The 5 Best Vintage Stores In New York City  

A certified world fashion capital, New York stays true to its title when it comes to shopping. Its individuality thrives on an amazing vintage scene, making it the ideal place to forgo fast fashion trends and embrace sustainability. However, in a city this big it can be hard to know where to start. So, here’s our list of the best vintage hotspots:    

1. Kalimera founder Alexandra Cherouvis has had an impressive first year. Her Brooklyn store boasts a beautifully decorated space with lots of light and even better clothing. Often sourcing from Europe, expect high-quality leathers and inclusive, well-fitting pieces. Out front, Kalimera has a sale rack packed with affordable buys. Longevity is key to its ethos. “I gravitate towards classic staples,” says Cherouvis. “I want customers to get a great quality piece that lasts longer than a single season or trend.” 

2. Tired Thrift started as a “passion project” for founders and cousins Elona and Lediona Zharku. They were at college when they set up in Green Point sourcing “authentic pieces directly from the decades current fashion trends are getting their inspiration from”. Their store “for Gen Z, created by Gen Z” proved a hit, and Tired Thrift has since opened a second location in Manhattan. The aesthetic is witty Y2K slogan tops and micro minis in inclusive sizes. There’s a focus on community via Instagram Story sales, TikTok content and in-store customer events.  

3. Madame Matovu has been a West Village staple since 2007. It’s a treasure chest of clothing, accessories and costume jewellery and each piece tells a story. The eclectic experience of Madame Matovu encapsulates the energy of NYC. And while the city is ever changing and gentrifying, owner Rosemary Wettenhall retains a loyal community of customers thanks to her excellent taste and years of experience. Perfect for fashion magpies.  

4. Rogue, in the Lower East Side, may be reminiscent of your childhood bedroom – if you’re a ’90s baby at least. Focusing on the ’90s and 2000s with a nod to old-school rave wear, the store’s “nostalgia will hit you like a brick”, according to founder Emma Rogue. She progressed from online selling to a bricks and mortar store in 2021. She has since gained fans including Post Malone and Moschino creative director Jeremy Scott. This seal of approval is testament to Emma’s hard work and social media following (check out the popular street interview series on Rogue’s Instagram and TikTok). Visit for colourful pieces that won’t break the bank, and don’t forget to give SpongeBob a nod on the way out. 

5. Chess And The Sphinx owners Sara Chess and Erika Perenic hand-pick every piece in this intimate Bushwick store for a customer base they describe as “unafraid to be noticed”. While the inventory ranges from the ’50s to the 2000s, most hails from the ’70s onwards. The inspiration, the owners say, is “a strong and empowered feminine image”. Expect to unearth beautiful vintage lingerie, a rare ’90s ALAÏA, perhaps, or some satin Prada pumps. 

Georgia Moot is a model and writer, based between London and New York. She has written for British Vogue, Refinery29, Browns and Dazed