Guide to Vintage Thrift Shopping in Brooklyn, New York City
Last month, I travelled to New York to celebrate my best friend’s birthday, spending a dreamy 8 days indulging in bagels, martinis and of course, incredible secondhand shopping. After a week on Manhattan island, we decided to venture across the bridge and explore New York’s trendiest borough, Williamsburg in Brooklyn. With a completely different vibe and pace to Manhattan, Williamsburg felt unassuming and unapologetically too cool for school, with minimalist scandi cafes, dive bars, thrift stores (or charity shops as we would call them) and tattoo parlours dotted along the quiet, graffiti ridden streets. It was clear we were in the right region for the best vintage thrift shopping in town. And despite coming home with significantly heavier suitcases, we managed to avoid buying anything new during our trip, which stands as a testament to the quality of New York’s vintage and thrift shopping considering it is one of the biggest retail capitals in the world.
Below, I have listed the best thrift vintage stores that we discovered in Brooklyn:
BEACON’S CLOSET, 74 Guernsey St, Brooklyn, New York
Beacon’s Closet is a neighbourhood favourite located just a 10 minute walk from The Williamsburg Hotel and The Hoxton. With such a wide selection of local brands, it certainly takes some sifting through the musty, slightly wacky and brightly coloured patterned dresses to find some goodies but it’s the perfect place to source leather and suede oversized men’s jackets, graphic 90s tee, and proper, non-stretchy thick Levi’s jeans. There is also a slightly random but fun selection of shoes, from colourful cowboy boots and Dr martens. I would 100% recommend a visit to Beacon’s Closet as it’s a fantastic thrift store, but I would recommend going there with nothing specific in mind. Forget season, style, everything and find beauty in the unknown!
I came home with a beautifully weathered burnt orange suede jacket, some super soft Blue Western jeans, a 90s hip hop inspired tee and a pair of slouchy dungaree/overalls that made the perfect ‘flight home’ outfit (all featured on our insta). My total spending came to $99 which for 4 items felt like quite the bargain.
Other locations:
Beacon’s Closet in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
AWOKE VINTAGE, 132 N 5th Street, Brooklyn
Compared to Beacon’s Closet, Awoke Vintage is a much smaller boutique with a more elevated and premium collection of secondhand items mixed in with wholesale pieces from local brands like Le Lis which is an LA based clothing brand. You will find items in a couple of sizes which at first threw me, however the friendly shop assistant quickly explained that majority of their stock was secondhand especially highlighting their extensive Levi’s shorts and jeans selection but they did have wholesale items mixed in. There was also a selection of bags, sunglasses and accessories from an Australian brand called Billini but be aware these were all new!
Prices were considerably higher than Beacon’s Closet, however I couldn’t resist a pair of perfectly fitting American blue, frayed Levi’s shorts for $60. It was a wardrobe staple that I was missing, and as they fit like a glove, I decided to take them!
For those wanting a real bargain, they also regularly restock their $5, $10, $15 ‘tubs’ which you can find in the store, or there is a reduced rack outside the entrance if you enter through the mall rather than straight from the street. Again definitely worth a visit!
Awoke Vintage in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
MALIN LANDAEUS, 157 N 6th St, Brooklyn
Malin Landaeus is everything you can expect from a ‘typical’ vintage thrift shop: a bit dark and musty, a bit wacky but oozing charm and character. Definitely one for those looking for more typical vintage ‘era’ pieces rather than contemporary finds. There were more formal dresses with intricate beading, beautifully worn in leather boots, colourful cowboys boots and gorgeous old-fashion hats that looked as if they belong in Pretty Women. I spotted Moschino, Alexander Mcqueen, Michael Kors and some vintage Carolina Herrera sunnies as well as unknown brands that I’d never heard of. A lovely place with lots of variety, and definitely one for those true lovers of vintage, who appreciate the history of fashion and story behind their clothes!
Malin Landaeus in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
WONDERS OF WALTER, 135 Berry St, Brooklyn
Wonders of Walter feels more like a sidewalk pop up in a garage rather an a traditional shop. But with racks in every corner and spilling onto the street, of oversized plaid shirts, leather and denim jackets, corduroy shirts and graphic tees, who cares. Prices are low and stock is varied…Definitely one for a quick browse if you’re in the area as this is another neighbourhood favourite!
Wonders of Walter in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on a sunny day!
