It’s no secret that the fashion industry can be very detrimental to the environment. A great way to help reduce your waste and lower your carbon footprint is to thrift your clothes. Luckily for us, Seattle is full of high-quality, clean, and welcoming thrift stores.
Most of the thrift stores on this list also offer additional services, such as personal stylists or online shopping options. Many were also founded by caring and community-oriented individuals who use their business to help support local programs and services for those in need.
Best 8 Thrift Stores in Seattle
- Pretty Parlor
- Buffalo Exchange
- Ballard Consignment
- Earthwise Architectural Salvage
- Labels Consignment Clothing
- Lifelong Thrift
- Lucky Dog
- Lucky Vintage
1. Pretty Parlor
Specializing in vintage and retro clothing, Pretty Parlor absolutely lives up to its name. A pink paradise located in the heart of Capitol Hill, the pieces available are in great condition and are reasonably priced for the quality. The store prides themselves on providing a body-positive and helpful experience, which makes any shopping trip all the more joyful.
In addition to having an in-person shop, Pretty Parlor also gives customers the ability to shop online. Similar to the brick-and-mortar store, the online shop is separated into different categories, including bridal, boudoir, and vacation, making it easy to find exactly what you are looking for.
As an added bonus, Pretty Parlor offers a small alteration service for its patrons. The wait list and prices for these services vary depending on demand and are available only for items purchased in the store.
2. Buffalo Exchange
A familiar classic, the Buffalo Exchange in Ballard is a wonderful place to find gently used staples for your closet. Chances are high that if you start your shopping looking for a tee shirt, you’ll leave with a few extra goodies as well.
One of the things that makes Buffalo Exchange such a popular destination for thrifters is the option to sell old clothing back to the store. To do this, you simply bring in the clothes you’d like to sell and an employee will sort through the items with you. At the end of the process, you can earn 25% of the selling price in cash or 50% in the form of store credit.
3. Ballard Consignment
Ballard Consignment store is the sprawling stuff of thrifting dreams. The place itself is so large that it seems there is always another corner to turn and more items to discover. Focused primarily on selling furniture and household items, this store is a great option for anyone who is looking to reimagine or redecorate their home.
If you do find a piece that you love, you can have it delivered using Ballard Consignment’s delivery service. Prices start at a minimum of $100 for local deliveries and are a great option for anyone who finds themselves with a large couch but sans truck.
While shopping in-person does allow you to explore and discover the smaller knickknacks available for sale, like candle holders and figurines, this thrift store does offer the option to shop online if desired. It also has multiple locations in Bellevue and Everett.
4. Earthwise Architectural Salvage
Opened by a former demolition contractor, Earthwise Architectural Salvage is the place to go for salvaged materials. The items for sale are rescued from a building that is scheduled to be remodeled or demolished and are then used in new homes or projects. Not only does this mean that you’re saving items from becoming landfill, you can also find great new pieces in almost any household category, including plumbing, cabinets, flooring, or doors.
Earthwise also offers an online shop where you can peruse their salvaged materials and make purchases from the comfort of your home. In order to make the process easier, you can browse by category to find the items you need.
If you are in the process of remodeling your home, you can also call Earthwise to help with the salvaging process. They offer salvaging services which include free site bids and material removal, drop offs or pick ups, and guidance workshops.
5. Labels Consignment Clothing
Located in Phinney Ridge, Labels is a clean, friendly, and affordable option for thrift goers. As a commitment to combating the negative impact of the fashion industry on our climate, Labels also donates unpurchased, wearable items to those in need through their partnership with Aurora Commons.
If you are interested in revamping your wardrobe and selling some of your older clothes, Labels offers the option to bring in clean and folded clothing for exchange. After your clothes are sorted through, you can earn 50% of the selling price.
Finally, if you are in need of some fresh eyes to help take your closet to the next level, Labels offers personal stylist services for a small fee. They even have the option to host a private shopping party after hours for groups of up to 10 people!
6. Lifelong Thrift
If you love supporting a good cause while you shop, look no further than Lifelong Thrift, a store that came to life through the merger of two non-profits serving individuals and communities impacted by AIDS. The store also provides vouchers to members of the community that are currently living with HIV, helping to support everything from funding an apartment to buying living essentials.
As far as shopping, Lifelong Thrift provides a safe and welcoming environment to search for everyday clothing items. If you’re interested in donating old clothing or household items, you can drop these off anytime during store hours. All donations are tax-deductible and while you can’t sell your belongings, you can enjoy the knowledge that you’re helping a community program.
7. Lucky Dog
Taking its inspiration from two friends who spent their college years selling clothing on eBay, Lucky Dog is a one-stop shop for streetwear items. Their website features pictures of several famous customers, including Macklemore, Pete Davidson, and Shawn Kemp, and the quality of their products backs up the claims of their satisfied shoppers.
Located in Greenwood and University Village, this a great place to start If you’re looking for vintage tees or sneakers. They also have the option to sell and trade items by appointment, which can be made by calling the store. The staff are extremely friendly and make the process of selling and trading feel smooth and efficient.
8. Lucky Vintage
With two locations in the University District and Ballard, Lucky Vintage offers a well-organized way to shop for a variety of different clothing items and accessories. They feature inclusive sizing, ranging from extra-small to plus size, and have bold and creative pieces for any occasion.
If you prefer to shop online, you can check out their virtual store. Clothing is organized by category and includes evening wear, mens wear, designer, current affairs, and jumpsuits, to name just a few.
Lucky Vintage also hosts the occasional Instagram live show as well as various events in their warehouse/studio space. In addition to these events, they also buy clothes, offering 30% of the selling price in cash or 50% in store credit.
The Seattle thrift scene is thriving (just ask Macklemore, he knows). The wide variety makes it easy to find exactly what you need or stumble upon some surprising gently-used gems.
You can narrow your search down by occasion, neighborhood, or store mission. Each shopping experience can be turned into something as unique as the shopper! Afterall, nothing screams Seattle quite like an environmentally-friendly clothing run.
