My Favorite Second-Hand Finds Of 2025

Since my 2025 favorite purchases were decidedly less exciting and unmistakably indicative of my middle-aged proclivities (menstrual heating pads, anyone?), I decided to also show you some of my favorite second-hand purchases of the year. Because my vintage and unique finds are always a little more exciting to me. I didn’t buy much in the way of “exciting” clothing this year, because I was trying to focus more on solid separates vs major statement prints — but naturally, there were exceptions. Anyway, that’s enough of that! Let’s get to the good stuff in order of purchase dates:

Starting off strong, my first purchase in January was this Cupid bud vase, which was $10 at an estate sale. It was my sole purchase that day and well worth the trip. I love it! I bought those feathers at a thrift store a few years back and originally intended to make a showgirl headpiece with them, but I really love them on my desk. And I don’t love the idea of buying anything feathers new, so I might have to search the second-hand market if I ever want to make that headpiece happen.

Another January purchase, and certainly the most useful of the year: a mid-century hutch to hold Bobby’s vintage cookbooks. My mom and I spotted it at a thrift store for $75, and I knew Bobby had to have it. His vintage cookbooks completely took over our sole (and teeny) linen closet; they needed a proper display. It looks like it originally had sliding panels but luckily for us, the open shelving works just fine. Plus, $75 for this solid, beautiful piece is such a steal! Big thanks to my mom for helping me move it.

Yes, it’s just a print, but it’s in a lovely vintage frame and it’s kitty cats, so it belongs in our home! Art is one of my favorite things to look for at thrift stores and estate sales, but we’re running out of wall space in our room, so I have to stop looking. It doesn’t help that our decor changes so much from room to room. I know that’s often considered a design no-no but I can’t help it, I love too many different aesthetics! I bought this in June at an estate sale, and they had it marked for $15 but gave it to me for $7 since it was the last day of the sale. I also got a bunch of vintage fabric at this particular sale!

Speaking of our decor being so different from room to room… I found this vintage waste bin in a Kentucky vintage store and thought, “I wish I could fit this in my carry-on!” Imagine my delight when I realized it was collapsible and therefore, destined to join me in Florida. I actually needed a trash can for here since I stole the pink HomeGoods one for my office (and I craft in both rooms!), so while it may not seem like a particularly exciting purchase, it really was for me.

I bought this in November from Hooked on Honey Vintage, at a vintage sale in West Palm Beach. I didn’t even need to try it on to know it was coming home with me. This is vintage loungewear, but I wear it out and about. It’s a cotton button-down dress that deserves to be seen!

It is, however, fantastic for lounging.

I collect head and hand vases and other hand-themed vanity trinkets, but I have gotten to the point where I leave most of what I find behind for the next person (and might need to sell a few pieces). I don’t want my collection to go beyond my pretty displays and start feeling like clutter! But this piece on the left was a perfect match for the one on the right, and I loved the height. So, it now lives on my vanity and I chose a few other pieces to part with. If you love hands and heads, you might want to add me on whatnot for the day I finally schedule a vintage home decor show.

Okay hear me out! This one doesn't count because it’s a teeny kitten perfume bottle and it was begging me to take it home. Plus, the $4 price tag went to caring for rescue cats at a local shelter in Maine. They even have a “Scaredy Cat” program where volunteers come and visit with cats who need to be socialized before theyre adopted.

I love all the old Avon bottles but this is the only one I ever ended up purchasing. It was just too cute!

And finally, this vanity mirror was technically a gift from Bobby but I’m counting it anyway because it’s my favorite second-hand item of the entire year. He bought it for me in Maine and somehow brought it home safely in his suitcase. According to the markings, it’s from the 1890s — which matches the Art Nouveau details. The idea of this surviving 130 or so years is pretty remarkable, and I just love seeing it on my great-great grandmother’s sewing desk, every day.