Wicked Thrift is awesome! (bad title, I know...)

Hi, it's Ariel. I'm interning at Wicked Thrift (as anyone within earshot of me probably already knows!), and every second of my experience here has been lovely... except for when my feet are too tiny for any of the fabulous shoes found at the shop. For those of you who are reading Wicked Thrift's blog without knowing what exactly what Wicked Thrift is, it's the coolest thrift store in Massachusetts! They acquire all of their merchandise by "trading" with the community (for cash or store credit). And when I say thrift store, I don't mean a grungy hole-in-the-wall shop with dust bunnies. I mean a bright, lively, colorful Narnia of clothing.

You walk through the front door of either of their Cape Cod stores and you're immersed in positivity. I don't know if it's Tammy, Lyza and Kaysi's chipper attitudes, the catchy music that you don't even notice until you find yourself humming along, the soft lighting that glints off the jewelry displays, or the seemingly endless racks of dresses, sweaters, skirts that envelops you and then spits you out a different person! Whatever it is, it's unbelievable.

I arrive at Wicked Thrift after school, looking haggard and feeling fed up with the world, but by five o'clock, the color's back in my cheeks and I'm chattering like a little canary again.

Alex, Lyza, and I, trying on dresses, taken by Tammy at Wicked Thrift

Besides improving my mood and outlook on life, Wicked Thrift and it's crew taught me to notice everything about a piece of clothing, because it has a story and you just have to open your eyes. Once you know what to look for, you can't ignore it.

For instance, nowadays I'll be in the mall, and I'll see a top or a dress, and I'll think to myself the cut of that is straight out of the'50s or '60s! ...or...I can see the Russian Revolution in that! 

And I learned that you can take all of those pieces and those little stories and make your own story. I'm being super cliche and corny, but it's true. Everything comes together.  And when you finally have that 1970s dress with those pumps from, say, a burlesque dancer and that necklace, the one that little old lady wore when she first fell in love, you feel like its something so much bigger. Wicked Thrift gives people the tools to find themselves.

In their stores, each piece was thoughtfully chosen. Wicked Thrift honestly wants their customers to feel happy and at ease, and leave happy- not like huge chain stores that spoon feed trends to their customers and tell them how to think. Wicked Thrift LOVES originality- the crazier, the better! Not one piece is the same in their stores. It's like being Alice in Wonderland with surprises and treasures tucked away in every magical corner.

"Fashion is a revolution of style ideas and trends, both past and present, which inspire us to define ourselves. This simple mandate sets Wicked Thrift apart,through our commitment to presenting modern & vintage thrift as a totally relevant and exciting fashion experience to haute, style-savvy, trendsetting women and girls" -- Wicked Thrift Mission Statement