New York City has long been known as a fashion capital, and whether you’re a local or just visiting, shopping is bound to be at the top of your to-do list. While many tourists flock to window shop or splurge at the big-name designer stores on Fifth Avenue, vintage shopping in SoHo is one of NYC’s most iconic experiences. Think of the downtown fashion designer Patricia Field (who famously did the costumes on Sex and the City). For years, Field had her eponymous boutique on East Eighth Street, not far from SoHo, and it drew many big names who trusted the stylist’s taste, especially in vintage clothing. She then moved to another space in SoHo and now, Field’s boutique is on the Lower East Side. But the look she made famous is still found all over Lower Manhattan and you can still find some great vintage shops in SoHo—the kind that will complete your signature NYC experience.
High-End/Luxury Vintage:
What Goes Around Comes Around: Browse a curated collection of pieces from top luxury brands, including vintage Levi’s, rare rock tees, and pre-loved designer bags from labels like Chanel, Celine, and Dior. You never know what iconic piece of clothing or accessory you might discover here. Even better, there are two locations in SoHo, with stores at 113 Wooster Street and 351 West Broadway.
Treasures of NYC: While you can shop Treasures of NYC’s collection of authentic designer vintage pieces online, securing an appointment at The Treasures Clubhouse, the IRL store on Mercer Street in SoHo, makes for a much more immersive experience. Treasures releases appointments one month at a time via their website and app, so check at the end of the month to try your luck for the following month. If you snag an appointment, you’ll get to browse and hear more about the Treasures philosophy of bringing the edge back to high fashion.
Stylist Favorites:
Screaming Mimi’s: This legendary vintage store is now located in Greenwich Village on 14th Street (not far from SoHo), but originally, the unique collection was housed in a space on Lafayette Street. Screaming Mimi’s approaches vintage from a stylist’s perspective, so you can expect excellent suggestions and customer service to help guide your purchases.
James Veloria: The owners of this kaleidoscopic Chinatown shop began selling vintage online in 2014 before opening the store in 2017. Their love of experimental fashion, especially from the 1990s and early 2000s, drives the aesthetic, with an overload of bold colors and patterns. There is an emphasis on Japanese and European designers in the collection, which feels like a fashion wonderland and is regularly visited by stylists and photographers.
Consignment:
2nd Street – SoHo: A consignment and vintage store with over 700 locations in Japan also has a slew of outposts in the US, including in SoHo, at 27 Howard Street. The brand’s website makes it easy to find out how you can sell your clothing, and you can also shop online. Visit the SoHo store in person if you want to see the latest finds; you may find one-of-a-kind pieces from Vivienne Westwood or Gucci, or perhaps vintage Japanese designers you won’t see anywhere else in the States.
The RealReal – Soho: The RealReal is a very well-known luxury consignment website where buyers can rest assured that the designer pieces they’re buying have been authenticated. For even more peace of mind, you can shop The RealReal at their IRL store on Wooster Street in SoHo. This is also where you can drop off items for consignment, or make an appointment for valuation of your high-end items, or to book a private viewing of items priced above $2,000.
More Accessible Options:
Buffalo Exchange: This fashion resale retailer has been around since 1974 and now has more than 40 stores, including one on Broadway in NoHo (just north of SoHo). The store offers a selection of clothing and accessories for both men and women, typically pieces that might be described as funky and fun.
Crossroads Trading: Similar to Buffalo Exchange, Crossroads Trading buys and sells pre-loved garments and accessories, and this outpost on West 13th Street in Greenwich Village is just one of their many stores across the US.
Indie Vintage Shops:
No Name Vintage: None other than indie style darling Chloe Sevigny was snapped during a visit to this small vintage shop on Thompson Street. For a peek at what you will find in store, check out the shop’s Instagram page and stories, where they regularly post highlights for sale.
Ritual Vintage Clothing: Located on Broome Street, Ritual offers vintage pieces from 1850 through the 1990s, with a heavy focus on 1970s clothing. In addition to what’s available in the shop, you can arrange to see what’s in Ritual’s archive by request. Ritual also supplies vintage and period clothing to film and TV productions, so you know you’re likely to find some true gems when you visit.
Specialized Vintage:
Happy Isles: Specializing in vintage bridal dresses, and other special occasion wear, Happy Isles is a by-appointment-only salon located at 134 Spring Street in SoHo. The collection includes pieces from the 1930s through to the early 2000s, with an emphasis on designer labels and gowns in excellent condition. Happy Isles also has a location in LA and can ship dresses from that store upon request.
If you have the shoppies (an urgent desire to shop) after learning of all these fabulous vintage shops in SoHo, we don’t blame you! The good news is, you can stay at Arlo SoHo as your home base, and go forth to explore any or all of these stores specializing in pre-loved clothing and accessories. While you can get a sneak peek of what to expect on each store’s social media channels or website, there’s nothing quite like shopping in person. You’ll be able to feel the fabrics, stumble across surprising gems, and of course, do the all-important try-on. So, get your credit card ready, because it’s time to go shopping in SoHo.
