Thrifting Y2K Gems in Portland, Oregon

On a hot summer day in 2022 I stumbled across a poster labeled Y2K vintage flea market nailed to a telephone post outside of my favorite matcha cafe in Sellwood, Portland. The flashy colors and bold typography immediately drew me in and as someone who loves thrifting and vintage I couldn’t resist the opportunity to check out a new flea market. 

On the day of the market I picked up my friends and drove downtown to hopefully score some new closet staples. When I arrived it was better than I could even imagine. There were booths upon booths of vintage clothing, accessories, and jewelry. The air buzzed with music, conversation, and the thrill of the hunt. My friends and I spent hours digging through piles of clothing, searching for just the right piece. We all scored something unique and reflective of our personality so it was a major success. It was a major success—and easily one of the most memorable thrifting trips I’ve ever had.

Flash forward to a few months later and I was scrolling on TikTok when I stumbled across a creator that goes by the name @brookie__babe. She was showing a thrift haul of everything that she had got at the Goodwill bins that day. I was immediately hooked and I went to watch more of her videos. After spending a good hour watching all of her videos I noticed that she was always at the Y2K flea. It turns out that she is the creator of the Y2K flea. 

Her effortless style blends wardrobe basics with statement pieces to elevate her everyday outfits and is evidently influenced by the flea market she runs. In her TikToks, she thoughtfully breaks down her outfits, making it easier for viewers to learn how to source and style vintage clothing. On top of running a flea market, Brookie also owns a successful vintage store in Portland named Tantrum Vintage. This vintage store is an amalgamation of everything 90s-2010s. Stocked with pieces from her own closet the brick lines vintage store is always filled with hidden gems. 

If you’re ever in Portland, I can’t recommend visiting Tantrum Vintage enough. The vibe is always welcoming, the music is great, and you’re bound to find your next new closet staple. If you can’t make it in person, check out Brookie’s TikToks to get a sense of her style and hopefully she will inspire you like she inspired me to create some new and funky outfits.