Toni's Vintage Trips: Thrift Store Hunting in Walnut Creek, CA

This week I was happy to have my best friend and soul sister, Kat, visiting me from San Diego. We traveled down the freeway to Walnut Creek to find upscale and downscale thrift and consignment shops and we were not disappointed. Our first stop was Labels (1367 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA), an upscale consignment store that has beautiful clothes, purses and shoes for everyone's budget. Kat found a pair of velvet Manolo Blahniks heels for $150. This may seen steep to some, but considering that the same shoes would cost $700-$900 at a department store, it was a HUGE deal. They were in perfect condition and she was very happy to get them. I also found many shoes that I wished had fit me that were under $50 and by many well-known designers, but unfortunately I went home empty handed. Labels also had bins of shoes and purses for $20 and lots of sale items that were 50% off.

Our next stop was an old favorite of mine - Main Street Rags (1380 N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA), which is across the street from Labels. Main Street Rags is a consignment store that has a variety of contemporary clothes for work and evening wear. It also has a shoe department that is not too extensive and purses. I used to shop here for office clothes, but I have also bought Betsy Johnson dresses here for about 75% of the retail cost and in perfect condition. It is worth checking it out if you're ever in Walnut Creek. Nothing in the store is over $100, so clothes here are definitely affordable.

Rainbow's End (1389-E N. Main Street, Walnut Creek, CA), described as an "upscale thrift shop" is another store to check out. Proceeds from this store go to a non-profit nursing facility on Castro Street in San Francisco. It not only is a great charity, but is also filled with clothes, art and even a grand piano - all at rock bottom prices. Kat bought a Kenneth Cole purse for $7 and it was 75% off. I scored a Gucci glasses case for $2.50. There were many more items that I captured in the photos below.

Finally, we visited the Discovery Shop (1538 Locust Street, Walnut Creek, CA), which also has a variety of contemporary clothes at thrift shop prices. They will be having a Vintage/Retro event on July 21st.