Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Vintage Shopping Guide: New York Edition

I always get a lot of questions about where I have bought pieces of my vintage collection. The answer is, all over; I'm always keeping an eye out for great finds. But I find myself returning to some stores over and over, drawn by their selection, curatorial taste, and value. Here is a list of some of my favorites, so go forth and shop.

I will also update my sidebar with the names and addresses of these stores for easy reference. And keep an eye out for new cities and additions. 



Manhattan

Amarcord- The Soho branch of this vintage house focuses on European designers such as Missoni, YSL, Mugler (you know, all the good ones). The prices are on the higher side, but reasonable given the quality of the pieces and Lafayette street location. (Women and Men's wear)

Edith Machinist: Walk down a couple steps and find yourself in vintage shoe heaven. Shoes, boots, and bags cover nearly every surface with their perfectly worn leather. But be sure to check out the clothes too, I've bought some great pieces here. (Women's wear)

Narnia Vintage: I always find something I love in this tiny store on Rivington. Featuring a killer mix of contemporary consigned pieces and beautiful vintage pieces, it's hard to leave this place empty handed. I find that the vintage is reasonably priced here while the consignment pieces really pay the rent. (Women's wear)

Ritual Vintage (formerly Exquisite Costume): If you are looking for truly old pieces, from the 1910's- 1940's this is the place to come. Best of all, the pieces are all still wearable and good condition. There is also a selection of newer designer pieces but the strength really lies in the older stuff. (Women's wear)

What goes Around Comes Around: This is definitely one of the pricier vintage stores you will find, but expect that extra cash to buy unforgettable pieces and excellent service. It's like the buyers know how to buy the perfect example of every vintage piece- the perfect denim jacket, the perfect sweater, the perfect gauzy dress. Definitely ask the shopgirls about lower priced pieces, because they are still pretty awesome even if they don't carry a designer tag. (Women and Men's wear)

Williamsburg

Amarcord: The Williamsburg branch is like Soho's little sister; the clothes tend to be less mature, a little funkier, and definitely cheaper. Although I feel like the quality of some of the pieces has gone down at this location, I still find the occassional gem at a great price. (Women and Men's wear)

Beacons closet: If patience isn't one of your virtues, don't go here. To add fuel to the fire, whoever controls the music is obviously a sadist because they play the absolute worst bands I've ever heard. BUT if you can make it through that, this massive warehouse of used clothing is an absolute treasure trove of vintage and designer finds on the cheap. (Women and Men's wear)

Le Grand Strip: What I truly appreciate about the owner, CC's, taste is that she embraces all that is fun, feminine, and sexy. The clothes that she selects really work on a woman's body, especially for those trying to impress a gentleman. (Women's wear)

10ft Single by Stella Dallas: This store is an excellent combination of thrift and vintage. The front end is devoted to clothes from the 1980s on, at prices that is every hipster's dream. But be sure to wander into the back room that holds the real vintage pieces. The only bummer about this shop is the entire lack of any help from the employees, they just don't really give a shit.

----------------------------------------All of South Brooklyn after the JUMP-----------------------------------

South Brooklyn

1 of a Find: I've gotta give a shout out to my former employer and vintage store extraordinaire. Whether it is 1940s Hawaiian shirts or 1930s art deco gowns this store has got what you are looking for. The best part is the excellently merchandized jewelry and accessories that will make you feel like you are in a candy store. (Women and Men's wear)

Odd Twin: My favorite thing about Odd Twin is the owner, Francesca's, adorable little baby girl. But my second favorite thing is the excellent selection of clothing from the 1940s- 1980s. This store focuses much more on periods than designers, which translates into high quality at reasonable prices. (Women and Men's wear)

Eva Gentry Consignment: This shop brags that it has designer and vintage consignment from Alaia to Zero Maria Cornejo. Best of all, this claim is true. Using a combination of consignment and hand-me downs from it's sister store, the high end shop, Eva Gentry, this shop has a great selection of designer goods at a reasonable prices. (Women's wear)

Guvnor's Vintage: Just half a block from Odd Twin is another Park Slope vintage stop. I recommend wandering into the back where the party dresses are, they tend to be higher quality than the more casual wear in front. (Women and Men's wear)

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