Thrift Stores vs. Curated Vintage Stores
Thrift Stores vs. Curated Vintage Stores
By Sophie Smith — January 24, 2025
As fashion lovers are drifting away from shopping at traditional retail stores to investing in clothing pieces from the past, curated vintage stores have become all the rage. These shops differ from conventional thrift stores such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army. The perk of a curated vintage store is that it diminishes the searching process that occurs at the bins.
A common misconception is that vintage shops are as inexpensive as thrift stores. While vintage stores aim to provide their customers with unique pieces at a reasonable price, they must also factor in a convenience fee for the time spent curating the items. Vintage stores factor in the condition, quality, and style of the clothing that fills their racks, whereas thrift stores move all donations to the floor.
One vintage store getting a lot of celebrity traffic is Funny Pretty Nice, located in Soho and Manhattan. Funny Pretty Nice was created in 2019 by Natalia Spots out of her Manhattan studio apartment. Since then, she has successfully opened a second store location and has had clientele such as Addison Rae, Olivia Rodrigo, and Devon Lee Carlson come to shop.
On the West Coast, Aralda Vintage is a favorite among A-listers and vintage lovers. Almost every item in the store was seen on the runway. The store’s founder, Brynn Jones, is a former model who used her couture experience to bring her dreams of entrepreneurship to life. Kendall Jenner and Zendaya have worn designer finds from Aralda Vintage on the red carpet. The business’s Instagram style includes posting photos of the item on the runway and then of it currently in-store.
Both thrift and vintage stores are sustainable options where you can find one-of-a-kind pieces, but it is time we set the record straight regarding their differences. Vintage stores may be more pricey, but splurging for the perfect addition to your wardrobe is a great way to treat yourself.
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