City-specific shopping thread

proseccoprincess

SkinnyGossip Royal
Recently Verified
Aug 20, 2018
2,241
13,479
paris/nyc
Thought it would be useful to have a thread for shopping recommendations in cities members are from/have visited, especially since everyone can provide recommendations for different styles, price points, types of stores, etc. even if they live in a city already mentioned.

I tend to buy 95% of my clothing secondhand or vintage (aside from underwear/anything else that can't really be bought secondhand, or occasionally stuff on final clearance sale. I do it for environmental reasons mostly, I feel like if something is on final clearance sale they won't be making more of it and I'm not contributing to the production of new clothing, idk. It also allows me to have a wardrobe of 80% leather and fur despite being a vegan lol.) My price range for clothing (tops, bottoms, jackets, shoes, handbags) is generally $100-500. Less for underwear and basic tank tops ofc, or stuff I don't really intend on wearing and just "need" (as mentioned in another thread, heels, bikinis, skinny jeans for digis and castings, which I buy as cheap as possible at a thrift store.) Occasionally more for a staple like a really good coat or occasional treats.


NYC:

- Untitled Vintage (LES), great for 90s/00s designer, minimalistic/gothic pieces
- Pilgrim (LES), lots of Ann Demeulemeester, CDG, Yamamoto, Chloe, Rick Owens, Isabel Marant from 90s-early 2010s
- Ending Soon (LES) and Vintage Store (LES), basically "___" for the last two
- Ritual Vintage (Nolita) for actual vintage i.e. 60s-90s, some of it is not really wearable today but if you need a pair of authentic disco bell bottoms that's your store
- Stella Dallas (both stores, Williamsburg) is two shops right next to each other, one sells proper vintage including pieces from the 1800s and tons of pre-1960s lingerie, sweaters, coats, as well as housewares (mostly carpets.) The older, more delicate items are definitely more of an investment and although I lust over them I can't justify buying a top from the 1890s for 500$+ knowing how delicate it is, but the wool sweaters/coats are definitely great for NYC winter. Next door they have their "6 ft single" shop, which also has a cheaper vintage section (50s-80s stuff mostly) and a more modern "thrift store" section with cheaper prices, lots of levis jeans, t shirts, etc. Lots to look through, it's like a 1-2 hour commitment unless you know exactly what you're looking for.
- About Glamour (Williamsburg), lots of CDG, Hysteric Glamour, Vivienne Westwood and japanese designers from 90s-00s plus art, household decor, etc.
- Seven wonders vintage (Williamsburg, LES) is a bit overpriced and has gone a bit downhill recently, but if you like the 70s vintage aesthetic it is well curated and I've found many things at their BK shops (they recently opened one in the LES as well.)
- Illisa's Vintage Lingerie on the UES is a dream for any 1900s-1960s lingerie aficionado but quite expensive (a bullet bra from the 30s cost me near $300)


LA:

You are blessed with weekly flea markets in LA, Los Feliz and Silver Lake are always good to waste a Saturday/Sunday at for vintage clothing, accessories, handmade jewelry, etc. The best monthly ones are definitely Topanga and Long Beach.

- Speaking of Topanga, I could spend (and have spent) entire days at Hidden Treasures, a vintage shop with a 60s/70s focus although I have seen more modern things there. Also visit Flower Power across the street.
- Long Beach Vintage Etc, mix of vintage vendors, posters, home decor, antiques, and more cool stuff. Worth the trip to Long Beach.
- Le Boudoir (Echo Park), specialty lingerie store selling luxury and up-and-coming brands
- Los Rodeos (Echo Park), right next door selling mostly 90s-00s designer and always has an amazing collection of shoes.
- Jet Rag (WeHo), huge store, inexpensive, huge selection of vintage and "vintage" lol. You can basically find anything here, and mostly for under $30. Their kids' section is also great, I wish I could fit into some of the pieces but alas I haven't gotten there yet :lol: If you are shorter than me and under BMI 16 you may have a chance though. I am told they have a $1 sale on Sunday mornings or something where like half the store is $1? (I'm never awake for that sadly)
- Recess (WeHo), more on the expensive side but I've found some insane designer consignment items here (Viv Westwood platforms- like the original 90s ones that Naomi tripped in, thank god they were too big for me)
- 925 (DTLA), I've only seen them at a flea market and never been to their showroom, but looks amazing (although more y2k/mcbling oriented, if that's your style)
- Dresscue (Studio City) is a consignment store, consistently has better options than the nearby Wasteland.
- Altar (Cypress Park), concept store that regularly hosts different vintage vendors, and coincidentally is right next to..
- Revival Vintage Furniture- not at all a clothing store but ridiculously cheap furniture shop that is open on weekends only. If you just moved to LA and need furniture I highly recommend following their IG and showing up with cash at 10AM sharp on Saturday morning.

Online only:

- Verr Seco, based in Ukraine (most of us cannot visit for obvious reasons but they sell through IG and their telegram channel)
- awww, online only but does pop-ups occasionally, I was recently at their PFW pop-up and found an amazing pair of Miu Miu heels
- A_Collection, not sure where they're based but they do regular online drops (90s-00s designer)
- SSENSE sale is nothing revolutionary but definitely shop there for underwear and workout clothes; where else are you going to find Fleur du Mal and Agent Provocateur for 10-20$?


Looking for recommendations in Paris, all I've found here is L'Obscur (Temple)


Side By Side
is my only Berlin rec since I haven't spent much time there, but please give me more if you have them :)


I haven't been to London in a while, will go again soon, but Portobello Road Market is always the best for vintage shopping. Ad Hominem is also on my list for 90s-00s designer.
 
Last edited:
  • Love
  • Jizztastic
  • Like
Reactions: 9 users
Paris recs
Ok I have more now:

Seconde Vue (vintage glasses/sunglasses)
Revoir Vintage
Demain Retro
Dot Comme
Middaia (handmade jewelry)
Depot Sauvage (does rentals too)

@kissa.vintage.paris on IG is a good source for upcoming flea markets and pop ups

Unfortunately apart from flea markets I don’t have any recs in the under 200€ price range :( none for basics either if that’s what you’re looking for; the Kilo thrift shops are just ok imo and not really that cheap. London is way better for vintage shopping imo
 
  • Useful
Reactions: 1 user
Love this thread, especially because I prefer buying clothes IRL. My price point is also £100-500 and I like to shop at curated archive stores. Occasionally I'll pick up something new but usually half+ off from end-of-season sales or from friends who get big employee discounts.

NYC
  • Procell (LES) - 00s Prada Sport, Marithé François Girbaud, Helmut Lang, general vibe is pretty sporty. I love their vintage Prada selection here but I must note that they mark-up stuff 3x what they should be, IMO
  • James Veloria (LES) - 00s Rick Owens, Dries van Noten, Margiela, Prada, CDG, more colorful/eclectic curation, prices pretty reasonable. It's on the second floor of a grungy Chinatown complex with other vintage shops that are a bit cheaper and the Eckhaus Latta store.
  • Café Forgot (LES) - Not vintage, small curated multi-designer store. Carries trendy designers like Emily Dawn Long and Maroske Peech.
  • ESSX NYC (LES) - Not vintage, multi-designer store that is DSM-like in size. Bit more monochrome and techwear-y in here, with Mainline:RUS/Fr.CA/DE, Ottolinger, Ann D, Martine Rose, Post Archive Faction
  • Tokio 7 (East Village) - Large but cramped consignment store with great variance but also rewards digging... it's the cheapest of the lot.
LA
  • H.Lorenzo - Not vintage, SSENSE-like store with edgier curation. There's a few different locations: H.N.L.R. in WeHo is my favorite, they also have H.Lorenzo Archive in DTLA with big+++ sales for pieces from older seasons.
Shanghai
  • 出柜百货公司 (Jing'an) - Huge vintage store with amazing stuff, must go if you're in Shanghai. Wide range of designers from all the big houses (Chanel, Prada, Hermes, Burberry) to y2k darlings (Cavalli, D&G) to Japanese heavy-hitters. Amazing prices.
  • PPF (Jing'an) - Tiny shop but excellent curation. 00-10s Burberry, Vivienne Westwood, Vivienne Tam, Helmut Lang. Curation leans y2k, edgier.
  • eth0s (Xuhui) - Not vintage, large multi-designer store with both foreign and Chinese designers. Grungy, sleek vibe.
  • Le Monde de SHC (Xuhui) - Not vintage, multi-floor multi-designer store with both foreign and Chinese designers. The most "tasteful" quiet luxury curation out of this list.
  • Labelhood (Jing'an) - Same as above but only with hot Chinese designers. Few different locations, go to the womenswear one. More edgy, trendy, cutesy depending on the label.
  • Shushu/Tong - I would just go to their flagship store because it is cute as hell in there.
London
  • Files (London Fields) - 00-10s ton of Japanese designers (think they get their stock from Tokyo?), CDG, Marithé François Girbaud, Helmut Lang, Hussein Chalayan. My favorite curation that is a bit sporty, tasteful, and cool and with really good prices.
  • Twos (London Fields) - CDG, Celine, Prada, on the smaller side but very reasonable. Bit stripped back, workwear.
  • West Archive (London Fields) - Gucci, McQueen, Margiela, Prada. More expensive but beautiful selection.
  • Aro Archive (Shoreditch) - Margiela, Miu Miu, Yohji. Large store that is fun to browse.
  • Machine-A (Soho) - Not vintage, medium-sized multi-designer store with cooler, edgy brands like Ottolinger, Mugler, Hyein Seo.
Berlin
  • Sing Blackbird (Neukolln) - 00s Diesel, Plein Sud, Cop Copine. Very "Berlin" look and with some cheaper stuff.
  • Voo Store (Kreuzberg) - Not vintage, the SSENSE of Berlin, lol.

I'll return with some online places to shop soon.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: 3 users
Shoreditch
Literally anywhere on Brick Lane hahahaha

Some more:

Yotts Vintage
Quatrieme (never been but looks relatively affordable and cute)
Specstacular Opticians (glasses)
Bridges and Brows (glasses)

y2k vintage ** not really an endorsement of tacky y2k style "vintage", but 1. everything is low rise 2. relatively cheap and 3. easy to find small sizes/basics. They also are doing giant "warehouse" sales where everything is like 10-12 GBP I believe, check their IG for dates. Still not really an endorsement unless you are in the unique situation of needing tight low rise pants/miniskirts and tank tops and don't want to spend money or buy new.

I think Fridays are the best days for vintage at Portobello Rd Market, haven't had time to go recently though. I know a ton of UK based vintage/designer resellers who pop up at fairs or sell via Instagram but don't have physical stores, some are smaller scale and I don't want to give too much personal info away by listing 70% of my friends in London lol but PM if interested.

Side by Side in Berlin is good too