The secondhand clothing market in the United States hit $43 billion in 2023 and is projected to double by 2028. Los Angeles accounts for a disproportionate share — the city's vintage infrastructure is unmatched, a sprawling network of curated boutiques, bulk thrift stores, flea markets, and pop-up sales that serves everyone from costume designers sourcing period-accurate wardrobes to college students looking for $8 Levi's. The climate helps. Clothes don't deteriorate the same way in perpetual sunshine. Fabrics last longer. Colors stay brighter. And the constant churn of entertainment-industry wardrobes means that designer pieces filter into the resale market at rates other cities can't touch.
Here's where to go, organized by what you're looking for.
For Designer Resale
The Way We Wore (La Brea) — Founded by Doris Raymond, this is the store that costume designers call first. The inventory spans a century of fashion, with particular strength in mid-century American designers and European couture. Prices reflect the curation — this isn't a thrift store, it's a vintage archive that happens to sell things. If you've seen a period drama set in Los Angeles, some of the clothes probably came from here.
Recess LA — A standout destination for contemporary designer resale, with curated pieces from labels like Chanel, Dries Van Noten, and Issey Miyake. The store treats vintage shopping as an editorial experience — racks are organized by aesthetic rather than size, which makes browsing feel like flipping through a magazine.
Wasteland (Melrose Avenue, plus Studio City, Highland Park, Silver Lake) — Wasteland occupies the prime stretch of Melrose Avenue's indie retail corridor and stocks gently used pieces from every decade. The sweet spot is designer items at roughly 30 to 50 percent of retail — pre-loved Chanel pumps, vintage band tees, and the occasional piece that someone's stylist clearly donated after a single wear.
For Budget Hunting
Jet Rag (La Brea) — The Sunday $1 sale is legendary. The store dumps bins of clothing in the parking lot, prices everything at a dollar, and the result is somewhere between a treasure hunt and a contact sport. The regular indoor store stocks affordable vintage and contemporary secondhand at reasonable prices during the week. Costume designers, stylists, and resellers all shop here — if you're willing to dig, the finds can be remarkable.
Buffalo Exchange (Multiple locations) — The national chain started in Tucson in 1974 and operates on a buy-sell-trade model. Prices run lower than curated vintage shops, and the inventory turns over constantly. The Melrose and Sherman Oaks locations tend to have the strongest selections.
Crossroads Trading (Multiple locations) — Similar to Buffalo Exchange in concept, with a slightly younger-skewing inventory. The buy-sell-trade model keeps prices accessible, and the store credits make it possible to refresh your wardrobe without spending cash.
For Thrift Store Finds
Out of the Closet (Multiple locations) — An AIDS Healthcare Foundation thrift chain with locations across LA. Prices are low, the selection rotates frequently, and every purchase supports HIV/AIDS programs. The West Hollywood and Silver Lake locations tend to stock more fashion-forward donations.
Council Thrift Shops (Multiple locations) — Established in 1924 and receiving roughly 100,000 donations annually. The council shops operate like traditional thrift stores — unedited, unsorted, and full of surprises. Success requires patience and a tolerance for fluorescent lighting.
Flea Markets
Melrose Trading Post (Fairfax High) — A weekly Sunday flea market that functions as LA's vintage town square. Vintage clothing dealers, jewelry makers, and collectible sellers set up alongside food trucks. The quality of vintage clothing varies, but the people-watching is consistently excellent.
Los Feliz Flea — Spread across two levels with a rooftop area offering views of the city skyline. Combines vintage clothing and antiques with live music and food trucks. The vibe is more curated than the Melrose Trading Post — prices are slightly higher, selection is slightly better.
Silver Lake Flea Market — A weekend destination with an eclectic mix of vintage clothing, handmade jewelry, and local art. The neighborhood's creative energy shows up in the inventory — expect more avant-garde finds and fewer generic vintage tees.
Shopping Strategy
Go early. Go on weekdays if you can. Know your measurements — vintage sizing bears no consistent relationship to modern sizing. Bring cash to flea markets. Check seams, zippers, and fabric condition before you buy. And be honest about what you'll actually wear versus what you're buying because it's cheap. The best vintage shoppers in LA aren't the ones who buy the most — they're the ones who buy right.
For more on LA's culture scene, see our guide to the best art museums in Los Angeles and Tinsel's coverage of quiet luxury — the fashion philosophy that's driving renewed interest in well-made vintage as an alternative to disposable new, the best free things to do in Los Angeles and the best date night restaurants in LA.
