Best Thrift Shops in Cambridge

Have you heard about all the buzz in the fashion and shopping industry? Maybe you might have come across the terms "thrift shopping" or "thrifting", Well, to clear the fluff, thrifting is buying items at a lower or discounted price from thrift shops, garage sales, warehouse sales, second-hand stores etc. Usually, the items sold at a thrift shop are used, but some also sell new things that are entirely untouched or unused. Thrift shopping has revolutionised the entire shopping, fashion industry, and consumer buying patterns. Lately, students worldwide have taken over thrift fashion as a trend because of its affordability, convenience, and eye-popping options. As you are in Cambridge there are many things you can look out for like the prestigious Cambridge University and many more things like visiting some restaurants in Cambridge, pubs, and cafes. Here are the top Thrift Stores in Cambridge.

Top Thrift Stores in Cambridge

Now that thrifting/second-hand shopping has been taken by a sweep, there are a lot of thrift stores emerging in different parts of the cities around the world. Boston, Cambridge is no exception to this. There are many thrift stores in Cambridge MA, but here are a few options of the best ones:

1. The Goodwill Store Boston

Address: 965 Commonwealth Ave., Boston;
Timings: Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 6 pm

If you are finding an excellent reason to thrift shop in Boston, then you should acquaint yourself with one of the best thrift stores in Cambridge The Goodwill Store near Boston University. This store is known for all possible good reasons, from its mission to help individuals overcome barriers to self-sufficiency to having the best thrift store material. You can get your hands on most of the jeans, pieces of denim, graphic t-shirts, and higher-end brand vintage items below a frugal price of $10. They also run a 15% discount every Thursday exclusively for students. 

2. The Garment District, Cambridge

Address: 200 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02139
Timings: Monday to Friday: 11 am – 8 pm, Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday: 11 am – 7 pm

Do you like dressing in vintage fashion? Well, The Garment District might have something in store for you. This two-storey thrift store is known for its wide range of selections in vintage pieces and designer vintage pieces. You can find blouses, dresses, jackets, coats, t-shirts, suits, jeans, and more at affordable prices. These pieces are usually collected from the 50s-90s era. You may also stumble upon designer gems like Marc Jacobs on your lucky day!
Apart from vintage pieces, they hang contemporary fashion apparel and rack up clothing according to seasons. 
If you plan to visit thrift stores in cambridge or have a thrift shopping spree, do visit this store on the weekend. The store runs an exclusion bargain that allows you to buy clothes by weight. You can pick up any item from the bundle and pay a low bargain price of $2! 

3. Raspberry Beret

Address:1704 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02138
Timings: Daily 11 am to 7 pm

With its vintage, modern, and handcrafted selections, the Raspberry Beret offers a wide range of new and consigned fashion options. Just like other thrift stores in Cambridge, Raspberry Beret is filled with all different pieces of clothing that will help you make a fashion statement. Raspberry Beret is mainly catered to women's clothing; entering the store; you can find sweaters, raincoats, boots, flowy dresses, skirts, jeans, leather jackets, hats, blazers, turtlenecks, etc. Most of the apparel sold at the store start from $30. If you don't live close to the Cambridge store, they also have an outlet in Maynard and an online thrift shopping store. 

4. We Thieves

Address: 1307 Cambridge St, Cambridge
Timings: Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 7 pm, Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm

Please don't go by its name; we thieves is an emerging chic fashion boutique focused on bringing meticulously hand-selected vintage items, up-and-coming brands and designer items. This small intimate boutique has filled its shelves with old trendy, fashionable clothes, jewellery, and shoes. Compared to the other  thrift stores in Cambridge, this store also caters to your skincare requirements; there is an apothecary department with salts, soaps, lotions, body washes, and oils which are great ways of pampering your skin and body.
The shop's consideration for its consumers can be seen in the way it is exclusive and accessible to everybody. Everything masculine, feminine, maximalist, creative, and exploratory is contained under one roof.

5. Boomerangs 

Address: 563 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA 02139
Timings: Monday- Saturday 10 am-6 pm, Sundays- 12pm-5pm

If you liked the above thrift stores in Cambridge options, then wait until you hear about Boomerang. Boomerang can be your next thrift shopping destination if you want to feed your soul with a fantastic selection of goods. This store is stacked with new, used, and vintage goods like books, jewellery, fine clothing, accessories, and home décor. This nonprofit charity store, known for its finest deals, often holds warehouse sales where you can get anything for around $1. Students also can avail of a 20% discount on any purchases on Wednesdays. Unlike the other thrift stores in Cambridge, this shop is also linked to the goal of eradicating AIDS; the store's proceeds are donated to AIDS organisations. This is the only thrift store you are supporting a worthwhile charity and paying for premium quality products. 

6. Great Eastern Trading Company

Address: 49 River St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Timings: Tuesday-Saturday 12 pm- 7pm, Sunday- 1pm-6pm

Great Eastern Trading Company opened its doors for thrift shopping in 1969 and is one of oldest standing thrift stores in Cambridge. This place is a vintage feast with many items under its buckle from the 1920s to the 1980s. This place has stunning corsets, vintage frocks, suede jackets with long fringes, etc. If you like to be experimental with your fashion choices or would like to find an exceptional fit for a special occasion, then a drive down will do the work. 

Why is thrifting good? 

• Different people choose thrifting as a fast fashion option for various reasons. As a student, you may save money, find unusual items, and lessen your ecological footprint by buying used clothes or home products.
• Just like you read about the thrift stores in Cambridge, local thrift shops are popular places for people and families to get affordable clothing. In this sense, thrifting is not a popular technique to buy or find things; instead, it is what many people can afford.
• Many people now find thrift stores when they desire to live frugally and responsibly. The adverse effects of fast fashion on the environment are becoming more widely recognised. As a result, many consumers understand the value of purchasing second-hand goods

Now that you have all the resources and places to get into the spirit of thrift shopping, make sure you take the best deals and offers at various thrift stores in Cambridge. The stores mentioned above are loved by everyone and are equipped with special student discounts. If and when you do get tired you can always check out some best cafes in Cambridge to unwind and get your energy charged.
The ball is now in your court! Go and shop smarter!