March 29, 2024

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New York City’s Best Vintage Shops

Some say New York City is all about the food. Some say it’s about the art and culture. And most say it’s all about the people. But what about its vintage shops? The vintage shops of New York each have their own personality, and it is a pleasure getting to know all of them.



The vintage shops of New York each have their own personality, and it is a pleasure getting to know all of them.


© Getty Images
The vintage shops of New York each have their own personality, and it is a pleasure getting to know all of them.

Often locally owned neighborhood staples, New York’s vintage shops offer natives, transplants, and tourists alike the opportunity to indulge their creativity, sense of style, and sense of community. Plus, vintage is sustainable and one-of-a-kind, two things the fashion community is valuing more and more.

Whether you are a full-on vintage dresser or prefer to air on the side of vintage inspired, there’s something for everyone at a vintage shop… just like there’s something for everyone in New York City.



a store sign on the side of a building: hamlets vintage by franklin liranzo


© Hamlet’s Vintage – Franklin Liranzo
hamlets vintage by franklin liranzo

Hamlet’s Vintage was founded in 2007 as a booth at flea markets and trade shows. Now over a decade later, it’s one of the West Village’s most beloved vintage destinations. Located mere blocks away from Washington Square Park, it’s hard to miss the blue awning with the orange and brown Hamlet’s font. Because all of the pieces in the shop are authentic vintage ranging from the 1940s to 1990s, you can always count on Hamlet’s Vintage to have a beautiful dress, a bold coat, cool men’s clothing, and unique jewelry. Plus you can meet “the employee of the decade,” Dita, Hamlet’s dog.

Hamlet’s Vintage: 146 West 4th Street, New York, NY

GET THE LOOK



a bunch of items that are on display in a store: screaming mimi's vintage interior


© Screaming Mimi’s Vintage
screaming mimi’s vintage interior

Located on 14th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue, Screaming Mimi’s is a glorious mix of vintage pieces with a real personality, quirky costumes, and even some great designer items. With an outfit from Screaming Mimi’s, you are sure to make an amazing impression.

Screaming Mimi’s: 240 West 14th Street, Parlor Floor, New York, NY

GET THE LOOK



a living room filled with furniture and a fire place: new york vintage store


© New York Vintage
new york vintage store

For true vintage and history lovers alike: part archive and part store, New York Vintage maintains an incredible collection of garments and accessories ranging from the 1920s to 1990s. Their archive has everything from authentic flapper dresses to modern Christian Dior tanks.

New York Vintage: 117 West 25th Street, New York, NY

Digital Showroom and Archive access is granted by inquiry only.

GET THE LOOK



a bunch of items that are hanging on the wall: le grand strip new york


© Le Grand Strip
le grand strip new york

Le Grand Strip was founded based on the owner CC McGurr’s lust for life and love of style. She channeled her world travels (even relationships with some noteworthy stars) into a one-of-a-kind vintage boutique.

Le Grand Strip: 197 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY

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a display case in a room: what goes around comes around soho


© What Goes Around Comes Around
what goes around comes around soho

What Goes Around Comes Around is definitely one of the best vintage luxury handbag havens the world has to offer. Whether you are looking for a classic Chanel bag, or finally ready to invest in Hermes, you’ll find it there. In addition to bags, What Goes Around Comes Around offers jewelry, watches, and designer apparel. It’s really one-stop shopping!

What Goes Around Comes Around: 351 West Broadway, New York, NY

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Awoke Vintage began in 2006 as a market stall in Perth, Australia. After the stall took off, the team opened up a shop in Brooklyn in 2012. Awoke Vintage has since expanded from their original Williamsburg location into two other locations in the neighboring area of Greenpoint Brooklyn. It’s definitely a must-visit; it is practically a whole store of everything you would have stolen from your mother or older sister.

Williamsburg: 132 North 5th Street, Brooklyn, New York

Greenpoint: 16 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 688 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, New York

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a sign above a store: metropolis vintage store nyc


© Metropolis Vintage
metropolis vintage store nyc

Known for their unmatched collection of graphic tees, Metropolis is the perfect destination for vintage menswear. Aside from the rare t-shirts spanning from music to the WWF, Metropolis carries classic leather jackets, jeans, and Pendleton button downs.

Metropolis Vintage: 803 Broadway, New York, NY

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Tucked away in Greenwich Village sits a true gem of a vintage shop. Founded by Rosemary Wettenhall in 2007, Madame Matovu Vintage houses an eclectic mix of clothing, accessories, and antiques based on Wettenhall’s Ugandan heritage and her extensive world travels. The displays are exuberant and always changing, and the collection is beautiful.

Madame Matovu: 240 West 10th Street, New York, NY

Pilgrim New York was first opened in 2006 in Woodstock New York by Brian Bennett & Richard Ives. As veterans of the fashion industry (Bennett cofounded the fashion photography agency Lambrecht & Bennett and Ives was a fashion stylist), Bennett & Ives took pride in offering one-of-a-kind vintage, accessories from around the world, and wearable wardrobe staples. In 2007, this vintage shop-art gallery hybrid relocated to NYC, where it has been ever since.

Pilgrim New York: 70 Orchard Street, New York, NY

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a store filled with lots of luggage: hamlets vintage by franklin liranzo


© Tokio 7/Robert Essel Photography
hamlets vintage by franklin liranzo

Founded in 1996, Tokio 7 is a staple store front in the East Village. As one of downtown’s most beloved consignment stores, Tokio 7 offers a special mix of local designers, luxury brands, and streetwear classics. There is a special emphasis on Japanese designers, as the owner himself is from, you guessed it, Tokyo. It’s ideal for the person who covets hard-to-find, interesting pieces.

Tokio 7: 83 East 7th Street, New York, NY (Temporarily closed due to COVID-19)



a store filled with lots of furniture: cure thrift shop nyc


© Cure Thrift Shop
cure thrift shop nyc

Cure Thrift Shop was founded with a noble goal in mind: to help cure type 1 (juvenile) diabetes. Its founder, Liz Wolff, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 11. In 2008, she decided to channel her love of thrifting and antiques into real action, and Cure Thrift Shop was born. Today, Cure Thrift Shop is a nonprofit vintage/antique store that benefits juvenile diabetes research and advocacy.

Cure Thrift Shop: 111 East 12th Street, New York, NY

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