Where to Shop for Actually-Good Vintage Clothes in Houston (2024)

Located in the Ironworks building, Cargo Vintage is one of our favorites for graphic tees. Its collection ranges from band and movie shirts to vintage Disney and sportswear. The shop is also overflowing with a well-curated selection of sweaters, shorts, pants, skirts, dresses, and button-ups, and is a great spot to snag some ’70s disco tees, something we do here on an almost weekly basis (if our oft-fluctuating budget allows it, that is).

This charming pink shop opened its doors in 2007 and has since been a critical destination for the more glamorous couture and accessories you can’t find at a lot of other vintage shops. Once inside the boutique, visitors can source through racks of merchandise dating back to the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s. Looking for a pair of Chanel pants? You’ll be able to find that here. In need of some Dolce and Gabbana, Donald Brooks, or a Jovani dress so frothy it would send RHONY’s Dorinda Medley into a frenzy? Cheeky Vintage has you covered.

Daytripper is the holy grail of Houston vintage shops. While there are many stores in town that have well-curated collections of clothing, few compete with what you can find here. The collection includes clothing from just about any decade, many of it with a decidedly western edge. The prices here? Unheard of. You can easily snag a ’70s shirt at Daytripper for $20 that would cost upward of $50 elsewhere. There’s also a wide variety of boots, belts, hats, and home goods.

This spot owned by Houston-born Mary Keene may be tiny, but its meticulous curation means it’s stocked entirely with high-quality items. The current trend with vintage shops is to clear out large swaths of stores to make way for Y2K items and graphic tees. While you’ll still find a bit of that here, the Fashion Time Machine is primarily stocked with actual vintage pieces dating as far back as the 1920s. You’ll also find a spattering of creative handmade art on the wall that is also for sale, plus hats, glasses, you name it.

The Guild Shop isn’t only the go-to spot in Houston for decorations and home goods. It’s also an excellent place for thrifting. Styles and decades abound here, so there’s a little bit for everyone. One thing it has going for it that no other vintage shop in Houston can compete with? That would be its jewelry selection. If you’re on the hunt for some stunning turquoise jewelry, an art deco statement necklace, or a bolo tie to wear to the rodeo, you’re in the right place. Just make sure you check the Guild Shop’s hours before you visit, since it’s open at odd times.

Leopard Lounge has always been one of the best shops in Houston for thrifters who like their clothes a bit more on the eclectic side. Located on the same stretch of Westheimer that’s home to Lo-Fi and Pavement, the shop has a pretty good mix of clothing. Fans of Y2K culture will find plenty of options here, as will folks on the hunt for tour merch, graphic tees, and Harley-Davidson apparel. Although the shop’s selection of ’60s and ’70s clothing isn’t as expansive as it used to be, you can still find some pretty good items if you’re down to dig. The best part of shopping at Leopard Lounge? The low prices. It’s not unusual to find $20 scores here that would sell for much more elsewhere.

The storefront may be a bit diminutive, but Lo-Fi Vintage delivers big when it comes to its selection. Stop by for vintage band tees from the likes of Morrissey, the Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd. Or spend your time perusing the shop’s ample collection of sportswear, Harley-Davidson tees, and designer apparel. There’s a lot to choose from, with prices ranging from as low as $20 to several hundred.

There are few shops in Houston that inspire as much wonder. The eclectic My Flaming Heart is stocked full of everything from handmade jewelry and crystals to vintage clothing, global folk art, beads, patches, animal bones, and medical ephemera. While we love everything offered at My Flaming Heart, the selling point is its collection of western clothing, which consists of real vintage and items handmade by people who work at the shop. It’s a whimsical space that you’ll want to spend hours spelunking in.

Pavement, once Leopard Lounge’s conjoined twin (they shared a wall and common door before Leopard Lounge moved to a bigger home down the street a few years back), is one of the largest vintage stores on the Westheimer strip. It’s your go-to spot for anything ’90s or Y2K. On the hunt for something camo? You’ll find several racks. Looking for a Hawaiian tee? Options here abound. Pavement also has a substantial selection of shoes and pants, meaning you’re almost always bound to find something in your size and style.

Retropolis was once one of the biggest vintage stores in Houston and was for a long time housed in the sprawling building that the Houston Toy Museum now calls home. Although Retropolis has since moved to a much tinier spot down the road, with much less room for inventory, the selection here is still strong. The prices are also quite low here, making it a great spot to find clothing from the ’50s through the ’80s that won’t break your budget. There are also entire racks full of clothing that are available to rent, a good option if you’re looking for an outfit for a themed party.