Do you want to escape the chains of fast fashion, but don’t know where to start? Maybe you’ve been trying to be more sustainable and want to know where to find basics without spending 20 euros on a plain white shirt. Don’t worry, I’ve got you!
Everyone acts like shopping at thrift stores is easy, but no one is talking about how hard it can be to find an actual good store that doesn’t sell “vintage” for mind-blowing (and wallet-emptying) prices, and where the stock doesn’t look like they robbed an old lady’s house…
To save your precious time, I spent a few days going through different second-hand stores around Breda with only one goal: find something I would wear and buy. Yes, that’s right, I challenged myself to buy at least one item in every store I went to, and while in some cases it was fairly easy – sometimes I had to spend a whole hour before I could find anything wearable. So, buckle up, and let's start our journey!
Now, if you want to recreate my little shopping adventure, you can follow in my steps, and who knows, maybe you’ll have even better luck?
Round one: “Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis”
Round two: “Emmaus Kringloopwinkel”
Round three: “Kilo Kilo”
Round four: “Ins and Outs.”
And if you’re too busy to read the whole article, you can also skip to the end for the top 5 ratings by price and fashion!
Bonus round
Spoiler alert! My journey didn’t just stop on “Ins and Outs”. On my way back to the station I happened to pass by the new second-hand store “Rejoes” and it was one of the best stops of the day!
Round one: Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis
Adress: Riethil 6, 4825 AP Breda, The Netherlands
Opening time: Monday till Saturday – 10:00-17:00
Working on a very tight budget? Well, then Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis might be your best bet! Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis is a big warehouse full of second-hand clothing, books, DVDs, toys, décor, and even vintage clocks (which tend to play creepy music from time to time, scaring customers half to death). Honestly speaking, I am always sceptical about going to big thrift stores such as this one. More often than not I just end up leaving empty-handed. If I’m lucky enough, I might end up buying a chair, but it’s probably safe to assume that if you’re reading this article furniture is not your priority. Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis surprised me, though. Starting with their DVD section, where I was able to find Blue-rays of Game of Thrones, Diary of Brigitte Jones, and Lord of The Rings, and it only became better when I went to their clothing section.
A lot of basics. And I mean, a ton of them. If you want a plain shirt or a sweater for cheap – run, don’t walk to Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis. Now, if your goal is to find something more unique… good luck! I was able to get my hands on a few cool hats for 1-3 euros, all in good condition, but interesting clothing? Nope. Nothing. On the other hand, I had an absolute blast in the shoes section followed by the crashing disappointment - none of them were in my size. I mean, leather knee-length boots for 10 euros? Fancy leather heels for 5,75? That’s cheaper than some coffee options at Starbucks! Are you kidding me?? What do you mean by “all of our knee-length boots at the moment are sizes 36-37”?
I ended up leaving the store with only one hat. Don’t get me wrong, It’s a good find. A hat with a leopard print on it, only for 1,50? Sign me UP! Still, I do wish at least one pair of those boots was in my size…
Round two: Emmaus Kringloopwinkel
Adress: Veilingkade 7, 4815 HC Breda, The Netherlands
Opening time: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday – 10:00-17:00
Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Why would I go to a store that’s only open three times a week, when there are more convenient options?” Well, what if I tell you that this one has the best accessories I’ve seen in a while? And I’m not talking only about thrift stores. That’s right, Emmaus Kringloopwinkel has a lot of jewellery. Beautiful jewellery, at that. It’s probably just as big as Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis, but with more furniture, books, and accessories and a little less clothing. Even though their clothing and shoe collection is smaller than the last one, I was still able to come across some nice things.
First of all, once again, a lot of basics. The price range is more or less the same, but this store has more jeans and pants, so if that’s what you’re looking for – Emmaus Kringloopwinkel is your choice! 5 euros is a steal for a nice pair of jeans! Despite the section being smaller, I was able to find way more interesting and even whimsical pieces. Now, not everyone would wear a coat full of colour and feathers, but the fact that you can find something like that is still a win! Another win for this store is a “bigger size” section. I couldn’t find anything interesting in it this time, but their stock changes every few days, so hopefully you will be able to find some better pieces!
Hats and shoes, on the other hand, were a little bit more expensive, but by “a little bit” I mean 1-3 euros. Either way, nothing from that section stood out to me, so I would still recommend going to Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis if you’re looking for a cheap knitted winter hat. Maybe even an “ushanka”.
As previously said, I fell head over heels for their jewellery section, so it isn’t surprising that it was jewellery I ended up leaving with in the end. I bought three beautiful chains, two of which cost me 1,50 each, but the third one ended up a little pricier: 12,50 euros.
Round three: Kilo Kilo Breda
Adress: Ginnekenstraat 62, 4811 JJ Breda, The Netherlands
Opening time: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday – 11:00-18:00, Thursday – 11:00-20:00, Sunday – 12:00-17:00, Monday – 12:00-18:00
If you ask anyone who lives in Breda for a thrift store recommendation, there is a 99% chance that they will end up mentioning Kilo Kilo at some point. Kilo Kilo is a retro second-hand fashion chain with stores all over The Netherlands. Their biggest selling point is the fact that they sell clothing only for 30 euros per kilogram! Depending on what you want to buy it could either be a great deal or an absolute worst find. Thankfully, there is a reason people recommend Kilo Kilo as their go-to thrift store. When most thrift stores just sell everything that gets donated to them, Kilo Kilo seems to care a lot about quality. The chances of finding something stained or unwearable in a Kilo Kilo store are significantly lower than in your average thrift store – maybe that’s why they like to call themselves a retro store first and a second-hand store second.
Truth be told, this wasn’t my first time visiting a Kilo Kilo store. I’ve been to the one in The Hague before, as well as the one in Tilburg that had unfortunately closed just a few weeks ago. Every single time I ended up leaving empty-handed. So, you can guess that this time my expectations weren’t that high either. All I needed was one item and then I'd be moving on to the next store on my list. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, I greatly underestimated Kilo Kilo Breda.
Going back to the theme of whimsy and colours, if you’re really into maximalism and clown-like aesthetics I cannot recommend Kilo Kilo more. I don’t think I’ve seen this many interesting and unique vests in a store before, and trust me, I’ve been looking. And who knows, maybe you’ve been looking for something that would complete that “mad hatter” look as well?
More into that “grandpa” aesthetic? I’ve got you covered! From cozy oversized sweaters to big leather jackets that will make you look like you walked straight out of a different timeline. The only problem is that all these items are incredibly heavy, and Kilo Kilo does sell per kilo (haha), so make sure you bring a thick wallet with you, or you’ll end up leaving disappointed.
Accessories and bags are also in a different price range her. One tie (and they have a lot of them) will cost you 5 euros, which might not seem all that much, but in retrospect, if we look back at the first two stores I covered – it does seem a little too much. Sunglasses are also about 15 euros each. In my humble opinion, unless the sunglasses in question make you look like a top model straight from the runway – it’s not worth the cash.
Are you tired of me saying basics? Well, I’m going to say it again, because basics are important and Kilo Kilo has a lot of plain shirts. Are they cheaper than in other thrift stores? Debatable. Does your shirt weigh 15 grams or 250?
Thankfully, not everything has to cost a fortune. If you look hard enough just like I did, you will be able to find something light and funky-looking. The vest I ended up trying on not only looked great on me but also cost only 2,40! Even the cashier was surprised when she checked me out. It’s not often you get a steal like that at Kilo Kilo, and although it might not be that easy, I am living proof that it’s still possible! All I need now is a white rabbit, a hat, and a cup of piping-hot tea.
Round four: Ins and Outs
Address: Ginnekenweg 41, 4818 JB Breda, The Netherlands
Opening time: Monday till Friday – 10:00-18:00, Saturday – 10:00-17:30, Sunday – 13:00-17:00
I don’t know what I was expecting, but seeing how fancy and fashionable the store looked should’ve probably been my first clue. “Ins and Outs” is expensive. Going in I knew from their reviews that they sell some brand clothing, but nothing could prepare me for just how expensive everything was. The assortment and quality of clothing were great, don’t get me wrong, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around how something that looks identical can cost 2 euros in one store and 25 in another. Same quality, both second-hand, and it's not like the “Ins and Outs” one comes from Louis Vuitton. Most “brands” that Ins and Outs had were Zara and H&M, and if you’re buying a Zara jacket for 100 euros – you should probably buy the one that hasn’t been worn before.
Right as I realized just how pricey this store was, I knew that my challenge had finally decided to bite me in the ass. I had to buy at least one thing. However, I also wanted to eat something besides plain bread for the next month.
Maybe, if I had a little more money, I would’ve been less critical of “Ins and Outs”. The quality of the clothing was actually high-tier, and I managed to find at least 5 different pieces of clothing that I genuinely wanted to buy. Some of the prices were also justifiable. A hand-made wool jacket, although second-hand, was still pretty reasonably priced at 75 euros. Unfortunately, in the exact same store, I also found a beanie for 56 and it ruined my mood for the rest of the evening.
Remember those knee-high boots for 10 euros I found earlier? Well, “Ins and Outs” has its own version of them! For 49 euros. You get what I’m trying to say here, right?
Thankfully, right when I was debating whether it was more worth it to spend 100 on a pair of shoes or two beanies, I came across a jewellery stand. It’s not like I liked what I saw all that much, but I sure liked that the tag said 5 euros instead of 35. Now, considering that not even the store owner knew what brand it came from, plus the fact that it was so obviously made out of cheap plastic, 5 euros was still too much. Just a few hours ago I bought a beautiful necklace for 1,50, and now you’re trying to make me spend 5 instead? Unfortunately, I was so desperate to find at least something that I gladly took that damn red necklace and stormed out of the shop with a happy smile on my face. There is some joy in comparison I guess...
Bonus round: Rejoes Breda
Address: Ginnekenstraat 38A, 4811 JH Breda
Opening time: Monday till Wednesday, Friday, Saturday – 10:00-19:00, Thursday – 10:00-21:00, Sunday – 12:00-17:30
Am I the only one who’s been living under a rock? How come this is the first time I hear about a store called “Rejoes” when there are already 12 stores open in The Netherlands alone? Well, at least the Breda one is fairly new, so you can’t blame me for not knowing about this one. I was already on my way back to the station, tired, hungry, and cold, carrying the 5 euro necklace I definitely did not want, when I saw a big sign “second-hand fashion” and just like in those old cartoons, my eyes instantly turned into dollar signs. There I was, going down the escalator to find something else to spend my salary on. Are you proud of me, mom?
The place was so big that I had to fight the urge to punch myself for not finding out about it sooner. How did I miss a whole warehouse of second-hand clothing, and while writing an article about thrift stores too? You can say anything you want about Rejoes, but they know how to make you feel welcome. The interior looked like something I would’ve designed when I was 13 and edgy, with graffiti on the walls and metro-like plastic chairs instead of the usual sofas you’d expect to see in a clothing store. No, seriously, they look like someone took a part of a bench from a bus stop. The music was nice, although they only played the viral TikTok songs. Safe to say, they knew who their target audience was, and it did not include old ladies. That made me hopeful.
Prices were better than at “Ins and Outs”, but still way more expensive than some of the stores I’ve been to that day. Thankfully, they did have a lot of good finds, especially for someone who likes Y2K or alternative fashion. A lot of basics as well, but I think I’ve already reached my daily limit for that word in this article. Jeans, coats, jackets, crop tops, lingerie – they have everything. Unfortunately, you do have to pay 7-10 euros for a shirt instead of the 2-5 euros in the first two thrift stores I covered. When visiting “Rejoes” you pay for your time. They found some good pieces and categorized them so that you don’t have to look through the countless old stinky sweaters to find some gold. Is it worth it? That’s for you to decide.
Don’t count on “Rejoes” if you’re looking for accessories. They have some buckets with hats and beanies, but that’s about it. Do count on it if you want to find a good-quality jacket, though, because that’s exactly what I ended up walking out with. There I was, going through the jacket section when I stumbled across the coat of my dreams. It’s long, it’s retro, it’s made out of real leather, and it’s giving the Matrix. I’m only missing a pair of cool sunglasses, but I fear that spending 15 euros on that wasn’t on my bucket list for the thrift haul. Either way, it took me exactly 5 seconds to decide that I was not walking out of this store without this coat, so there I was paying 44,99 euros for it. Is it a lot? Yes. Is it better than 100 for two beanies? Also yes. A win is a win.
As I was checking out, the cashier gave me a pack of stickers and a Capri-sun. I thought that that’s where the presents would end, but no! As I was cleaning my newly bought coat the very next day, I stumbled across a few interesting items that fell through the hole in its pocket. A sign from above, maybe?
Ratings
If you’re just as impatient as me and skipped to the end to see the top 5 ratings, keep in mind that a store ranking low doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have anything of value!
By price:
- Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis: basics and accessories between 1 and 5 euros, shoes between 5 and 10 euros
- Emmaus Kringloopwinkel: basics and accessories between 1 and 10 euros, shoes between 7 and 15 euros, jackets from 15 euros
- Kilo Kilo: pricing depends on the weight, all accessories besides sunglasses and bags are 5 euros
- Rejoes: basics are between 5 and 15 euros, bigger pieces are in a price range between 15 and 25 euros; almost all coats and jackets are either 22,99 or 44,99
- Ins and Outs: expensive, prices for basics start at 15-20 euros, but for everything else can go well over 100
By fashion:
- Rejoes: y2k, alternative, vintage clothing; the pieces are chosen with gen Z in mind
- Kilo Kilo: retro clothing, some y2k, a lot of basics, accessories besides sunglasses are not that interesting
- Ins and Outs: brand good quality clothing, more formal, retro
- Emmaus Kringloopwinkel: depends on your luck and willingness to search for gold, good accessories that would work with many styles
- Vindingrijk Kringloopwarenhuis: depends on your luck
The never-ending journey
Even after visiting 5 different second-hand stores in Breda, I know that there is still way more to explore. Who knows, maybe an idea for a second part? Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience and a fun challenge. I am a person who would usually leave the store after 5 minutes of not finding anything to my liking, but this article proves that sometimes you just need a little bit more time and patience.
Do you want to see my full thrift journey with more details and second-hand finds? Check out our new vlog on The HUB Instagram and TikTok!
What do YOU know about procrastination? Check out our new article "How to Procrastinate Like a Pro: A Complete Guide"!
