Timeless Secondhand Finds to Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day

By Felicia Czochanski Bisaro

Thrift stores have the ability to bring people so much joy. That joy is present if you’re a shopper who comes to a thrift store like Goodwill to find treasures at a fraction of the retail price or someone dropping off donations to enjoy the freedom that comes with cleaning out some space at home. It’s also a joy for those who live in your local community and are supported by the services provided by a nonprofit thrift shop like Goodwill. Through thrift shopping, we can also create a circular economy for materials, giving them a second chance at life instead of a trip to a landfill.

This year, National Thrift Shop Day falls on August 17, which is perfect timing to secure some secondhand back-to-school items as the summer season heads towards its end. If you’ve read my shop blogs before, you know I love shopping at Goodwill for any occasion – formal events, fun themed parties, picnics, date nights and so much more. If I’m not shopping for a specific occasion, you can find me in Goodwill looking for elevated takes on timeless wardrobe staples.

For me, there’s no better feeling than finding a beautiful designer piece secondhand. In honor of National Thrift Shop Day, I headed to one of my go-to Goodwill stores in New York City to see what I could find. As you can tell from the photos below, I found a lot!

A versatile little black dress is a great staple piece for every wardrobe. I couldn’t believe it when I came across this Alice + Olivia dress with a peplum detail. You could wear this dress to work, an event or even for a night out. As long as you dry clean or wash it on a delicate cycle with a gentle detergent, this dress could last for years.

Multi-season accessories are the best, especially when you’re working with smaller closet space. I was excited to find this leather Vince Camuto cross-body bag at Goodwill. This bag works for spring, summer and fall, plus it matches almost anything.

A statement blazer is another important professional go-to. It can be a great way to get an instant confidence boost, too. This colorful tweed blazer with a subtle ruffle detail caught my eye as soon as I walked into the store. I love Walter Baker, and this was definitely a steal.

As we head into fall, cozy sweaters are at the top of my shopping list. This Bloomingdales Aqua 100% cashmere sweater has staple potential and elevates a traditional sweater look with the button-down shirt piece on the hem. For just $7.99, it was another amazing Goodwill deal.

No matter what you’re shopping for at Goodwill, shopping secondhand is a way to support your local community and the environment. This National Thrift Shop Day head to your favorite thrift store and tag us on Instagram @goodwillintl so we can see your amazing finds!