Thrifting in NYC - A Beginner's Guide On Secondhand & Where to Shop
Second-hand shopping has not had a very glamorous history.
When we hear the words “thrift store,” a very specific image comes to mind:
Shelves upon shelves of unsorted clothes, items with old stains, and the lingering scent of a retirement home in the air.
In short, a gross free-for-all.
Thrifting is one of the only LGY-approved trends and Gen Z's favorite way to shop.
But what makes second-hand shopping so special, and how can you start thrifting without spending hours sorting through junk?
If you've ever walked into a Goodwill and immediately walked right out but want to shop second-hand, this is for you!
Thrifting doesn't have to feel overwhelming, difficult, or inaccessible.
Shopping secondhand doesn't have to be scary or give you the ick.
For some, it's a treasure hunt. The trick is to have patience, and you will find gems!
Instead of looking for gold, you're looking for a special piece that will fill a wardrobe gap or last a lifetime
Facebook Marketplace, The Real Real, and other secondhand marketplaces can get you brands and quality items you might be priced out of or never see again in stores
Thrift and consignment stores like Buffalo Exchange, Goodwill, and Beacon’s Closet have boomed in popularity over the past decade.
Now, in 2025, thrifting is a billion-dollar industry!
Consignment VS. Thrift Stores — What’s the Difference?
Thrift stores are in every city and take public donations to try to sell as many items as possible. They often, but not always, support local community non-profits.
Online thrift stores include:
How do consignment stores work?
Consignment stores source their pieces from regular people who want to offload their older items, and the store chooses the best of the best to sell.
The store will share an item’s sale profits with the seller
You can rely on them for a higher-end shopping experience
You get assurance that the pieces are in good condition
Certain stores will take mall brands and lower-end products, while others are luxury only
Luxury Online Consignment Shops Include
Consignment stores are an ideal option for beginner secondhand shoppers or fashionistas who are looking to spend a little extra when curating their wardrobes without the thrift store junk.
Want to Donate Your Clothes and Edit Your Closet Today? This Will Help! 👇🏼👇🏼
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Thrifting Is One Way To Help The Planet and Fight Pollution While Still Getting New Fashion
When polyester and synthetic clothes end up in landfills, they don't break down or decompose for hundreds of years.
So the next time you're about to click "checkout", think about all the past orders you've thrown away! They're all probably still out there, taking up space and bleeding harmful chemicals into our water and soil.
Instead of buying new every time, try to stagger your first-hand buys with thrifting. A small change in your shopping habits, like thrifting more often, can make a big impact.
Thrifting helps to:
1) Reduce textile waste
2) Keep the oceans clean
3) Reduce the use of water
4) Stop excessive carbon emissions/air pollution
Thrifting won’t solve all our planet's problems, but it’s a great place to start.
If you're a fashionista who just can't live without a good shopping spree, thrifting and consignment are gonna be your new best friends.
Buying Secondhand Can Help Make You A Better Dresser
Shopping for new items can be overwhelming and pricey, but instead of trying cheaper versions of items you love, shopping secondhand can:
Get you the exact thing you want at an accessible price
Find the styles you've been dreaming of in better quality fabrics, like leather, cashmere, and silk
Score one-of-a-kind vintage from designer brands like Hermés or Calvin Klein
Give your budget room to try creative items you'd otherwise be scared to waste money on
Allow you to buy more quality items, more often, while (possibly) spending less overall
Stylist Pro-tip:
Etsy isn’t just for custom jewelry and knick-knacks. It’s also a fabulous online thrifting and vintage resource!
Where To Go Thrifting In NYC - A Guide For Beginners
If you're a New Yorker looking for a place to start thrifting, here is an LGY-approved list of some of the best thrift spots in the city!
L Train Vintage
L train is famous for a reason. It's been the "gateway drug" for so many thrifting addicts I know, and it remains a certified classic.
This is the place to find jackets, sweaters, button-up shirts, campy graphic tee's and great denim.
In this second picture, you can see Gianna, the LGY writer who penned this article, wearing her favorite denim jacket that she found at L train back in 2019!
Metropolis
Metropolis is a great hidden gem just a few blocks south of Union Square.
They're most well-known for their immaculate band tee collection- a reputation they absolutely deserve. Also, they have incredible bombers and leather jackets.
Here Gianna is again, out with friends and wearing the Carhartt Jeans she found at Metropolis for 15 dollars!
Bonus - she found the striped button-up she's wearing here at L Train, of course.
Beacons Closet (Park Slope + Elsewhere)
Beacon's Closet is a famous thrift chain with locations all over the city, all of which are great options. But, if you ask us, the Park Slope store reigns supreme. This location is off the beaten path, and thus much less crowded than most Beacons in the city.
This is an amazing place to find unique party dresses and fun summer tops. For a traditional thrift store, I find their stock to be very well curated!
Here she is wearing a gorgeous, authentic 1980s plaid schoolgirl skirt -scored at Beacon's Closet.
Life Boutique Thrift
Speaking of off the beaten path, Life Boutique Thrift is a personal favorite hidden gem in Park Slope. They have everything from home decor and glassware to clothing and wall art. The best they have to offer, though, is an extensive vintage fur coat collection.
Here she is in 2020 wearing a plaid coat for the 9,000th time after it was found at Life Boutique
10 ft Single by Stella Dallas
What better final recommendation could I give than Bella Hadid's favorite thrift store? This cozy vintage haven is in the heart of Greenpoint, just a few blocks from McCaren Park.
This store has one of the best curated and most extensive vintage collections I've ever seen. It also has a particularly impressive suede jacket/fringe collection, with lots of genuine western denim from the 70s. Because of its elevated stock, 10 ft is a bit more pricey than L Train, but the quality speaks for itself.
This absolutely stunning 70s button-up dress was purchased at Stella Dallas as well.
Consignment Brooklyn
Looking for another spot to add to your Brooklyn thrift itinerary? Look no further than Consignment Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue. This spot offers an ultra-luxury thrifting experience for the bougie fashionista in us all.
The endless cycle of fashion is enough to make anyone dizzy... so why not give the earth and your closet a break from the fashion bulk?
Try shopping consignment and thrifting the next time you're aching for a new piece in your wardrobe!
