Vogue’s guide to the best vintage stores in New York City is part of our directory of the very best vintage around the world, curated by editors from all over. Whether you’re traveling and searching for some superb stores to visit on your trip or are curious about your local vintage treasure chests, Vogue’s directory has you covered.
New York City’s reputation for incredible shopping needs no explanation. The microcosms of fashion design and culture—from uptown’s proper and coiffed to downtown’s more laid-back and grungy aesthetic—all come together for both incredible street style and an even better vintage and thrift scene. That’s the beauty of the best vintage stores in New York City: Whether you’re looking for something to swan about like one of Truman Capote’s brightest, or something not-so-understated to wear to a Chelsea art opening, it’s all here…and then some.
James Veloria
It’s a vintage rite of passage to snap a selfie inside James Veloria’s technicolor Chinatown shop. Founded in 2014 by Collin James and Brandon Veloria, the focus is fun and tongue-in-cheek fashion from designers from the ’90s and ’00s.
Address: 75 East Broadway #225, New York
Happy Isles
New to New York (the OG is in Los Angeles), this appointment-only vintage salon founded by Lily Kaizer specializes in helping you find all the vintage ensembles you’re dreaming of for your big day. Whether you’re going sleek or diaphanous, there are racks upon racks of vintage Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta, and Christian Dior. And if shades of white aren’t quite your style (or you’re looking for something for a different event), Kaizer gets it: There’s also an incredible collection of bold and bright gowns and suits.
Address: 134 Spring Street, New York
Desert Vintage
Originally founded in 1975 in Tucson, Arizona, Desert Vintage was reborn on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in 2012, when it was acquired by its now owners, Salima Boufelfel and Roberto Cowan. Focusing on clothing from the 1900s to the 1970s, the color palette is decidedly neutral (the name likely hints to this as well), with a focus on pared-back but luxurious staples from Claude Montana, Donna Karan, Yves Saint Laurent, and Issey Miyake.
Address: 34 Orchard Street, Manhattan
Pippin Vintage
A true jewel box in the most literal form, this Manhattan shop specializes in things that sparkle. Cases upon cases of engagement rings from the Art Deco era are truly stunning (even if you are “just looking”), and there’s also pieces from Cartier and Mikimoto. More than half of the shop is dedicated to costume jewelry, silk scarves, and the occasional piece of clothing.
Address: 104 West 17th Street, Manhattan
Cure Thrift Shop
Liz Wolff grew up scouring garage sales and dumpster diving in New York, so opening a vintage shop of her own one day only made sense. Inside the expansive East Village shop, there’s bowls of buttons, pristine vintage clogs, records, and rows of sequined dresses. Cure Thrift also donates a portion of its proceeds to juvenile diabetes research, which Wolff was diagnosed with at age 11.
Address: 91 Third Avenue, Manhattan
New York Vintage
More than 150 years of fashion history have been archived by Shannon Hoey and her team at New York Vintage. Their business model is unique: It’s rental-only with a major focus on couture. You’ve definitely seen pieces from New York Vintage in magazine shoots on Madonna and in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. For those who are truly vintage-obsessed, private group tours through the archives (which include a peek at the most rare of rare) are available.
Address: 117 West 25th Street, Manhattan
Treasures of NYC
The Treasures of NYC Clubhouse is the stuff of an Andy Warhol fever dream. A checkered tile floor and leopard print couch (pink pillows spelling out “SEX”) set the scene for the main event: Galliano-era Dior saddle bags, that Tom Ford Gucci thong, and accessories a modern Fran Fine would scream for are all on perfect display.
Address: 69 Mercer Street, Manhattan
