Fall means one thing in Columbus: it’s Buckeye season.
Tailgates are back, the Shoe is packed, and everyone’s thinking about what they’re wearing for the next game. Sure, you could grab something off the rack at the nearest big-box store and look the same as everyone else in the student section. But who wants to do that?!
You’re unique. You want something one-of-a-kind, with genuine Buckeye energy and a story behind it instead of a factory tag. But that’s a different kind of hunt.
That’s where these shops come in.
Long before “vintage” was a marketing buzzword, these five spots were already doing it right: faded tees, unique finds, and upcycled OSU gear that’s actually got some history to it. And the best part? No trip to the mall required.
If you’re a longtime fan or alum who wants their game day fit to feel as personal as your fanaticism actually is, this list is for you.
Vintage Ohio State Gear Shops in Columbus and Central Ohio
1. Clothing Underground
1652 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43201
Right across from the Wexner Center and just steps from campus, Clothing Underground has been the go-to for vintage and secondhand OSU gear since 2013. What started as an online shop and a converted trailer eventually turned into a full storefront, and more than a decade later, it’s still the first stop on campus for students and alumni who want something different from the usual Barnes & Noble rack.
Inside, you’ll find a mix of new and vintage pieces, from classic hoodies to one-off tees from the 90s you won’t spot on anyone else in the student section. The $5 bins are worth digging through on their own, and if you’re after something with real lived-in history in it, the vintage racks rotate often enough to make repeat visits worth it.
2. The Loop Vintage
1559 N 4th St, Columbus, OH, 43201
Just a few blocks east of Clothing Underground, The Loop Vintage has built a reputation as one of the highest-rated vintage stores in the city, and its sports section is a big reason why. Alongside racks of 80s, 90s, and early 2000s finds, the shop keeps a rotating selection of Ohio State gear that regulars know to check often, since nothing sticks around for long.
The shop also buys, sells, and trades, so the inventory is constantly shifting. That means the tee or windbreaker you find on one visit might genuinely be the only one of its kind on the rack.
3. Street2Vintage
796 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH, 43206
Down on Parsons Avenue just east of German Village, Street2Vintage has been building a following since 2015 for its 70s-through-2000s apparel, and its dedicated college wear section makes it an easy, one-stop shop for game day apparel. It’s a smaller, more curated space than some of the others on this list, which makes browsing feel less like a hunt and more like flipping through a well-organized closet full of clothes you wish you could buy by the dozens
Owner Shayla Boyd runs the shop Tuesday through Sunday and keeps the Instagram updated with new drops, so it’s worth a follow if you want first pick before the best pieces sell out. It’s a bit further from campus than the other stops, but the trip is worth it for anyone serious about finding something unique.
4. Homeage
783 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43201 (also at Easton Town Center)
Homage has grown well beyond its Columbus roots into a national brand, but the vintage-inspired approach that built its name is still front and center. Every design leans into that broken-in, decades-old look, from classic Script Ohio graphics to throwback logos pulled form OSU’s history, all reimagined on soft, well- made tees and hoodies.
It’s less about hunting for a one-of-a-kind piece and more about guaranteed quality with Buckeye energy built in. Between the Short North and Easton locations, it’s an easy stop if you want that vintage look without leaving anything to chance.
5. Mid High Market
1758 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43201
Mid High Market isn’t secondhand vintage, it’s a locally designed brand building its own retro-inspired Buckeye gear from scratch. The Campus Classics collection is the one to check, packed with throwback-style graphics that look like they’ve been around for decades even though they haven’t.
What sets this shop apart is its collabs with actual Columbus institutions. Think Buckeye Donuts and Threes Above High, the kind of local staples every longtime fan already knows.
6. Royal Factory
1614 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43201
Royal Factory has been reinventing itself for over a decade, moving locations a few times but always keeping the same idea at its core: local designers, reconstructed vintage, and one-of-a-kind pieces you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Its Ohio State section leans into that same spirit, mixing curated vintage with locally made pieces so your game day fit ends up looking nothing like the next person in line at the tailgate. Worth a follow on Instagram.
More Than Just Gameday Gear
Chain stores will always be there if you’re in a hurry. But your Buckeye pride deserves better than a shelf everyone else is shopping from too.
Hit one of these five before the season kicks off, or make a day of it and hit all five. Either way, you’ll walk away with something nobody else in the stadium is wearing.
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Go Bucks!
