Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries was founded in Boston’s South End in 1895 (by a BU alum). Today, stores supporting the nonprofit can be found throughout the world. The closest location to BU students is in West Campus. Clothes are organized by type and color, and most have a set price: jeans for $7.49, graphic T-shirts for $1.99, and so on. There’s also a pricier boutique section of higher-end brands and noteworthy vintage items. An ongoing weekly tag sale offers special discounts, and college students get a 15 percent discount every Thursday. 

Buffalo Exchange occupies that magical space between a thrift store and a consignment shop. Items—both men’s and women’s clothing with a youthful and hip bent—average $15. Low- and high-end brands can be found, ranging from H&M and Urban Outfitters to more expensive labels like Calvin Klein. Those selling clothes can get 25 percent in cash or 50 percent for store credit with a valid government-issued ID. Sign up for the store’s newsletter to find out about special deals, like student discount day and $1 sales. And bring a reusable bag: Buffalo Exchange donates money to local charities in lieu of providing bags.

It’s impossible to miss Vivant Vintage. The exterior has two colorful murals, one that declares the store “home of the traveling spectacular.” If that’s not enough to draw you in, the eccentric atmosphere should be—it’s like walking into a collector’s attic, with items from vintage cameras and old typewriters to over 1,000 pairs of unique denim jeans. It can be hard to tell what’s for sale and what’s part of the permanent decor, but owner Justin Pomerleau will happily clarify. The clothes vibe is rock ’n’ roll bohemian: lots of leather jackets (around $200), vintage graphic T-shirts ($20 to $30), and button-downs with big ’70s collars. There’s plenty of outerwear, dresses, leather bags, boots, wingtips, sunglasses, sterling silver jewelry, and crystals (starting at $2). Vivant Vintage also offers a 15 percent discount for students and teachers every Wednesday.

One of Boston’s most popular chain of thrift stores, Boomerangs is noted for lavishly decorated windows, especially at Halloween and other holidays. You can find plenty of cheap bargains on a variety of items. The stores offer clothing, kitchenware, art, furniture, books, jewelry, and more. Students and teachers get 20 percent off purchases on Wednesdays at the Jamaica Plain and Cambridge locations. Proceeds benefit the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. Keep up with special sales and other updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

At Castanet you’ll find lots of designer brand duds for sale, all in excellent condition. Expect to shell out some serious money, though, because the labels include Chanel, Balenciaga, Isabel Marant, and more. Castanet squeezes a lot of merchandise into a small parlor space and offers one of the best deals available to those consigning clothing: up to 50 percent of the selling price. Call to set up an appointment or email the store’s owner (cassie@shopcastanet.com) with a description of your items.

Founded in 1969, Great Eastern Trading Company was one of the first vintage stores in the Boston area. Today, it’s known for its unique clothing for all genders, binary and nonbinary. With vintage items from the 1920s through the 1980s, it’s also a good place to find a Halloween costume or an outfit for a costume party. The store carries statement items: gorgeous corsets, suede jackets with long fringe, and vintage frocks.

A woman-owned small business in East Cambridge, We Thieves is an intimate boutique (just 420 square feet) for those looking for a well-curated selection of vintage, independent artists, and one-of-a-kind finds. Expect to find vintage clothing, jewelry, and shoes—but also an apothecary section, with salts, soaps, creams, body washes, and oils for some pampering and self-care. Visitors can venture into the store for an in-person look, or shop from the comfort of home from the online store.

A quote by Carrie Bradshaw—Sarah Jessica Parker’s character from Sex and the City—greets visitors entering this South Boston vintage boutique: “I like my money where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” Covet is a consignment boutique offering both high-end and affordable apparel and accessories. There are some real gems to be found among the eclectic selection of tops, dresses, and pants. Recent fashionable finds include a Dior saddle bag ($876), a Louis Vuitton bangle ($245), and vintage Levi’s jeans for $47. Check out Covet’s Instagram stories (@covetfashion) for almost 100 daily updates on its inventory, but act fast—almost as soon as items are posted, the word “Sold!” usually appears next to them.

Sometimes vintage stores feel more like museums, with a look-but-don’t-touch ethos. But 40 South Street has a down-to-earth vibe, with a fun and weird—rather than prim-and-proper—selection. You’ll find vintage denim, pleated skirts, and leather vests adorning the chain-link fence entryway of the tiny shop. You’ll also find sparkly evening dresses, kitschy sweatshirts, and men’s and women’s pieces from the ’60s to the ’80s, ranging from the basics (men’s flannels and denim jackets) to the statement-making (like ’70s vintage dresses and miniskirts). Check out their Ebay page, where you can peruse their online selection. Owner and local rocker Hilken Mancini—cofounder of Girls Rock Campaign Boston and Punk Rock Aerobics—plays punk classics while you browse the racks. Take a look at her Etsy store to get a taste of the selection here.

Bring in some gently used clothing, or just stop by for this consignment shop’s many in-store sales. Raspberry Beret retails both new and consigned pieces of women’s fashion. Carrying mostly mid-range women’s apparel—many pieces are around $30—it has an eclectic assortment of higher-end designer items and more low-end trendy merchandise. Caution: plan to spend some time here. Most of the merchandise is on crowded, non-color-coordinated racks, meaning you may have to dig a bit harder to find what you’re looking for—but it’s worth it. There is also one small rack of men’s items. Your purchases might even help support a local charity: unsold items after 60 days are sent to a local nonprofit to be redistributed in the community. In addition to the Cambridge storefront, there is another location, in Maynard, Mass., and items are also available online.

Boasting the biggest selection of vintage clothing in the Boston area, Kendall Square’s Garment District offers one-stop shopping for both vintage and contemporary secondhand clothes. You can find women’s blouses starting at $7 to $14 and dresses around $10. Men will find items from business suits and button-downs to T-shirts and jeans. The pieces range in style primarily from the ’50s to the ’90s. Check out the massive pile of clothing on the bottom floor, where you pay $2 per pound. The Garment District sells kids’ clothing, used designer duds, and brand-new clothing, as well. The building also houses Boston Costume, one of the area’s biggest costume rental locations, which is open daily, with the same hours.