Held at the state fairgrounds from September 7 -8, the 2024 Vintage Bazaar had thousands flocking to their doors to buy vintage clothing. Accompanied with hundreds of vendors set up in rows and rows of booths.
The Vintage Bazaar is well known all around North Carolina for its huge amount of vintage clothing available. Created by two UNC graduates in 2022, the Bazaar brings sustainability to the forefront of the Raleigh-Durham area. Find out more about the Vintage Bazaar here.
But was this vintage market worth it?
Thrifting is accessible all throughout North Carolina, but the Vintage Bazaar is the ultimate thrifting experience.
Every booth at the Bazaar is different, selling an assortment of styles curated by each seller’s preferences and styles. While the main item sold is clothing there is also a variety of shoes, hats, lingerie, jackets, jewelry, and belts.
If you love thrifting then you most likely will love the Vintage Bazaar.. Plan accordingly with light clothing, comfortable shoes and bags to hold purchases as most vendors don’t supply bags. Bring your friends and spend 2 to 3 hours shopping. I had a great experience, but read more to see if you’re the right demographic for this event.
Price
Entrance into the Bazaar is $10 per person, which was a reasonable amount for entry.
There was a wide range of clothing prices from $5 to $500. But don’t let that discourage you as it depends on the booth. Most booths were reasonable, having $10 racks or sections. The more expensive the time, the higher the rarity and uniqueness of the clothing.
Keep in mind that each booth is run individually so cost factors are different everywhere you go. Therefore, some booths will be priced differently than others.
It’s all a part of the thrifting experience any vetted, long-term thrifter would know that one place might have a piece of clothing for a completely different price than the one before.
Additionally, there are almost no card readers, if you decide to go next year make sure you bring cash or have an app like Venmo or PayPal.
Atmosphere
The Vintage Bazaar is made for those who love to thrift. As an experienced thrifter, I had a fun time combing through each rack finding a cute top, and getting it for a good price. But an inexperienced thrifter would have a harder time and probably wouldn’t enjoy the experience.
To say the Vintage Bazaar atmosphere was overstimulating is an understatement. The music was blaring loud, and each booth was cramped tightly together. The chaotic crowd was going in all directions with no rhyme or reason, as well as the overwhelming amount of clothing that took up every possible space. Additionally, the scents around can be overwhelming. My friend and I sneezed several times because of the dust, perfume, and other scents that linger on vintage clothing.
If you are someone who gets overstimulated easily this is NOT the event for you.
As an alternative, the Bazaar offers early access tickets for $10 for two hours before the general public. Even then it would still be busy, so it doesn’t offer much. Additionally, the scents around can be overwhelming. My friend and I sneezed several times because of the dust, perfume, and other scents that linger on vintage clothing.
Personally, I believe though that also is a part of the experience, although it is a downside you must also acknowledge that this is the type of event you signed up for. 
Seller interactions
As for the sellers, everyone I met was incredibly friendly and welcoming. It was a very diverse crowd too, with each seller having different backgrounds and styles — from feminine pink to black goth with chains.
Many sellers also sold personalized clothing that was altered with sewing, pins, fabric, patches, and dye. It lets you have a one of one unique piece. Keep in mind as well that most sellers don’t have bags to carry your clothing in once you buy it. It’s a good idea to bring a tote or buy a $30 Vintage Bazaar tote at the entrance.
Honestly, I felt bad for the sellers as it was incredibly easy for someone to steal from the booths. I watched a seller go to find a hat for a customer and come back saying he couldn’t find it and most likely someone had stolen it. Remember to always be understanding and accepting of situations; respect the sellers.
Final Thoughts
The Vintage Bazaar atmosphere creates anxiety for everyone, and the overstimulation isn’t meant for everyone. This is not an event that the everyday person should attend but it’s specifically made for those who enjoy thrifting in the joy of coming across a good unique find.
It’s an overwhelming stimulating experience that isn’t an ideal shopping experience. I still believe though that the Vintage Bazaar is worth the unique clothing you can purchase, even though the atmosphere is stressful.
One would have a more relaxing time at the mall shopping or at a regular thrift store. But it is still a unique experience you cannot find anywhere else in North Carolina. Thousands of clothes are tempting to any die-hard thrifter. Be aware of the downsides and assess if this event suits you.
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