VINTAGE SHOPPING IN NEW YORK

Marmalade, 174 Mott Street, Nolita +1 212 473 8070
Previously located on Ludlow Street on the Lower East Side, Marmalade has now relocated to a pop up store in unison with Girls Love Shoes. Staffed by stylish people straight outta the 70s: They’ll help you (if you ask) to find something stellar, and rare. Packed with statement pieces with all the retro fixings, the collection is girly with an edge. The owner also stocks her own vintage-inspired line.

Beacon’s Closet, 88 North 11th Street, Williamsburg +1 718 486 0816; 92 5th Ave, Park Slope +1 718 230 1630
Whomever Beacon is or was, the closet they’ve put together is a great place to play in. A well-curated mecca for vintage garb of all eras and tastes, Beacon’s Closet is also a place to donate any clothes you can’t fit in your luggage. Trade old for new with store credit or cash. Beacon’s closet Park Slope is smaller but has the same collective vibe as its kin.

Salvation Army, 176 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn +1 718 388 9249
Just around the corner from the Williamsburg branch of Beacon’s Closet is a sizable Salvation Army store with mostly trash but in true Salvo’s style, enough treasure to satisfy gold panning. A huge selection of vintage T-shirts abound in very good condition, and at only $4.00 each, this store is a good bet for many.

Buffalo Exchange, 332 East 11th Street, East Village +1 212 260 9340; 114 West 26th Street, Chelsea +1 212 675 3535; 504 Driggs Avenue, Williamsburg +1 718 384 6901
Buffalo Exchange offers a young and mostly casual mix of thrifted clothes, with an equal variety of menswear. The ‘exchange’ refers to their swap-for-cash-or-credit practice: take your old stuff in, come out with some new kicks. Now that’s economical.

Fox and Fawn, 570 Manhattan Ave (between Driggs Ave & Nassau Ave), Brooklyn, +1 718 349 9510
Many revere Fox and Fawn for it’s refreshingly honest take on vintage in New York. Properly priced, a great (wearable) collection, and an addictive selection of jewelry – staffed by gorgeously lovely ladies who care about clothes. Sample finds might include a Marc Jacobs sun dress or leopard print Betsey Johnson handbag.

Cobblestones, 314 East 9th Street, East Village +1 212 673 5372
Pretty lace sun hats, stunning vintage wedding dresses, trinkets, home wares, dresses, nighties and slips fill this cherished space. Blessed with the ability to have you coveting everything in sight, (As one reviewer puts it, “this might be a portal to Neverland or Narnia or Disneyland or something”) the owner is engaging, lovely, and unobtrusive. It seems this still-standing East Village gem has a winning formula that quite rightly beats many of its overpriced and snobbish rivals.

Angela’s Vintage Boutique, 330 East 11th Street (between 1st Ave & 2nd Ave) +1 212 475 1571
Angela has a good eye and has filled her store with classic fur, silk scarves, impeccable maintained vintage dresses and silk slips, veiled hats, eclectic knits and ‘the best selection of beaded 1920s dresses’ in the city. Come here for Grace Kelly digs, or to pick up an occasional pair Prada or Oscar de la Renta shoes. Not too shabby! Nor pricey at that.

Metropolis, 43 3rd Avenue (between 9th St & 2nd Ave) +1 212 358 0795
Just north of St Marks on Third Avenue, Metropolis is the one with all the fantastic boots and cool t-shirts hanging in the windows. They have a sensationally curated selection of leather jackets, the aforementioned boots and T’s, plus messenger bags, and ‘real vintage’ well organized for seamless navigation. The staff are also famously cool – you might just want to be them.

Cheap Jacks, 303 Fifth Avenue (at 31st St) +1 212 777 9564
What began as a tiny store on First Avenue in the mid seventies is now on Fifth Avenue in a bright and airy space and packed with unique and high-end vintage clothing. It has since became a cherished pit-stop for movie makers, stylists, celebrities and Broadway actors. Added benefit: Alterations while you wait. Ps. Jack is real! A true New York maverick.

Resurrection, 217 Mott Street, Nolita +1 212 625 1374
Expensive and exclusive: you ring a buzzer to get in and once in, are surrounded by an eclectic, avant-garde, and high-end designer mix. Don’t expect to pay usual thrift-store prices, but if you’re after a vintage Alaia, Zandra Rhodes maxi gown, chiffon Caftan or Hermes Cashmere coat – this store is your playground.

Screaming Mimi’s, 382 Lafayette Street +1 212 677 6464
Declared one of the best vintage stores in the city by discerning New Yorkers, the benefits of Mimi’s are a) being devotedly on point with current trends b) ‘completely reasonable prices’ and c) a great array of choice for costume parties. The store is organized via decade and is, like many of the thrift stores in New York, also a consignment store.

New and Almost New, 166 Elizabeth Street (between Kenmare & Spring Street) +1 212 226 6677
Devoted fans adore the owner of this store who chooses only to stock items that are in season, whilst offering friendly banter and helpful advice when needed. Everything is clean, in excellent condition, and ranges from Marc Jacobs, Chanel and DVF to labels like J Crew. Apparently this store helps you to ‘walk out looking like Katherine Hepburn.’ I’m okay with that.

Cadillac’s Castle, 333 East 9th Street, East Village +1 212 475 0406
Rumours are that you won’t leave Cadillac’s Castle empty handed. Offering designer clothing at non-designer prices (eg. YSL for $25), everything is in spectacular condition and the store is edited in a boutique fashion. Look for the Helmut Lang leather jackets, Miu Miu heels, plus Lanvin, D&G, Chloe, and Missoni goods. The castle is also a consignment store: like most in NYC, you’ll receive 50% of all sales made.

Star Struck, 47 Greenwich Ave, West Village (between Charles St & Perry St) +1 212 691 5357
Hidden treasures packed to the rafters, great deals, eclectic finds (vintage fireman’s parade jacket anyone?) plus bow ties and glasses, jackets and T’s. The sales team are super friendly and the selection of fall and winter coats is one of the best around. Come in for your cowboy boot fix, 80s prom dresses, and elbow patched professor coats. Also a great selection of Levi 501′s. Pricier than some, but friendlier than others.

By Sophie Ward