The It Girl Thrift List for 2026

Photos by: Sarah Joy Photography

It’s no secret that there are enough garments in this world to clothe six generations. With this knowledge, alongside inflated pricing combined with lackluster fabrics and materials, let’s face it: fast fashion needs to take a backseat. There are countless retail issues we could list, but luckily, more and more fashion lovers and consumers are turning towards secondhand finds, vintage and the act of thrifting. 

Over the years, consumer behavior has drastically changed, especially among Gen Z consumers who are considerably brand agnostic yet religiously tied to a good deal. According to ThredUp’s 2025 Resale Report, the top five reasons consumers choose to shop secondhand include better deals, the thrill of the hunt, affordability of higher-end brands, eco-conscious purchases and the opportunity to secure one-of-a-kind looks. 

ThredUp’s annual report also stated that by 2029, the secondhand apparel market is expected to reach $367 billion. While we are still four years away, we’ve gathered some insight from some local thrift experts to determine items you should look out for at your local thrift store, and what to add to your style rotation this year. 

When it comes to shopping, we often hear advice about what to splurge on. But when it comes to thrifting, the approach is different: what can we save on? 

There’s been one too many times we’ve found ourselves at the mall or at a retail store, and after hours of looking through overpriced clothes, we’ve all had that moment of clarity, saying to ourselves, “I could thrift this.” 

To those who aren’t as thrift savvy, roaming down aisles and aisles of dearly departed items can feel overwhelming. 

So where’s the best place to start? 

Trendy Versus Capsule Wardrobe Pieces 

Stylist, content creator and founder of Cherry Picked Threads, Ana Vasquez-Terpstra encourages shoppers to invest in the basics and thrift the trends. Micro-trends notoriously come and go, especially through the rise of TikTok and creator led content (Brat Summer, we’ll forever miss you). 

“Trends should always be thrifted. You should never splurge on a trend because it will end up at the thrift stores anyway,” said Vasquez-Terpstra.

Micro-trends are niche, kitschy and come as fast as they go. Rather than trying to fulfill the latest trend by shopping on Amazon, SHEIN or any other fast fashion site, invest in your time and look for the next trendy piece at your local thrift store. 

Some projected 2026 trends coming down the pipeline are brooches, vintage athleisure, poet-core, tassels and so much more. These are all items that will be easy to find secondhand. Entering a thrift store with a shopping checklist makes the thrift trip so much easier. 

Lisa Mae, founder of Thrift Girlie and the Thriftful App, adds on to this sentiment. 

“Save your money on modern, mass-produced brands,” she suggested. “If I wanted to match someone at an event, I’d shop fast fashion, and that’s never the goal.” 

Lisa’s thrift list often includes vintage lingerie, unique vintage jackets, coats and real or faux furs. As a layering expert, she’s typically looking for the pieces that will elevate a look and can be worn time and time again, even for those who work diligently to avoid outfit repeating. 

The Store Itself Matters 

For Casandra Perez, whose closet is a wonderland of vintage and treasures, “thrifting is all about the thrill of the hunt; scoring unique, one-of-a-kind pieces you’re never likely to see on someone else,” she shared. 

Many appreciate the outcome of thrifting, but the act of sifting through pre-loved items is therapeutic in itself. The time of day, day of the week and location of the thrift store matter, and can make or break a good thrift trip. 

“Where you thrift matters. The neighborhood tells the story,” Perez added. 

Often, the thrift stores you visit during a pre-existing outing, on vacation or as an impromptu activity in your day are home to the best hidden gems. And as a true expert, Perez reminds shoppers, “Don’t skip the home section: picture frames, glassware, and seasonal décor are what I look out for.” 

The Truth Behind Leather

Kelly Shallman of Discovered Threads has an eye for thrifted pieces that will last a lifetime. One of her main focuses is real leather. 

“The most ethical jacket is one you wear for decades,” she shared. “Faux leather is fashion’s favorite lie,” she said. 

Faux leather is posing as plastic, and there’s no denying it. While faux leather is notorious for cracking and peeling in only a few wears, real leather just gets better with age. And it doesn’t have to break the bank.

“I find genuine leather jackets at thrift stores all the time for $15 to $40,” Shallman added. “Thrifting makes it possible to experiment with silhouettes like bombers, blazers, and trenches without buying new or feeding fast fashion.”

Tips to Add To Cart 

With these tips in mind, entering your “It Girl” thrift era is accessible, and it doesn’t have to break the bank or the planet. 

We came up with an acronym to make it even more attainable. These are the words to keep in mind when you’re at the thrift store. For example, let’s say you’re at Goodwill and you stumble upon a blazer that you’re not sure about. Do you need it? Will you wear it? 

Ask yourself, is this piece: 

I – Intentional (does it check something off your thrift list?)

T – Treasure (these are those hidden gems you won’t find again) 

G – Girl Math (is the price right?) 

I –  Investment (will you have it for years to come?)

R – Real (maybe it’s thrifted SHEIN but do you really need that?) 

L – Luxury (if you just found a Prada, no questions should be asked) 

We think if you answered yes to one of these, then carry it around with you while you shop. Two or three, then it’s a definite contender depending on what else you find. 

And if you find that rare piece that might as well spell “IT GIRL” across the chest (not literally, of course), then it better be coming home with you. 

While thrifting may be more tedious than the typical curated retail experience, finding a gem that will serve as the focus point in your closet, just like it did in someone else’s, is a much better feeling than adding that top you bought six months ago to your “giveaway pile.”

And looking good while doing it? That’s priceless.