By Katherine Brubaker
Thrifting has become a hot commodity: internationally, it’s one of those few activities where people from a myriad of socioeconomic backgrounds can intersect; no matter how much money you have in your pockets, it has been deemed fashionable to score cute, vintage clothing at a low price. I boarded this trend’s train earlier this year, and upon arriving in Athens was immediately on the hunt for trendy, alternative places to shop.
Naturally, I was looking in all the wrong places from the start. When I began to resign myself to the fact that maybe Athens did not have what I was looking for, I was guided to the light: my college-aged Athenian friends pointed me towards Exarcheia. This neighborhood of Athens is known for its politically active, non-conformist scene, vibey coffee shops and bars, and parties. It’s comparable to Berkeley, California, which also has a plethora of amazing thrift shops.
Here is a guide to these stores, curated by us at Athens Voice:
Reset Thrifting is a paradise for the second-hand clothing fiend. There are not only an assortment of trendy pants for sale, but an innumerable amount of vintage levis at every turn. The shop also hand-picks jackets, sweaters, and tees that range from skateresque and grungy styles to retro, sporty pieces with brands like Adidas and Fila. They post available pieces on their Instagram highlight reels, so you can peruse from home. I would, however, recommend making time to go to the shop. The interior of the store has a cluttered, yet artsy vibe with colorful walls filled with cool posters and graphics. The store’s website is not currently in operation. They ship items with ELTA courier and provide a tracking number. If purchasing something online, they use Paypal or other bank transfer methods.
Located at Stournari 15 exarcheia, Athens, Greece (21 0808 7005) / Instagram: @reset_thriftshop
A few hours in Yesterday’s Bread and you’ll be leaving with looks that are sure to spice up your wardrobe. The shop specializes in vintage and secondhand goods imported directly from the Netherlands and is not for the faint of heart - the articles of clothing you buy here will be loud, colorful, and without a doubt unique. With something for everyone, you’ll find funky 70s dresses, beautiful kimonos, and tweed suits. There’s a large volume of clothing available instore, so you’ll have to spend some time digging to find your gems: essentially, it’s shopping with a workout - two birds with one very fashionable stone! Along with eclectic pieces, Yesterday’s Bread has a welcoming, accommodating staff that make the shopping experience all the more enjoyable.
Located at 87 Kallidromiou, Athina, 106 83, Greece (+302108811233). Facebook: @yesterdaysbreadathens
Skoros is a second-hand shop that proposes sustainability and creative resistance against capitalism through the exchange of clothing. You bring in clothes that you no longer want, to trade for clothes displayed in the store. Not considered a philanthropic organisation, Skoros is a group of people that question the dogma “I consume, therefore I am.”
Located Zoodochou Pigis 61, Athina 106 81. Click here for Skoros’ website.
Dalston is the spot for finding pieces from higher-end brands. Occasionally accented by patterns and bright colors, Dalston’s slick collection consists mostly of clothes with a refined air that can be worn to work or for business casual occasions. The organized, clean look of Dalston’s Instagram account reflects this classy vibe. Here, you’ll find pieces from Hunter, Burberry, and Topshop, among other stores.
Located at Ippokratous 75, Athina 106 80 (697 190 2909), Instagram: @dalston.athens
On Ippokratous street is Hotsy Totsy, a recent addition to the Athens second-hand scene. Here you’ll find a variety of brightly colored, sweet, femme pieces from a number of decades. Racks are divided by style and colour, so you can easily flick through a plethora of stylish looks section by section. If you are on the hunt for a cute, new bag, this is the spot.
Located at Ippokratous 77-79, Athina 106 80 (21 0360 5902), Facebook: @Hotsy Totsy Athens Vintage Clothes
Other notable second-hand stores outside of Exarcheia include the Kilo Shop, Mania Omonoia, and New Skin Vintage Clothing.
Fast fashion is detrimental to our environment, responsible for 10,000 items of clothing being sent to landfills every five minutes, which is equivalent to £140 million in value every year. Buying second-hand clothes is an excellent alternative that is far more sustainable. So when in Athens, a city that has a myriad of high-quality thrift and vintage stores, consider taking a trip to Exarcheia and perusing these shops. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s new statement piece. Happy shopping!
