BEST VINTAGE SHOPS IN NEW YORK CITY
Nothing is more on trend (or sustainably, earth-friendly) than shopping vintage when your wardrobe needs some replenishing. So, for the love of (renewed, up-cycled, pre-owned) vintage fashion, here are the best vintage shops NYC has to offer.
Whether it’s on Instagram or TikTok, it seems like every influencer and style enthusiast alive is shopping vintage. The surge of social media posts on unique finds and style tips has brought an awareness to the world of vintage fashion like never before. Celebrities like Gigi Hadid, Ariana Grande, Madelyn Cline, Normani, and more — have also joined in on the trend rocking Y2K fashion and 90s staples like bucket hats, tube tops, and cargo pants (just to name a few).
While it may take longer than logging into your favorite online retailer, shopping vintage is as much about the thrill of the hunt as it is about finally locating that *one* coveted throw-back item (if not discovering many other vintage treasures along the way). Shopping at vintage boutiques you are sure to find your own one-of-a-kind fashion item (if not a whole ensemble) that is not only good for the environment but will also feel good for your soul.
From vintage Polo Ralph Lauren to Supreme to archival pieces, there’s no place like New York City (the epicenter of vintage treasures) to go vintage shopping. Whether you are a first timer or veteran, listed below are the ‘IT’ spots of vintage shopping in NYC:
NEW YORK VINTAGE
Part archive and part store, New York Vintage’s astounding collection of clothes and accessories date from the 1920s to the 1990s. From flapper dresses to Christian Dior tops this New York treasure trove has it all.
New York Vintage: 117 West 25th Street, New York, NY
LE GRAND STRIP
Le Grand Strip is the creation of CC McGurr’s love of world traveling into a one-of-a-kind vintage boutique. The pieces and style aesthetic of this boutique is just… *chefs kiss* good! Check it out for yourself:
Le Grand Strip: 197 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY
WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
If handbags are your vice of choice then, What Goes Around Comes Around is the one for you! Classic Chanel bag? You got it. Hermes investment arm-piece? All yours, baby! This boutique also has watches, jewelry, and designer clothes.
What Goes Around Comes Around: 351 West Broadway, New York, NY
AWOKE VINTAGE
Awoke Vintage originates from Perth, Australia in the early 2000s and it’s success allowed for this vintage hot-spot to expand first to Brooklyn in 2012 then into two other locations in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Come see for yourself what all the fuss is about because this is a must-visit for all vintage fashion lovers!
Williamsburg: 132 North 5th Street, Brooklyn, New York
Greenpoint: 16 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 688 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, New York
CURE THRIFT SHOP
Cure Thrift Shop was founded with a noble goal in mind: to help cure type 1 (juvenile) diabetes.
Its founder, Liz Wolff, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11.
In 2008, she decided to channel her love of thrifting and antiques into real action, and Cure Thrift Shop was born. Today, Cure Thrift Shop is a nonprofit vintage/antique store that benefits juvenile diabetes research and advocacy.
Cure Thrift Shop: 111 East 12th Street, New York, NY
L TRAIN VINTAGE
A true thrifter’s paradise, L Train Vintage is the perfect place for anyone who’s looking to shop for vintage or secondhand clothing without the hefty price tag.
L Train is known for it’s cool vintage garments at reasonable prices. Although you won’t find designer pieces, you are sure to put together an entire throwback outfit for less than $100. The secret to shopping at L Train is in the thrill of the hunt and to keep searching to find your next favorite piece.
1 St. Nicholas Ave., 1377 Dekalb Ave.
106 Thames St., and 629 Grand St.
MR. THROWBACK
Champion NBA jerseys, racks of assorted Tees, Starter and Chalk Line jackets (the perfect find to support your favorite team) are just some of the things you will find at Mr. Throwback. Founded in 2012, Mr. Throwback has been a go-to destination for vintage sportswear from the ‘80s and ‘90s for nearly a decade.
Mr. Throwback also releases its own T-shirts and hoodies too, which reference nostalgic sports and pop culture moments like Mike Tyson beside New York Mets legends Doc Gooden and Darryl Strawberry or a Yankees logo flipped to read “Costanza”—a nod to the iconic sitcom character’s position as Assistant to the Traveling Secretary for the Yanks on Seinfeld.
437 E. Ninth St., East Village
METROPOLIS VINTAGE
Why don’t you try vintage shopping like the celebs do at Metropolis Vintage? This classic vintage spot in the Lower East Side has been around since 1990.
Richard Colligan first opened Metropolis Vintage on Avenue B in 1990 and the stores success in staying in business for over 30 years as well as earning recognition from celebrities like Rihanna and Kanye West? Colligan stays on top of vintage trends and carries coveted vintage pieces like Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger.
This isn’t even the best part because what this store really specializes in is it’s vintage band tees. Like a record shop, it has entire sections dedicated to specific genres, artists, and more. Although you won’t find super cheap vintage here, it’s definitely worth taking a gander if you’re serious about picking up vintage heat in New York.
803 Broadway, East Village
TOKIO 7
Makoto Watanabe founded Tokio 7 in 1996 and for over 2 decades this boutique has been the it spot to shop designer vintage clothing.
Anyone who shops at Tokio 7 can expect to come across deals on luxury goods from the archives of names like Comme des Garçons, Saint Laurent, Prada, Celine, and more. There is a wide selection of men’s and women’s pieces, along with accessories like sunglasses, belts, bags, and more.
Don’t worry about purchasing a counterfeit designer item either. Everything has been carefully curated by its experienced staff or ran through Entrupy, an artificial intelligence and advanced computer vision techniques system, to guarantee authenticity.
83 E. Seventh St., East Village