AFTER BARELY surviving my first day of “traditional” dreary Portland weather as a brand-new Oregon resident, I figured that it was probably time to invest in a jacket — a statement piece, both practical and cute, that I could throw over my outfits on a rainy day without ruining them. Fresh off the bus from campus, I only spent about two minutes wandering before I stumbled upon my very first Portland thrift spot: Sellwood Union.
With its convenient location in the heart of Sellwood and its promising atmosphere, Sellwood Union is one of the most popular local thrift spots among Lewis & Clark students. As you stroll down the street from the Pioneer Express bus stop at Southeast 13th & Tacoma, it would be difficult to pass the alluring storefront without at least pausing to peer inside at the overflowing collective of unique finds.
With windows lined in stand-out branded pieces, pairs of sneakers and clothing racks, Sellwood Union promises passersby an exciting treasure hunt with every visit. At this local gem, you have a good shot of finding your next fall wardrobe staple: a cool, well-worn Carhartt jacket, cute baggy jeans to pair with an eye-catching silver belt buckle, or a cozy knit sweater (an essential for every LC student going into October).
The Sellwood Union is a vintage seller collective, collaborating with an array of eighteen local vendors to make up the store’s wide selection of items. Unlike a traditional thrift store or donation center, Sellwood Union offers several “collections” of curated clothes, with each vendor adding a touch of their own personal style and specialty to the store’s charm. Sellwood Union and its two sister stores — the Northwest Union and the Cascade Union — each offer the value of a well-curated selection while maintaining a wide range of styles, prices, and items. Whether you are looking for streetwear, sleepwear or just something unique, Sellwood Union has something for everyone.
When I first stepped into the store, I found myself torn between the racks of secondhand denim lining the walls, shelves brimming with bags and purses and an interesting collection of camouflage. I was ultimately drawn to an impressive display of vintage belt buckles, distracted from my jacket hunt by the trove of intricate, antique accessories.
One of the store managers, Alex Tennant, was friendly enough to pause and chat with me in between rearranging racks, assisting customers and tidying up the displays. Hailing from Portland, Tennant has been collecting vintage pieces for ten years and has been managing the Northwest Union and Sellwood Union for about six months. Before becoming a manager, Tennant got his foot through the door of the Portland vintage scene as a full-time vendor himself, selling on his own for a few years before being drawn to the Union collective stores.
While Portland is undoubtedly the home of a rich community of casual thrifters, Depop resellers and vintage collectors alike, some long-term collectors have noticed a shift in the local atmosphere.
“The vintage scene in Portland feels sometimes over-saturated — a lot of people, a lot of stuff, not a lot of true passion,” said Tennant.
As the manager of two of the Union stores, Tennant has had the opportunity to interact with many different people of the Portland vintage scene, from experienced thrifters to intrigued fashion lovers. While he has some criticism for the general thrifting scene in Portland, Alex praises Sellwood Union for being a special host of both vintage treasures and an inclusive community.
“I feel like the Union stores do an exceptional job at bringing people into vintage the right way: with a genuine passion for old clothes of all styles, prices and rarities, and the appreciation for the stories that come along with it,” Tennant said. “We really enjoy allowing a space where anyone can come in and find something to take home.”
As thrifting continues to gain popularity in the wider Portland community, Sellwood Union has succeeded in not only harboring an impressive, curated collection of vintage clothes and novelties but also in fostering a welcoming community for Portland vintage lovers, experienced and inexperienced alike. While I did not end up finding my jacket soulmate the day I ventured in, I am still on the hunt, and the stakes are rapidly intensifying.
With chilly October days on the horizon as autumn creeps into Portland, I am looking forward to thrifting some new (technically, old) jackets, jeans and cozy sweaters to dress for the weather. I would highly recommend taking a weekend trip to the Sellwood Union if you are also interested in enhancing your fall wardrobe. From popular brands like Carhartt and Free People to hidden gems, I promise that if you take a peek around the store, you will find something you love.
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