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The resale shopping scene can be intimidating for the uninitiated: Stores are often crowded with merchandise, finding the right fit is a challenge, and you have to weed through a collection of strange and outdated pieces to unearth items worth bringing back into fashion. But resale and vintage clothing makes for an eclectic wardrobe, with pieces from various decades mingling to form a unique look. Buying previously owned clothing is also better for the environment: It means less new apparel in the world, which translates to less pollution and waste from production and distribution.
Dig into these vintage and consignment shops—don’t forget your practiced sorting skills—and get ready to revamp your wardrobe. Is this list missing your favorite resale shop? Let us know in the comments.
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South Broadway
One of Denver’s true vintage shops, this overflowing closet offers everything from ’70s dresses perfect for summer festivals to costume pieces ideal for one-off occasions. The tags denote the decades and the prices are reasonable. Look for Gunne Sax dresses, soft rock t-shirts, real fur coats, hats, or various accessories. Bonus points for the excellent throwback tunes (think “No Scrubs” by TLC) and the location—Regal sits next to Fifty-Two 80’s, a memorabilia store of collectibles from its namesake decade. 1866 S Broadway, 303-830-0216
This 3,000-square-foot resale boutique boasts neat racks and plenty of room, so the shopping experience is laid-back and easy. Two things to note: The men’s department is slowly growing, and there’s very little vintage clothing to be found here. Rather, the shop is packed with resale options from recent years. 1388 S. Broadway, 303-765-4776
This store shares space with Sewn, resulting in a shop that’s part vintage wares and part boutique, featuring handmade clothing and accessories from local artisans. There’s a fair selection of menswear, as well as furniture and other household wares. 18 S. Broadway, 303-832-1493
A few doors down you’ll find Boss Vintage, which is perfect stop for vintage dresses and coats. Half the store is devoted to men’s clothing, and the walls are lined with wigs in every color and style imaginable. 10 S. Broadway, 303-871-0373
One-off Destinations
This relatively new store is reminiscient of a cool Brooklyn ‘hood with a vibe that’s at once hip and laid-back, with plenty of succulents, taxidermy, and crystals. Furniture and other artful knick-knacks fill the Capitol Hill space, but the clothes, divided on racks according to gender, aren’t an afterthought. Impeccably curated, both the clothing and the jewelry is a mix of new and vintage. 220 E. 13th Ave., 303-861-0257
Babareeba
This West Highland spot sells higher-end vintage, as well as previously owned and new garb, all picked with a fashionista’s eye. The wares are always high-quality, even if it’s a handbag from the ’40s or ’60s. The vintage pieces are few and far between, however, and the store is mostly filled with clothes from recent decades. 3629 W. 32nd Ave., 303-458-5712
This “buy-sell-trade” boutique, located on South Pearl Street, is filled with great clothes, some of it vintage, along with stylish accessories. It’s the kind of store where you can find designer jeans, a vintage hat, and a new piece of locally made jewelry, all in one trip. In-demand items (think Kate Spade bags or Frye boots) go fast, so stopping by regularly will only hurt your wallet. 1113 S. Pearl St., 720-296-2047
Consignment Shops
This popular consignment chain has three locations, although only two (Littleton and Capitol Hill) take consignment—the third, on South Broadway, is an outlet, with proceeds going to local charities. Although you may have to dig, there are always gems to be found. 1500 W. Littleton Blvd., Littleton, 303-795-1122; 1244 E. Colfax Ave., 303-832-0783
At Wardrobe Works, owner Robyn Wackerli has been selling like-new designer clothing at an affordable price for 20 years. Not only are the goods in this Golden Triangle shop well chosen, but Wackerli makes for a charming shopping companion. 126 W. 12th Ave., 303-446-8446
This boutique-like resale shop sells plenty of designer wares, as well as some new items with price tags that reflect both style and quality. There are two Front Range locations, in Boulder and Denver, each divided by racks with thematic labels like, “Athletic Wear” or “Little Black Dresses.” 1575 S. Pearl St., 720-379-4598; 2707 Spruce St., Boulder, 303-449-5431
Zoe’s resale boutique takes pride in selecting only the best. For those looking to sell, the website offers a helpful list of preferred designers and labels, which is also a good way to gauge the vibe of the store. The staff here is consistently top notch. 626 E. Kentucky, 303-777-9637
Boulder and Beyond
Goldmine Vintage
Boulder’s most popular vintage store, Goldmine is located in the heart of walkable Pearl Street. New clothes are in the minority in this small shop, which has a good selection of men and women’s items, sorted by clothing style rather than decade. Prices are never outrageous and there’s also a large selection of denim. 1123 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-447-0065
(Read 5280‘s Guide to Boulder’s Pearl Street)
This carefully organized vintage/costume shop has plenty of space for inspecting their goods. Candy’s focuses mostly on costumes and accessories, although a fair amount of authentic vintage is sprinkled throughout. There are also plenty of hats, shoes, and wigs for those so inclined. 2512 Broadway, Boulder, 303-442-6186
Boulder’s Recycle Row
This strip isn’t technically named Recycle Row, but it’s my moniker for the blocks of Arapahoe Road from Foothills Parkway to about 63rd Street, which are lined with various nonprofit stores that hold some of the best thrift buys around. The Humane Society of Boulder Valley Thrift Shop has a great selection of art and kitchen gear, plus an entire side room dedicated to clothing. Other spots may be a total bust, but it’s always worth a look inside: I was about to leave the TRU Hospice Thrift Store when I spotted a pair of white cowboy boots in a glass case by the cashier. Not only were they my size, but as a “high-end item,” the total came to $20. End your shopping tour at ReSource, where you can purchase previously loved building materials on the cheap. 5320 to 6400 Arapahoe Rd., Boulder
Lafayette Collectibles and Flea Market
This warehouse-sized treasure trove is ideal for anyone who’s trying to furnish a new house and/or is addicted to HGTV. Although the sheer size of the space can be overwhelming, the store is broken up into smaller staged rooms, complete with everything from upcycled furniture to records, and globes to old Ansel Adams posters. You’ll also find clothes, belts, bags, and shoes—most from this decade, although there are some vintage gems—sprinkled throughout. If you’re a seamstress, there’s always a good stash of vintage patterns (plus, a few old sewing machines to get you started). Pro tip: Don’t come within an hour of closing time, as you’ll feel rushed. 130 E.Spaulding St., Lafayette, 303-665-0433
This Winter Park gear shop sells items that are typically expensive, such as skis and bindings, at a fraction of what they cost new. You can also sell your old gear for cash or store credit. Although there are some new things for sale, such as goggles or certain styles of boots, the fast turnover rate makes a stop here always worthwhile. 78902 US-40, Winter Park, 970-363-7056
