Soñador Vintage in Honolulu has a consistent influx of women’s clothes from around the world and from various decades. (Photo by Geneva Mellison)

By Geneva Mellison | Staff Writer

 Thrifting can be a three-hour hunt with nothing to show for it or a prosperous adventure with finds and deals you never knew you needed. I’ve always loved the search. The moment you find something rare and perfect in your size is like getting a B on a test you thought you bombed, or finding a random $20 bill in your pocket.

Growing up, the thrift store, Ross, and TJ Maxx were the trifecta of affordable clothing, and local thrift stores came with charm and mystery. In 2016 I started reselling clothes online, and I knew I had an eye. A few years later, in Portland, I was working as a merchandiser and buyer for this popular consignment shop, and spent three years learning about brands, fabrics, furniture, and house hold items and their worth.

Now, when I need extra cash, I go to my favorite spots to look for steals. To avoid wasting your afternoon scanning the racks at Savers or spending too much at Ala Moana, here is a list of my favorite thrift stores in Honolulu with quality vintage pieces.

1. Soñador Vintage | IG / @sonadorvintage
1269 S Beretania St. 2nd Floor | Open 12-6 p.m. (closed Mondays)

This curated collection of women’s clothes is sourced from Oʻahu, Europe, South America, and the mainland West Coast, including pieces from the 1940s through the early 2000s. The shop is continuously stocked with graphic tees from the ’80s and ’90s, blouses and dresses from the ’70s, and tons of y2k pieces. For the true vintage lovers, this is the place. I found an ’80s Sears navy blue peter pan collar blouse in perfect condition, ’70s plaid swim shorts with a back pocket and button detail, and early 2000s maroon Etnies sneakers — each under $30. The owner frequently posts new items on her story and allows purchases through Instagram if you want to claim anything you like. 

2. Homeroom | IG / @hmrm.shop
1269 S Beretania St. 2nd Floor | Open 12-6 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Located in Small Space Studios above Harbors Vintage, Homeroom has a maze of graphic tees. That classic men’s oversize shirt that you want to wear every day of the week, you’ll find it at Homeroom, and everyone will be asking where you got it. The space is organized and sleek, with color-coded racks, including a small $10 section. Hats, lighters, and other vintage accessories are scattered among the shelves. Some of my favorite items are its ’70s earth tone button down shirts and vintage utility jackets.  

3. Harbors Vintage | IG / @harborsvintage
1269 S Beretania St. | Open 12-6 p.m. (closed Mondays)

Harbors Vintage has grown into more than a thrift store but a community of friends and artists. Local events are held in its 3rd Space Studio—an open studio space at the back of the shop where DJ events, art markets, and business seminars are hosted—and the shop itself has dozens of individual vendors.

Here you will find true vintage, streetwear, y2k, goth, and more. The first section of the store has more expensive and designer wear, catching your eye with special brands and hype beast shoes. The next room over has sections of women’s y2k dresses, tops, pants, and swimwear. My personal favorites are the multiple racks of incredible single stitch graphic T-shirts. I still think about the perfectly worn ’80s black Dalí shirt in my size that was sadly at $180. I am cursed with good taste.

Best of all, the staff is friendly and passionate about what they do. I always feel noticed and welcomed at Harbors. 

4. Goodwill Bins
2610 Kilihau St. | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Unlike the regular Goodwill thrift store, the bins are sold by the pound. For items like clothing and fabric, it’s $2 per pound, with lower rates for over 25 pounds. Media is often priced 50 cents to $2 per item, while furniture is priced per item, generally each under $50. 

All of the items excluding bulky furniture are kept in large blue buckets wheeled out in rows of three. There is a front room with clothing and fabric and a backroom with shoes, books, kitchen supplies, and electronics. It may seem like it takes hours to find anything, but the Goodwill bins are organized and clean, set on a schedule to bring out new items every 30 minutes. Just by scanning around and looking for fabrics and colors you like, something interesting is bound to catch your eye. I tend to walk up and down the rows, grabbing at things I like. I found black Ben Davis work pants in my size, a gray ’80 blank zip up with no stains, and blue Patagonia shorts all within the same five minutes of searching.

Bring a friend and spend an afternoon trying on aunties blazers from the ’80s. (They are in perfect condition.)