Thrifting in Madrid: How I Find Vintage Gems at Humana

There’s this soft, laundered smell of detergent when I step inside Humana Vintage, a chain of thrift stores ubiquitous in Madrid and Barcelona. It seems like every neighborhood in Madrid has a Humana store. However, not all Humanas are created equal—most are filled with basic items, and the curation is minimal at best. It’s really like Goodwill in the US: rows and rows of sweaters and tops, dresses and skirts, blazers and coats organized by type of clothing and then by color. Since stores try to be seasonal, right now there are plenty of jackets, coats, boots, and sneakers. I feel like there’s so much potential at Humana, but I need to be in the mood to go thrifting there. Due to the sheer amount of stuff (thanks to ever-faster fast fashion), the selection is abundant, but nothing amazing jumps out at first glance. Thrifting at Humana can feel like an overwhelming sensory experience, and I’m often carrying my purse and another bag—what can I say, I’m perpetually a bag lady.

Here are some pointers that help me while thrifting!

Keep a Moodboard or Shopping List

I keep a moodboard on my phone as a quick reference for what I’m roughly looking for. Maybe it’s a colorful silk scarf, a cable knit cardigan, a barn jacket from the men’s section, or a pair of colorful sneakers. I like to aim toward specific items because it’s easy to get distracted by romantic white blouses and flowy midi skirts. Thrifting is like a treasure hunt, and without a rough idea of what I’m looking for, I might buy things I don’t really need. It’s about balancing an open mind with sticking to your list or moodboard. Lately, I’ve been eyeing long wool coats, longline trenches, and cable knit cardigans!

Be Persistent and Visit Regularly

The most successful approach to thrifting is showing up regularly and being persistent. I often leave thrift stores empty-handed, which is important—I don’t want to settle for something just because it’s cheap or almost works. I like to pop into a thrift store once or twice a week. Though I sometimes shop out of boredom, I remind myself not to buy unnecessary things. During the last two years, I’ve stopped shopping online and at most fast fashion stores to stick to my budget.

Focus on One Section at a Time

I pinpoint specific sections of a store to limit myself to certain types of clothing. This helps me spend less time in the store, avoid aimless wandering, and maintain focus. For example, I’ll look only at cardigan sweaters—that’s how I found a lovely ribbed red cardigan and a purple one reminiscent of Sézane styles over a few visits! I didn’t look at dresses, pants, or shoes; I just went straight to the enormous sweater rack. Patience and willingness to sift through items are key. This approach reminds me of designing—breaking down a problem and examining its parts. While this tip might not appeal to everyone, focusing on one section and slowing down helps me feel less overwhelmed.

Check Fabric and Fit Carefully

I investigate items carefully, especially checking any remaining tags. Some garments might be mysterious without tags, so it’s crucial to try things on and feel the fabric. I generally avoid polyester—I tend to overheat in polyester shirts, though I can tolerate it in skirts. I seek natural fibers like linen, cotton, and wool. Even in curated vintage shops, you’ll find polyester and rayon that hasn’t aged well. Old polyester can look sad, and I know from touch which items I won’t wear.

Don’t Settle for Less Than 100%

Don’t settle if you’re not 100% convinced after trying something on. This rule is especially important at thrift stores because the affordable prices can be tempting. Humana often is running a sale that started at 50% off, then moved to €5, then €4, and so on until everything is €1! When trying on coats, I wear a chunky sweater to test the arms, or I’ll wear mom jeans and a simple top to see how a cardigan tucks in. I’ve tried numerous coat styles—it’s exhausting because they’re heavy to carry, but it’s also fun exploring different looks: long coats, parkas, wool coats, leather jackets, and trenches. Instead of fixating on finding the perfect item immediately, I see “duds” as learning opportunities. Trying various styles at the thrift store is a low-risk way to experiment with different looks, even if they’re not quite the right size! I make mental notes for future visits about which sections to revisit. I always remind myself there’s plenty of clothing out there, and finding those occasional gems makes them truly special!