I started thrifting because I was broke. I kept doing it because it was fun. And somewhere along the way, it became one of my favorite things to do.
If you took a peek inside my closet, you would find that more than half of the clothes in there are thrifted. I think that thrifting challenges your creativity in a way that regular shopping doesn’t because you learn to see potential where most people don’t. An old graphic tee can look cool again with the right pair of jeans; an oversized men’s sweater suddenly looks chic with the right accessories. It forces you to think differently about clothes, and honestly, I think my style got much better once I started mixing in thrifted pieces into my wardrobe. Everything feels a little more personal, a little more me.
What I love most, though, is that thrifting isn’t just about the clothes. It’s about the experience. You can spend hours browsing without any pressure to buy anything. It’s quiet, easy and kind of meditative in its own way. At home, I have a Goodwill right near my house, and whenever I was bored, I would always drive over and spend a few hours browsing through the racks. It’s safe to say that I never left that Goodwill empty-handed.
So naturally, after moving to Ithaca for college, I had to check out the thrifting scene to see which stores I could poke my head into and find some hidden gems.
Goodwill Fingerlakes
This Goodwill has a little bit of everything. The prices are decent, and the selection is solid, but finding something really good can take time. One of my friends found a great pair of pants there once, but it took a lot of digging (and a 20-minute walk from Evergreen). Still, there’s something satisfying about earning your find.
Evergreen
Stepping into Evergreen had a much different vibe; it was much more curated. The store has a cool, outdoorsy, workwear vibe. It’s definitely pricier, though. Most items are $40 and up, and coats or sweaters can easily hit $50 or more. The brands aren’t super recognizable, but everything feels carefully chosen. The dressing room is tiny, but the store itself has a nice aesthetic. It’s worth stopping by if you’re hunting for just one really good piece.
Dump & Run
This is a Cornell classic. It’s a campus-wide reuse sale that happens at the start of the semester, full of stuff students left behind such as clothes, furniture, random dorm decor, etc. It usually is located in the Ithaca mall. Last time I went, I picked up a thick scarf (winter essential) and a laptop bag, both for under $10. It can be a bit chaotic and crowded, but that’s kind of the point.
Ithaca ReUse
They’ve got everything: posters, decorations, furniture, rugs, even electronics –– all at very reasonable prices. The clothes section is hit or miss, but you can find really chic pieces in the women’s section, though the men’s section could use a bit more variety.
Ithaca Pastimes
Pastimes leans more toward the antique side. The place has an eclectic mix of items — fur coats, interesting jewelry and a bunch of fun jackets and blazers. It’s where I picked up a ring I wear all the time, and a really cute suede jacket with unique stitching. It’s the kind of store where you can easily spend an hour just looking around because there’s so much to see. If you’re looking for something unique or a bold statement piece, this is definitely the spot.
Random Pop-Ups
From time to time, there are other pop-ups as well. Once, on my way to the Ithaca Farmers Market, I spotted a girl selling her clothes from her porch and ended up finding a super cute leopard-print skirt. Something else to look out for is the Tri Delta Sorority clothing sale. It isn’t a permanent shop, but it’s worth mentioning. It’s a pop-up event that raises money for charity, and the prices are great. You will have to seriously sift through the piles of clothes. One of my friends managed to snag a North Face jacket there. Even though it’s not the kind of place that will be open year-round, if you see it happening, definitely give it a try.
In general, most of these places are pretty spread out, and without a car, getting around can be tough. If you’re relying on walking or TCAT, Depop and other resale apps are solid alternatives — you can still find great secondhand pieces without leaving your dorm. That said, I do wish it was easier to get to all of these stores without a car so that I could recreate the same feeling at home of just popping my head into my local goodwill to see what they have.
Ruhi Datar is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at rrd56@cornell.edu.
