As incoming Bobcats adapt to life in Athens and discover how they want to present themselves in college, many search for walking-distance clothing shops that suit them.
With Athens being run primarily by small businesses, there are various options for locally sourced secondhand clothing, as well as new pieces.
Kismet, located at 19 W. State St., is a woman-owned boutique that sells clothing, accessories and gifts. Kismet is a franchise with multiple locations and an online shop.
Angelina Smith, assistant manager at Kismet, is a recent Ohio University graduate and has been working at the boutique for four years. Smith said Kismet is a great option when looking for more formal event attire, but that is not all they sell.
“I feel like we’re one of the few places on campus that has clothes that aren't OU affiliated,” Smith said.
Smith said clothing at Kismet ranges from $25-$60, while jewelry is $11-$50 depending on the quality.
When in need of OU gear, there are various locations to check out. The College Book Store, located at 50 S. Court St., sells everything OU-related.
The Crazy 8’s section of the shop is significantly discounted from the rest of the store and is where many students stock up on OU apparel. With $8.88 T-shirts, it is the perfect place for new students to build their inevitable Ohio tee collection.
There are also crewnecks for $18.04 and $22.22 hooded sweatshirts.
Combining college apparel with unique, on-trend designs is the specialty of 10 West Clothing Co., located at 10 W. Union St., Mary Cheadle, owner of 10 West Clothing Co., said the store has evolved greatly since opening 38 years ago under her brother’s ownership.
“When my brother owned it, it was a different store,” Cheadle said. “Things like Mother Earth and hacky sacks, that kind of thing; we eventually developed into more Ohio University-represented garments.”
Cheadle’s daughter, Emma McCarty, is the manager and graphic artist. 10 West Clothing Co. strives to be different from traditional college apparel, incorporating current trends, local bars and campus events like family weekends.
“We try to be a little edgier, as well as incorporating Athens and Court Street and bar shirts,” Cheadle said.
When looking for casual, on-trend unisex OU apparel, 10 West Clothing Co. is an option for Bobcats.
Shop CGI, located at 13 W. Union St., is an option for secondhand clothing and shoes. Selling brands like Harley-Davidson, Essentials and Carhartt, Shop CGI has well-curated, quality products.
Since moving to a location closer to campus last year, Shop CGI has been a go-to place for students and locals seeking affordable pieces.
Most of Shop CGI’s inventory is priced under $30, according to a previous report by The Post.
Aside from being a spot to purchase apparel, Shop CGI encourages customers to bring thrifted items to trade for in-store credit or cash.
While Athens is full of great clothing shops, Bobcats might notice pop-up thrift shops held throughout the year.
Some are hosted by campus organizations, while others are brought to Athens by Ohio Vintage Expo, which hosts thrifting events across the state.
Keirstyn Meisner has been selling second-hand clothing since she was a sophomore in high school. Now, a year after graduating from college, she has resold clothing and accessories as her full-time job.
Meisner, who was invited to Athens twice last semester by the expo markets, said college students are her main demographic. In addition to college markets, Meisner sells clothing and accessories online.
“The vibes are always really good at college campuses, I feel like everybody is excited to see the vintage stuff,” Meisner said.
