As a small town Indiana girl, Goodwill was the only vintage boutique I knew growing up. Our family wasn’t rich, so the iconic re-sale store played an important role in our budget.
At the end of elementary school I got a hankering for fashion ala Molly Ringwald in "Pretty in Pink," and the Goodwill became less a painful point of socioeconomics and more an absolute treasure trove of possibilities for repurposing and reinvention.
In Savannah, we have three Goodwill locations that I still visit for clean, unusual, and affordable finds. And we have a growing range of vintage spots for those one-of-a-kind items that will really up your thrifting game.
Goodwill
1900 E Victory Dr.; 220 Eisenhower Dr.; (Outlet) 7220 Sallie Mood Dr.
Bold patterns and bright colors are my jam, and every time I visit the Eisenhower location, it delivers. I find so many kicky dresses and skirts, I’m arguing with myself about what I absolutely must have. And shoes. I once picked up a pair of unused purple KEEN sandals—score!
The Victory Drive location is smaller but still packs a punch with its clothing variety. Interestingly, I’ve had good luck finding men’s short-sleeved pearly snap shirts here.
Wright Square Vintage and Retro
14 West State St.
This place is fun! The space hosts more than 30 vendors, and the inventory is always changing. Not only will you find authentic vintage fashion from the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, but you’ll uncover an eclectic mix of jewelry, records, posters, pottery, and as my grandmother would say, “a whole mess of knickknacks and bric-a-brac.” It’s a fantastic spot if you’re out and about with friends, or maybe shopping with a partner who isn’t so much into shoes and clothes because there’s something for everyone here.
House of Strut
20 West State St.
Erica Cobb Jarman is the inspired fashionista leading the charge at this vibrant shop.
Opened originally in 2015 in the Starland District, House of Strut now does its stuff downtown on State Street a couple doors down from Wright Square Vintage and Retro.
Jarman curates genuine vintage men’s and women’s clothing and accessories—always in the best condition—and she and her team are lightning bolt quick to help in your fashion quest. Leather pants and belts are my most glorious finds—oh, and dresses, killer ‘60s and 70s era dresses!
Vintage Vortex
2413 Bull St.
New name, new location, and now twice as big—formerly known as Gypsy World, this boutique keeps growing and growing in all the best ways. Lisa Garneau Doyle is the textile and curio maven blazing the way here. She’s been an antique and vintage clothing collector most of her life, and she and her team create a palpable, positive synergy.
Big mirrors, comfy couches and chairs and beautifully appointed walls and windows make you want to linger all day if you could. The dressing rooms are spacious and decked out to the vintage max. This is another place where I have to make hard decisions because they’re just so many options and fabulous finds to choose from.
Big, big ups for their expanded men’s section—boots, hats, and shirts galore.
Starland Strange and Bizarre
17 West 41st St.
In that big pink Victorian where House of Strut used to be, Starland Strange and Bizarre now makes a home.
Business partners Marguerite Seckman and Emily Bargeron have created a funky mix of fashion, art, and ice cream—plus a wall dedicated to stickers, enough to make your third grade self wanna go and dig out her sticker book and start collecting again.
It’s kid and family-friendly and incredibly charming. I really, really like their collection of cowgirl boots—truly my kryptonite at this shop.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Need a new look? Check out these five Savannah thrift stores for trendy clothes and jewelry
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