Bauru: thrift stores, humidity, and the case of the mystery koala
i've been in bauru for three days and my suitcase is already overflowing with thrifted treasures. i came here after hearing whispers about a hidden stash of deadstock 80s band tees from a guy in são paulo who swore by the city's underground scene. turned out the stash was a myth, but bauru's got a vibe that's hard to shake. the air is so thick you could cut it with a knife - humidity's sitting at a ridiculous 94% and the temperature's hovering around 22.5°c, though it feels like 23.3°c. pressure's at 1015 hpa, and whatever the ground level is (951 something) it feels like the whole city is slowly sinking into a warm, damp blanket. i just looked at my weather app and it's... exactly what you'd expect, hope you're into that kind of thing.
if you're wondering where i'm holed up, here's the general vicinity:
bauru isn't what you'd call a fashion capital, but for a vintage picker it's a hidden gem. the streets are lined with little *thrift stores that smell like mothballs and memories. i hit up brechó da maria on rua conselheiro moreira first - the lady there, maria, is a legend. someone told me that she keeps the best pieces in a locked cabinet and only opens it for customers who bring her a freshly ground coffee from the cafe across the street. i did my homework, brought her a cafezinho, and she let me rummage through a pile of 1970s silk blouses that were practically unworn. i scored a vintage floral dress for like 20 reais - a total steal.
the humidity is no joke. i've never felt my skin so… plump. it's like i'm marinating in my own sweat. but there's a certain romance to it - the way the light filters through the humid air makes everything look a bit softer, like an old polaroid. the barometric pressure at 1015 hpa is giving me mild headaches, but i'm powering through for the love of threads.
if you get bored of bauru's offerings, nearby cities are just a short drive away. marília is about an hour east and has an epic sunday flea market where vendors sell everything from 60s cocktail dresses to broken lava lamps. seriously, i've been meaning to check it out - see this TripAdvisor page for ideas. jaú, a sleepy town to the north, has a tiny boutique called 'retro revival' that deals in high‑waisted jeans and leather jackets straight from the 80s. the owner's a former rocker who still tours with his band; you might catch him sipping espresso while he sorts through new arrivals.
i heard a rumor from a local bartender that the big 'bazareth' thrift store on avenida rio branco is actually a front for a smuggling ring moving counterfeit designer goods from paraguay. sounds far‑fetched, but the prices are suspiciously low. i'm keeping my distance, but you do you. for more legit finds, the vintage community on Yelp rates 'brechó fashion' as the best spot for curated picks. also, the Bauru Vintage Forum has a thread about secret pop‑up sales that happen on full moons - total occult stuff.
yesterday i found a perfect leather jacket* in a shade of mustard yellow that would've been at home in a 1973 disco. the tag said 'made in brazil' and it still had its original price tag of 12 cruzeiros. i paid 50 reais and i've worn it every day since. it smells like old cigarettes and adventure. i've also been hunting for high‑waisted Levi's but the pickings are slim; most locals wear fast fashion. still, every store has that one rack in the back with forgotten gems if you're willing to dig.
i'm attaching a few snaps i took around town - they're not all relevant but they capture the mood:
i don't know why i'm including a koala and a raccoon (or whatever that is) but they feel like they belong. maybe it's the sleep deprivation talking. the brick wall, though, that's actually across from my favorite cafe - perfect for that instagram aesthetic.
the vibe here is laid‑back, a little grimy, but full of surprises. i've met a bunch of locals who are into the vintage scene and they've shown me spots that don't appear on any map. one guy even took me to his grandmother's attic where she'd been storing boxes of 1960s lace blouses since the 70s. i scored three in amazing condition for next to nothing. that's the kind of magic that keeps me traveling.
if you ever find yourself in bauru, don't just stick to the chain stores. wander down the side streets, peek into the little brechós, and chat with the owners. bring a reusable bag, some patience, and maybe a coffee bribe. and for the love of all that's holy, check the humidity forecast - you'll thank me later.
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