Thrift stores!
Sometimes some of the absolute best outfits come from thrift stores. We all have stories of the people who find the perfect tuxedo or new Armani suit in a thrift shop, or the beautiful brand-new designer dress with the tags still on it, all for under $20. Now is your chance! Get out there and be thrifty! And by the way, when you shop at thrift stores you'll often be donating to some mighty fine charities at the same time.
Check these NYTimes articles out for more happy thrift store reading!
Prospecting in Manhattan’s Richest Vintage Veins
Pre-Owned and Pre-Loved
Second Time Around
I have bought a LOT of gorgeous clothes perfect for tango and they were all waaaaaaaay less expensive than it would have been at original prices, and in absolutely perfect condition. If you crave quality but can only afford bargains, or even if you just want good quality and lower prices, check out these stores because they are WORTH it!
1040 Lexington Ave
111 Thompson Street
1318 Madison Avenue
2212 Broadway
232 3rd Avenue
238 W. 72nd Street
262 Mott Street
2624 Broadway
334 First Avenue
520 Third Avenue
94 7th Ave
East Village Thrift Stores
The East Village in Manhattan has a LOT of thrift and vintage stores that are perfect for tango dancers. One tanguero I know got 4 suits in one visit to these stores, for a total of $100! No excuse not to dress well, tangueros! Here's an abbreviated list, but go explore and find your favorite and let me know so I can add it!
No Relation Vintage, 204 1st Ave
East Village Thrift Shop, 186 2nd Ave
AuH2O, 84 East 7th St.
Mr Throw Back, 428 East 9th St.
Angela’s Vintage Boutique, 26 2nd Ave (look out, I used to live in this building - this one is especially dangerous for buying a LOT of dresses!!! It's a small place but the owner is Russian and has excellent taste, some really great clothes in this store!)
Arthritis Foundation Thrift Shop
Since 1948, this donation-based shop benefiting the Arthritis Foundation’s New York City chapter has been a choice destination for designer hand-me-downs. The outpost moved its stockpile of shoulder pad–sporting power suits and gala gowns to this roomier Upper East Side space in June 2008. A large selection of floor-grazing fur coats is displayed among bins of scarves, blouses, dress shirts, and cashmere sweaters. Bargain-seeking locals and label hounds head straight for the “boutique” rack behind the register, where labels include Chanel, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent. The spread is known to be updated two to three times a day, depending on donations, and a one-at-a-time holding rule is gently enforced. A small, hit-or-miss shoe rack flaunts upscale finds alongside retro tchochkes—think Manolo Blahnik pumps and needlepoint throws—and the offerings are replenished daily. (review by Genevieve Leon for New York Magazine)
Address: 1430 Third Ave. nr. 81st St.
Phone: 212-772-8816
Website: www.arthritis.org
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 77th St.
Payment methods: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
St. Luke's Thrift Store
This is one of my personal favorites. This is where my friend found his wedding tuxedo for $20. I regularly find clothes with the tags still on them from stores like Banana Republic and Express. It is small, only four small rooms, but it carries everything from furniture and books to home accessories and designer duds for as little as $40.
At the Church of St. Luke in the Fields
Address: 487 Hudson St. nr. Christopher St.
Phone: 212-924-9364
Hours: Sun-Fri, 11am-6pm; Sat, 10am-6pm
Nearby subway stops: 1 at Christopher St.-Sheridan Sq.
Payment methods: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Spence-Chapin Thrift Store
Spence and Chapin, long bastions for the education of New York’s blueblood feminine heirs, sponsor thrift shops to support the Spence-Chapin organization’s considerable good works in the larger community, mainly by recycling the high-end, high-quality cast-offs of elegant, label-happy UES moms. The jam-packed store donates thousands of dollars every month to charity, earned from the sale of near-new castoffs like Prada and Miu Miu dresses, Carolina Herrera leather totes, and Marc Jacobs peacoats, all at half their one-time retail price—or less. Granted, the gently worn clothes can be a season or two behind, but how much does a year matter when you’re talking Lacoste polos or lined Ralph Lauren gray flannel slacks? The shop is organized by category, with men’s clothing towards the back and women’s offerings crammed onto racks that line the whole space; a selection of furniture—heavy on the kitchen tables and chairs—is also available. The shop is usually crowded with both merchandise and people; shop early for the best picks. While the jaundice-suggestive fluorescent lighting could be better for choosing among the used Luca Luca gowns, shopping at the Spence-Chapin thrift shop is worth it for the bargains alone. (review by Faran Alexis Krentcil for New York Magazine)
Official Website: www.spence-chapin.org
First address:
1850 Second Ave. nr. 96th St.
Phone: 212-426-7643
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 96th St.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Second address:
1473 Third Ave. at 83rd St.
Phone: 212-737-8448
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-6:15pm; Sat, 11am-6pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 4, 5, 6 at 86th St.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Angel Street Thrift Shop
It was a noble idea when the Lower East Side Service Center decided to turn Manhattanites' unwanted designer duds, furniture, and home accessories into cash to help those affected by substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness. Today, the Angel Street Thrift Shop—located in Chelsea—is more than just the result of a philanthropic gesture and draws a steady group of regulars who have come to rely on this spot for its many diamonds in the rough. New donations arrive each day from patrons and designers alike, and though many pieces still have their original tags, Angel Street's prices are a real bargain. (Burberry for under $50?!) But, as many frequent shoppers will attest, if you see something worthwhile among the shop's organized and well-stocked racks, snag it, because tomorrow it'll be history. Despite the creaky wooden floors and standard-issue thrift-store racks—both staples of generic secondhand shops—the atmosphere is far from the dusty, cluttered feel of your local Salvation Army. The shelves here are organized and clean, the glass countertops sparkle, and everything—from apparel to armoires to champagne flutes—is displayed with impeccable care and attention. (review by Corinne Iozzio for New York Magazine)
First address:
118 W. 17th St.btwn 6th/7th Avenues
Phone: 212-229-0546
Website: www. angelthriftshop.org
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm
Nearby subway stops: 1 at 18th St.
Payment methods: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Second address:
67 Guernsey St. nr. Nassau St. in Greenpoint Brooklyn
Phone: 718-384-1807
Hours: Wed-Sat, 11am-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm; Mon-Tue, closed
Nearby subway stops: G at Nassau Ave.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Vintage Thrift Shop
The United Jewish Council of the East Side (UJC) and the South Manhattan Development Corporation (SMDC) started this non-profit thrift shop to raise money for their charitable services. A Saturday afternoon must-stop for the discriminating bargain hunter, the front of the deep, open-air space holds a well-organized collection of clothing for men and women, like a Oscar de la Renta wool jacket and burgundy London Fog trench coat — plus dapper hats, shoes, belts, scarves, and French and Italian eyeglass frames. Farther in, the room is dotted with couches, dressers, chests, and lamps. A don’t-miss is the makeshift media center, lined with jazz, pop, and rock records and books covering subjects like cooking, archeology, parenting, and design. Shoppers can also place in-store bids on the housewares, paintings, and furniture in the rotating window displays; “auction” winners are announced every three weeks. (review by Bree Sposato for New York Magazine)
Address: 286 Third Ave. nr. 23rd St.
Phone: 212-871-0777
Hours: Sun, 11am-7pm; Mon-Thu, 10:30am-8pm; Fri, 10:30am-dusk; Sat, closed
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 23rd St.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover
Salvation Army
I've found many interesting items in the Salvation Army since I was 14 years old and was given a clothing allowance but could go roller skating instead if I spent as little as possible on clothes. The New York City Salvation Army stores are full of stuff. The only question is, do you have the patience to wade through all of it?? It is worth adding to the list, however, because if you are REALLY broke and need something for REALLY cheap, (first go to the other thrift stores) if all else fails...head on over to one of the Salvation Army stores. Or all of them. (I'm only including the Manhattan locations, check the website for all others)
Website: www.salvationarmy.org
First address:
208 Eighth Ave. at 21st St.
Phone: 212-929-5214
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-5:30pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: C, E at 23rd St.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Second address:
112 Fourth Ave. nr. 12th St.
Phone: 212-673-2741
Hours: Mon-Tue and Thu, 10am-6pm; Wed and Fri-Sat, 10am-7pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W at 14th St.-Union Sq.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Third address:
220 E. 23rd St. nr. Third Ave.
Phone: 212-532-8115
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 23rd St.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Fourth address:
536 W. 46th St. nr. Tenth Ave.
Phone: 212-757-2311
Hours: Mon-Sat, 9am-5:30pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: A, C, E at 42nd St.-Port Authority Bus Terminal
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Fifth address:
268 W. 96th St. nr. Broadway
Phone: 212-663-2258
Hours: Mon and Sat, 10am-6pm; Tue-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 1, 2, 3 at 96th St.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Check these NYTimes articles out for more happy thrift store reading!
Prospecting in Manhattan’s Richest Vintage Veins
Pre-Owned and Pre-Loved
Second Time Around
I have bought a LOT of gorgeous clothes perfect for tango and they were all waaaaaaaay less expensive than it would have been at original prices, and in absolutely perfect condition. If you crave quality but can only afford bargains, or even if you just want good quality and lower prices, check out these stores because they are WORTH it!
1040 Lexington Ave
111 Thompson Street
1318 Madison Avenue
2212 Broadway
232 3rd Avenue
238 W. 72nd Street
262 Mott Street
2624 Broadway
334 First Avenue
520 Third Avenue
94 7th Ave
East Village Thrift Stores
The East Village in Manhattan has a LOT of thrift and vintage stores that are perfect for tango dancers. One tanguero I know got 4 suits in one visit to these stores, for a total of $100! No excuse not to dress well, tangueros! Here's an abbreviated list, but go explore and find your favorite and let me know so I can add it!
No Relation Vintage, 204 1st Ave
East Village Thrift Shop, 186 2nd Ave
AuH2O, 84 East 7th St.
Mr Throw Back, 428 East 9th St.
Angela’s Vintage Boutique, 26 2nd Ave (look out, I used to live in this building - this one is especially dangerous for buying a LOT of dresses!!! It's a small place but the owner is Russian and has excellent taste, some really great clothes in this store!)
Arthritis Foundation Thrift Shop
Since 1948, this donation-based shop benefiting the Arthritis Foundation’s New York City chapter has been a choice destination for designer hand-me-downs. The outpost moved its stockpile of shoulder pad–sporting power suits and gala gowns to this roomier Upper East Side space in June 2008. A large selection of floor-grazing fur coats is displayed among bins of scarves, blouses, dress shirts, and cashmere sweaters. Bargain-seeking locals and label hounds head straight for the “boutique” rack behind the register, where labels include Chanel, Prada, and Yves Saint Laurent. The spread is known to be updated two to three times a day, depending on donations, and a one-at-a-time holding rule is gently enforced. A small, hit-or-miss shoe rack flaunts upscale finds alongside retro tchochkes—think Manolo Blahnik pumps and needlepoint throws—and the offerings are replenished daily. (review by Genevieve Leon for New York Magazine)
Address: 1430 Third Ave. nr. 81st St.
Phone: 212-772-8816
Website: www.arthritis.org
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 77th St.
Payment methods: American Express, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
St. Luke's Thrift Store
This is one of my personal favorites. This is where my friend found his wedding tuxedo for $20. I regularly find clothes with the tags still on them from stores like Banana Republic and Express. It is small, only four small rooms, but it carries everything from furniture and books to home accessories and designer duds for as little as $40.
At the Church of St. Luke in the Fields
Address: 487 Hudson St. nr. Christopher St.
Phone: 212-924-9364
Hours: Sun-Fri, 11am-6pm; Sat, 10am-6pm
Nearby subway stops: 1 at Christopher St.-Sheridan Sq.
Payment methods: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Spence-Chapin Thrift Store
Spence and Chapin, long bastions for the education of New York’s blueblood feminine heirs, sponsor thrift shops to support the Spence-Chapin organization’s considerable good works in the larger community, mainly by recycling the high-end, high-quality cast-offs of elegant, label-happy UES moms. The jam-packed store donates thousands of dollars every month to charity, earned from the sale of near-new castoffs like Prada and Miu Miu dresses, Carolina Herrera leather totes, and Marc Jacobs peacoats, all at half their one-time retail price—or less. Granted, the gently worn clothes can be a season or two behind, but how much does a year matter when you’re talking Lacoste polos or lined Ralph Lauren gray flannel slacks? The shop is organized by category, with men’s clothing towards the back and women’s offerings crammed onto racks that line the whole space; a selection of furniture—heavy on the kitchen tables and chairs—is also available. The shop is usually crowded with both merchandise and people; shop early for the best picks. While the jaundice-suggestive fluorescent lighting could be better for choosing among the used Luca Luca gowns, shopping at the Spence-Chapin thrift shop is worth it for the bargains alone. (review by Faran Alexis Krentcil for New York Magazine)
Official Website: www.spence-chapin.org
First address:
1850 Second Ave. nr. 96th St.
Phone: 212-426-7643
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 96th St.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Second address:
1473 Third Ave. at 83rd St.
Phone: 212-737-8448
Hours: Mon-Fri, 11am-6:15pm; Sat, 11am-6pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 4, 5, 6 at 86th St.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Angel Street Thrift Shop
It was a noble idea when the Lower East Side Service Center decided to turn Manhattanites' unwanted designer duds, furniture, and home accessories into cash to help those affected by substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness. Today, the Angel Street Thrift Shop—located in Chelsea—is more than just the result of a philanthropic gesture and draws a steady group of regulars who have come to rely on this spot for its many diamonds in the rough. New donations arrive each day from patrons and designers alike, and though many pieces still have their original tags, Angel Street's prices are a real bargain. (Burberry for under $50?!) But, as many frequent shoppers will attest, if you see something worthwhile among the shop's organized and well-stocked racks, snag it, because tomorrow it'll be history. Despite the creaky wooden floors and standard-issue thrift-store racks—both staples of generic secondhand shops—the atmosphere is far from the dusty, cluttered feel of your local Salvation Army. The shelves here are organized and clean, the glass countertops sparkle, and everything—from apparel to armoires to champagne flutes—is displayed with impeccable care and attention. (review by Corinne Iozzio for New York Magazine)
First address:
118 W. 17th St.btwn 6th/7th Avenues
Phone: 212-229-0546
Website: www. angelthriftshop.org
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm
Nearby subway stops: 1 at 18th St.
Payment methods: American Express, MasterCard, Visa
Second address:
67 Guernsey St. nr. Nassau St. in Greenpoint Brooklyn
Phone: 718-384-1807
Hours: Wed-Sat, 11am-6pm; Sun, noon-5pm; Mon-Tue, closed
Nearby subway stops: G at Nassau Ave.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Vintage Thrift Shop
The United Jewish Council of the East Side (UJC) and the South Manhattan Development Corporation (SMDC) started this non-profit thrift shop to raise money for their charitable services. A Saturday afternoon must-stop for the discriminating bargain hunter, the front of the deep, open-air space holds a well-organized collection of clothing for men and women, like a Oscar de la Renta wool jacket and burgundy London Fog trench coat — plus dapper hats, shoes, belts, scarves, and French and Italian eyeglass frames. Farther in, the room is dotted with couches, dressers, chests, and lamps. A don’t-miss is the makeshift media center, lined with jazz, pop, and rock records and books covering subjects like cooking, archeology, parenting, and design. Shoppers can also place in-store bids on the housewares, paintings, and furniture in the rotating window displays; “auction” winners are announced every three weeks. (review by Bree Sposato for New York Magazine)
Address: 286 Third Ave. nr. 23rd St.
Phone: 212-871-0777
Hours: Sun, 11am-7pm; Mon-Thu, 10:30am-8pm; Fri, 10:30am-dusk; Sat, closed
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 23rd St.
Payment methods: American Express, Discover
Salvation Army
I've found many interesting items in the Salvation Army since I was 14 years old and was given a clothing allowance but could go roller skating instead if I spent as little as possible on clothes. The New York City Salvation Army stores are full of stuff. The only question is, do you have the patience to wade through all of it?? It is worth adding to the list, however, because if you are REALLY broke and need something for REALLY cheap, (first go to the other thrift stores) if all else fails...head on over to one of the Salvation Army stores. Or all of them. (I'm only including the Manhattan locations, check the website for all others)
Website: www.salvationarmy.org
First address:
208 Eighth Ave. at 21st St.
Phone: 212-929-5214
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-5:30pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: C, E at 23rd St.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Second address:
112 Fourth Ave. nr. 12th St.
Phone: 212-673-2741
Hours: Mon-Tue and Thu, 10am-6pm; Wed and Fri-Sat, 10am-7pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W at 14th St.-Union Sq.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Third address:
220 E. 23rd St. nr. Third Ave.
Phone: 212-532-8115
Hours: Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 6 at 23rd St.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Fourth address:
536 W. 46th St. nr. Tenth Ave.
Phone: 212-757-2311
Hours: Mon-Sat, 9am-5:30pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: A, C, E at 42nd St.-Port Authority Bus Terminal
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa
Fifth address:
268 W. 96th St. nr. Broadway
Phone: 212-663-2258
Hours: Mon and Sat, 10am-6pm; Tue-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sun, closed
Nearby subway stops: 1, 2, 3 at 96th St.
Payment methods: MasterCard, Visa