There is so much truth to this! Thrift stores are colorful, and unique, and great places to mix and match. I have had a difficult road getting to that place in my mind though.

The first time I actually bought an item outside male clothing that did not come from the internet came from a Thrift store. I was scared as hell and I felt that I was breaking some sort of law just standing in the aisle. I didn't take time to look at it or browse the aisle. I basically walked the aisle, side eyed them item, and walked back down the aisle in the other direction. Once more pass I made the decision to purchase it so I nonchalantly picked it from the shelf and kept on walking all in one non stopping motion. There was a lady and two kids in the aisle who kept looking up at me and I felt like some kind of miscreant for even being in their floor-space. I hid my item under two other male items, and headed for a register. I was fidgety and couldn't even make eye contact with the cashier.

Now things are different, I own the thrift store. I try to keep in mind what kind of town I am in as smaller towns like the one I live in will garnish more glares. To this day, I can still not walk into a target or a retail store and browse anything female. Like you said, they don’t feel safe like the thrift stores.