Illinois Thrifters Hunt for “Grandmacore”???

Thrift stores are becoming more and more mainstream. It’s an expensive country in 2026, and people are trying to make their hard-earned dollars go further. That doesn’t mean style needs to be tossed aside.

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Nostalgia is always a safe bet for retailers, and when styles come back into fashion cyclically as a shopper you can buy the new version based on a previous look, or you can go thrifting and find the genuine article from years ago. This works for apparel, art, furniture, and decorations.

The latest trend is called “Grandmacore”. Think vintage handmade needlepoint, embroidery, macrame and quilts. Things that express a cozy vibe. The style is to reflect a “lived-in” feel with purposeful clutter. Minimalism, with its clean and sparse museum quality is out for younger shoppers.

quilted, embroidery, hand stitched Grandmacore is in demand at thrift stores

Old clocks, smoked glass or colored glassware, big mirrors are being sought to give the impression of a bigger space. Solid wood furniture, or furniture with wood accents is in demand too. Even if pieces need some refinishing or repair work is valued. Silver and brass pieces are trendy, especially if they have some character or patina. Metal items that don’t gleam are desired, and reflect a new realism.

smoked glass, table lamps and cozy, lived-in vibes are big right now

On the clothes racks young millennials and Gen-Z are vibing denim jackets, and retro leather pieces with bright and bold accessories. Those with a sense for an era before they were around are looking for grandpa sweaters and plaids. From the generation that unironically wore socks with their sandals, these choices make sense. Thrift stores, Consignment shops, flea markets and yard sales in Illinois are being shopped in the search for the comfort of “Grandmacore”.