How to Shop for Vintage Clothes in New York

Vintage clothes shopping goes way beyond used Levis, especially in New York City. In select corners you'll spot hip men and women braving the elements in search of an authentic navy pea coat, an embroidered cashmere sweater or the perfect scarf.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Vintage Clothes
• Detailed Local Maps

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear comfortable shoes when vintage shopping in New York, as you may log quite a few miles.

• Not heading to New York any time soon, but still what to check out some vintage goods? See Related Sites for a sneak peek at a woman who has taken her Sixth Avenue flea market space online.

• Sales are usually final. If you're not absolutely sure it's right for you, better to pass it up than risk having to add one more piece to your Goodwill pile.