This one’s for Brian!  And a shout-out to Rachael for a great tip on graphics–check out Canva.com to make your own.

These are brands I frequently find at my local thrift stores that (usually) make it through in decent condition.  Your mileage may vary depending on your local thrift store’s catchment area (where their donated goods come from) as well as the varying quality of items produced by brands–retail fashion bloggers often remark that brands’ attention to detail, fabric sourcing, and other markers of quality can vary from season to season.

This list is meant to help get you started if you’re not familiar with the wide variety of companies whose tags you’ll see on the thrift racks.  But note that it’s always a good idea to check individual garments to see how they hold up instead of just assuming that a fancy name = good clothing.
And don’t discount a brand just because “my mom wears that” or “my teenage nephew wears that.”  As fashion trends expand and globalize, you’d be surprised at the way styles from a brand aimed at one particular demographic can translate across age brackets.

Last but not least, this list is by no means comprehensive, so add your own favorites in the comments section!

Agnes B.
Ann Taylor
Anne Klein
Apt. 9
Ashley Stewart
ASOS
Banana Republic
Bandolino
Bebe
Ben Sherman (men’s)
Benetton
BCBG/Generation/MaxAzria
Boden
Calvin Klein
Chico’s
Coldwater Creek
Converse
Dana Buchmann
Eddie Bauer
Eileen Fisher
Esprit
Evan Piccone
Express
Gap
Guess
Habitual
H&M
Halogen
J Brand
J. Crew
J. Jill
Joe Fresh
Kenneth Cole/Reaction
Kimchi Blue
L.L. Bean
Land’s End
Lane Bryant
Lauren by Ralph Lauren
Levi’s
Loft
Lucky Brand (jeans and shirts)
M Missoni
Madewell
Meadow Rue
Merona
New York & Co. (not to be confused with Jones New York–not as consistent quality)
Nike
Not Your Daughter’s Jeans
Old Navy
Olive & Oak
Paige
Pendleton
Piazza Sempione
Puma
Ralph Lauren
Tahari
Talbots
Tommy Hilfiger
Uniqlo
Vince Camuto
Willi Smith
Zara

 

Scroll down to add your own!