Whether you’re strolling through the trendy West Village, soaking up the classic New York vibes of Madison Avenue, or hopping around youthful neighborhoods in Brooklyn, you’ll probably end up passing some of the best dressed people you’ve ever seen in your life.
New Yorker’s know how to dress, but it’s not because they’re all rich. Here’s their secret: while they’re not always wealthy (well, okay, on Madison Avenue they probably are), they probably buy second-hand clothes from the wealthy.
When Manhattan’s upper-crust gets rid of their designer clothing after only a few wears, it usually goes to thrift and consignment stores. As they say, one woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure. If you know where to look, you’ll find plenty of one season removed, designer label, practically new with tag dresses, handbags, and heels hidden on the racks at NYC’s best thrift and vintage stores.
So say goodbye to the cheap threads that you bought on the sales rack and get ready to look runway fresh for the price of a Forever 21 piece. Here are NYC’s top thrift shops.
Housing Works Thrift Shop
143 W 17th St
Pick up some new threads (or furniture) and support a good cause at the Housing Works’ flagship store. All proceeds go toward fighting AIDS and homelessness through advocacy and lifesaving services. This location is particularly known for housing lots of high quality, practically new designer clothes and shoes. While some of New York’s thrift stores have caught on to the second-hand trend and now charge regular retail prices, Housing Works still has great bargains.
Twitter: @HWThrifts
Angel Street Thrift Shop
118 W 17th St
Proceeds at Angel Street Thrift Shop also go to charity. This is a great place to look if you’re after some bold, unique pieces, and they’ve got a great selection of jewelry and hair accessories. The shop is small and the selection is limited, but it is extremely well-curated. This means you don’t have to sift through piles of junk to find the good stuff!
Twitter: @AngelStreet17
Tokio 7
83 E 7th St
If you’re looking for high-end designer clothing —think brands like Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, and oh, so much more— Tokio 7 is the place to be. This is reportedly where actress Chloe Sevigny drops off her unwanted clothing. You’re not going to find Goodwill prices here, but for the quality offered, the prices are very reasonable. You can easily find a designer brand cocktail dress for under $150.
Fabulous Fanny’s
335 E 9th St
If you’re all about the accessories, Fabulous Fanny’s has the most fantastic selection of vintage eyewear in the entire city, no contest! You’ll find unique, funky shades dating all the way back to the 18th century here, and you’re sure to be the only person in the city wearing them. You’ll also find some fabulous hats and a small clothing selection.
Goodwill Upper West Side
217 W 79th St
While locally owned and boutique thrift shops have largely overshadowed Goodwill in NYC, this Goodwill location is a great place for folks who aren’t looking for the most unique, eccentric items and just want some high quality, timeless pieces. The store’s location in the Upper West Side, an enclave for upper-middle class families who are drawn to the neighborhoods livability, means you’ll find more traditional high-end brands at a good price. The store is small, so you can easily do a quick run-through and be on your way.
Twitter: @GoodwillNYNJ
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Beacon’s Closet
74 Guernsey St, Brooklyn
Williamsburg, Brooklyn has quickly become a haven for hip thrift finds, and Beacon’s Closet paved the way. Think of them as a higher end version of Buffalo Exchange. You’ll get a good mix of affordable designer clothing and funky and fun vintage finds here. The shop is quite large, so it’s a great place to go if you’re looking to splurge on lots of new clothes and accessories. If you’re feeling lazy, they even have an online shop.
All dressed up and nowhere to go? Take your new designer thrift finds out and go bar hopping through NYC’s Lower East Side.