Vintage Stores Worth Traveling For
Success in a vintage store is as rare as it is satisfying. It is less rare, however, if you know where to look. New York is a mecca for vintage with an abundance of shops in the heart of downtown Manhattan and others on the outskirts that make for a worthwhile road trip. While the unappealing act of sifting through racks and bins overflowing with clothes is enough for some to take a pass, there are a few rare shops that favor a more precise method of merchandising. These stores—often owned by mythical raconteurs who know more about fashion and antiques than the internet—ensure you walk away with something one-of-a-kind. Below, we’ve assembled a list of our favorites in NYC and further afield.
What Goes Around Comes Around (pictured) is a New York City staple for editors, designers, and stylists alike, with an archive that ranges from quilted Chanels and Alaias to cowboy boots and band tees. Although it houses over 100,000 unique pieces, the experience is always easy. An appointment is required to visit the showroom, which can be tricky to pin down but worth the finesse. Once you’re inside, everything is organized by category inspiring you to step into character.
351 W Broadway, New York, NY 10013; T. (212) 343-1225
Going to Malin Landeus in Brooklyn is like going to see your beautiful and impeccably-dressed aunt. The shop is run by Malin and her daughter, Nova, which lends itself to making everyone feel like family. Here, sifting through fashion comes with a tea and a chat. You can talk about your dreams and find your dream dress. The accessories are particularly unique with a large selection of jewelry, shoes, and hats. In addition to the incredible archive of unaltered vintage, there are also hand-dyed silks and cashmere made by Malin with love.
157 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211; T. (347) 687-0572
Head north to the charming hamlet of Narrowsburg to purposefully stumble upon Maison Bergogne. It’s the kind of place that makes your heart sing with its large 26-foot doorway and its carefully assembled objects that strike a balance of bright color and patina. The inventory is almost entirely local with architectural pieces sourced from old farmhouses down the road and ceramics from local artists and friends of its proprietor, Juliette Hermant. The backdrop of unspoiled Catskill forest and the pristine Delaware River help set the tone for what is found here.
226 Bridge St, Narrowsburg, NY 12764; T. (213) 379-3900
Located in Tannersville, NY, Out of the Closet is not the kind of place that draws you in with a beautiful facade or the most modern interiors. In fact, everything about the way the building looks is modest. In 2014, the shop moved from the Hamptons to the little mountain-peak town where its owner, Lucy Martin, grew up. Walk up the front stairs and down the ones to the right to find a particularly astounding collection of white cotton, linen and lace—a sleeping gown from 100 years ago, Victorian-age pantalettes and hand embroidered aprons. When you ask about the pieces, Ms. Martin glows, knowing everything there is to know about each garment. All the items are sold at a discount from the price tags, which remain on the clothing from earlier days in the Hamptons.
6017 Main Street, Tannersville, NY 12485; T. (518) 589-4133
To get to Outback Antiques of Kingston, NY, you must walk on a grass lawn to a big red barn that sits behind its owner’s home. The barn—over 100 hundred years old with large hand-hewn beams—is the rustic backdrop for a large collection of delicate porcelain, fine linens, and beautiful country textiles. The unique garments range from mid-1800s to the 1970s. While it requires more digging than some of the other shops on this list, the setting in the barn with light pouring through the large doorway makes a long search delightful.
72 Hurley Avenue, Kingston, New York 12401; T. (845) 331 – 4481
Everything about Clementine Vintage is down to earth: its owner Misha Mayers, the quintessential Catskill wardrobe pieces that fill the racks, even the bucolic hamlet it sits in (Andes, NY). Here you can expect to find vintage wool intarsia knits and the softest cotton dresses that hit at the ankles. The collection does not necessarily celebrate iconic styles of past eras but rather features timeless staples that are very well made. It makes perfecting the upstate-weekend-away ensemble feel effortless.
72 Main St, Andes, NY 13731; T. (845) 676-3888
Words Jenny Hartman
