Things I Want to Thrift in 2026

I saw a Reel recently where someone was making a case for an upcoming Golden Age of Thrift. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you will know that I believe that the Golden Age of Thrift is past. I thought this creator’s argument was interesting, but ultimately unpersuasive. Basically, their premise was that large numbers of boomers are on the verge of downsizing or riding off into the sunset (sorry, can’t think of a nicer euphemism) and all their nice sh*t is about to hit thrift store. I don’t quarrel with the first part of that premise, but I question the second. There is a host of systemic reasons why I don’t think boomers’ nice sh*t is going to end up in thrift stores, at least not in large enough quantities to represent a Golden Age for the average thrifter. Most of them are too depressing to talk about, and certainly would deserve their own separate post.

I mention this because it does offer a glimmer of hope (and in dark times, we need all of those we can get) even if I think it’s unrealistically optimistic. And I want to focus on the positives in this post. As we are finally coming out of a long winter – and whatever the hell the first 90 days of 2026 have been – I am looking for reasons to feel excited and enthusiastic. And thrifting is something I want to feel excited about again.

So here’s a list of the things I’m looking forward to thrifting in 2026 … which is really just an excuse for me to gas myself up about hitting up the thrift stores again like it’s 2019. [If only. Sigh.]

Perfumes

I haven’t talked about perfumes in a long time here, but I’ve been adding – very, very slowly – to my collection over the past couple of years, so the passion has never died out. And, lately, it’s been rekindled. Other than the perfume(s) that my dad buys me for my birthday and/or Christmas – which is ‘our thing’ – I am not looking to purchase any new ones. Rather, I am excited to see what gems I might stumble upon at the thrift stores.

This is especially so because my personal scent ‘nose’ gravitates towards older perfumes; most of my faves are fragrances from the late 90s through the late 2000s. Many of them have been discontinued … but they do occasionally end up at the thrifts. Sometimes full bottles, or nearly full bottles. A quick sniff is enough to tell if the juice is still good (and most perfumes can last decades if stored properly, away from direct light).

Books & Media

Books are a perennial thrift category favourite of mine, and recently I’ve been expanding into other media, specifically DVDs. And more specifically, DVDs of my fave TV shows. I am so sick and tired of the proliferation of the subscription model*, especially when it comes to movies and shows, and I want to rebuild my media library. Of course, my book library is an ongoing pet project of mine. I am a huge fan and supporter of public libraries (and use our local one regularly, alongside my book-obsessed daughter) but I also love the comfort, convenience, and security of having my own (non-digital) library. It’s my version of ‘living off-grid’, haha!

[*Again, I could write a whole separate post about this – and my fears that we are on a slippery slope towards a system where the average person owns nothing and has to pay a fee to enjoy basic amenities – but that one would be a bummer too.]

Silver Jewelry

Last year, I made a conscious decision to stick to buying only fine and semi-fine jewelry moving forward. Basically, I want pieces that last and that I can pass on to my kids. Of course, that means buying (a lot) less and sticking mainly with secondhand. Gold tends to be overpriced at thrifts, so I’m focusing on sterling silver pieces. Prices on silver jewelry have also gone up, but with patience, it is possible to find decent bargains. My faves are rings – I love stacking pieces, in particular. My holy grail is chunkier silver necklaces and pendants, but those tend to be rare finds.

Vintage Ralph Lauren

I mean … you’re not surprised, right? I don’t really need more clothes, but I have RL in a different category altogether. I am a collector of vintage pieces that feel representative of the brand’s ethos and heritage. Rarer than hen’s teeth at the thrifts these days, but I’ll never stop hunting for them.

Collectibles

Speaking of my collections … when I say “collectibles”, I am referring to my own personal niche interests – mostly stuff like MCM pottery, dishware, Pendleton blankets, and stuff like that. This is a category I used to love thrifting, and had a lot of success with, but the finds have slowed down to trickle in the last couple of years. Nowadays, it’s so disheartening to see rows and rows of shelves filled with Winners and Dollarama mass-produced home décor items. But I am determined to keep at it, wade through all the junk, and hopefully find and ‘rescue’ some vintage gems again.

Specific Items

I meant it when I said that I don’t really need more clothes … but there are a couple of items that I am still actively, and specifically, looking for:

• Vintage jeans: I’m still on the hunt for that perfectly fitting pair of vintage CK jeans. My size has changed a bit in the last year, so I’ve been on a journey to update my jeans line-up. The hardest thing to find has been a good pair of straight-leg jeans. I think vintage would be my best bet, but I haven’t found that perfect pair just yet.
• Brown cowboy boots: yes, I am still looking for a pair. Hopefully 2026 will be the year!

OK, your turn: what do you hope the thrift gods will send your way in 2026?