We all know and hate them, celebrities that walk red carpets in Los Angeles and New York City sporting unbelievable ensembles - you know the types - fashion icons, select members of young Hollywood, all around fashionistas. You wait for the instant a journalist exclaims, “You look fantastic! Who are you wearing?!” and cringe the second the stunning starlet shrugs and, with a proud smile, says, “its vintage,” making it impossible to acquire for your own closet regardless of its price tag. Don’t hate on the savvy vintage shopper when you could be one yourself – check out what we think are the top vintage shops to hit when browsing racks at all price ranges across New York City.

New York Vintage
Home to some of the most high-end and historic haute-couture vintage pieces, New York Vintage is one of the priciest and most exciting vintage shops in Manhattan – and pricy for good reason. With Chanel suits from the days of Coco herself and evening dresses that are red carpet appropriate, frequent shoppers at New York Vintage include celebrity stylists and editors from the top fashion publications. Visit New York Vintage if you have a pretty penny to spend on some unbelievable finds, if you want to ooh and ahh at the site of handmade couture, or if you just want to shop next to Rachel Zoe.
New York Vintage, 117 West 25th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues, 212.647.1107

Beacon’s Closet
For a cheap and fun vintage experience, head to Brooklyn and spend some time exploring the many color-coded racks at Beacon’s Closet. With cheap finds that will help you enhance your day-to-day ensembles, Beacon’s prices are guilt-free, encouraging shoppers to take fashion risks and spend on things you’d otherwise stress over. Prepare to spend some time buying and selling goods at this casual shop, as sifting through the myriad of racks tends to be quite time-consuming. If you encounter a bad day at Beacon’s – don’t get discouraged! Return on another day and you will have a completely different experience - the turnover of this shop’s merchandise is an almost daily occurrence. And, who knows? Upon your return you might just find Nylon contributor, Cory Kennedy, browsing the racks with you.
Beacon’s Closet Williamsburg, 88 North 11th Street, 718.486.0816.
Beacon’s Closet Park Slope, 92 5th Avenue, 718.230.1630.

Ina
While Beacon’s Closet color-codes racks of sweaters and old tank tops, Ina does something similar with a very small selection of high-end designer dresses, tops, and jackets. Do not be discouraged if one visit does not jive with your personal style or fashion needs, as each visit to Ina can mean browsing through a completely different selection than the time prior. With good deals on otherwise incredibly pricy goods, Ina has been the source of some exciting wardrobe additions to the closets of many New York ladies. The most exciting Ina experience I’ve heard about thus far? A pair of nude leather Pierre Hardy wedges that were as good as new. The price tag? 80 dollars for shoes that otherwise would have cost hundreds!
Ina, 15 Bleeker Street, 212.228.8511

Daha
Located on the Lower East Side, the unpretentious and authentic Daha is a treat for those looking to get in touch with their femininity. Walk into the futuristic-ly decorated shop and find yourself holding a sky-high pile of options to try on within minutes. Flirty dresses from the 60’s and 70’s at affordable prices fill the space, and accessories from my two favorite decades make selecting favorites quite difficult. The perfect place to find unique and flirty pieces and all of the goods to style it, Daha is a one stop shop for a perfect ensemble that is not only interesting and special, but versatile and fashion forward (while technically being from fashion’s past). If you ever can’t find me on a lazy Saturday, odds are I am spending hours trying on dresses at this Orchard Street spot.
Daha Vintage, 175 Orchard Street, 212.388.1176

Buffalo Exchange
A California import, Buffalo Exchange has recently arrived in Manhattan and Brooklyn to join the ranks of the many cheap vintage shops across the city. The difference between Buffalo and others of its kind? The pleasant surprises. Take an hour and sell some of your own goods at Buffalo Exchange, then, turn your trash into cash and rummage through the racks where pleasant surprises lurk under each sparkly 90’s tube top. The best finds I’ve uncovered at Buffalo? A Kate Moss for Topshop harem-pant jumpsuit and an unbelievably authentic floral 70’s boho blouse for nine dollars.
Buffalo Exchange, 332 East 11th Street, 212.260. 9340
Buffalo Exchange Brooklyn, 504 Driggs Avenue, 718.384.6901

Chelsea Girl
Upon walking into Chelsea Girl, your first encounter is with a rack of perfectly selected vintage furs. But, do not let the fur vests, cropped jackets and coats distract you from all of the other treats at this trendy and well-known West Village boutique. Chelsea Girl is the home to the vintage collection, an array of colors and patterns that can make any girl understand how DVF revolutionized 70’s fashion with one piece, the printed wrap dress. Finish your journey from 1950 to 1990 with the magnificent accessories on display at the front of the shop. With its narrow layout and perfectly organized merchandise, you will leave wishing Chelsea Girl was your personal walk-in closet.
Chelsea Girl, 63 Thompson Street, 212.343.1658

Resurrection
When she was awarded a coveted spot on Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed List, Kelly Ripa named Resurrection her stop for vintage goods. With locations in Los Angeles and thankfully New York, Resurrection is known to all as one, if not the, top vintage boutique in the city. Your wish to dress like you are partying at Studio 54, in Twiggy’s Entourage, or embracing the 80’s is granted at Resurrection with items from collections as special as that of , John Galliano, and Courreges. With clients like Agyness Deyn, Kate Moss and Nicole Richie, stop into Resurrection if you are bold and fashion savvy enough to dress like you stomp the runway or the red carpet for a living.
Resurrection, 217 Mott Street, 212.625.1374