Melissa Donovan
In the spirit of finding a new sense of self and refreshing before 2026, the year-end closet cleanout offers the opportunity to be “out with the old and in with the new.”
Clearing out the chunky-knit sweater that has been collecting dust in the back of your wardrobe, saying goodbye to your cherished jeans that just do not fit the way they used to, or allowing your old favorite top to find a new home is all a part of making space for the new year.
While the closet cleanout allows for letting go, it also makes for a wondrous landscape in local secondhand stores to scour for your new year wardrobe. According to an article on Martha Stewart’s blog, January has been named the best time of year to go thrifting, so mark your calendars for a few days at your local shop.
In a mission to clear out closets and fill donation bins, or even to make a few bucks, shoppers can find their new (to them) treasures at secondhand stores, consignment shops, or resale sites. Here are a few local spots and online resources to check out in the new year.
Local spots
Goodwill (multiple locations)
A classic spot among thrifters. Known for its affordable prices and wide selection, Goodwill can be a treasure trove for all things fashion, home decor, or even just knick-knacks. Be sure to take a peek at the half-off tag color when entering the stores to save a few bucks.
Goodwill bins
Similar to the storefronts, the Goodwill bins offer a multitude of unique finds, but at the bins, they are ones that you must really search for. Instead of filing down aisles and shelves in a shop, you can set aside a whole morning or afternoon to dig through bins upon bins filled with clothes, homeware, decor, and an array of other items. Bring gloves and a bit of perseverance, as patience seems to be the name of the game when it comes to thrifting.
Plato’s Closet (multiple locations)
A spot targeted towards teens and young adults, Plato’s offers the opportunity to turn in some of your preloved pieces for a bit of cash. While staff are known to be selective when choosing which pieces end up donated in store, shops promise to have the latest trends for a fraction of the price.
Uptown Cheapskate
Similar to Plato’s, Uptown Cheapskate also allows for the opportunity to sell clothes for a few extra bucks and to buy them at up to 70 percent off of retail price. They are known to have a stock of favorite brands like Adidas, Brandy Melville, and Lululemon.
Hope’s Chest
This thrift/boutique serves local communities with their donated stock of clothing, jewelry, children’s wear, school supplies, furniture, and more.
Russell Home Thrift Store
Shelves lined with kitchenware, antiques, clothing, and china, among other items, make this thrift sing. While finding new items to warm your home is already enough of a joy, knowing your dollar is going towards a good cause makes it all the better. This second-hand store donates all of its funds to support the operations of the Russell Home for Atypical Children, Inc., which is a nonprofit for brain-damaged children.
omg! Thrift
A local thrifter’s favorite, omg! Thrift prides itself on its sustainability, opportunity for jobs, and wide range of secondhand goods. With a constant flow of pieces hitting the racks, the store promotes giving items a new life by offering upcycling tips for customers on its blog, as well as guides for navigating stores as a first-time thrifter. Similar to Goodwill, omg! Thrift also offers half-off deals via its weekly colored tag.
City Thrift (multiple locations)
This national favorite holds a special spot in secondhand shoppers’ hearts with its initiative to make the latest trends accessible. Also known for its colorful half-off tags, City Thrift is putting its customers’ (and their wallets) best interests at heart by offering a “New Year, Big Sale” allowing shoppers to enjoy 50 percent off almost everything in store only on New Year’s Day. Start 2026 with a bang for your buck.
Out of the Closet
Another nationwide hotspot, Out of the Closet, was founded in 1990 to help raise funds and awareness for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. With every purchase or donation, 96 cents on the dollar is donated to the foundation’s HIV prevention and treatment services, and each Out of the Closet location has HIV testing services available. The Orlando location is also home to one of Orlando’s period pantries powered by Go With The Flo, offering free menstrual products. For being a national name, Out of the Closet brings country-wide initiatives to a local level, all the while giving secondhand gems a new home.
Online resources:
Depop
Popular with young adults, the reselling site and app allows users to make a few extra bucks from their preloved pieces. Building a relationship between buyer and seller, Depop has risen as a secondhand shopper’s go-to for online thrifting.
Vinted
Similar to Depop, Vinted also allows users to buy and sell items on their app, putting the power in users’ hands. Vinted shoppers have access to everything ranging from men’s and womenswear to electronics, sports equipment, and more.
Poshmark
Known for having trending brands accessible to users by the click of a button, Poshmark has become a staple resale site for shoppers and those looking to “turn their closet into cash.” Offering fashion, home decor, beauty, and more, Poshmark could be a one-stop shop when it comes to a little refresh.
The RealReal
Named “the world’s largest and most trusted marketplace for authenticated, consigned luxury goods,” The RealReal is a household name to shoppers who love all things high-end (for a fraction of the retail price). An option to give your designer pieces a new home, or to look for a preloved fancy treat-your-self moment, The RealReal gives a glimpse of glamour with every scroll.
ThredUp
“With a goal of turning secondhand into the first place to shop,” Thredup prides itself on its impact on the environment and sustainable fashion. Another opportunity to buy, sell, and search for your favorite items, Thredup tracks trends and offers an outlet of inspiration for your next runway moment.
As the new year brings feelings of starting over and working towards creating the best version of yourself, the first step to accomplishing your 2026 goals could be a closet clean-out and a bit of retail therapy. Take advantage of the secondhand shopping season, in the spirit of out with the old and in with the new (to you).
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