If you tend to eschew “fast fashion” and big-box stores in favor of thrift and secondhand shops, you’re not alone. Or if you're wanting to lead an eco-conscious and sustainable lifestyle by upcycling, Denver has you covered. It was named the best city for thrifting by StorageCafe. 

More and more shoppers are discovering the thrill of the hunt (that zing you get when you score a high-quality find for waaaay less than retail) and spending more sustainably by shopping at resale and vintage shops. In Denver, there are lots of places to find gently used treasures. Here are a few you won’t want to miss.

 

Plum Consignment

Delightfully uncluttered, yet still filled with treasures, Plum Consignment’s Central Park shop is bright and impeccably organized. A recent visit turned up several Anthropologie second runs, Burberry flats, 7 for All Mankind jeans and dozens of other desirables. Because the store generally only accepts consignment goods that are no more than a couple of years old, the inventory tends to be very on-trend or classic.

 

Common Threads

Common Threads isn’t just one of the best consignment shops in town. It’s one of the best women’s clothing shops in town, period. Score Isabel Marant, Vince, Tory Burch and other normally stratospheric designer brands at down-to-earth prices. In a smartly organized and expertly curated place on South Pearl, you’ll be hard-pressed not to walk out with a new handbag, heels, blouse, jeans… or one of each.

 

Déjà Blue

A unique concept under the Goodwill umbrella, Déjà Blue gathers the non-profit’s best brand-name donations to create a higher-end (but still lower-priced) shopping experience in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. Instead of sifting through rack after rack, expect to zero in on current trends and coveted brands.

 

Meek

You’ll find one of the city’s most elegant secondhand shops in Denver’s historic Golden Triangle Creative District. In fact, so selective is Meek’s owner, you might not believe these are thrifted items. You’ll find a mix of clothing (Levi’s, earth-toned jackets and sweaters, super-soft flannel shirts) and home goods (rugs, wall hangings, indigo-dyed throws).

 

Regal Vintage

A real-deal vintage shop with styles from every era, this colorful, bursting-at-the-seams South Broadway boutique has racks of 70s sequined jackets and 50s-era hourglass frocks. Plus, plenty of merchandise that’s less costume-y. If you need a perfectly broken-in vintage concert T-shirt, this is your go-to place.

 

Goldmine Vintage

This former Boulder hotspot fits right in at its new home on South Broadway. The husband-and-wife owners travel the country seeking out perfect pieces for the store, which features a carefully curated collection of clothing and accessories from the Victorian era through the mid-90s. And while the focus is on vintage clothing and accessories, they also carry new lines from independent artists, vintage LPs and a large selection of affordable vintage and new costume items. 

 

Clotheshorse Consignment Boutique

The sisters who own Clotheshorse, located in the Berkely neighborhood near the Highlands, put out hundreds of new-to-you items each week, as well as marking down existing items each month, making it worth stopping by on the regular. Delve in to find everything from designer bags and shoes (hello, Jimmy Choo!) to vintage cowboy boots and turquoise jewelry from Mexico. 

 

Rags Consignment

"It doesn’t have to be new to be perfect." That's the motto at this chic consignment shop in Cherry Creek, which carries an extensive selection of women’s clothing and accessories, all displayed on easy-to-search racks. Workout wear from Athleta and Lululemon? They’ve got it. Classic styles from Calvin Klein and Kate Spade? Check! Designer duds from Louis Vuitton and Stella McCartney? Oh yes. Stop by and see what's in stock. 

 

SecondLove

This hip and homey resale boutique in the Berkeley neighborhood focuses on casual women’s clothing and home decor. Expect to find brands like Free People, Anthropologie, Michael Stars and Madewell, along with vintage treasures. Don’t be surprised if you’re tempted to move right in!

 

Mercer Place

Located on South Broadway, Mercer Place has been in business for more than 20 years. Shop a broad selection of women’s clothing and accessories, children’s clothing, men’s clothing and housewares. The store has also been called "a vintage shoe lover’s heaven," so if shoes are your thing, put Mercer Place on your must-shop list! 

 

Back on the Rack Children’s Consignment Boutique

We didn’t forget about the little ones! Back on the Rack offers high-quality children’s clothing, shoes and toys, as well as baby equipment like strollers and packs and plays. Why pay full price for items they'll outgrow in a few months when you can save money and do something kind for the planet by buying secondhand?