Wasteland

At 1660 Haight St, Wasteland is a curated secondhand shop for designer and vintage clothing, not a traditional thrift store. Its racks bring together luxury labels such as Givenchy, Balenciaga and Gucci with pieces from brands including Levi’s and Doc Martens. Go to hunt for a distinctive outfit or a statement piece, and allow time to browse: most items are not arranged by size. Prices are higher than at a typical thrift shop, so it suits shoppers seeking particular labels or unusual vintage finds.

A curated shop, not a traditional thrift store

Wasteland sells secondhand designer and contemporary clothing, along with vintage pieces. The shop began in Berkeley in 1985. Its approach is selective, with a mix that can range from luxury labels to more accessible brands.

At the San Francisco store, shoppers may find names such as Fendi, Chanel, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Gucci and Supreme, as well as Levi’s and Doc Martens. The selection also includes fashion accessories and footwear.

How to browse the racks

The collection is not consistently sorted by size, so expect to look through the racks rather than head straight to a size-labeled section. That loose arrangement can make browsing less direct, but it leaves room to come across pieces you were not looking for.

Prices are higher than at an ordinary thrift shop. Wasteland is a better fit if you are searching for a designer label, a distinctive vintage item or a particular statement piece than if your priority is low-cost basics. Large bags and backpacks are not allowed inside, so leave them at the front.