NYC Vintage Guide
Thank me later.
My first post was about tweed—which makes up approximately sixty-five percent of my personality. That leaves the other thirty-five percent, which is defined by vintage.
In a world of constant trend-pushing, I have found much of my personal style in the past.
My love for fashion, in general, has been heavily influenced by designers and the culture of Paris in the 1970s. One of my all-time favorite books, which I highly recommend adding to your reading list, is The Beautiful Fall, authored by Alicia Drake. She beautifully details this time period, namely writing about the likes of Karl Lagerfeld & Yves Saint Laurent.
I did not grow up with any member of my immediate family being too overly fashion-inclined—how I have managed to become such an enthusiast, is very much so a mystery. The absence of pre-owned fashion in my own home largely justifies drives my own interest in collecting from the 70s, 80s, & 90s.
Now that you have a brief sense of my love for sourcing vintage, let’s get into the guide.
There is nothing like a Saturday in New York City dedicated to vintage shopping.
The city offers an incredible range of vintage & consignment stores, here is a comprehensive guide to my favorite shops.
TREASURES OF NYC - 69 Mercer St, Soho
I credit a significant portion of my Chanel collection to the magicians at Treasures of NYC.
If there is one takeaway from this guide, it should be making an appointment to visit the TNYC showroom. Just imagine: dedicated racks to vintage Chanel, Galliano-era Dior, Gaultier, LV & a seemingly endless selection of Fendi Baguettes.
In my opinion—Treasures of NYC’s curation and wide range of RTW, accessories, shoes and bags, is unparalleled in the NYC vintage scene.
DESERT VINTAGE - 34 Orchard St, LES
Archival pieces, in a beautiful space.
Desert Vintage is highly curated, from their selection of vintage to the interior itself. I love stepping into their store, simply for inspiration.
Their love for rare pieces is evident. A dreamland made up of Alaïa, YSL, Chanel & more.
AMACORD VINTAGE - 223 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn
Amacord features pieces from the 1940s & on, an emphasis on silhouettes and matching sets.
Amacord Vintage is one of my most-visited shops in Brooklyn. It is near-impossible to leave without a purchase.
From 1940s era evening jackets, to silk Rive Gauche Saint Laurent co-ords—there is truly something for everyone. (There is also a great selection of menswear.)
STELLA DALLAS LIVING - 281 N. 6th St, Brooklyn
My go-to for vintage lace & tops.
Stella Dallas Living, in my opinion, is often overlooked in comparison to its subsidiary, 10 Ft Single. They are, however, next door if you want to check out both.
Stella Dallas Living has an amazing array of vintage silks, but what I truly go for is the curated collection of blouses. I have found so many unique prints & silhouettes here. You will also find lots of fabric, rugs, & other lovely home goods.
JAMES VELORIA - 75 East Broadway #223, Two Bridges
Vivienne Westwood & Comme des Garçons heaven.
James Veloria was the first vintage store in NYC I ever visited. Finding the shop itself took some effort, it is located in an indoor mall in Chinatown, on the second floor.
However, times have changed—Veloria, most definitely the trend setter of its physical location, set the stage for multiple vintage stores to open up on the same floor.
Expect lots of fabulous Vivienne Westwood pieces, CDG, Gaultier & Issey Miyake.
LE GRAND STRIP - 197 Grand St, Brooklyn
The French allure of Le Grand Strip is deeply connected to its fabulous owner, CC.
Walking into Le Grand Strip is a rich and fabulous time—I adore the owner CC, she is a true French icon.
Her style is deeply imbedded in the fabric & style of the store, an effortless fashion, very much so reminiscent of the 60s. I have found many pieces of costume jewelry in her vast collection. From Lanvin to Pierre Cardin, the French designs are plentiful.
SHOP 86 - 86 Dobbin St, Brooklyn
Made up of several vendors, a well-curated collective of vintage clothing & decor.
Cavalli printed jeans and Penny Lane coats coexist in this fabulous store. There is a wide range, from Y2K to 70s era pieces.
Shop 86 is the perfect example of great minds collaborating & creating a cohesive, yet diverse selection. 10/10.
Honorable mentions
The aforementioned stores are most definitely my personal go-tos, but there is an endless selection of places to vintage shop in the city.
Here are a few more spots that are absolutely worth a visit:
SEVEN WONDERS COLLECTIVE - multiple locations across NYC & Brooklyn
NO STANDING NYC - 74 Grand St, Soho
TOKIO7 - 83 E 7th St, East Village (consignment)
CLUB VINTAGE - 205 Front St, Seaport
Vintage spots in the same mall as James Veloria:
RESERVATIONS ONLY - 75 East Broadway #212, Two Bridges
P. PRINCIPLE - 75 East Broadway #229, Two Bridges
BLODA’S CHOICE - 75 East Broadway #203C, Two Bridges
NSFW - 75 East Broadway #221, Two Bridges
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As I am mentally prepping for fashion month, I will be writing more vintage guides to my favorite cities: Milan, London, & of course….
Buckle your seatbelts for my Paris list. Let’s chat all things vintage below. xx
