The Best NYC Vintage Stores to Shop for Summer 2024
Searching for vintage fashion finds to up your summer style game? We've got you covered with a comprehensive list of the best NYC vintage stores to seek out ultra-chic styles in need of a second home in your wardrobe.
While there's no denying the thrill of unboxing your newest designer purchase, if you're looking to revamp your wardrobe this season, opt to visit one of NYC's foremost vintage stores for a one-of-a-kind, sustainable shopping experience. There are some classic designer looks from back in the day that never go out of style, but recently shopping vintage has become something of a trend among Millenials and Gen Z, who look to style icons like Bella Hadid and Kaia Gerber—two It girls renowned for their extensive vintage clothing collections.
While vintage shopping and thrifting have become an idle hobby for some, it remains a booming market in NYC, with small boutique shops cropping up across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Many of the city's best and brightest in the fashion space have turned towards the vintage market, especially as the demand for vintage and archival designer pieces continues to rise. While a fascination with the styles of decades past has always existed, today's fashion-forward shoppers are looking towards the '90s and early 2000s for their style inspiration, and vintage thrift stores are rising to the occasion to deliver meticulously sourced designer pieces to their clientele.
Whether you're looking for rare vintage designer pieces or a staple pair of jeans from the '90s, we've got you covered.
Desert Vintage
If you find your fashion falls more in line with minimalistic tastes, Desert Vintage should be number one on your list of NYC vintage stores to visit this season. Located on the Lower East Side, Desert Vintage is a favorite among NYC fashion editors and all your favorite It girls alike. Inspired by a sense of timeless, elegant style, Desert Vintage strives to breathe new life into vintage clothing, making it the perfect shopping destination to pop into, whether you're on the hunt for '70s-era leather goods, jewelry, or a one-of-a-kind designer piece.
James Veloria
An institution among the NYC vintage enthusiast crowd for a reason, James Veloria is often regarded as one of the top vintage stores in the city. The vintage shop, located in Chinatown, is beloved by celebrity icons like Hunter Schafer, Devon Lee Carlson, and Rachel Sennott—all of whom are renowned for their unique sense of style. Curated by the finely honed aesthetic eyes of Collin James and Brandon Veloria, the shop prioritizes keeping visually exciting, empowering pieces in stock that are sure to be coveted as new pieces in your own collection.
Nina Gabbana Vintage
If you're looking for a hands-on, heavily curated vintage shopping experience, look towards Nina Gabbana Vintage. While many NYC vintage stores keep their doors open to the public, owner, stylist, and curator Marie Laboucarié operates her business on a different level. Guests interested in perusing the showroom must first make an appointment, but for those not based in NYC, don't worry—NGV also operates on an e-commerce level, so interested shoppers can peruse the website to purchase their next vintage find.
If you're interested in sporting '90s or rare Y2K looks, look no further than Nina Gabbana Vintage, as Laboucarié hand-selects each piece from private sellers across Europe. With an expansive vintage collection featuring labels like Jean Paul Gaultier, Prada, Christian Dior, and Versace, this NYC-based store is a go-to for the vintage shopper in search of finely curated pieces exuding that ultra-chic, effortlessly cool It girl vibe we all secretly strive for.
Ending Soon
Originally founded in Paris, Ending Soon is a second-hand experience with a global reach. While many vintage stores offer clientele a range of curated pieces from various fashion eras over the past hundred years, Ending Soon centers its collections around rare, contemporary classic wear, with pieces from designers like Yohji Yamamoto and Jean Paul Gaultier. If you're looking for the perfect one-of-a-kind high-quality piece— whether you're seeking a leather jacket, the perfect pair of jeans, or an evening dress—be sure to check out Ending Soon's virtual collection or temporary pop-up NYC location.
Mirth Vintage
If you're on the hunt for rare vintage pieces like a Giorgio Armani blazer or a pair of never-worn Emilio Pucci kitten heels, Mirth Vintage is a must-visit location in Brooklyn. While Brooklyn is often considered the best borough in NYC to check out if you're looking to shop second-hand, navigating the plethora of Brooklyn vintage thrift shops can be tricky, especially if you're unfamiliar to the area. With an expansive collection of rare vintage and designer pieces, Mirth Vintage has something for everyone, organized in a neat, easy-to-access storefront.
Duo NYC
Located in the heart of the East Village, Duo NYC is one of the foremost Manhattan vintage thrift stores in the city. This unique shop features a selection of carefully curated vintage luxury pieces alongside independent modern designers with an emphasis on natural fibers and clean, simple silhouettes.
Dana Foley NYC
While Dana Foley boasts an impressive online vintage collection, the unique Manhattan vintage thrift store also has an ultra-chic, effortlessly elegant selection of second-hand pieces in a Lower East Side brick-and-mortar location on Ludlow Street. Whether you're in search of a rarely-seen Roberto Cavalli dress or a pair of thigh-high Dior boots, be sure to stop in at Dana Foley to fulfill all of your vintage needs.
