If there's one US city where you're sure to get the finest clothes in the latest styles, it's New York. As far as fashion-forward clothes are concerned, the 'Big Apple' is the ultimate American destination for that. However, New York fashion isn't only about the latest runway trends. New Yorkers also have a fascination with vintage clothes—second hand treasures that are just as, if not even more noteworthy than what you'd find in stores. Some are more affordable while others are understandably more expensive, but rest assured, these are rare finds worth investing in. Especially if they came from any of these vintage stores.
New York Vintage
Located on West 25th Street, New York Vintage is a treasure trove for 20th century fashions. Well, it's safe to say that most vintage stores are in a way, but this particular store has a more classic feel to it. Its well-carpeted showroom harkens back to old-school boutiques, further emphasizing its vintage appeal. And then there are the dresses! Think 1920s flapper dress with fringe that sway as the body moves. Silk evening gowns from the 30s and 40s that scream Old Hollywood glamour! And haute couture pieces from the 1950s and 60s, many of which came straight from the Paris runways!
Source: New York Vintage Instagram Account
Le Grand Strip
Despite its name—which sounds more like a
Parisian cabaret than a clothing store!—Le Grand Strip features a well-curated collection of vintage pieces. The shop's owner, CC McGurr, is a beloved socialite from the French Riviera, whose obsession with style led her to from this world-renowned collection of classic couture, high fashion ready-to-wear, and a lot of rare finds. Just by looking at the eclectic selections, bursting with color and print, you can already get a good sense of what Le Grand Strip offers: timeless fabulosity. You'll even find a diverse range of styles here, from
London punk to Italia glam and beyond!
Source: Le Grand Strip Instagram Account
What Goes Around Comes Around
Although this shop's name sounds quite sinister, rest assured, the fashions here are not! What Goes Around Comes Around is as classic as can be for a vintage clothing store. Instead of randomly displaying their pieces, they've laid everything out in a proper and pristine way, almost as if it's a department store, a luxury retailer, and the like. Of course, the vintage styles reign supreme here, but the main stars of the show are, without a doubt, the bags! Think
Hermès made with the finest materials known to man. Or the classic
Chanel bag, an indelible
Parisian style staple you ought to have even if you're in New York!
Source: What Goes Around Comes Around Instagram Account
Screaming Mimi's
Yet another vintage clothing store with a sinister-sounding name: Screaming Mimi's! However, even you will scream with excitement once you see the colorful plethora of vintage glamour and old-school quirky chic that this shop offers. Although vintage styles tend to look classic and timeless, what Screaming Mimi's has are clothes that, just as the name suggests, scream with personality and panache. There's the gaudy glamour of
Italian designer brands, for instance, which champion the 'it's so bad, it's good!' aesthetic. Or the naughty musings of French couturiers like
Sonia Rykiel or
Jean Paul Gaultier. These are the sorts of fabulosity you can expect here!
Source: Screaming Mimi's Instagram Account
Madame Matovu
In the trendy Greenwich Village, one of the
notable districts of New York, Madame Matovu stands as a vintage clothing shop unlike any other. Opened in 2007 by Rosemary Wettenhall, a long-time New Yorker of Ugangan origin, this is one of the very few New York vintage clothing stores owned by a woman of color. That alone deserves attention and acclaim. And once you see the excellently curated collection of rare fashion finds, you'll further understand the quality of Ms. Wettenhall's eye. She collected many of these pieces from her various travels over the years, and each one has a story to tell!
Source: Madame Matovu Vintage Instagram Account
AuH2O
If you want
designer fashions at affordable prices, look no further than AuH2O on 7th St. in Midtown Manhattan. Though it's one of the smaller boutiques on this list, it's definitely one worth going to for the prices alone. A number of these second hand pieces, all of which are undeniably high-quality, cost from around $5.00 to $50.00, rarely going above $100.00! Even if you're not penny pinching due to
the city's living costs, you'll still be able to shop till you drop yet save as much as you can here. Pair that with the store's friendly staff and you've got yourself a winner!
Source: AuH2O Instagram Account
Awoke Vintage
What started out as a simple stall in Perth, Australia, Awoke Vintage eventually became a fashion mainstay in Brooklyn New York. If that's not a good example of the 'American dream' then what is? In any case, in a borough that embraces vintage styles and upholds the value of second-hand quality pieces, this vintage clothing store couldn't have picked a better location! It definitely offers the sort of wardrobe that most of the locals go for—lots of personality and pizazz. Be they designer pieces or rare finds that probably just came from someone's closet, you never know what might catch your eye here!
Source: Awoke Vintage Instagram Account
Pilgrim New York
In many ways, vintage clothes ought to be treated like artworks. After all, the second hand designer pieces you'll find in these stores aren't that different from the priceless haute couture works displayed in museums in the city. This is precisely why Pilgrim New York is such a heavy favorite among vintage shoppers in the 'Big Apple.' They laid out their store like an art gallery, putting emphasis on the value of their clothes than mere garments on a rack. Not to mention the big fashion names on the labels in these pieces prove that these are fashion treasures indeed!
Source: Pilgrim New York Instagram Account
Here in New York, vintage clothes are as desirable as the latest styles shown on the runway. In this 'fashion capital,' these stores prove that timeless pieces will always make for a great investment, especially to your wardrobe!
Here in New York, you ought to go for a
luxury home that can fit all of the rare finds you'll get your hands on in these amazing vintage stores in the city!
