Image courtesy of Aberizk
There is no secret that New York City has some of the best vintage, and second-hand stores in the world. During all my years living in NYC, I have shopped at almost every vintage, second-hand, and consignment store there is. Vintage shopping is actually one of my favorite hobbies.
Choosing vintage over buying new things is always a good idea. It helps the planet reduce excess waste, it’s a great way to save money, plus you can find those one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else has.
Here is my list of the absolute best vintage, second-hand, and consignment stores around New York City including L Train Vintage, Beacon’s Closet, and What Goes Around Comes Around on the list. Enjoy!
Beacon’s Closet
This is one of my personal favorite second-hand stores in New York City. Beacon’s Closet has a large variety of both vintage clothing and newer collections, plus it’s also considered to be a second-hand store on the cheaper side. Here you can find everything from dresses, shoes, jackets, and jeans for both men and women.
They have a couple of locations around the city, but their hands-down best and biggest store is located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. It almost feels like walking into a warehouse filled with clothes and accessories. Beacon’s Closet is very selective when they source or buy clothes since they mostly look for current trends and seasons (which is great for us shoppers).
If you live in New York, Beacon’s Closet is a buy-sell-trade store. You can bring your clothes here that you no longer use to sell. From whatever they decide to buy from you, you’ll receive a percentage of the resale value in cash or store credit. I always pick the store credit since it later feels like shopping for “free”.
| Address: 74 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 (Multiple locations) |
| Phone number: +1 (718) 486-0816 |
The Real Real
This is my go-to place in New York for second-hand designer items. The Real Real’s online store has a reputation all around the world for having one of the world’s best selections of luxury designer items, but their brick-and-mortar stores are where the magic happens. It almost feels like walking into a fashion museum when you see all their designer handbags.
Here you can shop a beautiful selection of second-hand luxury items that are more affordable than the original prices. You can find brands such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Rolex, and Fendi, but also trendy emerging brands such as Ganni, Staud, Jacquemus, and Cult Gaia.
| Address: 80 Wooster St, New York, NY 10012 |
| Phone number: +1 (212) 203-8386 |
Buffalo Exchange
Here you can sift through their many racks of gently used clothing to get your hands on some true finds. Buffalo Exchange is one of my favorite second-hand stores in NYC, and I almost never walk out empty-handed.
Here you can find more trendy emerging brands such as Ganni and Jaded London but also cheaper brands like Zara. Don’t forget to check behind the checkout counter for some of their more expensive designer items.
Just like Beacon’s, New Yorkers come to their closest Buffalo Exchange location with clothing they no longer use. Since they source all their items from locals, each store has a very different selection. I always tell people to view each of these stores as their own independent shops rather than a chain. You will eventually learn which store matches your style the most.
I personally have two favorite locations, Williamsburg, and Chelsea. The Williamsburg store has more trendy, unique, hipster items, whereas the Chelsea store feels a little more fashion business. The Chelsea store is also located right next to the Fashion Institute of Technology college where all the fashion girls go to sell their clothes.
Chelsea location:
| Address: 114 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001 |
| Phone number: +1 (212) 675-3535 |
Williamsburg location:
| Address: 504 Driggs Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211 |
| Phone number: +1 (718) 384-6901 |
What Goes Around Comes Around
What Goes Around Comes Around is a go-to place for on-trend New Yorkers, celebrities, stylists, and vintage connoisseurs, looking for really good pre-owned and vintage items.
Because of their amazing selection and pristine pieces, this is one of the best and most famous second-hand stores in New York City. With a fantastic selection like this, be ready for higher prices.
Here you can find pre-owned accessories and clothing from brands such as Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Fendi, and Saint Laurent, plus vintage denim, rock tees, and other one-of-a-kind pieces.
| Address: 103 Wooster St, New York NY 10012 (they have two locations) |
| Phone number: +1 646-807-4517 |
Awoke Vintage
Awoke Vintage started as a small brick-and-mortar store in Williamsburg in 2012. Today they also have two additional stores located in Greenpoint. This is definitely one of the best second-hand stores in NYC carrying carefully selected pieces with a focus on bright colors and whimsical designs. Awoke Vintage is filled with sunglasses, denim, dresses, jewelry, and more.
| Address: 132 North 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249 |
| Phone number: +1 (718) 387-3130 |
L Train Vintage
L Train Vintage is a go-to store for many of my New Yorker friends and is definitely one of the best and biggest second-hand stores in the city. You have probably seen many YouTubers and TikTokers showing up their thrift finds from here. Here you will find a large selection of men’s and women’s vintage and second-hand clothing for a very good price.
You can certainly score some unique pieces at L Train Vintage because they don’t only rely on the local community for sourcing their items. They also receive shipments from other places och have buyers all over the US traveling to different states in search of the best quality vintage merchandise. That is what makes this second-hand store different from other places such as Buffalo Exchange.
They have a couple of locations around the city, including No Relation Vintage Clothing and Urban Jungle which both are under the L Train umbrella. I personally think Urban Jungle is their top location in terms of selection and price.
| Urban Jungle address: 118 Knickerbocker Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237 |
| Phone number: +1 (718) 456-0762 |
Rogue
Rogue is one of the latest newcomers to the city. The owner and TikTok-influencer Emma Rogue started of selling on platforms such as Depop and opened up her first brick-and-mortar store on the Lower East side in 2021.
Here you can find great Y2K and 90s pieces such as baby tees, boots, rave pants, cute knit sweaters, and some rare designer finds. The store has a very unique, vibrant, and almost chaotic energy and is a must-visit when you go second-hand shopping in New York City.
| Address: 53 Stanton St, New York, NY 10002 |
| Phone number: +1 (914) 222-3191 |
Aberizk
This SoHo store is the perfect place if you’re looking for modern cool-girl clothes. They focus on independent and emerging brands and designer vintage pieces. Here you can find a highly curated collection of hard-to-find clothing and accessories.
Even though Aberizik is a newly opened store, Kendall Jenner and other celebrities have been spotted shopping at this store. Some of the brands they source are Clara Colette Miramon, Hosbjerg, Danielle Guizio, George Trochopoulos, Justine Clenquet, Leo Official, MISBHV, Paloma Wool, Poster Girl, Priscavera, Simon Miller, and Varon.
| Address: 9 Spring St, New York, NY 10012 |
| Phone number: +1 (646) 351-6526 |
Mr. Throwback
If you’re a sports fan this is the dream store for you. Mr. Throwback was founded in 2012 and has grown to be one of the country’s premier vintage stores for 80s and 90s vintage sports apparel.
Here you can find amazing unique vintage sportswear such as original 90s Starter jackets, NBA Champion jerseys, Chalk Line jackets, t-shirts, snapbacks, and toys. The owner himself Mike Spitz works in the store and is super friendly and helpful!
| Address: 437 East 9th St, New York, NY 10009 |
| Phone number: +1 (917) 261-7834 |
Consignment Brooklyn
Consignment Brooklyn was originally recommended by some of my on-trend vintage-enthusiast New Yorker friends. This is one of New York’s best second-hand stores where you can find designer clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry, and more. Definitely worth a visit!
| Address: 371 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217 |
| Phone number +1 (718) 522-3522 |
10ft Single By Sella Dallas
In this New York vintage store, you can find both clothing and home furniture. In terms of clothing, they have a great selection of everything from t-shirts, skirts, and oversized sweaters to shoes, and beautiful winter coats.
| Address: 285 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 |
| Phone number: +1 (718) 486-9487 |
2nd Street
2nd Street is a second-hand store where you can find those one-of-a-kind pieces in premium condition that you can’t find anywhere else. 2nd Street is originally from Japan and opened up their first store in 1996.
This is definitely a unique New York second-hand store that carries everything from streetwear to vintage to Japanese designer and luxury accessories. Everything that they don’t end up selling, they donate to people in need of clothes, or to a company that will recycle the clothing to clean up oil spills in factories.
| Address: 27 Howard St, 1st Floor, New York, NY 10013 (Multiple locations) |
| Phone number: +1 (646) 907-5355 |
Tokio7
This East Village consignment store carries some of the best luxury designer and vintage items. It’s not the most affordable store but it has a really really good selection of designer brands such as Versace and Fendi, and NYC-based independent brands. They take pride in their Japanese heritage and also carry designer items from Japan.
I even think it’s worth coming here just to do a little window shopping to check out their very unique items. Very inspiring! Here you can find apparel, shoes, accessories, bags, and vintage items.
| Address: 83 E 7th St, NY 10003 |
| Phone number: +1 (212) 353-8443 |
INA
If you love shopping for luxury labels, this is the dream store for you! INA is a consignment store that only accepts the finest designer clothing, shoes, and accessories. They are well known for their very strict curation of items and make sure that each item is of the highest quality and condition. Here you can find brands such as Alexander McQueen, Manolo Blahnik, Chanel, and Prada, and why not one of the famous Fendi baguette bags worn by the fashion icon Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City?
You can make an appointment to sell your gently worn clothing and accessories in exchange for a percentage of the resale value.
| Address: 21 Prince St, New York, NY 10012 (multiple locations) |
| Phone number: +1 212 334 9048 |
Designer Revival
This is a gold mine for second-hand designer brands. I used to come here all the time when I lived in the same neighborhood, and I love it! Designer Revival was one of the first consignment stores in New York City and has been around for over 30 years.
Here you can find carefully selected designer clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories that are put through a rigorous authentic testing process before being sold. This Upper East Side store has a reputation for having some of the best luxury designer items in the city from brands such as Chanel, Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and more. If you’re not looking to spend so much, they also carry a few more affordable designer brand items.
| Address: 324 E 81st St, New York, NY 10028 |
| Phone number: +1 212 734 3639 |
Metropolis Vintage
This Manhattan second-hand store will definitely have something that will catch your eye. Metropolis Vintage is known for its celebrity clientele like Rihanna and ASAP Rocky.
Metropolis Vintage is a dream store if you’re looking for really good one-of-a-kind vintage items. Unlike other vintage and second-hand stores, their products are very carefully chosen. Here you can find probably the largest selection of vintage t-shirts in the city, but also great sports jerseys, accessories, and 90s vintage clothing.
| Address: 803 Broadway, New York, NY 10003 |
| Phone number: +1 212 358 0795 |
Procell Vintage
Procell Vintage is one of the best vintage stores in New York and is located on the Lower East Side. They are known for having the best selection of 80s and 90s apparel and accessories. Here you can find rare concert tees, Prada Sport jackets, old-school polaroid cameras, iconic Chanel accessories, and more.
| Address: 5 Delancey St, New York, NY 10002 |
| Phone number: +1 212 226 2315 |
Tired Thrift
With Y2K being a major fashion trend today, we’re very happy this store exists. Tired Thrift is a great second-hand store for those fashion-savvy youngsters who’re looking to shop some unique funky pieces from the 90s and 00s. Here you can find pieces like Harley Davidson tops, Ed Hardy dresses, or graphic tees.
| Address: 10 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222 |
| Phone number: +1 929 276 3002 |
Vintage by Round Two
This second-hand store has gotten a lot of attention thanks to their YouTube channel where they upload videos from customers who are coming in to shop and much more. Vintage by Round Two has great vintage finds, sought-after sneakers, and pieces you would only dream of owning from brands such as Supreme.
| Address: 138 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002 |
| Phone number: +1 424 330 7338 |
Summary of the best second-hand and vintage stores in NYC:
- Beacon’s Closet
- The Real Real
- Buffalo Exchange
- What Goes Around Comes Around
- Awoke Vintage
- L Train Vintage
- Rogue
- Aberizk
- Mr. Throwback
- Consignment Brooklyn
- 10ft Single By Sella Dallas
- 2nd Street
- Tokio7
- INA
- Designer Revival
- Metropolis Vintage
- Procell Vintage
- Tired Thrift
- Vintage by Round Two
Here are some tips before you go vintage shopping
Bring a reusable bag
I really recommend bringing your own bag when going second-hand shopping. Either they don’t have any bags, or you will have to purchase an expensive tote bag.
Check the quality of the piece
I always make sure the clothes or accessories I purchase are of good quality. If they have a hole, would you be able to fix it? If the item has a stain, will it go away when you wash it?
Check the material
Always check the labels to see what material it is before you make a decision. Then you’ll get an idea of how good quality the piece is and how long it will last. I would recommend avoiding synthetic materials such as nylon or polyester which are known for not lasting very long.
Best day to go second-hand shopping in New York
There is no “perfect” day to go second-hand shopping in New York, but many people argue that it’s Monday and Tuesday. All the second-hand stores that relate on locals to come to drop their unwanted clothes off, get most of their inventory during the weekend. All the best stuff might be sold out already by the middle of the week so that is why Monday to Tuesday might be the best days to go.