Note that if you purchase something via one of our links, including Amazon, we may earn a small commission.
One of Bluedot’s “Secondhand Sisters” takes a tour of some Martha’s Vineyard’s shops.
I have long been a connoisseur of secondhand clothes. Be it a statement piece or a basic, thrifting has become a big part of my shopping habits, especially after majoring in Fashion Design at Toronto Metropolitan University, where I learned more about the harmful impacts of fast fashion. I spend a lot of time watching and reading fashion content, styling outfits, making clothes, and window shopping, so when I set out thrifting, I am on a mission. Join me on a day of thrifting on Martha’s Vineyard!
I began my day of thrifting at Frankie’s Revival, which took over the storefront that was formerly Martha’s Closet, another secondhand clothing store. I had good luck thrifting at Martha’s Closet, and was devastated when I found out that it had closed a couple years prior — so Frankie’s Revival had to prove to me they were a worthy replacement to my beloved store. Frankie’s Revival has since moved to 27 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs.
Frankie’s Revival housed an expansive — yet curated — collection of clothes, from jeans, to sweaters, to dresses, and even some upcycled pieces. It wasn’t a large space — but it doesn’t feel chaotic or cramped like I find some secondhand stores can be. The shop was well organized, so I didn’t feel overwhelmed, and it was apparent that the owner, Jenn Coito, put care into deciding each piece she carried.
I found a two-piece blazer and pants set. The only issue? They were size XS, which is fine for my top half, but not so suitable for the bottom half of me. Thankfully, I know how to upcycle and alter. I planned to keep the blazer as-is, but change the pants into a skirt. Talking to Jenn was a pleasure. We bonded over our stories about cutting up secondhand clothes and trying to make them into something new when we were kids, stealing our sisters’ clothes, and our love of fashion and style.
Frankie’s Revival has my stamp of approval. It has a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, cute clothes, and I got to snatch up a cute set for my next upcycling project! I will most definitely be returning, and am excited to see what new finds Frankie’s Revival has. You can follow the store on Instagram @frankies.revival.
Next stop: Chicken Alley! The Thrift Shop On Chicken Alley is a longtime favorite of mine and my family (it even furnished a lot of my family’s house — see the story here). To shop here, be ready for a treasure hunt. There is anything and everything you could think of here — like a Goodwill, but better. I try my best to look through as many racks as I can at Chicken Alley, but I tend to gravitate toward women’s dresses and pants, men’s jackets and pants, and the home decor.
I have found some gems in my years visiting Chicken Alley, my favorite being camouflage cargo pants that quickly became part of my outfit rotations, and a “protect the rights of surfers” painting that hangs in my partner’s room. This time, I found a dress that I thought could make a cool upcycle, but decided I already had too many projects on the go. Part of shopping with the planet in mind means buying less — even if it’s secondhand.
I found myself looking a lot at shoes during my visit, as I had been finding myself styling outfits that didn’t quite have the right shoes to finish the looks. I am very picky with my shoes, and tend to wear my sneakers until they are quite literally coming apart, and didn’t find any shoes that felt quite right to me and my style. I’m not one to buy for the sake of buying, so I decided that today I wouldn’t be taking anything home from Chicken Alley. You can follow Chicken Alley on Instagram @chickenalleythrift.
I finished my day off at Island Vintage right on Main St. in Vineyard Haven. This store is curated by owners Alex Nadiger and Heather Wolfenden, who spend their winters driving around the U.S. to stock their store for summer. They put a lot of time and effort into curating their store — and it pays off.
Island Vintage is decorated with a kind of funky-vintage feel reminiscent of the seventies/eighties. Not only is their vintage good, but shopping here feels fun! They carry clothes from any era, and have equally impressive men’s and women’s sections. I looked through both and found some really fun pieces. My favorite part of the store was their designer clothes section (yes, I have expensive taste). I found a sparkly, beaded dress that I loved, but I didn’t have anywhere to wear it to, and the price tag was a bit out of my budget.
I also found this really cool denim jacket with “Martha’s Vineyard” and the iconic Vineyard carousel embossed on the back. Being from Toronto, I was very happy to be donning a “Canadian Tuxedo” in the store. The owner working the store that day, Alex, told us a bit about the jacket and other similar jackets he had sold. One of my favorite parts about vintage shopping is that each piece has a story, even if I don’t know all of it, so Alex being so knowledgeable was an excellent touch. I decided not to take the jacket home, but if it’s still there the next time I visit… maybe it’s a sign?
This day of thrifting was a success. Sure, I only made one purchase, but I got to explore some thrift spots that I will definitely be passing through this summer. Besides, as I already mentioned, buying less is doing more for the planet. Frankie’s Revival, Chicken Alley, and Island Vintage are officially vetted and approved by experts (me). By the way, that’s my mom, Leslie Garrett, who’s an editor at Bluedot, in an outfit she got at Chicken Alley. I learned a lot about thrifting from her.
Thrifting Tips
- Timing is everything. Most shops operate seasonally, typically opening from spring through fall and reducing their hours or closing altogether during the winter months. Arriving earlier in the day is key to snagging the best finds.
- Many stores offer their biggest discounts during post-holiday and end-of-season periods, so keep an eye out for markdowns once the seasonal crowd has left and cooler weather sets in.
- Inspect items carefully. Unlike online secondhand platforms, the secondhand shops Martha’s Vineyard don’t offer any consumer guarantees nor do they accept returns. Being on an Island, salt water and humidity can affect the color and quality of certain fabrics, as well as electronics and books over time. Double check for mildew, fading, or damage.
- Be on the lookout for pop-up shops, yard sales, and flea markets. When visiting last year, I lucked out and came across a temporary vendor selling old library books for a dollar each.
- Check out our full list of secondhand stores in our Resource Guide.
–Sophie Kelly (Char’s sister)
