A sustainable New York City Shopping Guide

As expected, New York City did not disappoint when it came to an incredible shopping experience. Especially when it came to the thrift and vintage stores, they were bursting with beautiful, unique pieces at amazing prices. It really put my local thrifting spots here in Brisbane to shame.

The culture of shopping I found to be very present and at odds with the shopping culture I am accustomed to in Brisbane. Here, there is a get in and get out kind of mentality. Stores are overwhelming and under-curated. I found shopping in New York to be a lot more of an immersive experience. Visual merchandising and decor were polished and perfected. Pops of colour were popular in stores, a stark contrast to the grey skies outside. A reprieve from the cold and the rushed streets outside, shoppers found sanctuary and inspiration in their favourite boutiques. In this post I am going to talk you through some of my favourite boutiques and shopping experiences in New York; from sample sale to Salvos.

Number One

City Opera Thrift

222 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010, United States

I am going to start on a high note with my hands down favourite “thrift store” I discovered in New York. I say “thrift store” in quotations because it was far more curated and on a completely different level to the Vinnies down the road. The place was full of incredible vintage pieces, from feather overcoats to structured suits, City Opera Thrift was like a time capsule of luxury. They also had a great homewares section upstairs, so don’t skip having a browse up there.

Profits from this store benefit the New York City Opera and you can really see the majority of their stock being flaunted by glamorous opera goers. There are more casual pieces to be found as well, like this stunning vintage Yves Saint Laurent blazer I found. Unfortunately, it came with a YSL price tag as well, however, at $250 it really was a steal for the brand and the quality of the piece.

Here is a little sneak peek at a few other pieces I tried on, all in impeccable condition.

Please ignore the awkward fitting room selfies and focus on those amazing clothes.

I went to this store twice in my time in New York and both times walked away with a gorgeous piece. The first being that vintage balloon sleeve linen, embroidered blouse that gives me all of the 80’s artist vibes. I picked it up for $45 which I was very happy with for the condition and quality of the top. On my second visit, I picked up a super fun, retro 60’s gogo dancer vibes, skirt, with colour blocked panels and an a-line silhouette from Nicole Miller, for $49.

Rating 5/5

Number Two

Beacon’s Closet

10 W 13th St, New York, NY 10011, United States

This shop was a consignment store so the stock was very curated, filled with big name brands and vintage. The prices were still great for the quality of the selection. I picked up a gorgeous Mui Mui blouse for $40 and a pair of vintage high waisted Levi’s for $12. Needless to say, I was very happy. I also visited the location in Greenpoint and that was huge! It took hours to sift through, and the selection was also amazing. Definitely worth a browse for a guaranteed find.

Rating 5/5

Number Three

Brooklyn Flea Market

25 Kent Ave 8th floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States

Tucked up on the 8th floor, The Brooklyn Flea - winter market, is shielded from the elements. Meaning rain, hail or shine, you can get a great vintage find! The industrial space is filled with vendors selling their wares, from delicious food, vintage jewellery, handmade pottery and all of the vintage clothing and accessories of your dreams. The prices are a bit less dreamy, you pay for the curated collection and atmosphere, but definitely shop around. Before I decided on anything to purchase, I walked through all of the stalls and kept a mental note or what I loved and the prices. Lucky I did too, I went in wanting to find a vintage top handle bag and I found a few, prices ranging from $30-$80. After hunting, I landed on this beauty from a lovely lady for $30.

This market is definitely worth a visit for all of the inspiration and a selective purchase or two.

Rating 4/5

Number 4

The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center

220 E 23rd St, New York, NY 10010, United States

I almost walked right by this thrift store, tucked into the streets of the West Village. Honestly, from the outside this place looked picked over, dirty and unorganised. This was true. But treasure was there to be found! The prices were incredible as well, I found a great vintage basketball tee for 99 cents! Macklemore’s dream thrift shop. The trouble with this store is that there were no fitting rooms so it was a struggle to see if any of the gems I found would fit. Tops were fine, I just tried those on over my own tee shirt but bottoms were a risk. A risk I was willing to take on a pair of amazing yellow silk pants, embroidered with light pink crabs! They were a bit big when I got them home, nothing a quick alteration won’t fix. If you are in the mood for an authentic thrifting experience in the hustle of the city, definitely hit this place up for a bargain.

Rating 5/5

Number 5

STAUD Sample Sale

Okay you get it. I love to thrift. Now for something a little less sustainable. When in New York, you know I had to hit up a sample sale! 260 Sample Sales is a great website to look through to see upcoming sample sales so you can plan for calendar accordingly. I was incredibly excited to see a brand I have loved for a very long time, STAUD pop up.

Now, I’ve seen confessions of a shopaholic more times than I care to admit, so I was geared up, ready to fight for that perfect handbag. The reality was a lot less intense. I went on the second day of the sale and there was a steady, calm flow of people through. No cat fighting necessary. Although mildly disappointed, it did mean I could consider my purchases with a clear mind and really have a good browse. My goal was to find a handbag, STAUD does amazing, unusually shaped accessories and the quality is beautiful. I found my dream bag for $100 and it would have retailed for around $450. As a bonus, I found this incredible jumper and had to pick it up.

If you love a brand but they are a bit out of your average budget then definitely check out if they have any sample sales coming up. I have got so much wear out of my new bag baby and the quality is excellent, she will last a lifetime, the price I got her for was just an added bonus.

Rating 5/5

Number 6

Zero Waste Daniel

369 Hooper street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Zero Waste Daniel is an amazing brand, based in Brooklyn that specialises in sustainable and, as the name suggests zero waste fashion. The brand is all about spreading the message of sustainability and good craftsmanship. Their little boutique is a bit out of the way, tucked into the streets of Brooklyn, but so worth a visit if you want a bit more insight into the business. They manufacture all of their products in New York using recycled materials, not even their thread gets thrown away. Off cuts from previous patterns get saved to be used in future designs. The style of the brand is street style with a point of difference. Mosaic design’s utilising waste fabrics are the brand signature, making Granny’s old quilting techniques look edgy and cool.

Rating 4/5

Number 7

Dover Street Market

160 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10016, United States

This maze of fashion boasts a curated selection of high end and independent designer’s work. From Gucci to emerging brands from Brain Dead, this market space is the place to go for inspiration. The layout takes you through a industrial, turned retail space, you never knew if you were walking into a supply closet or if Comme des Garçons were going to be displayed around the bend. It was an unusual shopping experience that took the consumer on a journey, high end designers on the top of the spaces seven levels and more emerging designers on the lower floors. Definitely worth a look for a different retail experience.

Rating 3.5/5 - only because I couldn’t afford anything