Thrifting is a staple of Bellingham culture.

Some Bellingham-area residents love shopping at thrift stores to find the latest college town chic, while others are looking for ethical, sustainable fashion.

I recently visited Worn Again Thrift in downtown Bellingham as part of The Bellingham Herald’s On a Budget series, which focuses on affordable fun and cheap eats in Whatcom County.

Here’s how I spent my $25 budget:

When did Worn Again Thrift open in downtown Bellingham?

There are a handful of locally owned thrift shops scattered throughout downtown Bellingham, so it was difficult for me to choose where I should spend my precious $25.

I selected Worn Again Thrift, a store I’ve visited a handful of times, because I was anxious to check out its new location.

According to its website, Worn Again Thrift started off as a dream shared by owner Miles Harlow and a co-founder.

“We began as a team of two with a shared passion for sourcing and presenting vintage clothes to the public in a fun and thoughtful way,” Harlow said on the store’s website. “We started out selling online and hosting small pop-ups, and decided to take the leap to open our first brick-and-mortar location ...”

That original store, which opened on the corner of State and Champion streets on Jan. 1, 2021, was such a success that the business outgrew the space.

Worn Again Thrift moved into a “beautiful and historic bank building” at 101 East Holly St. on April.

The new space features “five dressing rooms and many secrets in the nooks and crannies of the 100-plus-year-old building,” the store said on its website.

What is vintage clothing shop’s new location like?

After visiting Worn Again Thrift’s Holly Street location on a recent weekday afternoon, I agree moving to a new location was the right call.

In the previous Champion Street location, it was hard to walk about the vintage shop and explore without bumping into someone constantly. The space was stuffy with clothing racks and cases crammed together.

At Worn Again Thrift’s new location, racks of shirts, jeans and sweaters — sorted by a rainbow of colors, not size — are spread out, allowing customers to wander, explore and shop at ease.

However, the change of location didn’t switch up the overall vibe of the store.

The new store felt as cozy and welcoming as Worn Again Thrift’s original location. The warm, yellow lighting creates a comforting feeling throughout the store and the blue-painted sky on the ceiling is a fun touch.

The fitting rooms at the thrift store each have different themes — from a brightly colored room lined with neon keyboards and vintage gaming controllers to a log cabin-inspired space with a wooden interior and bear decor.

The fitting room I used was painted deep red and decorated with vintage dolls and a teddy bear.

What I got for $25 at Holly Street resale store

Although Worn Again Thrift has lots of cute vintage tops, sweaters, skirts and pants, most are in sizes 2 to 10. That means options are limited for shoppers who don’t wear a so-called “straight size,” like me.

While the resale shop has a plus-size section, a lot of the options looked the same to me — with the selection limited mostly to various button-up shirts. When I tried on some options, they felt more like cover-ups than fun fashion choices.

In addition to clothes, Worn Again Thrift has a large variety of vintage purses, bags, hats, scarves and buttons.

The store also has a wide selection of local art and jewelry displayed on a vintage vanity with a large mirror.

I walked away with a $1 beige mushroom pin, a $4 flower-and-bee sticker, a $3 photo of a boat with birds and a $16 green Columbia fleece jacket.

Is Bellingham thrift store affordable?

Overall, I paid $26.16 for my jacket, accessories and art, including tax, making Worn Again Thrift a somewhat affordable option for shoppers.

Clothing prices ranged from $4 for a vintage T-shirt to $50 to $60 for jeans and jackets. Skirts and shorts cost $12 to $16, while most accessories were $4 to $12.

While you won’t find furniture or home goods at Worn Again, the story offers racks of clothing for men, woman and children.

What are open hours for Worn Again Thrift?

Worn Again Thrift is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

What other thrift stores are in Bellingham?

Looking for other local options for secondhand shopping?

Here are a few of the thrift and resale stores in Bellingham:

Buffalo Exchange, 1209 North State St
Y’s Buys Thrift Boutique, 1224 North State St
Trash to Treasures Thrift Store, 436 West Bakerview Road, No. 112
Whatcom Humane Society Thrift Shop, 1534 Birchwood Ave.
Penny Lane Antique Mall, 427 West Holly St.

Where should I go next On a Budget?

Have any ideas on where I should visit in Whatcom County on a budget?

Send me recommendations by emailing jhawkins@bellinghamherald.com or by filling out the form below.

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