Whether it’s going to class, attending a sports game, or even going out over the weekend, there are many instances as a college student when putting together a good outfit might be crucial for college students.
Sometimes money is tight in school and buying cute new game-day outfits every time you cheer for your team might be beyond the budget. That’s why thrifting is a great way to find unique clothes for class, staple pieces, cheap basics and cool vintage treasures. Not to mention, sustainability is incredibly important today, and buying second-hand is a great way to avoid shopping through the means of mass production.
Here is a guide to thrifting at and around the University of Connecticut.
UConn Thrift Den
For students who might not have a car or transportation to go thrifting off campus, the Thrift Den is a great option.
The store is part of the Office of Sustainability and allows students to choose one free clothing item each week. Located in Room 001 of the Family Studies Building, the Thrift Den is open 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and is fully stocked by student donations.
Bliss Marketplace
Bliss Marketplace is a predominantly second-hand store located about 20 minutes away from campus in Willimantic.
The store is organized well and it’s easy to find the exact size and color of something you’re looking for. It has a huge selection of second-hand, affordable clothes and even collaborates with other businesses like a local record store, artists and jewelers.
Bliss Marketplace is also very busy with inventory constantly changing, so it’s a great place for your next thrift trip.
Savers
Savers is your classic warehouse-style thrift store in Manchester, Conn.
The chain has aisles of second-hand items consisting of different clothing types, books, houseware and more.
It’s a bigger thrift store, so you might spend more time there than you’d expect to find what you’re looking for. Because of its proximity to UConn, there’s still the possibility of finding some vintage UConn merch.
KAL Consignment
Although consignment stores aren’t exactly the same as thrift stores, KAL Consignment is very close to UConn, only about a 12-minute drive, and can be a good shop to visit if you’re looking for a specific item of higher quality.
Because the items at KAL are curated by employees, the prices are higher than at a normal thrift store. However, this means you can find special items like rare or designer clothes while still practicing sustainability.
There are many thrift stores around the UConn area. However, these are a few popular standouts. Whether you’re just getting into thrifting or looking for somewhere to go on a lazy weekend, this will hopefully be your guide to a well-rounded thrift day.