There is something about late summer that makes me treasure the hunt even more. Maybe it is the slower pace or the way the golden light falls on dusty shop windows. August always feels like the time to look for pieces that make life more beautiful while helping us transition from the heat of summer into the gentler days of early autumn.

When I thrift this time of year, I am looking for pieces that keep me cool in the Texas heat but also feel like they will fit seamlessly into my September and October wardrobe. I want finds that make me excited to open my closet or set a pretty table. And I want to bring home treasures that carry a story of their own.

Before We Get Started

Before we dive into the list, I want to share something special with you. My shop is more than a place to buy clothes—it is a curated collection of thrifted cottagecore treasures that I have handpicked with care. Every skirt, blouse, and dress has been found in the quiet corners of small-town thrift shops, dusty antique stores, and weekend estate sales.

These pieces are chosen not just for their beauty, but for their quality and timelessness. They are made to be worn, loved, and passed along—just like the best things in life. And right now, I am offering my readers something extra so you can bring a little of that magic into your own wardrobe right away.

1. Cotton Eyelet Skirts and Dresses

I found my favorite white eyelet dress years ago at a little shop off the highway. It was rumpled and hanging between two polyester blouses, but when I put it on, I knew it would be a summer staple. Pieces like these are timeless and work beautifully now with sandals or later with a cardigan. Keep your eyes open for breathable fabrics in pale colors.

2. Sun-Bleached Linens and Quilts

August thrift stores are full of linens from estate cleanouts and summer yard sales. Look for faded florals, light plaids, or hand-stitched quilts. These are perfect for porch swings, picnics, or layering at the end of the bed when the nights turn cooler.

3. Late Summer Peaches

While you cannot thrift peaches, you can find the pie dishes, vintage jelly jars, and enamel bowls to make and store your summer sweets. I always check the housewares section for stoneware pie plates. Last summer, I found one with tiny hand-painted flowers that now comes out for every cobbler.

4. Vintage Fans

In Texas, staying cool is an art. A thrifted tabletop fan with a little patina can be both functional and charming. Test it before you buy it. A slow-turning fan in the corner can make your sewing nook or reading chair feel like a breeze from another time.

5. Herbal Infusion Jars

Late summer is perfect for brewing herbal teas in the sun or letting them steep overnight in the fridge. Look for large glass jars, preferably with old-fashioned clamp lids. I make lemon verbena tea this way, and it feels like pouring a glass of the garden.

6. Garden Baskets

A sturdy, vintage basket can go from farmers market to flower garden to entryway storage. I have one that has carried everything from okra to zinnias, and every August I find myself scanning the thrift shelves for another.

7. Cotton Aprons with Pockets

Not only practical, but charming. These are often hidden among kitchen towels or hanging near cookware in thrift stores. Pockets make them even better for gathering herbs or slipping a little notebook inside.

8. Porch-Perfect Seating Cushions

If you have a porch chair or bench, late summer is a good time to look for seat cushions in muted tones. August thrifting often turns up fabric that feels softer and more lived-in than the bright, fresh patterns of spring.

Final Thoughts

There is something deeply satisfying about the late summer thrift hunt. It is not just about finding a bargain. It is about uncovering the kind of beauty you cannot buy new—the softness of a quilt worn smooth by years of use, the perfect drape of an old cotton skirt, the way a basket handle fits into your hand as if it has been waiting for you all along.

August asks us to slow down, look closer, and choose pieces that will carry us gracefully into the next season. Every thrifted treasure comes with a story, and when you bring it into your home or closet, you become part of that story.

Whether you are searching for a fan to keep you cool on hot Texas afternoons, a skirt that twirls just right, or a pie dish that will see decades of cobblers, the thrill of the hunt is as sweet as the find itself.

If you do not have time to scour the shops yourself, I have done the treasure hunting for you. My handpicked collection is full of pieces that capture the heart of cottagecore living—timeless, practical, and beautiful. You can shop them now and even enjoy 50% off your first order when you sign up for my newsletter. That way, you will be the first to know when the next batch of treasures arrives.

So grab your basket, or your laptop, and see what late summer has waiting for you. The golden light is here, and the finds are calling.

Brooke

Hello Gorgeous Threads