There’s something about thrifting in the fall that just hits differently.

Maybe it’s because the racks finally start filling up with sweaters again. Maybe it’s the possibility of finding the perfect old sweatshirt buried between twenty things you absolutely do not want. Or maybe it’s because fall clothes are simply more fun to hunt for. More texture, more layers, more denim, more pieces that have already been worn and softened into exactly what you want them to be.

Whatever the reason, this is one of our favorite seasons to thrift for Elwood Vintage.

When we walk into a thrift store, we rarely have an exact shopping list. That would take half the fun out of it. Instead, we’re looking for the things that make us stop. A faded graphic. An old tag. A perfectly oversized sweater. A denim shirt that has softened after years of wear. Something slightly weird that we weren't looking for at all but suddenly can't imagine leaving behind.

That said, there are definitely a few things we're hoping to find more of this fall. First, give us all the knits. Chunky cable-knit sweaters, oversized cardigans, old crewnecks, quarter-zips, and anything that looks like it belongs in a cabin somewhere in the mountains. We love neutrals, deep greens, faded navy, warm browns, and those classic fall colors that somehow work year after year. If it feels cozy without feeling too perfect, we're probably taking a second look.

We're always hunting for Ralph Lauren too. Old Polo button-downs, denim shirts, sweaters, plaids, and classic pieces that can be mixed with something completely different. We especially love finding men's pieces and styling them oversized. A men's button-down over a vintage tee with worn denim might be one of the easiest fall outfits there is. 

And, of course, we're still looking for the tees. Fall does not mean vintage T-shirt season is over. If anything, this is when they get more interesting. Old Harley tees, rock shirts, faded graphics, local tees, college sweatshirts, and anything with a great back graphic are still very much on our radar. Now we're just picturing them under flannels, cardigans, denim jackets, and oversized sweaters instead of with summer cutoffs. Then there's denim, because there will always be denim.

We love jeans that already feel broken in, old denim jackets, chore coats, western shirts, and pieces with fading that could only happen after years of actual wear. We're not necessarily looking for perfect. A little distressing, fading, or evidence that a piece had a life before it reached us can be exactly what makes us pick it up. That probably describes our approach to vintage in general. We don't walk into a thrift store looking for whatever someone decided is trending this week. 

We're looking for pieces with personality. Things that feel familiar but still a little unexpected. Clothes you can throw into the wardrobe you already own and immediately imagine wearing somewhere. Maybe that's a sweater for a cold Saturday morning. Maybe it's an old Harley tee for a road trip. Maybe it's an oversized button-down you'll wear to death all season. Or maybe it's something completely ridiculous that wasn't on the list but makes you smile the second you find it.

Those are usually our favorite finds anyway. Because the best part of thrifting isn't knowing exactly what you're going to find; it's knowing there's a chance the next rack has the piece you didn't even know you were looking for. And this fall, we'll definitely be looking.

Elwood Vintage Everyday Vintage.