Celebs Who Proved Thrift Store Fashion Never Goes Out Of Style
Kurt Cobain
Before rising to fame as Nirvana’s frontman, Kurt Cobain was a regular at thrift stores, piecing together the grunge look that would later dominate 1990s fashion. His layered flannels, oversized sweaters, and worn-out jeans were more than just clothes; they were statements of authenticity. Cobain’s thrifted wardrobe became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring an entire generation to embrace raw, unpolished style.
Jada Pinkett Smith
Jada Pinkett Smith and her daughter, Willow, have often been spotted bonding over thrift store shopping in Santa Monica. The stylish duo love finding unique, affordable pieces that reflect their bold personalities. For Jada, thrifting isn’t just about fashion, it’s about creativity, sustainability, and connection. She enjoys the process of discovering items with history and giving them new life.
Aya Cash
Aya Cash has mastered the art of smart thrifting. She shops everywhere; from Goodwill and Beacon’s Closet to Instagram vintage boutiques, and even consigns clothes back when she’s done wearing them. In an interview with Consignment Brooklyn, she shared that she prefers buying secondhand because she hates spending on pieces she’ll only wear once.
Courtney Love
In the 1990s, Courtney Love helped define the “thrift store chic” aesthetic that shaped an entire fashion movement. Mixing lace slips, ripped stockings, and vintage dresses, she turned secondhand finds into a symbol of rebellion and authenticity. Love’s fearless approach to fashion blurred the line between grunge and glamour, inspiring countless fans to embrace imperfection and individuality.
Kylie Minogue
Pop icon Kylie Minogue surprised fans when she was spotted browsing a Salvation Army store in Melbourne back in 2009. Despite her glamorous image, the singer clearly enjoys the thrill of hunting for hidden gems among the racks. Known for her impeccable fashion sense, Kylie’s down-to-earth approach to shopping proves that great style doesn’t always come with a designer price tag.
Zooey Deschanel
Long before she was New Girl’s quirky style icon, Zooey Deschanel was thrifting vintage prom dresses as a teen. She once told Lucky Magazine that she’d pair fluffy 1950s gowns with a tiara while typing at her computer. Even if her room was messy, her outfits were always picture-perfect. Those early thrifted looks shaped her signature retro-chic fashion sense.
Lorde
Lorde has always embraced a simple yet expressive personal style rooted in thrift shopping. In a Teen Vogue interview, she admitted that she feels “weird” spending large sums on herself; preferring to buy ten secondhand items for the same price as one new piece. She loves finding affordable treasures that match her moody, witchy aesthetic.
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe’s distinctive style was born in thrift stores long before fame. She once revealed that even when money was tight, she spent half her budget on secondhand finds, calling thrifting her “vice.” It wasn’t about saving money, it was about standing out. She told CNBC she loved finding pieces no one else had, creating a look that was entirely her own.
Winona Ryder
Winona Ryder’s iconic, edgy style has long been shaped by vintage fashion. A devoted thrifter, she’s been known to wear secondhand dresses to the most glamorous events, even the Oscars. One of her favorite finds? A $10 vintage gown she wore on the red carpet. Winona believes clothes should be loved and reworn, not discarded after one outing.
Anne Hathaway
Anne Hathaway’s relationship with fashion has taken a sustainable turn. During a 2017 Good Morning America appearance, she proudly revealed that her outfit, a chic dress, cost just $15 at a flea market. The Oscar winner explained that she’s striving to make her fashion choices more eco-friendly by wearing vintage wherever possible.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker, known for her Sex and the City fashion legacy, embraces thrifting in real life too. After watching The True Cost, a documentary on fast fashion’s human toll, she began buying only secondhand clothes for her son, James Wilkie. She also sources many of her own outfits, including those for Divorce; from flea markets, vintage shops, and online platforms like Etsy and eBay.
Eva Mendes
Eva Mendes’s love of thrifting started early; her first-ever red carpet dress came from Goodwill for just $6. Even as her fame grew, her passion for bargain hunting never faded. She admits she still gets a rush when she discovers a hidden gem. As she once told People, she can sense when a store has “gold in the hills” and zones in on the best finds.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish has been thrifting since long before fame found her. She’s never been drawn to traditional mall shopping; instead, she thrives on the chaos and creativity of thrift stores. Speaking at the Overheated Live conference, she described thrifting as a treasure hunt through “hundreds and hundreds” of unpredictable items. Billie’s signature oversized, eclectic style was born from these secondhand adventures.
Shailene Woodley
Shailene Woodley lives and breathes sustainability, right down to her wardrobe. At Uber’s Go-Get Zero event in 2024, she proudly revealed that nearly everything she wore, except her socks, was secondhand. The Divergent actress loves browsing resale platforms like The RealReal, where she both buys and resells clothing to keep items in circulation.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson’s eco-conscious lifestyle extends to her wardrobe. The Harry Potter star has long championed sustainable fashion, partnering with online thrift retailer thredUP to encourage mindful shopping. Through their Fashion Footprint Calculator, she reminds fans how small actions; like thrifting, supporting ethical brands, and air-drying clothes, can make a big impact on the planet.
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore’s wardrobe tells a story of timeless vintage love. A devoted thrifter, she’s long filled her closet with pre-loved finds. Speaking on her show, she shared that she never initially saw thrifting as an eco-friendly act; just something she loved. But realizing its sustainability made her passion even more meaningful. She now views upcycling as the perfect blend of creativity, affordability, and environmental kindness.
Macklemore
Macklemore practically became the face of thrifting after his 2012 hit “Thrift Shop.” But his love for secondhand finds goes far beyond the song. He told NPR that he’s been thrifting since childhood, drawn to its creativity and frugality, even though it defies the typical “bling” culture of hip-hop. While others flaunted luxury labels, Macklemore proudly filled his tour bus with thrifted treasures from across the country.
Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren takes thrifting to another level. When traveling, she sometimes packs almost nothing, just her essentials, and builds an entirely new wardrobe from charity shops once she arrives. From boots to jumpers, she can put together a full outfit for about £30. Before heading home, she donates everything back, creating a sustainable fashion loop.
Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo’s effortlessly cool style often starts in thrift stores. She’s a big believer in patience and imagination when thrifting; seeing the potential in a piece, even if it needs a little alteration. While touring, Olivia makes time to browse vintage shops in different cities and is equally fond of online vintage sites like Depop, The RealReal, and Vestiaire Collective. Instead of scrolling TikTok, she says she scrolls these platforms to uncover unique finds that inspire her wardrobe.
Ryan Tedder
Ryan Tedder, frontman of OneRepublic, has been a thrift shopper since age 13 and he’s never stopped. He proudly admits that half his wardrobe still consists of shirts he bought as a teenager. For Tedder, thrifting isn’t just nostalgic; it’s a lifestyle rooted in sustainability and authenticity. His wardrobe tells a story of timeless comfort and personal history.
Lara Spencer
TV personality Lara Spencer has never hidden her love for thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales. The Good Morning America host often gushes about the joy of finding unique, affordable pieces with charm and history. Spencer’s passion for secondhand shopping inspired her to write books and host TV segments about decorating and dressing stylishly on a budget.
Eddie Vedder
Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder doesn’t just thrift for clothes; he even picks up musical instruments from secondhand stores. His creative curiosity extends beyond sound to style, where he values authenticity over flash. Vedder’s connection to thrifting reflects his down-to-earth personality and appreciation for craftsmanship.
Debbie Harry
Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry has always been a fan of the hunt. She says thrifting is “very entertaining,” especially when it comes to digging through racks in search of unexpected gems. Known for her effortlessly cool punk-glam style, Harry has long embodied the art of making vintage look modern.
