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[title]New York is the ultimate treasure trove for vintage lovers, but knowing where to hunt for the best finds can be daunting. We’ve combed through New York’s best vintage stores and thrift stores for men and women to bring you our favorite lesser-known spots, including Antoinette, Loveday 31 and Grand St. Bakery.
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AuH2O Thriftique
After graduating from NYU in 2006, Milwaukee native Kate Goldwater opened this funky shop, featuring a curated selection of vintage and thrift clothing ($5–$25) and accessories ($3–$30) that are easy on the eyes and the wallet. Almost everything in store is $30 or less and her finds are perfectly on-trend, which right now means plenty of ’80s and ’90s pieces. We recently spotted a ’90s velvet babydoll dress ($10), a pair of ’80s leather shorts ($20) and ’90s printed-cotton pants ($12). Guys should look for denim button-ups ($12) and an ’80s Adidas leather jacket ($30). 84 E 7th St between First and Second Aves (212-466-0844).
Antoinette
Store namesake Antoinette Oliveri worked as an apprentice to milliner Lilly Daché in the 1950s, and was a clothing hoarder in the best sense of the word. Her daughter, Lexi Oliveri, put her pack-rat tendencies to good use by opening this shop, filled with all of her mother’s finds from her years toiling in the fashion business. The cozy space features worn-wood floors, country-chic wallpaper, family photos, and clothes ($10–$100) and accessories ($2–$100) from the ’40s through ’90s for guys and gals—all under $100. While Oliveri now supplements the store’s stock with finds from her buying trips upstate—such as an ’80s acid-wash denim skirt ($80)—many pieces still hail from her mom’s closet, including a ’60s Lurex knit dress ($70), an ’80s slouchy polka-dot sweater ($40) and ’70s turquoise cuff bracelets ($40). There’s also a small men’s section featuring a ’90s colorblock sweatshirt ($28), an ’80s wool zip-up jacket ($40) and silk bowties ($48–$50) from—you guessed it—her dad’s wardrobe. 119 Grand St between Berry and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-387-8664, antoinettebrooklyn.com)
Bopkat Vintage
If you’ve ever lusted over a pair of Betty Draper’s cigarette pants or Peggy Olson’s working-girl suits, it’s possible that they may have come from the racks of this unassuming shop—a go-to for Mad Men’s wardrobe department. Owner Laura Buscaglia combs estate sales, flea markets and thrift stores for pristine pieces exclusively from the ’50s and ’60s, such as a ’60s beaded-chiffon cocktail dress ($85), ’50s plaid wool capri pants ($40) and a ’50s lace blouse with rhinestone buttons ($30). On the men’s side, there are printed tiki shirts ($30–$35), fedoras ($40–$50) and ’50s plaid shirts ($30). If you have something specific in mind, call ahead and Buscaglia will dig through her deep inventory to pull out items that aren’t already on the floor. Vintage purists will also appreciate the small assortment of retro housewares, including a set of horse-printed drinking glasses (eight for $40) and a midcentury-modern coffee table ($200). 117 Union St between Columbia and Van Brunt Sts, Red Hook, Brooklyn (718-222-1820)
David Owens Vintage
Walking down the stairs into this subterranean shop is like stepping into another era. Unlike many vintage stores that traffic in ’80s and ’90s garb, David Owens’s eponymous boutique carries items exclusively from the ’30s through ’70s. Decorated with mod wallpaper and painted-brick walls, the small space is stuffed to the gills with rare and unique pieces, such as a ’30s printed dress with the original store tags attached ($195), a ’40s beaded jacket ($125) and a ’60s clutch made to look like a rolled-up Harper’s Bazaar magazine ($55). Men will find just as many interesting items, including a ’50s woven rayon button-up ($75), ties from the ’40s through ’70s featuring pinup girls on the back flap ($65–$125) and leather motorcycle jackets ($100). 154 Orchard St between Rivington and Stanton Sts (212-677-3301)
Grand St. Bakery
Despite the original grand street bakery signage, this storefront churns out not sweets but clothing ($25–$195) and accessories ($18–$200) for both sexes from the ’60s through ’90s that are almost exclusively made in the U.S. Many of the original bakery fixtures—including metal baking racks that hold stacks of Levi’s 501s ($45) and a register made from the original baker’s table—remain intact, giving the space a rustic, old-school vibe. Former Urban Outfitters vintage buyer Neal Mello and his girlfriend, Cyd Mullen, scour the country for classic Americana garb, such as ladies’ fisherman knit sweaters ($60–$95), a leather Coach purse ($85) and denim overalls ($58–$68). Guys’ buys include Woolrich and Pendleton plaid wool shirts ($55–$65), denim jackets ($65–$125) and wool peacoats ($125–$175). Domestically produced beauty products and accessories ($6–$45) round out the offerings, including Native State menthol salves ($30), Blithe & Bonny soy candles ($25) and River Soap Company patchouli-and-sandalwood soaps ($6). 602 Grand St between Leonard and Lorimer Sts, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-387-2390, grandstbakery.com)
Le Grand Strip
A favorite spot of Williamsburg’s growing cache of models and stylists, this ultragirly shop is for “women who write their own scripts,” as owner CC McGurr puts it. Decked out with lush curtains, velvet couches and chandeliers, the store is filled with McGurr’s discoveries from buying trips, mostly around Europe. Truly one-of-a-kind pieces include a ’50s pinup sweater with rhinestone buttons ($135), an ’80s sequined minidress ($140), a ’50s mink-trimmed swing coat ($195) and a ’70s bohemian floral cotton maxidress ($120). Don’t forget to peruse the boudoir-inspired lingerie section in the back, where frilly underthings such as a ’50s bustier corset ($175), 1930s silk tap pants ($95) and ’50s ruffled pinup undies ($85) are up for grabs. 197 Grand St between Bedford and Driggs Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-599-3525, legrandstrip.com)
Loveday 31
A former buyer for vintage stalwart Screaming Mimi’s, Ivona Bilicic fills her boutique with glamour-girl dresses ($25–$100) and funky accessories ($20–$100) from the ’50s through ’80s that won’t break the bank. Bilicic gets her vibrant stock from dealers around the country and has an eye for wild prints, as evidenced by a leopard-print minidress ($45) and a silk star-print blouse ($35), both from the ’80s. Other highlights include ’80s spotted horsehair ankle boots ($39), an ’80s printed-silk windbreaker ($35) and a ’60s leather-trimmed cape ($89). 33-06 31st Ave between 33rd and 34th Sts, Astoria, Queens (718-728-4057, loveday31.com)
Miss Master’s Closet
One of the original vintage vendors at the Brooklyn Flea when it started in 2008, Jess Master decided to expand her operation by opening this storefront in 2011. Green walls, dark-wood trim and rich leather couches create a handsome backdrop for the color-coordinated men’s and women’s clothing ($10–$100) from the ’40s through the ’90s, sourced almost exclusively from charity shops. A former playhouse seamstress, Master meticulously cleans and repairs each garment, attaching a detailed tag that outlines the era, item specifics and cleaning instructions. You won’t have to fear sticker shock when browsing a ’50s polka-dot party dress ($75), ’80s colorful suede boots ($40), an ’80s cat-motif slouchy dress ($40) and a ’50s faux-leopard-trim coat with a matching purse ($125 for the set). Guys can snatch up a ’60s cashmere blazer ($40), ’60s houndstooth wool trousers ($30) and ’80s leather loafers ($35). True bargain hunters shouldn’t miss the ever-present $15 clearance rack. 1070 Bedford Ave between Clifton Pl and Greene Ave, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn (718-783-2979, missmasterscloset.com)
Rue St. Denis
If the thought of having someone else’s juju on your clothes turns you off from vintage, this 21-year-old boutique will be right up your alley. Owner Jean-Paul Buthier searches the U.S. and Europe for unworn dead-stock garb ($50–$600), culled from long-closed factories and stores. Film, TV and Broadway costume departments also frequently source pieces here, such as men’s ’70s polyester flared pants ($65–$85), ’70s mesh tees ($35–$55) and European wool blazers ($150). Menswear is the shop’s specialty—the back room is filled with pristine suits ($320–$600) from the ’40s through the ’90s, organized by era. Ladies will still find plenty to ogle, including high-waisted Levi’s flares ($75), a ’60s suede miniskirt ($75), faux-fur leopard-print coats ($285) and a ’60s plaid wool minidress ($125). Two in-house tailors are available to ensure everyone gets the perfect fit by taking in trousers ($20) or performing full alterations ($150). 170 Ave B between 10th and 11th Sts (212-260-3388, ruestdenis.com)
Stock Vintage
The perfectly distressed Americana menswear ($50–$1,000) that owner Melissa Howard sources from around the country is exactly the look that trendy, heritage-inspired brands try to mimic. Today’s urban rustics will go crazy for authentic pieces from the 1800s through the 1960s, such as a ’40s football jersey ($385), ultrasoft Harley Davidson ($145) and Grateful Dead ($145) tees, and denim button-up shirts ($165). Complete your ensemble with a pair of leather roper, work or engineer boots ($125–$600) and a tooled-leather belt ($85). Although the stock is 90 percent for guys, Howard recently added a rack of similarly minded women’s clothing ($100–$850), including a rare ’40s Levi’s denim jacket ($345) and a selection of collegiate wool blazers ($245). 143 E 13th St between Third and Fourth Aves (212-505-2505, stockvintagenyc.com)