Things You'll Need:
- Vintage Clothes
- Detailed Local Maps
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Step 1
Check out Sixth Avenue between 24th and 26th streets, where on Saturdays and Sundays you'll find a variety of vintage clothing and accessories on sale at the city's largest flea market. Admission is $1 and the selection includes items from both sides of the Atlantic.
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Step 2
Wander the Lower East Side between 7th and 12th streets, and between First and Third avenues. Here you'll find a mixture of modern vintage (late 20th century) in the obscure little shops that dot the area.
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Step 3
Hit Lower Broadway in SoHo. Below the chic urban shops, amongst the mattress dealers and futon retailers, you'll find Alice Underground, the city's largest vintage store. It attracts the likes of Italian designers Dolce & Gabanna, who have been spotted rifling through racks and bins in search of inspiration for a new collection. Check "Avant Guide New York" (see Recommended Reading) for the address.
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Step 4
Look for high-end designer labels in the shops tucked away in SoHo's side streets. As you browse, pass by the designer-name facades and look for unassuming storefronts where shoppers have been known to find clothing and accessories from Chanel, Hermes and Pucci. Prices are high, but so is the prestige.
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Step 5
Inspect every piece you wish to buy. Be on the lookout for stains, torn seams and moth holes. The larger stores usually refrain from buying even slightly damaged pieces, but the smaller locales - and especially the flea markets - see their fair share.
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Step 6
Bargain at the flea markets, less in the stores. The flea markets price to negotiate. Stores, however, fix their prices, with marginal discounts likely in the event of damage or bulk purchase only.
Comments
nycshopgirl said
on 6/25/2009 I go to The Clothing Warehouse EVERY time I want something vintage. They're a new store on Prince St. between Bowery and Elizabeth, and they get new stock every few weeks so it makes it easy to keep going back! They have great vintage boots as well. I LOVE THEM.
FashionFerrett said
on 9/8/2007 The show is the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show.
FashionFerrett said
on 9/8/2007 If you're interested in the vintage scene you have GOT to go to this show. I've been a couple of times in the past, and it's got to be the most awesome fashion experience of my life. And I get to do it again this fall! You need to SEE the people that show up to these things! Everyone from the biggest names in fashion to celebrities, all getting inspiration from an incredible collection of vintage dealers. They do a special exhibit when you first enter, and this year it's called "Shanghai Girl Gets All Dressed Up". It's all inspired by the 1920s and 1930s Hollywood actresses, and really showcases fashions from Shanghai's golden age.
They always have a $5 off coupon on the web - www.manhattanvintage.com
Ruthie said
on 8/20/2007 Excellent article. And let's not forget good ole Delancy Street on a Sunday morning ! That's on Manhattan's lower east side, and it's great for bargains, especially if you sew and are looking for fabric remnants and sample peices. I'm a native New Yorker so..... trust me !
Anonymous said
on 8/4/2006 I found the greatest vintage store ever on my way back from a crap crap audition. Go to "No Relation" on 1st. between 13th and 11th. that L train stop on first gets you pretty close. Racks of dresses (and I don't mean mumus or 80's) for only $20. tons of tee-shirts and boots. This is how it is shopping for vintage down south. So cheap! And it's all vintage - not thrift store!
I got one 50's new-look style for $20 and a real 70's Gunne Sax dress for 15! You will not be disappointed!