Thrift Shopping in NYC: Your Guide to the City’s Hidden Inexpensive Vintage Gems

Moving to New York meant a lot of new things: $9 fresh pasta just a few blocks away from me, the urgent feeling to hand sanitize after getting out of every single subway station, and being able to find vintage designer items at insanely low prices.

That’s right, for my last month living in the City, I’ve been running across town in search of the best thrift stores. Whether it’s $3 vintage earrings or highly-desirable vintage Chanel pumps for just $25, I’ve found them, and I’m ready to share my findings with you!

If you all enjoy this post, I’ll be doing another post on where to find the best curated and highest quality luxury vintage in the city!

6. Housing Works – Chelsea    Price: $
143 W 17th St
Housing Works is going to appear on this list a lot, just a heads up. Of the locations I’ve visited, Chelsea definitely has the most home items. From cute vintage dishes to unique wall mirrors, this place has some truly fantastic home pieces at amazing prices. While it isn’t horrible for clothing, there is a decent amount of designer footwear {think Ferragamo! Think $25!}, especially for men!

Favorite find: Marble dual level side table for $35

5. Beacon’s Closet
Price: $$
10 W 13th St
Beacon’s Closet’s pricing is a bit up and down, however this bustling Union Square thrift shop boasts clothing and shoe picks from some of the biggest designers in fashion, and if you’re lucky, a few one of a kind samples at unbeatable prices as well {a Carolina Herrera sample for $50? Sign me up}. Being right next to Parsons School of Design, it makes perfect sense that this store would carry the higher end names! The only thing keeping this popular thrift hotspot from a higher spot on the list is it’s tendency to mark prices up a little higher than they’re really worth. That being said, if you can find the gems {brand new with tags Ted Baker top for $25, current season Alexander Wang long sleeve t-shirt for $34, and countless pairs of luxury shoes for under $65}, you can make out with some really amazing pieces for next to nothing!

Favorite find: Ted Baker top for $25

4. Housing Works – SoHo
Price: $
130 Crosby St
If you’re looking for vintage pieces at low prices, come to this Housing Works location! Aside from that, filling the SoHo location of Housing Works are endless designer clothing pieces at prices that simply can’t be beat. Come to this location to find on-trend designer items that don’t look too dated!

Favorite find: Vintage fit and flare dress for $10

3. AuH2O
Price: $$
84 E 7th St
Nestled in the East Village, this small thrift store may not boast the biggest names in luxury, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t still have something to offer! Named AuH2O for the self titled “thriftique’s” owner, Kate Goldwater {Au = Gold, H2O = Water}, the store boasts curated finds, all mostly under $25! While I feel as if it’s overpriced for trying to resell fast fashion brands such as H&M and Forever 21, the occasional vintage or designer find at AuH2O is typically a jaw-dropping price! My favorite thing about this small boutique? Their amazing collection of vintage jewelry {with vintage earrings typically only being $3-$5}! If you’re a student, stop by on Thursday — that’s when AuH2O offers a 15% discount!

Favorite find: Lilly Pulitzer Baby Shift for $8, Vintage drop earrings for $3

2. Housing Works – Gramercy
Price: $
157 E 23rd St
If you’re a luxury vintage shoe connoisseur, this is your place! Of all the vintage and thrift stores I’ve explored in the city, the only one that comes close to rivaling Housing Works Gramercy is Beacon’s Closet. The only difference? Housing Works prices! Aside from the shoes, Housing Works Gramercy also offers a selection of über affordable and trendy clothing for all sizes, there’s so much of it that one could easily spend hours searching through it.

Favorite find: Vintage Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, and Ferragamo pumps all at just $25-$35 each

1. Angel Street Vintage
Price: $
118 W 17th St
This. This is the place to go for amazing vintage luxury pieces at stunning prices. From Prada Men’s button downs to gorgeous Jason Wu dresses and Diane Von Furstenberg coats, Angel Street Vintage is the ultimate hidden gem of inexpensive NYC thrift stores. The store doesn’t look like much stepping into it, so be prepared to do some searching to find that perfect garment! Angel Street gets new pieces several times a day, so if you find something you fall in love with, be sure to snatch it up!

Favorite find: Citizens of Humanity shorts for $8, Dolce and Gabbana shorts for $12, there’s way too many to list

Coming soon for all you vintage and thrift lovers: common thrift myths in NYC! If there’s any shops that I missed, leave them in the comments down below!