Things I'll Only Shop Secondhand for – Because They're Better That Way

The forever-thrifted list of pieces that elevate my home, wardrobe, kitchen and more

Welcome, I’m Lindsay. The Slow Studio is a space I’ve created to write about my approach to slow(er) living as a design studio owner, multifaceted creative, first-time mother and more. Keep up with me on Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

Over the last year I’ve fallen into a steady Saturday morning ritual, and it looks a bit like this:

I wake up early to savor a cup of coffee with my husband before my daughter gets up; we cook together in the kitchen with music as she begins to stir in her crib. We get her up, have breakfast together, and enjoy playtime and reading in the living room.

And by the time 9 a.m. rolls around, I’m out the door with my tote bag in one hand, coffee in the other and en route to the thrift store for a few hours of solo rummaging.

Rummaging is a salve for the soul – or my soul, at least – and shopping secondhand has forever held a soft spot in my heart.

It’s something that my grandmother shared with me, my mother shared with me, and I hope to experience the thrill of the secondhand hunt alongside my daughter one day.

I can’t wait to tell her about my little, life-altering meet-cute in the middle of a Goodwill with a pair of OshKosh baby overalls, where for the first time in my life I thought, “Maybe I’m finally ready to have a baby.”

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Mindfully designing my life with previously-loved things is a core part of who I am.

Here are the things I’ve committed to only shopping secondhand for, for the foreseeable future – simply because they’re better that way.

Vintage frames and artwork

I recently moved into a 102-year-old home, and decor items that are ultra-modern or all-new don’t feel aligned with the space. I’ve loved scouring secondhand shops for vintage frames and artwork that feel equal parts eclectic and curated – the patina earned by an old frame holds just brings me so much joy.

Leather bags

I’ve never been a handbag collector – I’m typically someone who wears the same crossbody bag until it completely wears out and couldn’t tell you what this season’s It bag is.

However, after wielding a diaper bag for the last year, I like to treat myself to the experience of wearing a smaller bag on the rare solo night out. I’ve found some of the most beautiful leather bags while shopping secondhand, including these black and ivory finds – for $5 each.

Toddler clothes

Curating Margot’s closet has been such a joyful and unexpectedly creative part of motherhood, and I’m proud that the vast majority of her closet is secondhand – either by way of thrifting or hand-me-downs from generous friends.

My husband and I like to joke that her current style is “cool and cute little Denmark kid out for a coffee on a Saturday morning,” and I like to think that this holds true!

These are two of my recent favorite finds: a classic cotton Baby Gap cardigan with colorful buttons and this gorgeous Zara Baby dress that I purchased from Spil Kids’ secondhand rack at a pop-up in Atlanta.

Vintage glassware and ceramics

This view of our kitchen shelves feels so curated, comfortable and just like home – and all of these pieces have been picked up secondhand over the years.

A few years ago I fell deeply in love with Japanese ceramics and have made a point to pick up a few new pieces whenever I stumble upon them, along with interesting brown and green glassware.

Designer pieces

It feels nice to have a few higher-end pieces in my closet, and while I don’t care about touting name brands, I do care about quality. Cashmere, suede and organic cotton have all found their way into my closet by way of thrifting, which I’m grateful for.

This Zimmermann cashmere sweater was a steal for $7 (it retails for nearly $500!) along with these brand-new Aquatalia suede mules for $5.

Knick-knacks

Sometimes you just need a good knick-knack, and the thing about thrift stores is…they’re replete with them.

I recently brought home this adorable ceramic shell dish that I use as a bedside ring holder and it’s one of those little things that brings me such simple joy – and even better that it was $2.

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Do you have an all-time favorite secondhand find? Share how you found it with us in the comments – I absolutely love hearing origin stories of hidden gems.

I hope these finds inspire your own thrifting adventures 🤍