Most visitors to New York City think of the giant window displays on Fifth Avenue or the imposing storefront of the Macy’s flagship store when they envision shopping in New York,. But fashion insiders have their own little haunts where they go to find discounted designer duds and one-of-a-kind vintage. If you’re looking for a real shopping experience that promises to yield more than just crowds and jaw-droppingly high prices, you’ll have to head downtown, where –if you’re in the know — finding vintage designer pieces for a fraction of their original prices is easier than locating a hot dog stand in Times Square.
Below is a list of designer discount stores and consignment stores to help you shop like a stylist.
Inven.tory
This SoHo boutique outlet promises to let you “shop like Wynona” with cut prices on everything from Cheap Monday jeans to hard-to-find labels like 5 Preview.
237 Lafayette Street between Prince and Spring Streets. Stay nearby at the Crosby Street Hotel.
Use Your Head
It may have an odd name, but this vintage and designer charity resale boutique benefits the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless. Because the clothes are donated from both stylish individuals as well as designer showrooms, there’s always a mix of last season’s never-worn pieces and beautiful vintage items that promise to wear well.
262 Mott Street between E. Houston and Prince Streets. Stay nearby at The Bowery Hotel.
Beacon’s Closet
This Brooklyn gem is a destination spot for anyone with enough patience to dig through the massive collection of second-hand goods. Sure, it may feel like digging for a needle in a haystack, but when you walk away with vintage Prada at Forever 21 prices, it’ll all be worth it.
88 N. 11th Street at Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn
Tokio 7
Another must-stop spot for vintage and consignment lovers, this well-edited store carries only designer labels so there’s much less scavenging required to find something special. The higher prices reflect the work that goes into collecting such fine pieces.
83 E. 7th Street between First and Second Avenues. Stay nearby at The Cooper Square Hotel.
Brooklyn Flea
Held every Saturday in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, this famous flea has everything from furniture to vintage jewelry and other treasures just waiting to be discovered.
176 Lafayette Avenue between Clemont and Vanderbilt Avenues, Brooklyn
–Adrien Field of The Field Notes
[Photo credit: Atomische | Tom Giebel / Flickr]
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