Why National Thrift Shop Day Matters

National Thrift Shop Day holds a very special place in my heart. Not only has thrifting become a vital part of my brand over the past year, but it is also how I built my career. So many of the amazing finds, vintage materials, beading, and jewelry that I repurposed in my early work were discovered on the racks of a thrift store—namely Goodwill. The fact that there is a day dedicated to celebrating thrifting is truly special. I believe thrifting is more than just a fun hobby or activity; it is an art in itself.

There is something incredibly rewarding about taking someone’s discarded item and giving it a new life, whether that means re-wearing it, reworking it, or transforming it into something completely new.

I also think thrifting continues to grow because shoppers are becoming more price-conscious and environmentally aware. Unlike traditional shopping, where you may encounter the same mass-produced pieces in stores across the country, thrifting means searching through a collection of completely unique items, often spanning decades of fashion.
You can find pieces from the '90s, '80s, '70s, and beyond—all sitting alongside one another. In a world where luxury fashion can sometimes feel unreachable, there is something profound about finding an affordable item that was once loved by someone else.

To me, thrifting is our modern-day treasure hunt. Every visit holds a new discovery, and you never know when you're going to find a pot of gold. That idea was actually the inspiration behind the series that started my ShopGoodwill.com collaboration. I remember thinking, “What if one of those treasures was something I made?”

The Art of the Thrift Hunt

When I shop secondhand, I like to look for the pieces with the most potential. Sometimes, I even challenge myself to find the item that is the most badly damaged, stained, or torn. That way, I know I'm turning one of the least desirable items into a one-of-a-kind creation.

As a designer, I pay extra attention to the details that spark creativity. Intricate construction, beadwork, boning, trim, or large skirts with a lot of material always catch my eye and somehow end up making their way into my basket. That's one of the biggest differences between traditional shopping and thrifting. When you're shopping traditionally, you're often looking at items that are mass-produced and widely available. Many of those pieces are designed around what's trending right now.

Photography: Cristian Paez

Even if you're like me and want to alter or transform the pieces you find, it feels more fitting to rework a pre-loved garment than something brand new and sometimes full price.

And, of course, there are the stories.

My most memorable thrift store find is probably the red dress I bought for $6, upcycled, and returned to the rack. That dress eventually led me to my current partnership with ShopGoodwill.com and became part of an incredible journey that landed us on Good Morning America.

But I'll never forget my first time thrifting, either. In middle school, I went to a local Long Island thrift store with my friend Stefanie and came home with a tribal-print polo shirt. I still have it and treasure it to this day.

That's the magic of thrifting. Sometimes the piece you find isn't just a piece of clothing. It's a memory.

10 Things I Always Search For On ShopGoodwill.com

When I'm searching ShopGoodwill.com, I'm not necessarily looking for something that is perfect as-is. I'm looking for potential. These are ten of the things I always keep an eye out for.

1. Corset & Bustier Tops

**What I search for:** Corset tops, bustiers

**Why I love them:** As an eveningwear designer, corset and bustier tops act as a blank canvas. They're the perfect base for creating a one-of-a-kind gown or completely transforming a piece.

2. Beaded Dresses

**What I search for:** Dresses with beadwork, beaded dresses

**Why I love them:** Intricate beadwork and embroidery can take hundreds of hours to create by hand. Finding a beaded dress gives me the opportunity to repurpose that artistry and preserve it in a new design.

3. Vintage Lace

**What I search for:** Vintage lace, lace dresses

**Why I love them:** Sometimes the material is the true star of the show. Vintage laces aren't always made the way they once were, so using these materials to create something new gives them an incredible story.

4. Jewelry Grab Bags

**What I search for:** Jewelry grab bags, mixed jewelry, costume jewelry

**Why I love them:** Vintage jewelry is an excellent way to embellish and decorate garments. I particularly love mixed bags because you never know what gem you'll discover inside.

5. Ball Gowns

**What I search for:** Ball gowns, ball gowns with trains, full dresses

**Why I love them:** A great ball gown can combine so many of my favorite things: a strong corset base, yards and yards of usable fabric, lining layers, and crinolines. There is so much potential hiding inside a single dress.

6. Wedding Dresses

**What I search for:** Wedding dresses, wedding gowns, bridal gowns

**Why I love them:** Wedding gowns often combine everything I'm looking for in one piece—beautiful fabrics, delicate lace, beadwork, embroidery, and plenty of material. Plus, every wedding gown already has its own story, which makes it even more special to transform.

7. Beaded Handbags

**What I search for:** Beaded handbags, handbags with beadwork

**Why I love them:** Beaded handbags can become incredible embellishments for a design, or they can be the perfect accessory to complement one of my creations.

8. Vintage Textiles

**What I search for:** Sheets, textiles, vintage blankets

**Why I love them:** Think of these pieces as raw fabric. Vintage sheets, blankets, and textiles can have unique prints, weaving, and decorative details that can be transformed into incredible clothing.

9. Jackets & Coats

**What I search for:** Jackets, coats, blazers

**Why I love them:** Vintage jackets and coats often have so many intricate details to work with—beautiful wool fabrics, shoulder pads, sleeve caps, buttons, and other fun notions. Even when the overall garment isn't your style, there may be incredible components hiding inside.

10. Vintage Ties

**What I search for:** Ties, neckties, vintage ties

**Why I love them:** I love creating things out of vintage ties. They have incredible patterns, a beautiful silky quality, and so much versatility. They can also give a design a great preppy feel.

Why Thrifting Matters

I think shoppers are more in tune with their habits and more conscientious about the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills. Combine that with more price-conscious shopping habits, and I think thrifting makes a lot of sense.

At the end of the day, though, it truly is the most fun.

Shopping with Goodwill adds another meaningful layer to that experience. Growing up shopping at Goodwill, I've gotten to know the staff at the stores I've visited. Many of the people I've spoken with genuinely enjoyed their jobs and shared how Goodwill gave them an opportunity when they didn't have many other options.

That's something I take a lot of pride in when working with Goodwill and creating collections with ShopGoodwill.com. Your purchase can directly contribute to workforce development and help create opportunities for people in local communities.

Keep Hunting

The best part about ShopGoodwill.com is that it takes the fun and magic of thrift shopping and brings it into the comfort of your own home. It brings together items from across the country under one digital roof, so there are always new treasures to discover.

I especially love the thrill of bidding and the friendly competition that comes with trying to win an auction. With so many items available, I can usually find what I'm looking for—and sometimes I find things I didn't even know I needed until I saw them.

That's why every thrift trip is unique.

You never know what you'll find next.

Celebrate National Thrift Shop Day by starting your own treasure hunt on ShopGoodwill.com.

The Art of the Thrift Hunt: Evan Hirsch’s Guide to Thrifting on ShopGoodwill.com