Fall Vintage Finds: What to Look for at Antique Stores and Thrift Shops This September

There’s something about the start of September that makes me want to slow down, head out on a crisp morning, and wander through my favorite antique stores and thrift shops with a pumpkin-spiced coffee in hand.

Fall is one of my favorite times to go treasure hunting, and this month, I’m sharing a few fall vintage finds I’ll be keeping an eye out for throughout New England.

From cozy textures to seasonal dishware, these are the pieces that feel just right for this time of year, and they always disappear fast, so it’s worth starting your search early!

Fall Vintage Finds to Look For This September

Purple Transferware for Fall Vintage Styling

What I’m Looking For:
This September, I’m on the lookout for purple and white transferware, also known as amethyst transferware. I’m hoping to add a few more unique pieces to go with the vintage purple pitcher I found while antiquing in Nova Scotia this past summer, my first-ever find in this rare colorway. The rich, romantic tones are perfect for fall vintage table settings.

How I’ll Style It:
I plan to create a purple and white fall tablescape using that purple and white transferware pitcher as my centerpiece. Just today, I picked up a stunning amethyst glass pitcher that will pair beautifully with it. Styled together on a dark wood table on our porch, I’ll layer in amethyst glassware, purple mums or asters, and maybe even a few sunflowers for a pop of seasonal contrast. The deep purples, golden yellows, and vintage textures will give it that perfectly collected-over-time feel I love.

Where I’m Hunting: I’ll be keeping an eye out for more purple and white transferware throughout the season, especially during my visits to Sage Farm Antiques, they’re hosting one of their pop-up events this weekend, which always brings out new fall vintage finds. On the way there, I stopped at a small spot I hadn’t visited before, LaPointe Farm Antiques (127 Lafayette Rd, North Hampton, NH 03862, sorry, there is not a website available), where I found a beautiful amethyst glass pitcher that fits perfectly with my fall table vision. And on my way back to Vermont, I’ll be swinging by Stonehouse Antiques, another favorite for spotting unexpected vintage treasures this time of year.

Want to explore more about these fall shopping stops?
Check out these vintage market adventures and antique shop visits to help plan your next treasure hunt:

Vintage Amber Bottles to Style All Season Long

What I’m Looking For:
Amber bottles are one of my go-to vintage accessories for fall decorating, and I’m always on the hunt for more. This season, I’ll be looking for amber glass bottles in all shapes and sizes, tall and slender, short and stout, and everything in between. Whether they’re old apothecary bottles, medicine jars, or just charming vintage glassware, I can never seem to have too many.

How I’ll Style It:
I love using amber bottles to create vintage-inspired floral arrangements throughout our home. They add the perfect autumn tone when filled with dried hydrangeas, cattails, goldenrod, or even fall branches from the yard. I often group them on open shelving, line them up in our antique hutch, or tuck them into styled bookcases for a subtle warm glow. They also make beautiful additions to fall tablescapes and vignettes, especially when paired with brass, wood, and layers of texture.

Where I’m Hunting:
Amber bottles tend to pop up in the most unexpected places, which makes the hunt half the fun. I’ll be checking local thrift stores, yard sales, and barn sales this September, along with keeping an eye out at Vintage Market Days Vermont and other fall flea markets. It’s one of those pieces I always scan for, even when I’m not specifically shopping for it, because when you see the right one, you grab it.

Vintage Stoneware Crocks

What I’m Looking For:
I’m always on the lookout for vintage crocks, especially the ones with charming blue floral or number designs. There’s just something timeless about those hand-stamped markings that instantly give a space that old New England feel. But let’s be honest, these crocks can be pricey! So I’m hoping to find a few this fall that have a crack, chip, or just enough wear to bring the price down into my range. Perfectly imperfect is fine by me.

How I’ll Style It:
My favorite way to style a vintage crock is to fill it with fresh greenery and white tulips, that soft contrast never gets old. As fall settles in, I love to tuck in dried limelight hydrangeas or use them on the porch with foraged fall branches and leaves. Eventually, I’d love to start a full crock collection to display together, maybe lined up on a shelf, under a table, or grouped in a corner like a little vintage gathering.

Where I’m Hunting:
These crocks don’t turn up everywhere, so I’m heading straight to my go-to fall vintage events: Vintage Market Days Vermont, Sage Farm Antiques, Chandler and Company’s fall barn sale, and Stonehouse Antique Center are at the top of my list. That’s where I’ve had the best luck in the past, and I’ll definitely be checking under tables, back corners, and tucked-away crates for a crock just waiting to come home with me.

Want to see how I’ve decorated with vintage crocks in the past?
Here are a few of my favorite ways I’ve styled stoneware crocks throughout the seasons, from porch displays to floral centerpieces and everything in between:

Vintage Wooden Handled Cutlery for Fall Table Settings

What I’m Looking For:
This September, I’ll be hunting for vintage cutlery with wooden handles, those beautiful, well-worn utensils that add instant rustic charm to a table. I’m also always hoping to come across pieces with Bakelite handles in rich fall colors like amber, butterscotch, or deep brown. Whether it’s a mismatched bundle or a full set of serving pieces, I love finding cutlery that feels like it has a story.

How I’ll Style It:
Wooden-handled cutlery is one of my favorite styling details for outdoor fall entertaining. I’ll be using them on our porch table, around the fire pit, and even on picnic tables during RV road trips. There’s something about the wood tone that pairs beautifully with autumn leaves, vintage linens, and casual gatherings.

Sometimes I’ll tie a small ribbon or string around a set and place it on a plate or napkin, it’s a simple detail that adds warmth and personality. You can see a few of my past ideas in this What to Do with Old Silverware: 45 Creative Vintage Flatware Ideas post.

Where I’m Hunting:
I’ll be searching for these pieces in thrift stores, estate sales, and flea markets, especially in bins of kitchen utensils or old flatware drawers. These are often the items people overlook, which makes finding them even more rewarding.

Want to see how I’ve styled vintage wooden-handled cutlery in the past?
Here are a few of my favorite ways I’ve used these timeless utensils to add warmth and charm to outdoor table settings, porch picnics, and casual fall gatherings:

Apple Picking Season and Vintage Orchard Decor

What I’m Looking For:
September signals apple season here in New England, and I’ll be keeping an eye out for vintage pieces that feel like they came straight from an old orchard. Think wooden apple baskets, slatted crates, hand-painted signs, and even the occasional enamelware piece with a fruit motif. These simple, weathered pieces are timeless, and they transition beautifully from early fall right through Thanksgiving.

I’m especially drawn to anything that hints at apple-picking traditions, a basket with a bit of age, a small sign that says “Cider Mill” or “Apple Stand,” or even a wooden crate with stamped lettering.

How I’ll Style It:
A vintage apple basket filled with fresh-picked fruit is such an easy way to create a seasonal vignette on the porch, sunroom table, or near the back door. I love pairing them with cozy textiles, vintage cutting boards, or a few branches tucked in foraged-style. A wooden crate makes a great base for layering in crocks, fall florals, and candles, or even stacking by the fire pit with folded blankets.

And if I find a good wooden sign, I’ll lean it on a mantel, prop it behind a styled apple display, or hang it near the kitchen for that nostalgic Vermont farmstand feel, without going full-on farmhouse.

Where I’m Hunting:
These are the kinds of pieces I usually find at fall barn sales, small-town flea markets, or tucked away in the back corners of my favorite Vermont antique shops. The more weathered and practical, the better. I’ll be browsing with apple season in mind all month long.

Looking for more ways to decorate with apples this fall?
Here are some of my favorite seasonal styling ideas featuring apples, on the porch, at the picnic table, and tucked into cozy fall vignettes throughout our Vermont and Maine homes:

Antique Wool Gloves and Handmade Wool Socks

What I’m Looking For:
This September, I’ll be keeping an eye out for antique wool gloves, hand-knit mittens, and vintage wool socks, especially the kind that feel like they were stitched with love and tradition. This little wish list item was inspired by our recent RV antiquing trip to Newfoundland, where nearly every local shop and roadside stop had baskets of handmade wool mittens and socks for sale. Each one came with a photo of the woman who made them, such a beautiful, personal touch.

Back here in New England, I’d love to find a few old pairs tucked into a vintage bin or flea market stall, soft, worn, and full of charm.

How I’ll Style It:
These kinds of pieces are perfect for cozy fall vignettes, especially in outdoor or transitional spaces. I’ll tuck a pair into a styled basket on the porch table, hang them from a hook near the entryway, or even layer them on the mantel with other fall textures like vintage books and brass. If I find a really beautiful pair, I might even frame them behind glass or lean them on a shelf like a little piece of art.

They’re one of those unexpected accents that make a home feel collected, personal, and a little nostalgic, especially when paired with a warm cup of tea or a favorite old quilt.

Where I’m Hunting:
While I probably won’t find anything exactly like the mittens or socks I saw in Newfoundland, I’ll be checking local flea markets, antique shops, and fall barn sales for handmade or antique knitwear that’s soft, worn, and full of character. Sometimes you’ll even find single mittens or socks tossed in with vintage linens, which I think is part of the fun.

Inspired by our recent RV road trip to Newfoundland…
If you loved the story behind these cozy wool pieces, you might enjoy reading more about our trip to Newfoundland, where we discovered handmade goods, local antiques, and stunning coastal views around every corner:

Collecting Vintage Ironstone with Character

What I’m Looking For:
I’ve never had a large ironstone collection, but this fall, I’m officially on the hunt for unique, well-loved pieces to start building one. I’ll be looking for vintage ironstone with hairline cracks, soft staining, and that perfectly aged patina that gives each piece character. Whether it’s a platter with a chip, a pitcher with a little crazing, or a lidded bowl with history, those are the pieces that speak to me.

I especially love finding ironstone with brown tones, warm edges, or subtle marks that show it’s been used and loved over time.

How I’ll Style It:
This fall, I’ll be searching for unique pieces of vintage ironstone, especially ice cream topping dispensers, pitchers, platters, and soup tureens. I love stacking platters and layering in a contrasting dish, like a red or blue transferware plate, for a touch of color. Pitchers get filled with floral bouquets, dried hydrangeas, or branches and styled on porch tables, coffee tables, or in our vintage hutches. Soup tureens are perfect on windowsills, sometimes with a small plant tucked inside, and I’ve styled them with vintage books and cozy linens for a soft, timeless look.

Ironstone molds are another favorite, I use them in my craft space to collect vintage spools and scissors, or on our vintage cobbler rack to display small seasonal pieces like ornaments.

Where I’m Hunting:
This fall, I’ll be searching for ironstone at estate sales, fall barn sales, and flea markets, places where the pieces haven’t been overly curated and I can still find a deal. I’m especially hoping to spot a few forgotten gems tucked into dish bins or the bottoms of hutch displays. The imperfect ones are often the most beautiful.

Want to see how I’ve styled vintage ironstone in our home?
Here are a few blog posts featuring my favorite ironstone pieces, from pitchers filled with florals to stacks of platters, molds, and more:

More Fall Vintage Finds Worth Hunting For This Season

While my personal wish list this fall leans a bit more unexpected, there are still so many timeless fall vintage finds that are perfect for decorating, collecting, and cozying up your home this time of year. Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or just starting your vintage journey, these well-loved pieces are always worth picking up when you spot them at antique stores, flea markets, barn sales, or thrift shops.

Here are some of the most popular and collectible vintage fall decor items to look for this season:

Looking for more fall decorating inspiration?
Here are a few of my favorite seasonal posts filled with vintage charm, cozy textures, and simple ideas to style your home for autumn:

The Takeaway on Fall Vintage Finds

There’s something magical about the thrill of the hunt in September. Whether it’s a crackled piece of ironstone, a wooden-handled fork with just the right patina, or a charming fall sign tucked behind a stack of crates, these fall vintage finds bring a sense of warmth, history, and charm to your home. And the best part? You never know what treasure you’ll uncover next.

If you’re heading out to local thrift stores, flea markets, or barn sales this season, I hope this list gave you some fun ideas to look for. I’ll be sharing how I style these pieces throughout the fall, so be sure to subscribe to the blog and follow along on Instagram for real-time peeks at my latest finds and seasonal decorating tips.

What’s On Your Fall Vintage Finds Wish List?

Do you have a few special pieces you’re hoping to track down this fall? I’d love to hear what’s on your radar; drop it in the comments, and maybe I’ll help you keep an eye out!

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