Fashionistas who appreciate the iconic styles of decades past can uncover lots of one-of-a-kind treasures and statement-making fashion finds at Manhattan’s many vintage and consignment shops. While some specialize in vintage, others simply resell designer wares from more recent decades. Here’s a list of great places to uncover a rare mix of fashion finds. Happy shopping!
Vintage Fashion NYC: SoHo
Amarcord Vintage Fashion is a mod boutique in SoHo that specializes in vintage European designer apparel and accessories. Its collection of coveted fashions for women and men were personally selected from sources around the globe. Items include garments, footwear, handbags, gems and jewels, and other accessories. Although they hail from the Victorian era to the 1990s, there’s a focus on mid-century styles. The shop’s visionaries, who are originally from Italy, travel overseas for their seasonal buying trips. A focus is placed on sourcing in Italy, so fashionistas who shop here will uncover renowned labels from Gucci to Fendi, Pucci, Prada, Versace, Missoni, Valentino, and beyond. There are also a host of funky designers such as Fiorucci and Touche. Amarcord’s philosophy: fusing today’s trends with those of eras past. amarcordvintagefashion.com
Vintage Fashion NYC: SoHo
Named after one of the most iconic streets in Paris, Rue St. Denis initially opened its doors on the Upper West Side in the 1990s, but has since relocated downtown. The shop, which caters to both women and men, specializes in authentic, unworn vintage clothing from the 1940s to the 1980s. Its owner and buyer Jean-Paul Buthier jetsets to Europe regularly to research and purchase his merchandise mix. The shop is renowned for its vast collection of men’s suits from the 1960s and 1970s, some boasting notable European and American labels. The topnotch fashion talent here has worked with wardrobe specialists to pull together looks for both movies and TV shows, and has also provided inspiration for fashion designers worldwide. ruestdenis.com
Vintage Fashion NYC: Upper East Side and SoHo
One fashionista’s discarded items are another’s treasure. A Second Chance Designer Resale Boutique offers “pre-owned” designer items from a lineup of A-list labels. The shop's selection of chic handbags, designer shoes, luxury dresses, sweaters, and other attire and accessories comes from topnotch design houses such as Chanel, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Dolce & Gabbana, and Prada. Need to accessorize? You’ll uncover a parade of sexy shoes from Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Jimmy Choo, as well as pre-owned Chanel and Louis Vuitton handbags, and vintage Chanel gems. The fashion mix includes all of the accessories necessary to create a look, from gloves to sunglasses, watches, belts, and more. To accommodate both uptown and downtown gals, A Second Chance offers two locations: on the Upper East Side and in SoHo. asecondchanceresale.com
Vintage Fashion NYC: SoHo
Luxury vintage shop What Goes Around Comes Around has been a coveted source for fashionistas since the opening of the SoHo flagship in 1993. Founders Seth Weisser and Gerard Maione have been traveling the globe for more than 20 years to scout clothing and accessories that span from the 1880s to the 1990s. Its stores, in Manhattan and beyond, offer extensive collections of vintage designer clothing. You'll encounter one-of-a-kind finds from Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Alaia, Comme des Garcons, and more. The assortment also includes Levi's, classic rock T's, military apparel, and a highly curated mix of key collectibles. In 2014, the shop even unveiled an outpost in Kuwait City. whatgoesaroundnyc.com
Vintage Fashion NYC: Upper East Side
With a Manhattan address and several locations in the posh Hamptons, Collette Luxury Consignment was founded by Tisha Collette—a model who originally hailed from the shores of the West Coast. The polish of shops out there inspired her to channel her entrepreneurial spirit, sense of style, and retail vision into a luxe consignment experience. Her small empire now includes five stores, which cater to women, men, and children. It also includes furniture. The shops' teams of professional stylists, who have an eye for trends and classic looks, will gladly offer expert advice. colletteconsignment.com