Everyone knows New Yorkers have style. The streets of NYC are akin to a runway, filled with people who flaunt all their unique and daring sense of style. Achieving the perfect look starts with finding the perfect pieces to build your wardrobe around. Here, we’ve compiled a list of 25 of our favorite vintage clothing and NYC thrift stores where you can find hidden gems that will make your style stand out!
Starting in the Lower East Side…
Just around the corner from the Tenement Museum is Edith Machinist. Located at 104 Rivington Street, this vintage shop is a must-hit for those in search of shoes. Edith Machinist has an elegant selection displayed in well-thought-out designs from the front to the back of the store, along with a fair amount of clothes.
A bit further down Rivington Street at number 161 is David Owens Vintage Clothing. David Owens is a colorful spot to find some new styles, from fur coats to suspenders. They hang some of their best pieces on the interior brick wall, so be sure to take a look if you’re in the area.
Nearby at 123 Ludlow Street is Ellen, a smaller, lesser-known shop with one-of-a-kind finds. Don’t let its tiny size fool you, you can find an array of unique bags, hats, and clothes at this little shop.
At 377 Broome Street is Ritual Vintage Clothing. Their tightly packed racks will leave even the fastest rack hunters breathless while attempting to comb through their eccentric inventory.
Now heading over to Chelsea and the Village…
One of the most unique shops on this list is Shareen Vintage located on the second floor at 13 W 17th Street. This shop began as a regular vintage shop but slowly progressed into a primarily vintage wedding gown shop, full of dresses the owner has made from vintage pieces sewn together.
Down the road from Shareen at 104 W 17th Street is Pippin Vintage Jewelry. This shop is the perfect stop for anyone looking to spice up their outfits with some new (or technically not so new) bling with their rows of gorgeous vintage pieces.
At 146 W 4th Street is Hamlet’s Vintage, selling both men’s and women’s clothing as well as accessories and some furniture from anywhere between the 1940s and 1980s. Nearby the Flatiron Building at 117 W 25th Street is New York Vintage, well-known in the city for having an array of dramatic styles to peruse.
Metropolis Vintage at 803 Broadway is a can’t-miss for those looking to bring back the era of retro graphic tees. With anything from hippie shirts from the sixties to grungy nineties band tees, Metropolis Vintage has it all. Heading further south again is Cure Thrift Shop at 91 3rd Ave. A slightly more upscale vintage store, Cure has a refined selection of the most tasteful vintage clothes and furniture around.
Screaming Mimis Vintage at 240 W 14th Street is not for the faint of heart. With a massively diverse collection of eccentric hats, wigs, and clothing galore, you have to be invested to avoid getting overwhelmed.
Vintage Thrift Shop at 286 3rd Ave is a nonprofit vintage store with a large variety of unique items, glassware, furniture, books, and clothes. At this store not only will you find any vintage item you could be in search of, but you will also do so helping out a greater cause, the United Jewish Council of the East Side.
Overflowing with new outfit inspiration is Funny Pretty Nice, a colorful shop selling trendy vintage clothes and jewelry at 64 MacDougal Street. L Train Vintage at 204 1st Ave is lined with row after row of vintage clothing and shoes, from old sports jerseys and Hawaiian shirts to used Jordans and high heels. Around the corner at 437 E 9th Street is Mr. Throwback. Specializing in 1990s sports apparel, shoes, video games, and more, this niche shop knows its audience well.
Down the road at 346 E 9th Street is 9th Street Vintage, which sells primarily women’s apparel from before the 1960s. Over at 545 E 12th Street is the East Village Vintage Collective. The Collective is a groovy little shop with a vibrant selection of retro clothing and gizmos.
Ending Uptown…
Trunk Show Designer Consignment is an elegant shop in Harlem selling high-quality vintage clothing and accessories for men and women. They are located at 275-277 W 113th Street.
Another great shop uptown is Unique Boutique at 1674 3red Ave. The Boutique is packed to the brim with old styles and accessories. At 311 E 81st Street is The Niche Shop. Highly organized and color-coded, this vintage store is uniquely aesthetically pleasing for its visitors.
Also some familiar chain NYC thrift stores all over the City…
There are some consignment shops that nearly everyone knows, and while shopping at one-of-a-kind shops is always more exciting than chains, these shops can have some unlikely finds.
With locations in Lower Manhattan, The Village, and Midtown, Ina is a wonderful choice for those looking to find some designer fashion at half-price. Similarly, with locations in Chelsea and the East Village, Buffalo Exchange is a vintage classic for finding trendy clothing and jewelry at a lower price.
Goodwill is another well-known spot for finding some bargain steals. In Manhattan Goodwill has stores currently in Harlem, Midtown, and Downtown. Anywhere you go in the city, chances are you’ll never be too far from a Goodwill. Housing Works Thrift Shops also has locations scattered all over the city, which supports fighting the dual issues of AIDS and homelessness.
Finally, an online store that cannot go unmentioned is Back in Style, which sells a variety of vintage clothes primarily targeted toward women.
Additional reporting by Lynn Lieberman
Next, check out these 12 NYC stores that only sell one thing!