vintage-specific thrift stores on this list, so consider swinging by in the morning for the first pick. This location tends to have a very solid selection of shoes and handbags, and it does have a changing room. It also puts you in a good position for a thrift marathon, as there are multiple vintage stores farther along East Carson Street. To refuel, grab an arepa at Cilantro y Ajo next door.
9. Red, White and Blue Thrift Store — Route 51 and Route 65
These sister stores are big, well-stocked and offer daily 50% off discounts on rotating categories. Find the unique housewares and home decor that might not be sold at other shops here. Be warned— it can get pretty crowded. After all, everyone else is after the same deals as you. There are no changing rooms, so either bring a measuring tape or make your peace with gambling on sizing.
8. Sam’s Vintage — Lawrenceville
Describing itself as “Pittsburgh’s fun vintage shop,” Sam’s Vintage is a small but mighty collection of thoughtfully picked vintage pieces. Sam’s started out with pop-ups and guest racks in other thrift shops but has now expanded into its own storefront. Inside, you’ll find colorful and funky clothing as well as staples like high-quality jeans. There are even accessories sold by guest vendors. And Chappell Roan stopped by in June 2024, so you know it must be good.
7. Eons Fashion Antique — Shadyside
If you’re tired of Depop sellers trying to pass off fast fashion shirts from 2015 as “vintage,” it’s time to visit Eons, which sells clothes all the way from the 1880s to the 1980s. Prices are mostly in the $25+ range because of the quality and age of the pieces. It’s a great place to hunt for extra-special dress for special occasions. The store goes beyond typical clothing offerings and brings in quirky accessories like knit ties or intricate belt buckles from decades ago. The store is even organized by waist measurement, saving you a whole lot of the typical vintage guesswork.
6. Clothes Minded — Bloomfield
College is a time of many changes, whether in your body or in your sense of style. There will come a time that you’ll find yourself with more clothes than you know what to do with. When this happens, take a trip to Clothes Minded. Located on bustling Liberty Ave right next to the independent White Whale Bookstore —a great place to grab a coffee and new novel after your thrifting adventure— Clothes Minded doesn’t just sell clothes but also purchases them. It’s a great way to change up your wardrobe while doing your part to minimize fabric waste.
If you’re looking to sell your clothes, you’ll want to select seasonal pieces, especially those that are in trend or stand the test of time (i.e. no microtrends), for the best odds of success. The store does not accept undergarments or formalwear, but they do buy accessories as well as other clothing. Once you’ve made a nice bit of cash or store credit, you can put it to use on Clothes Minded’s racks. Google reviews say the store stands out for its affordable pricing and wider selection of menswear than your typical consignment store. Other highlights include quirky decor like stuffed Simpson heads and convenient changing rooms to try out your fit.
5. Highway Robbery Vintage — South Side
With 13 years of experience under its belt, Highway Robbery is a well-oiled vintage machine. The store features hundreds of pieces at various price points. It can sometimes be difficult to tell just how “vintage” something is when you’re new to the scene, but this store makes it easy by organizing their inventory by decade. So whether you’re looking for a poodle skirt or some low-rise Y2K jeans, you’re sure to find something in this colorful store. They also offer shipping, so you can shop Pittsburgh even while out of town.
4. B-Sides Vintage — Millvale
B-Sides Vintage hits that sweet spot of secondhand shopping. The store brings together curated, more rare items with plenty of racks of affordable clothing to dig through. B-Sides posts much of their stock on their website, so you can even browse from home. A quick look reveals a respectable collection of merchandise from the beloved Pittsburgh rapper Mac Miller, plenty of camo, vintage Pitt and other university-branded clothing and no shortage of favorite brands like Harley Davidson. You can often find B-Sides hosting a pop-up shop at one of the city’s many vintage markets. After shopping, check out Millvale’s other small businesses, like the legendary Attic Record Store or Mr. Smalls Theatre.
3. Steal City Vintage — Squirrel Hill
It’s a vintage store and the name is a pun? Yeah, we’re going. Boasting more than 2000 square feet of floor space, Steal City is packed with treasures for you to comb through. There’s truly something for everyone here. If you’re looking for that perfect-fit denim jacket, they’ve got you covered. If your closet is already bursting at the seams, fret not — Steal City also carries vintage vinyl, CDs, jewelry and an impressive array of shoes.
“They have a great variety of styles and accessories to choose from, and I love their shoe and vintage collection,” University of Pittsburgh senior Kosi Ifediora said.
Your day doesn’t have to end with a funky shirt from the ‘90s. After all, doesn’t a thrift trip basically require a little treat and a coffee by law? Steal City’s location in Squirrel Hill means there are countless options to round out your day on the town. Check out the famous Blue Slide Playground just blocks away, try one of Dobra Tea’s hundreds of beverage options or catch a movie at the historic (and affordable—plus a student discount) Manor Theatre. Grab a bagel at Pigeon Bagels and then practice your backhand on the nearby tennis courts. And if you want to wear the varsity jacket you just picked up, well, that’s just the cherry on top.
2. The Neighborhood Flea — SouthSide Works (location varies by year)
Running since 2014, the Neighborhood Flea brings together vintage, secondhand, handmade and artisan goods into one beautiful open-air extravaganza. These vendors’ stalls are almost too pretty to touch. The key word, of course, is almost. You won’t be able to resist going through the market’s countless stalls, which stock everything from vintage Pitt merch to old engraved Swiss Army knives to pearl earrings to fresh spanakopita. Some of the market’s clothing vendors even have pop-up changing rooms so you can try before you buy — a welcome rarity in the flea market world.
“I like the vintage flea because there’s new things to see every month and there’s a good amount of variety between sellers. I love coming back each market and seeing my favorite jewelry lady who always finds something perfect for me in her collection. And without fail I get to end the day with a delicious sweet treat, like lemonade, strawberry rhubarb pie, or a chimney cake,” University of Pittsburgh graduate Tabea Schneider said.
Though vendors rotate from week to week, you’re guaranteed a wide selection of secondhand and vintage clothing, books, records and housewares. If the sun gets unbearable, take a break with a cold beverage from one of the flea’s many food trucks and stalls. Because there’s so much to explore, it’s a great place to break the ice with new friends. And if you’re missing your dog from home, you’ll be very happy to encounter plenty of adorable dogs (who must be wondering why all those clothes smell like they’re from different humans). The market runs from May to October, so if you’re on campus during the summer, be sure to take advantage of all your opportunities to visit.
1. Goodwill Outlets — North Versailles and Heidelberg
If you ask that one classmate from your women’s studies class where they get their creative outfits, there’s a good chance this is the answer they’ll give. I know — Goodwill in first place; sacrilege. It’s certainly a more demanding experience than browsing a curated boutique. But one of the greatest joys of secondhand shopping is scoring a deal on something you never expected to find. There’s no better place to do it than at one of Goodwill’s outlets.
Sometimes called “the bins,” these outlets get some of their stock from items that didn’t sell within 5 weeks at a traditional Goodwill store. Don’t let that dissuade you, though. Through some magic, the bins are a gold mine of mint-condition vintage denim and unique items you can tell have been passed down through several generations. Yes, you’ll have to sort through your fair share of clothes with rather worrying stains, but the upside: singular finds at $1.79 per pound. Because it’s so affordable, shopping from the bins gives you the chance to try out new silhouettes, fabrics or colors that you might not be ready to invest vintage store-level bucks in.
So, claw your way to one of the store’s highly sought-after shopping carts, which are somehow always in low supply. Pick up those New York Times bestsellers from last year that you never got around to reading for $0.99, or dig for CDs from people’s old collections (always check that the disc is in the case). At some point, you’ll spot a glimpse of slippery, glowing fabric. Keep tugging. Eventually you’ll find a dress for your situationship’s spring formal so stunning that it’s sure to make things official. The outlets are perfect for rainy days, or for weeks so stressful that you kind of want to feel like a mole digging through the earth.
