Part-time Global Thrifter/Vintage Collector & Traveler/Hiker

Hi, I’m Marlo! An avid thrifter and traveler. This blog shares what secondhand looks like around the world. I talk to thrifters abroad to learn about their local thrift culture and help prepare you to visit these places and be ready to find some secondhand shops! I also talk to local U.S. thrift enthusiasts (where I live) who run their own thrift/antique/vintage shops and get tidbits from their secondhand journey that’ll hopefully help and inspire you. And of course, I’ll share my own vintage collection!

Here’s a little background on what motivated me to create Thrift Hiker Vintage. It all started with my mom taking (more like dragging) my sister and I to the Salvation Army Thrift Store when we were growing up. My mom would mix in thrifted gifts for us at Christmas which my sister and I always cried about but now I really appreciate the Thriftmas idea and even give thrifted gifts myself! Thanks mama! One of my first and longest friends (we met in pre-k and she’s one of my best friends today!) was also taken to thrift stores by her mom and eventually we started going together without our moms. Thrift shopping started to become an adventure, where the past would meet the present, and where unwanted treasures were waiting for me.

Once I entered high school and college, I started needing fancier clothing for events and interviews but didn’t have much money. So, I went to thrift stores and started finding beautiful vintage pieces that you’d never be able to buy new. Also, I met wonderful friends (many of which are my besties to this day!) who would go thrifting with me. We’d especially love buying crazy outfits for themed parties.

My Grandmimi (grandmother) was also a fashion and vintage icon. We both wore clip-on earrings and she’d let me dig through her jewelry drawers, wear her colorful scarves, and gave me her old clothing. Don’t worry, I didn’t dress like a Grandma, Grandmimi had a fun and eccentric taste! She saw how excited I’d be to wear her things and I’d love hearing about when she wore the pieces she gave me. Vintage clothing started to become a part of my identity.

Then in Junior year of college I went on a life changing study abroad program (International Honors Program, Cities in the 21st Century) where I went to three different cities that were all in different countries and continents. Each student had to choose a topic to study across these countries and I choose used clothing and that’s when I began to realize the extent of the secondhand economy and its global reach. I’m excited to share some of my research from this abroad program on this blog.

I hope to further inspire my fellow and especially new thrifters. Slow fashion needs to be woven (and I mean literally!) into the fabric of everyone’s clothing and our lifestyles. Let’s dress more sustainably and shop more intentionally!