Best Vintage Shopping in NYC
Published 07/30/2018
New York City can have its expensive moments (what great city doesn’t?). But while it’s true that a new pair of shoes at Saks or an even an iced Americano can be pricey, vintage shopping is a great way to save some cash on pre-loved duds that are well worth their discounted value. Plus, the hunt is something of a game; you’ll feel accomplished telling friends your piece is one of a kind and no, they can’t find it anywhere else. There are great vintage shops all around New York City. Below, see just a few of our favorites.
1
9th Street Vintage
1
346 East 9th St
The East Village’s 9th Street (between First and Second Avenues) has quite a few vintage stores that are worth a visit, but this store holds more surprises than its sisters. The space is small, featuring clothing that dates as far back as the 1920s and ’30s. Find a selection of covetable silk shirts, brightly colored two-piece outfits and jeans.
2
Amarcord Vintage Fashion
2
223 Bedford Avenue
Owners Patti Bordoni and Marco Liotta, who hail from Italy and named their store after Fellini’s classic 1973 film, select garments on trips to Europe, focusing on upscale goods that embody Italian moda (or fashion). Visit the Williamsburg storefront as well as their appointment-only showroom for reasonably priced bags, accessories and clothing from labels like Chanel, Fendi and Ferragamo. The stock, which changes seasonally, is not restricted to designer items; less expensive dresses, coats, belts and shoes are also available.
3
Awoke Vintage
3
132 N. 5th St.
An Aussie import, Awoke Vintage has built up a reputation for selling funky and brightly colored items from the ’70s and ’80s. The locations in Williamsburg and Greenpoint offer shoppers plenty to peruse, including Levi’s jeans, graphic tees and flowy dresses. Accessories (both new and old) round out the selection.
4
Beacon’s Closet
4
74 Guernsey Street
This vintage-thrift superstore (featured in an episode of Broad City!) offers a huge selection of low-priced finds. Give yourself at least an hour to scour the racks. The emporium holds garments for men and women (coordinated by color), vintage jewelry and, well, pretty much everything else. (In addition to the Greenpoint location, there are stores in Bushwick, Park Slope and Manhattan.)
5
Buffalo Exchange
5
504 Driggs Avenue
On the other side of McCarren Park, Buffalo Exchange is as delightfully overwhelming as Beacon’s Closet. Clothing is jammed onto racks, forcing you to remove each piece for a proper examination. But that’s part of the fun here—you can spend hours looking. Most pieces are new and contemporary, as are the shoes and accessories. Four other locations are spread across the City.
6
Collections BK
6
16 Wilson Ave.
Bongo jeans, Christian Dior trenches and Stuart Weitzman slingbacks are among the items you may find at this shop. Collections, which opened in 2013 in the heart of Bushwick’s vintage enclave, features colorful two-piece suits, high-waisted jeans and T-shirts from the ’80s. Expect a curated and manageable collection.
7
Dear: Rivington
7
37 Great Jones St
The black-and-white Noho space (it was originally on the Lower East Side street of its name) is sparsely decorated, which pairs well with its stock of avant-garde clothing in black, gray and cream hues. Look for high-end pieces from Japanese designers like Comme des Garçons and Yune Ho, as well as a house brand that presents a gothic country vibe—think large billowy dresses, one-piece jumpsuits and wide-brimmed black hats.
8
L Train Vintage
8
118 Knickerbocker Avenue
This store’s Bushwick location (the City has five others), also known as Urban Jungle, is a giant warehouse for pre-loved gear. There’s an inordinate amount of clothing, categorized by type: jean jackets, leather vests, floral tops, soft T-shirts, shoes, blouses and everything in between. Clothing is more reasonably priced than at a number of the neighborhood’s other vintage stores. The dressing rooms are small and there’s usually a line, so stock up before you head in.
9
Mr. Throwback
9
437 E. 9th St.
If you covet the style of Will Smith’s Fresh Prince character, then this East Village concept shop is worth searching out. Owner and sports memorabilia collector Michael Spitz uses his childhood bedroom on New York’s Long Island as inspiration. The small store is packed with clothing artifacts from the ’80s and ’90s, including NBA jerseys, snapbacks, Starter jackets, colorful tees and silky bomber jackets in a kaleidoscope of colors. They also carry a limited amount of memorabilia, including wrestling and Space Jam figures, trading cards and some signed items.
10
New & Almost New
10
171A Mott Street
As its name implies, this tiny Little Italy consignment shop carries new and nearly new designer garments, curated by owner Maggie Chan. The Little Italy spot carries preloved Gucci, Prada, Giorgio Armani and Burberry garments, shoes and purses.
11
Screaming Mimi's
11
240 W. 14th St.
This former Noho standby moved in 2016 to a brownstone parlor floor on the border of the West Village and Chelsea. A favorite of funky Sex and the City costume designer Patricia Field, it’s still the place to find everything from tulle gowns and acid-washed jean miniskirts to leather vests and all those old vacation sweatshirts you’re kicking yourself for getting rid of—not to mention racks of floral dresses, Western-style shirts and ’80s tie-dyed tees with fringe. Accessories, particularly sunglasses, also play a big role—there’s an impressive selection of aviators, heart-shaped Ray-Bans and other stylish shades.
12
Tokio 7
12
83 E. 7th St.
They’re serious about fashion at this consignment store, so expect a carefully curated collection. It’s a bit expensive, but labels carried include Dolce & Gabbana, Betsey Johnson, Chanel and Gucci, just to name a few. These A-list labels come in all forms—from silk A-line skirts to houndstooth suit jackets to trousers for professional men and women.
13
What Goes Around Comes Around
13
351 West Broadway
A pastime regularly undertaken by stylists, celebrities and budget-conscious New Yorkers, shopping here is like participating in the vintage-shopping Olympics. The vast Soho space holds coveted goods that cost a pretty penny, but a one-of-a-kind piece is worth it. The store carries stacks of denim, rock ’n’ roll tees and classic Chanel items. Vintage Hermés, Dior and Louis Vuitton are hot sellers at this location.