With the return of vintage trends and a push towards sustainable fashion, there’s no better time than now to go vintage shopping. However, with the overwhelming number of vintage stores in New York City, the sacred balance between cool and affordable can be hard to find. We’ve taken the time to compile a list of the best vintage stores in NYC, ranging in locations and pricing to suit your needs. Let's jump right in so you can get shopping!
Urban Jungle
One of the largest vintage stores in NYC might be right in your neighborhood!
Image courtesy of LTrainVintage.
118 Knickerbocker Ave. | East Williamsburg | ltrainvintagenyc.com
Dubbed “a true thrifter’s haven” by ELLE, this vintage store in Brooklyn sells a little bit of everything. It’s considered one of the largest vintage stores in NYC with never-ending rows of clothes, shoes, and much more! Its low prices ensure you’ll find lots of stuff to refresh your wardrobe.
They don’t have an Instagram or TikTok solely dedicated to Urban Jungle as they are part of a larger chain of L Train Vintage stores. However, if you search them up on TikTok tons of other creators have vlogged their visit to this store if you’re looking to scope out their selection vibe beforehand.
Out of the Closet
Shop vintage for the good of your community
Image courtesy of Out of the Closet.
475 Atlantic Ave. | Boreum Hill | outofthecloset.org
One of the most unique stores on this list, Out of the Closet is not only a vintage store but also offers free HIV testing. As its name suggests, this store is very supportive of the Queer community, with 96 cents of every dollar spent by customers used to fund HIV care and services in the surrounding community. They have multiple locations across America, but this one in Brooklyn is its only New York store. With a good cause, good prices, and lots of great finds, this is a stop you’ll definitely want to make.
L Train Vintage
Board the L Train and get ready to go vintage!
Image courtesy of LTrainVintage.
Multiple Locations | Brooklyn and Manhattan | ltrainvintage.org
Opening its first store in 1999, L Train Vintage is a family-owned business with buyers that travel the nation sending in shipments of clothes monthly. Their locations are provided with new clothes three times a week to keep their merchandise fresh, allowing for new finds with each trip.
With six different locations and three affiliate locations, Urban Jungle and No Relation Vintage, L Train Vintage is a real powerhouse in the NYC world of vintage shopping. Most locations are in Brooklyn, but they do have one in Manhattan! Their pieces are well-curated, organized, and well-priced. Their East Williamsburg location is also right around the corner from Urban Jungle, which makes it easy to do back-to-back shopping.
To get a better feel for the kind of clothes they sell visit their Instagram or Tiktok!
Other People’s Clothes
One person’s trash is another person’s new wardrobe.
Image courtesy of Other People’s Clothes.
Multiple Locations | Brooklyn and Queens | opcbuyselltrade.com
Founded in 2020 by three New York natives, Other People’s Clothes operates with the mission that “Wearing Other People’s Clothes helps make fashion more circular, and gives your clothing a new life in someone else’s closet.” Open seven days a week for buying, selling, and trading, their colorful stores offer items ranging from a regular 30-dollar slip dress to a thousand-dollar Gucci dress with metal hardware. People looking for a vintage statement piece will find their home in this higher-end store. Their merchandise is on the pricier side so you should be prepared before going in. However, they have some cheaper-priced products so it’s worth giving it a try even if you don’t want to spend a ton.
If you’re unable to make it to one of their locations, they offer an online storefront on their website. They’re also very active on Instagram and TikTok if you’d like to keep up with inventory and sale updates.
Manhattan Vintage Show
Prepare to shop at one of New York’s largest vintage shows!
Image courtesy of Manhattan Vintage Show.
125 W 18th St. | Chelsea | manhattanvintage.com
We all know the best place for vintage pieces and antiques is at a show where you can meet its seller and learn its history. Featuring over 90 dealers, the 30-year-old Manhattan Vintage Show is where “personal style and history converge in a vibrant display.” Every winter, spring, and fall, the show organizes and assembles dealers with merchandise that ranges in price, era, and style for their three yearly shows. Dates and tickets for these shows are available on their website!
You can check out their TikTok to get a feel for past shows, and follow their Instagram to stay updated on show dates coming up.
Crossroads Trading
A variety of locations to match its variety of clothing
Image courtesy of Time Out.
Multiple Locations | Brooklyn, Manhattan, West Village | crossroadstrading.com
Founded in 1991, Crossroads Trading was a trailblazer in the secondhand clothing movement. It’s another great place to find very unique pieces at a lower price, and they even offer selling and trading. Trading can only be done in person, but you’re given 50% of its store list price. You’re able to sell to them both online through the mail, and in person. If you choose this option you’re given 30% of its store list price. They’re dedicated to not only selling vintage but also to preventing their customers’ unique clothes from ending up at the landfill.
They’re very active on both Instagram and TikTok if you want to check them out!
Housing Works
Vintage shopping in NYC with a good cause
Image courtesy of Housing Works.
Multiple Locations | Brooklyn and Manhattan | housingworks.org
Opening its first store in 1992, Housing Works is more than a vintage store company. According to their website, their mission “is to end the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS through relentless advocacy, the provision of lifesaving services, and entrepreneurial businesses that sustain our efforts.” In their time of operation they’ve managed to provide services for over 30,000 New Yorkers affected by HIV/AIDS. They currently have 9 thrift shops, 2 bookstores, and various other locations that provide healthcare.
You can support their cause by donating clothes and furniture, giving money, or even just shopping in their stores. All proceeds go into funding the care of those in need.
If you’re unable to visit one of their stores, they also offer online shopping on their website! It’s also a great place to learn more about the company and the life changing work they do for the community.
To stay informed on upcoming events and news about Housing Works you can check them out on Instagram!
Tokyo Joe
Shop the world right in Manhattan
Image courtesy of Tokyo Joe.
334 E 11th St. | East Village | tokyojoenyc.com
If you’re looking for a shop focused on designer and vintage pieces, Tokyo Joe is the perfect place for you. While it’s small, this consignment boutique puts great effort into choosing what to sell, often rotating what they display to liven up their store. Multiple times a year they source items from Japan and Europe to stay true to their brand of offering “rare gems.” Their namesake doesn’t stop at Japanese-sourced fashion, they also speak Japanese and the shop is currently owned by former employee Yuri Kimura.
They also often post cool vintage pieces on their Instagram that are available for purchase!
We hope you have a successful vintage shopping trip in NYC! Let us know your favorite NYC vintage shops in the comments below.
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