So Vintage: NYC's Must-Visit Thrift Stores
Shop with the locals, make a fashion statement, and stay on budget at these vintage treasures.
Half the fun of a visit to New York City is the window shopping. From cozy bookshops to elegant clothing stores, it takes no small measure of self-control to keep yourself from spending a small fortune.
If you’re willing to go off the beaten path, however, you can find your next one-of-a-kind statement piece at these trendy (and affordable!) thrift stores.
1. L Train Vintage
Whether you’re in Manhattan or Brooklyn, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble upon one of L Train Vintage’s six locations, such as Urban Jungle in Bushwick or No Relation Vintage in the East Village. At this favorite New York haunt, prices are low and the selection is wide, so set aside some time to really dig into their inventory. You may just walk out with a highly coveted, needle-in-the-haystack vintage find.
L Train Vintage has multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
2. Angel Street Thrift Shop
If you’re looking for clothes, jewelry, or even furniture, this thrift shop has you covered. Since 1997, Angel Street has been selling an eclectic array of secondhand and vintage apparel. Their selection is on the sophisticated side, making it the perfect one-stop goldmine for every flapper-girl-to-be. Shopping at Angel Street also benefits the Lower East Side Service Center, a local nonprofit providing care to those struggling with mental illness, addiction, and HIV/AIDS.
Angel Street Thrift Shop is located at 118 West 17th Street.
3. Rue St. Denis Clothier
If you’re into thrift store style but aren’t keen on wearing someone else’s clothes, you’ll love Rue St. Denis. Serving up funky looks for over twenty years, this vintage boutique specializes in unworn pieces from the 50s through the 90s, with a particular soft spot for the 60s and 70s. The store is curated by owner Jean-Paul, who’s known for his fun collection of old school suits. If you’re looking to gear up before a black tie affair — and you’ve been dreaming of a full velvet ensemble — this is the menswear shop you’ve been waiting for.
Rue St. Denis Clothier is located at 170 Avenue B.
4. Beacon’s Closet
For the color-coordinated fashionistas out there, Beacon’s Closet will be a godsend — their wardrobe stock is sorted by hue. The inventory varies based on each location’s neighborhood and the time of year, so while there’s no guarantee you’ll find the exact piece you have in mind, we bet you won’t walk out empty-handed. You may even stumble upon a designer treasure among the racks.
Beacon’s Closet is located at 10 West 13th Street and various locations in Brooklyn.
5. Housing Works
With locations in neighborhoods from Park Slope to Hell’s Kitchen, Housing Works is one of the city’s most notable advocacy groups working to combat HIV/AIDS and homelessness. Though there’s a chance a visit here may stretch your budget, Housing Works consistently offers high-quality designer clothes, accessories, and home goods — so whatever you buy, rest assured it’s made to last.
Housing Works has multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
If you just can’t wait to get shopping in the city, consider booking one of Affinia’s residential-sized suites for your trip. You’ll have plenty of space to store the spoils of your thrift store adventures. But that’s not all: If you book now, you’ll enjoy Affinia’s very best rates of the year. Rooms start at just $119 a night for January and February, with up to 40% off bookings for every month after.
