Do you dream of entering a thrift store and finding a one-of-the-kind pair of designer shoes? Sure, it'd be great, but we're more interested in other treasures at second-hand stores. You see, these are usually the only places where you can explore the more bizarre side of clothing and decor. There are some truly... unique pieces found in goodwill and estate sales, and those are the items that really give us a kick to see. Some were too amazing not to share, so we compiled a list with the weirdest second-hand gems we've seen online. Keep reading to find out more!
Cookies for Who?
Leaving cookies out for Santa is a popular tradition for Christmas. We loved the baking part, but not so much the "having to leave some uneaten" part. However, Santa —or, should we say, our parents— never ate them all, so there were always some leftovers for breakfast. Still, it was a surprise to discover that good old Mr. Claus wasn't the only one you should leave cookies out for.
Apparently, the devil also appreciates being left a treat now and then. At least, according to this dish someone found at a second-hand store. Perhaps the artisan simply misspelled "Santa."
"VeggieTales" but With Animals
Remember VeggieTales? Or is that too obscure a reference? They were these cartoons we watched when we were little, where all the characters were vegetables. It was a strange concept, but it worked... somewhat. Perhaps the idea of sentient vegetables is more appealing than most people would expect because someone posted they'd found a unique figurine set at a local thrift store that featured veggie versions of animals.
What's your favorite? Ours is the spring onion cat because it is long and skinny. The pepper dog is a close second, though. We'd totally have these displayed in the living room.
An Accessory With a Plot Twist
The Marvel movies became well-known for introducing exciting plot twists all the time, like when Bucky Barnes turned out not to be dead or when —SPOILER ALERT— Thanos didn't end up snapping everybody out of existence. Speaking of Thanos, he must've fallen on hard times because someone found his infinity stone gauntlet at a second-hand store. But wait, what's that inside it? Is it another unexpected development?
It's a zipper! It turns out it's not a gauntlet but a bag. What an excellent accessory for a Marvel fan to have. Do you think it belonged to a cosplayer?
Perfect for the Darkest of Dungeons
Everyone has that one chair they prefer over every other in the house. In our house, if someone took over our favorite sitting spot, it meant war—the cold kind, with the passive-aggressive stares and silent treatment. The trick, then, might be getting a seat so outrageous and off-putting that nobody would dare steal it. Perhaps something like this massive scorpion-tail throne would be a good idea.
You can try visiting your local thrift shop to see if they have any available. After all, that's where the owner of this wonderful specimen found theirs. Looks comfy, right?
Nothing Compares 2 U
Prince was one of the greatest music artists in history. Nobody did pop as he did because he had massive amounts of talent and pushed the envelope with everything he did. The clothes, the accessories, the hair, the voice; all of them were one-of-kind. He also inspired his admirers to create art as unique as he was, and a lot of it ended up in second-hand stores.
This masterful portrait of his face, for example, was made with different colored seeds. Yeah, you read that right. Prince would've probably given this his signature judgy side-eye, though.
The Height of Fashion
Sure, trends can influence what's considered "cool" or "fashionable," but to be labeled "stylish," you need to be original above all. That's when you become the trendsetter instead of a mere follower. How can you achieve that? It's simple. Ignore the big labels and massive retailers and instead focus on finding one-of-the-kind pieces. Second-hand and vintage shops are the best places to start because they've got accessories like these shoes.
We're willing to bet that nobody will be sporting pigeon heels at the next party you go to. These are something only a genuine fashion visionary could pull off.
Only for Pop-Art Lovers
Camp is more than just a poorly understood Met Gala theme. The term is commonly used to refer to an aesthetic that most people would've characterized as excessive or in bad taste. Yes, it is all that, but it's also ironic and fabulous, and nowhere can you find better examples than at a thrift store. Those are where the campiest, most garish items, like this side table.
Isn't it what every art lover's pop-art dreams are made of? Why settle for boring, minimalist Ikea furniture when you can have an original piece like this? What a fortunate find.
Cock-A-Doodle-Doo, What a Shirt!
Many believe that people who care about what they wear are superficial, but we're here to prove that assumption wrong. The truth is that wearing the right clothes can help boost your confidence. It's all about finding what garments make you feel good in your own skin. You can even do the environment a favor and shop second-hand because some places have unique items that'll surely help you discover your personal style.
Maybe you like t-shirts with sassy chickens printed on them. Whatever your tastes are, originality should be the priority, and that's what shopping at thrift stores will give you.
This Cookie Jar Is Real Crabby!
Back in the day, giving people dinner sets and other kitchenware as a wedding gift was common. Yeah, that's why grandma had matching tea cups, plates, sugar pots, and even serving dishes. Unfortunately, in our case, most of that was lost when she passed away, and our aunts and uncles donated everything to Goodwill. So, if you ever run into a giant crab-shaped cookie jar like this one, let us know!
We've been dying to get our hands on one of these. Our grandma used to keep bananas in it instead of cookies, but we still loved it, despite the disappointment.
When "Jurassic Park" Is Your Favorite Movie
Shower heads. They're important, right? Apparently, those things regulate the water flow, so you don't have to huddle under a single, depressing stream of water. However, if you're looking for one that will turn your shower into a statement piece, you can find them where you find all the original decor and furniture items: the thrift store. This one seems to have belonged to a Jurassic Park fan.
Sure, it's a T-Rex head, so it's definitely going to pull focus, but at least it's black, and that goes with everything. Besides, you can pretend you're bathing in a dinosaur spit.
Groovy Kermit
If you're looking to do some spring cleaning and plan to sell some old belongings, one thing you should always look up is how much your old toys are worth. Some of those babies might be limited edition items, and if you're lucky, they may have increased in value. No, don't jack up the prices of your old beanie babies. Those are probably worthless. We're talking stuff like this.
An original "Disco Kermit" figurine from 2006. Those are the types of toys collectors go wild for. Not that Barbie you covered in marker and chopped half the hair off.
It's a Banana Dog!
People tend to think that the best second-hand shops have to offer are usually located in the clothing section. However, that's not true, and by only focusing on apparel, most miss out on the vast and impressive offerings they might have on the furniture or used appliances shelves. Moreover, we wholeheartedly believe that the most exciting finds are the bizarre and unique figurines. Trust us; there are a lot.
This banana dog decoration will instantly take any living room to the next level. Stay tuned because there are many more weird figurines where this came from!
Pants That Show off Your Best Features
Fashion is constantly changing. Isn't that what makes it so fun? However, everything old becomes new again, and youngsters nowadays would rather shop for used clothes in vintage stores than buy new items. They say it's good for the environment, but maybe another reason exists. For starters, second-hand garments are usually less expensive, but a bonus of shopping at thrift stores is finding one-of-a-kind gems like this one.
Those must be great to wear in summer when it's hot because the plastic can show every bead of butt sweat your body inevitably produces. Wouldn't that be a great look?
Dedicated to Coke
There are objects people used in the past that have now become obsolete. For example, ladies attached tiny hand clips to their pursues to keep their gloves secured when they took them off. Isn't that neat? However, not all the habits humans from bygone eras had were as harmless as wearing gloves whenever they went out. Someone found a vintage mug that seemed to have had a very unique purpose.
It was to drink cocaine out of? We know it used to be an ingredient in early Coca-Cola formulations, but could people have been drinking the stuff straight?
Be Original, Get a Crafted Item
We love shopping for clothes and decor at second-hand stores because whatever you find is bound to be unique. You see, it's much more likely that you'll find either small-batch items or actual handmade ones. This is particularly true when it comes to figurines and art. They're a great item to get because nobody will ever have anything like them. If you doubt us look at this.
You can only find a figurine made of tiny shells in a second-hand store. This is one of the more impressive crafts on the list, but there are many more to go.
What an A-Moo-Sing Decoration
A house well-lived in is one that has absolutely no space left anywhere. However, if you've just moved and finally put every piece of furniture in place, you might start to find a few empty spaces here and there. To make it into a genuine home, you need to fill those up, so head over to your nearest second-hand shop and see what wonders you can find.
These people found a crystal cow-head sculpture, and, in our opinion, they hit the jackpot. It would look great as a centerpiece for the living room table. Real grand.
A Wristwatch, but for the Wall
Do you like your decor to be sleek and discreet? Are minimalist styles and neutral tones your jam? Well then, we're sorry, but you'll only be able to shop at boring stores like Pottery Barn or... Target. Why not leave your comfort zone and dive into the wonderfully weird world of vintage decor items? If you're lucky, you'll find a wall clock as cool as this one.
We didn't know a giant wristwatch was precisely what our walls needed. See? This is another example of how fabulous camp items make the perfect statement pieces.
One Bomb Dish for One Bomb Casserole
Everyone has a master cook in their life. It can be your aunt, a friend's wife, their mom, or perhaps your own mom. Then again, why not someone's dad too? Regardless of who it is, people identify this exceptional food maker because of one dish in particular: their casseroles because it's the one thing they bring to every occasion. Such great talent deserves come custom dishware, right?
For that, you can go to a second-hand store because it has bespoke items like this fabulous casserole dish. Unfortunately, you'll only be able to gift this one to a Karen.
Handmade With Love
Everybody loves toys that are entertaining and educational. However, the good ones can be super expensive. If you have a youngster in your life you'd like to shower with presents but can't because you're strapped for cash, why not try making one? That said, maybe it's too much effort for too little reward since the harsh reality is that it might end up at a second-hand store a year later.
That's what we suspect happened with this little piggy. Sure, the concept of a toy pig that gives birth is a bit weird, but the knit babies are so cute!
That's One Washed Out Teddy Bear
Do you know what we like most about "previously loved items," like the ones they sell at thrift stores? It's that every single one of them comes with a story. They didn't come straight from a warehouse; they came with baggage. See this bear figurine? Judging by its state, it surely saw a lot of action in the past. Fortunately, someone found it and restored it to its former glory.
Maybe "to its former glory" is saying too much, but it was restored all right. Its new owners probably wanted to keep the beaten-down vibe the item had when thrifted.
Are They Supposed to Be Hairy Babies?
It could be because we're used to modern-day Barbies and cute teddy bears, but some vintage toys give us the creeps. We're serious. Those things weren't made to be pretty. If you've ever been to a second-hand store, you've probably seen them staring at you from the walls or behind the glass screens of a cupboard. What are the creepiest ones you've ever seen? We think it's these two.
They look like baby dolls but have beards, hair, and two massive front teeth. What was the purpose of these toys? Which kid were they meant for? So many questions...
Turn Your Living Room Into King Tut's Tomb
When most people say they're looking for cute home decorations, they probably mean a lovely ceramic or glass bowl or a trendy print to hang on the wall. Nevertheless, a few chosen maximalists have a more unique taste in decor. Would you find a giant replica of an Egyptian pharaoh's sarcophagus ridiculous? They certainly wouldn't, and lucky for them, they know where to find them.
At the thrift store, of course. This one belonged to a former prop maker that passed and whose family donated a lot of his items to Goodwill. What a find!
Sasquatch Caught on Photo
People have been searching for evidence that Bigfoot exists for decades. They go into the woods full of hope and determination, but after a while, the bugs, the weather, and the exhaustion set it, and they leave just as empty-handed as they started. Legend claims a few lucky individuals managed to take a picture of it, but the photos were lost. Until recently, when one was finally located.
Who thought it would be hidden amongst other beaten-up picture frames at a second-hand store? We're kidding, we have no idea what that is supposed to be, but one can dream.
Flavor Flav's Kind of Bag
Nowadays, most people check the time on their phones. However, in the old days, you had to carry a watch. Yeah, seeing what hour it was used to be a complicated matter. When it was cold outside, and you had a thousand layers on, you had to peel off one after the other until you could see your Casio's tiny numbers. Unless you were smart and put it somewhere else.
A few visionaries chose to put clocks on purses so they'd be easier to access, and some specimens made it to thrift stores. We bet Flavor Flav would've loved this.
An Anatomical Model Fit for a Horse
In theory, you could get anything you need from a second-hand store. It may take you a while to hunt it down, but there's no limit to what you can find in those places. A reproduction of the human mouth? Sure, it might be on a shelf somewhere. A full skeleton? That'll be easy to find. Oh, and is anyone in need of an anatomical model of a horse?
Hit this person up if you do because this one comes complete with soft and hard tissue anatomy. It'd be great for any vet student out there!
Dali Would've Loved This
Do you know how tables have "legs"? Well, this one literally has a pair. We don't see how this particular treasure came to be made. Perhaps it was commissioned by someone with too many boots who wanted a novel way to show them off. Maybe it was created by a carpenter who really liked surrealism and was trying to bring it back. Whatever its story, one thing's for sure.
It ended up in a second-hand store, as most odd and unique pieces do. You won't find this table at an Ikea, and we think there's some magic to it.
What's This Supposed to Be?
Second-hand stores are great places to source artwork from. Why buy the same Ikea print everybody from the same generation has when you can get an original, one-of-a-kind piece of art for much, much less? Besides, there's such a wide variety of stuff that no matter your tastes, you're bound to find something that catches your eye. They've got grandma-core, cottage-core, midcentury modern, and weird taxidermied sculptures...
Someone found this at a thrift store, and we have no idea what it's supposed to be, but we're sure somebody loved it at some point. Maybe an owl with lizard arms?
The "Dude" Lebowski Would've Loved This Bag
Everyone needs a bag at some point. Perhaps you need a stylish way to carry your iPad or computer to class. Or maybe it's to take your leotard and hand towel to an 80s-style aerobics class. What if you join a bowling team and desperately need somewhere to put your brand-new ball? This stylish and affordable purse will undoubtedly work for all those purposes and more.
The "affordable" part is just our guess because we don't know what it cost. However, we do know it was found at a thrift store, so it couldn't have been too expensive.
Crazy Cat Ladies Keep the Second-Hand Industry Alive
Has someone ever joked that you'd end up a crazy old cat lady because you'd never been in a relationship before? First, there's always time to find a partner. Secondly: so what if you'd rather grow old with your pets? In fact, we dare say cat ladies are second-hand stores' greatest assets because most of their belongings end up at those shops, and they fly off the shelves.
See what we mean? How cool is this candle holder? It's like the kitties are summoning a demon from the underworld, or they're trying to put a curse on a mortal enemy.
Portrait of a Doggy on Fire
Have you ever seen that painting of dogs playing poker? Ha... It sure makes us laugh to remember it. We'd love to have something similar to hang on our walls and look at whenever we're sad. However, the problem is that few artists are willing to paint something as complex as that. We wish we'd been lucky enough to find one at the thrift store like this person did.
Are they dressed in Elizabethan-era outfits? The ginger curls on the little dog are giving us Queen Elizabeth I vibes. That and the ruffles on the collar.
The Cursed Little Sailor
Popeye inspired generations of children to eat their spinach so they'd grow up healthy and strong. Did you ever watch it? No, we're not talking about that awful live-action movie with Robin Williams. We're talking about the OG cartoons. We bet there were a lot of Popeye toys made back in the day, but we couldn't find any of them. The closest we found online was this creepy sailor doll.
What do you think is worse? The near-white shade of its skin? The weird hands with only one finger? Or the fact that it doesn't have ears. It also looks haunted...
Sit in Style
Here's a fun fact. When stores close down, they usually try to sell all the furniture and extra stock, but whatever gets left behind is generally donated, and just like that, they can end up in your nearest Goodwill or salvation army shop. That's how fun furniture pieces like this end up in second-hand stores. Where do you think this sofa came from? Hint: the key is in the shape.
If it's shaped like a heel, it probably came from an old shoe store. It's too bad shops nowadays prefer such minimal decor, so we never see a giant shoe sofa anywhere.
E. T. Never Went Back Home
Look, we're not the type of people to fill up an entire display case with Funko pops, but a piece of merch or two never hurt anybody. It can feel nice to show your passions publicly and likes to the world and to include those in your home decor. The best part is that you don't have to invest that much because the most extraordinary pieces are usually found in second-hand stores.
Were you in need of an E.T. figurine? Then the thrift store is the place for you to look. Just look at this carving someone found hidden on a shelf somewhere.
If a Plate Could Be Cozy
Don't you ever feel sorry for your food? The peas sometimes look so lonely there rolling around the plate, but if you don't grab a serving, then the chicken breast you made will also seem so sad and alone... and plain. The solution is to find nice, cozy plates. Yes, ceramic might be solid, but it can also be comfortable. Don't believe us? This tiny bear does.
We didn't think a plate could give us a sense of peace, but this one does. The bear looks so warm and relaxed that we're sure any food you put there will too.
A Pretty Jar to Keep Your Poison in
We're not very big fans of antiques, but there are two objects we'd love to find someday. One is a Tiffany-style lamp, and then there are those sets of jars that apothecaries used to store ingredients in. Recently, we saw online that someone had found a haul of antique porcelain containers from an old drugstore, and although they were beautiful, we realized they weren't ideal to be displayed.
See? You don't want a jar that might make you look like a black widow. Then again, it's not trendy to use arsenic to poison someone nowadays, so perhaps it could work...
The Kitty With the Meow-Rl Earring
Classics are classics for a reason. The beauty of some Renaissance and Baroque paintings cannot be equaled. Have you had the chance to see Vermeer's masterful manipulation of light and shadows? They even made a whole movie about his Girl with the Pearl Earring painting. Well, about its making, actually, and the artist's life in general. However, this amateur painter might've outdone Vermeer himself with this re-version of his most celebrated work.
Look at those bright blue eyes and those whiskers. Sure, the painter's skills might not yet be at Vermeer's level, but the subject matter is a thousand times more beautiful!
Don't Need a Full Skeleton? No Problem
We mentioned that thrift stores were the place to go if you were looking for a full anatomical model of the human skeleton. However, those can take up quite a lot of room, and perhaps you don't need all the bones. Don't worry; you can also find a random assortment of fake parts because doctors also pass away and have all their belongings donated to Goodwill.
This person found a hip bone at a thrift store. Don't worry; it's all plastic, so there's no biological matter. Besides, it was only worth $3.99. What a steal!
Goodnight Moon... No, Seriously, Go Away
Goodnight room. Goodnight moon. Goodnight, cow jumping over the moon... Don't those lines bring back memories? Perhaps you're a parent who read it to their child when they were young, or maybe you were one of those youngsters who grew up reading it. Regardless, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown was a staple of many childhoods. After all, the moon has a calming effect—the real one, not this one.
This one has a jawline fit for Zoolander. Something about it makes us uncomfortable. We don't think we'd buy this for a child if we saw it in a thrift store.
Do You Even Know What This Is?
Who knows what this is? Raise your hands. For those Gen Z youngsters who were practically born with a cell phone in their hand, this one is a public phone. Yes, these used to be on almost every street, and you had to put quarters in to call people. They were such a big part of everyday life that they even made miniature versions of them. We wonder where those went...
We have no clue where they spent the last decades, but they eventually made their way to thrift stores nationwide. If you're feeling a bit nostalgic, you can try hunting one down.
Belle Donated Her Old Furniture to Goodwill
We don't know about you, but we love magical furniture. You know, the kind you see in Disney movies that suddenly come to life at the worst possible time. Come on, wouldn't it be great to have a closet that could give you fashion advice when you need it? Fortunately, the other day we were surfing the web and found out they were real! See? This clock looks straight from Belle's castle!
It has little arms and a literal face —get it? Because it's a clock... Having this in our room as a child would've made all our princess fantasies come true.