“Take Your Time"

Reflections from the First Two Weeks at Academy St. Thrift

We opened our doors on May 1, 2025. Two weeks in, and in true academic fashion, my husband and I—both observers by nature—found ourselves observing and reflecting on the patterns unfolding.

The first thing I noticed was this: many people don’t actually know how to thrift. That’s not a criticism—it’s simply something we’ve observed over and over again. Thrifting is not like shopping at a mall. There’s no checklist, no uniform rows of sizes and colors. It’s not about grabbing what you need and heading to the checkout.

Thrifting is slower. More personal. More alive. It’s about discovery, curiosity, and a willingness to see beauty in things that aren’t front and center.

At Academy St. Thrift, that’s exactly what we’re building: an experience rooted in intention and joy. We don’t rely on donations—we hand-select every piece ourselves, sourcing globally from rag-houses and along our East Coast and global travels. Each garment is chosen for its quality, character, and the potential to be loved again. You won’t find racks stuffed with randomness—you’ll find a curated, colorful space that invites you to take your time.

And that space is unisex—not divided by labels, not bound by traditional gender norms. We believe style is personal and expressive, and our shop is arranged to reflect that. Try anything. Explore freely. Dress for you.

If you’re new to thrifting, or just trying to do it more intentionally, here are some tips:

1. Don’t shop with a checklist—shop with curiosity. People often walk in saying, “I need a black top,” or “I’m looking for something for a wedding next week.” But thrifting doesn’t work that way. There’s no guarantee the exact thing you came in for will be here today—but something you didn’t expect might be. That’s where the magic is.

Wander. Touch fabrics. Hold pieces up. Let something find you.

2. Size is a suggestion, not a rule. We’ve watched people try on pieces that weren’t “their size” according to the tag, only to fall in love with the fit. That’s one of the best parts of thrifting—garments have histories. They’ve been washed, worn, stretched, or shrunk. You’re not bound to a number. If it feels good, it fits. Trust your body—not the label.

3. It’s okay to thrift for another season. One of the biggest habits we’ve seen is shopping only for the present. If it’s hot out, people skip jackets. If it’s cold, they walk past summer dresses. But slow fashion invites us to plan ahead and think differently.

The other day, someone found a beautiful Anthropologie coat—practically new, marked down to $40. But it was 90 degrees outside, so they hesitated and left it behind. That’s fast fashion conditioning. We’re taught to shop for now, for trends, for immediacy.

Slow fashion says: What will bring me joy in another season? Thrifting gives you the chance to prepare with care, not panic. It invites you to build a wardrobe over time—thoughtfully, sustainably, and with style that lasts.

So whether it’s your first time thrifting or your fiftieth, we invite you to take a different approach.

Take your time. Browse without pressure. Try something unexpected. Think ahead. Trust your instincts. Dress for yourself.

That’s the heart of Academy St. Thrift.